Chapter 4

A hidden passage opened behind the portrait. Adrian took a candle and stepped inside. Mara followed. The passage led beneath the palace. On the walls were ancient paintings depicting the royal family. But the final painting had been destroyed. Only one sentence remained: When the two heirs return, the kingdom will fall. "Who wrote this?" Mara asked. "The Queen." "Our mother?" Adrian nodded. "She knew someone would try to take the throne." "But why erase my memories?" Adrian remained silent. Finally, he said: "Because you weren't supposed to survive." Mara stared at him. "What?" "Seven years ago, our parents were murdered. The assassins came for both of us." Adrian touched the scar beneath his collar. "I escaped." "You thought I died." "No." His voice softened. "I saw you being taken away." Mara's eyes filled with tears. "Who took me?" Before Adrian could answer, a loud crash echoed through the passage. The candle went out. Then someone whispered in the darkness: "Your brother is lying to you."