The betrayal's price- the story of Zara and Lyra's friendship

Chapter One: The Choice of Zara

The golden sun sank low in the sky, casting long shadows over the marble terraces of the royal palace. The kingdom of Oryn was as peaceful as it had ever been, its bustling streets, vibrant gardens, and glittering towers all a testament to the stability and prosperity Zara's father, King Tharon, had brought. Yet, in the quiet corners of her heart, Zara could not shake the emptiness that clung to her like a shroud.

Princess Zara stood at the edge of her balcony, gazing out over the city. Below, her people laughed, danced, and celebrated, blissfully unaware of the turmoil that swirled within her. Her life, so perfectly crafted, was beginning to feel like a gilded cage. She was a daughter of the crown, a symbol of grace and benevolence—but who was she really? Who was the person beyond the title, beyond the endless demands of court and family?

A soft voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Your Highness, the council awaits."

Zara turned to see her trusted handmaiden, Ellie, standing in the doorway, her expression a blend of concern and loyalty. Ellie had been by her side since childhood, a constant reminder of the life Zara had always known. The life that now felt distant, like a dream she no longer belonged to.

"I'll be down shortly, Ellie. Thank you," Zara replied, her voice distant.

As Ellie left, Zara's gaze returned to the sprawling kingdom below. It was a kingdom she was supposed to protect, to rule with wisdom and compassion. But all she felt was suffocated by the weight of expectations. She longed for something more, something beyond the walls of the palace, beyond the endless duties of a princess.

And then, as if the universe had heard her thoughts, a soft, melodic voice called to her from the wind.

"Zara..."

Her heart raced, though she did not recognize the voice at first. But she knew, deep down, that it had called her for a reason. The wind tugged at her, drawing her gaze toward the forest that lay beyond the city walls. It was a dark and mysterious place, a land that the people of Oryn whispered about in hushed tones—The Witch's Wood.

Lyra.

The name echoed in her mind, and with it, a vision of a woman who was both enchanting and terrifying. The evil witch, they said. The one who had been exiled long ago, banished to the darkest reaches of the kingdom. But Zara had never truly believed those stories. She had always felt the pull of Lyra's presence, the strange allure of the woman who promised power, freedom, and answers.

"Come to me, Zara," the voice urged again, this time more clearly, more urgently.

A chill ran down Zara's spine, but there was no fear, only a strange sense of inevitability. The pull was too strong to ignore.

That night, Zara slipped away from her chambers, leaving behind the life she had known. She crept through the silent halls of the palace, her heart pounding in her chest, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. She could not explain it, but something inside her knew this was what she had to do.

She had been raised with stories of the witch—how Lyra had once been a healer, a wise woman beloved by the people, before she had fallen to darkness. The price of ambition had consumed her, they said, turning her into a creature of greed and malice. But Zara had always felt there was more to the story, something no one had dared to uncover. And now, she was going to find out what that was.

As Zara made her way through the moonlit garden, her heart heavy with uncertainty, she felt a strange sense of relief. This was the moment she had been waiting for. This was her choice, her path to take, no matter the consequences.

She reached the edge of the forest, where the trees loomed tall and dark. The air was thick with magic, and Zara could almost taste the power that seemed to pulse from the earth itself. Her footsteps faltered, but the voice in her mind urged her on.

"Zara, you are not alone."

She stepped into the shadows of the Witch's Wood, and with each step, the weight of her past life seemed to fall away. It was as if she were shedding the skin of the princess she had been, becoming something else—something more.

As she ventured deeper, the trees began to close in, their gnarled branches twisting like fingers reaching for the sky. The air grew colder, the silence heavier, until she reached a clearing. And there, standing before her, was Lyra.

The witch was a striking figure, tall and commanding, her long black cloak billowing around her like the night itself. Her eyes glowed a faint, unnatural shade of green, and her presence seemed to warp the very fabric of reality. She smiled as Zara approached, a knowing, almost affectionate smile.

"You've come," Lyra said softly, her voice a silk thread weaving through the silence. "I knew you would. You've been searching for something, Zara. I can give it to you. Power. Purpose. The kingdom that is rightfully yours."

Zara stood frozen for a moment, her heart racing. The words hit her like a tidal wave. Power. Purpose. The kingdom. It was everything she had ever wanted, everything she had longed for but could never have within the walls of the palace.

But at what cost?

Lyra's smile widened, sensing Zara's hesitation. "There is no turning back once you step onto this path, Princess. You will be mine, and in return, I will make you the queen you were always meant to be. You will rule with power beyond your imagination, and the people will worship you."

Zara swallowed hard, her breath shallow. She thought of her father, her friends, the kingdom she had sworn to protect. She thought of Ellie, her childhood companion, who would never understand. She thought of all she was leaving behind.

But then she thought of the life she had dreamed of, the freedom she had always craved. Her heart beat louder in her chest, drowning out every doubt.

"I choose you," Zara whispered, her voice trembling with both fear and excitement.

Lyra's smile grew wicked, and she stepped forward, extending her hand to Zara. "Then it's done," she said, her voice cold with triumph. "You are mine, and together, we will claim what is rightfully ours."

As Zara reached out and took the witch's hand, a surge of power coursed through her. The darkness of the forest seemed to come alive, swirling around them like a storm. And in that moment, Zara knew that she had made her choice. She had abandoned everything for this—power, freedom, and a future that could not be undone.

The princess was no more.

Zara was reborn.