Morning came quietly to the Kingdom of Ivanova.
A pale golden light spread across the towers of the royal palace, slipping between the tall windows and white marble columns that overlooked the capital.
Far below, the city had already begun its day. Merchants opened their stalls, carts rolled over the cobbled streets, and the distant murmur of people waking drifted faintly toward the palace walls.
Inside the royal residence, servants moved through the corridors with practised silence.
The Royal Family would soon gather for breakfast.
Behind one of the carved oak doors in the Eastern wing of the palace lay the chambers of Princess Ariana.
The room was large but calm in its design. Ivory curtains swayed gently beside tall windows, and shelves filled with books lined the walls.
A small table held a vase of fresh white lillies that had been placed there earlier that morning .
At the center of the room, Ariana sat before a mirror while a maid carefully arranged her hair.
Even in the soft morning light, its color was still striking.
Long strands of fiery red hair fell down her back like polished copper touched by sunlight. In the Kingdom of Ivanova, hair of such color was rare, and over the years it had become one of the many reasons people spoke endlessly about the princess's beauty.
The maid brushed too carefully as if afraid to pull too hard. Anyone who worked in the Eastern wing of the palace knew one thing .
Princess Ariana Vranov is the pride of the Ivanova Kingdom!
After a moment, the maid cleared her throat nervously.
"Your Highness, The Queen has requested for your presence in the dining hall."
Ariana studied her reflection for a moment before standing.
"I imagine she has, " she replied gently.
Her voice carried a calm warmth that made many of the palace servants adore her.
Before the maid could answer, the chamber door opened quietly.
Serena stepped inside.
Unlike most servants, Serena did not appear nervous around the princess.
She had served Ariana since childhood and had long grown used to speaking more freely in her presence.
"You should hurry," Serena said lightly , "Your mother does not enjoy waiting."
Ariana turned towards her.
"Does anyone enjoy waiting for my mother?"
Serena almost laughed before remembering where they were.
"That depends," she said, "Are they brave or foolish?"
Ariana smiled faintly.
She reached for the light silk shawl resting on the chair beside her and draped it over her shoulders.
The movement caused her red hair to shift softly across the fabric.
"Come," Serena said opening the door. "Before Prince Kai finishes all the honey cakes."
"That sounds exactly like something like he would do," Ariana replied.
Together they left the chamber.
**************************************
The Royal Dining Hall was already filled with quiet conversation.
Sunlight streamed through tall glass windows, illuminating a long polished table set with silver dishes and delicate porcelain cups.
Several princesses were already seated along one side, dressed in colourful gowns as they spoke in hushed voices to one another.
At the head of the table sat King Ivan.
The Ruler of Ivanova Kingdom was a broad man with kind eyes and calm presence that made him well loved by his people.
Though he wore a crown, he rarely carried himself with the cold authority many kings displayed.
Beside him sat Queen Augusta.
Where the King appeared warm , the Queen appeared sharp.
Her posture was perfect,her gaze attentive, and even in silence she seemed to command the whole room.
Accross from them lounged Prince Kai.
The only son and heir to the Ivanova Throne.
And very aware of it.
The moment Ariana entered the room, King Ivan looked up and smiled.
"Ah, my daughter!" He remarked.
Ariana approached and gave a respectful bow.
"Goodmorning, Father!" Ariana greeted.
The King gestured warmly towards the empty seat beside him.
"Come, sit."
She did.
Almost immediately, a servant stepped forward to pour tea into her cup.
Queen Augusta watched the exchange with quiet observation.
"You are late, " the Queen said at last.
Her voice was smooth, though, not gentle.
Ariana lifted the cup to her lips calmly .
" I was preparing for the day, Mother."
Queen Augusta studied her daughter for a moment.
Even she could not deny that Ariana possesed a beauty that drew attention wherever she went.
The fiery red hair alone made her impossible to overlook.
Which made her both an asset...and a complication.
"A Princess should not keep her family waiting," the Queen replied.
Before Ariana could answer, King Ivan spoke.
"She is here now, Augusta."
The Queen said nothing further though her gaze still lingered.
Prince Kai leaned back lazily in his chair.
"Sister," he said with amusement, " you should have seen the nobles yesterday."
Ariana glanced at him.
"What happened?"
Kai grinned.
"They were arguing about who would marry you."
A few of the other princesses giggled quietly.
" One of them nearly challenged another to a duel," Kai added.
Ariana sighed softly.
"That seems unnecessary."
Kai laughed.
"I thought it was entertaining."
Queen Augusta spoke again.
"Marriage is not entertainment."
The room grew quieter.
Her eyes rested on Ariana.
"It is duty."
Everyone at the table understood what that meant.
Ariana was the most admired Princess in the whole kingdom.
Her marriage would one day serve a political purpose.
King Ivan frowned slightly bur dod not argue.
Ariana met her mother's gaze calmly.
"Yes, Mother."
Her tone remained respectful.
But Serena, who stood quietly near the wall noticed something else in the princess's expression.
A small stubborn spark.
**************************************
Later that morning, Ariana walked slowly through the palace gardens.
Serena followed few steps behind.
The gardens stretched widely across the palace grounds, filled with carefully arranged flower beds and tall stone fountains where clear water flowed gently into shallow pools.
Birds moved between the trees while the scent of roses drifted through the air.
Ariana paused beside one of the fountains.
The water reflected the sky above in soft ripples.
Serena approached quietly.
" You handled breakfast well," she said.
Ariana glanced at her.
"Did i?"
"You did not argue with the Queen."
"That would accomplish nothing."
Serena nodded thoughtfully.
For a moment, they stood in silence.
Then Ariana spoke again.
"My Mother believes she controls everything. "
Serena tilted her head slightly.
"She controls quite a lot.
Ariana's lips curved faintly.
"But not everything. "
Serena studied her carefully.
She had known Ariana long enough to recognise that tone.
It was the sound of quiet rebellion.
And sometimes, rebellion had a way of changing the course of kingdoms.
Far away in the north, armies were already marching.
And at their head, rode a King whose name would soon trave accross the lands.
Alexander.
Serena turned slightly, as if she had sensed something.
"Did you feel that?"
Ariana frowned faintly.
"Feel what?"
Serena hesitated.
"…Nothing."
The moment passed as quickly as it had come.
The garden returned to its quiet stillness.
Birds sang.
Water flowed.
Everything appeared exactly as it should be.
Ariana exhaled softly, her fingers brushing against the edge of the fountain.
For a brief second—
The surface of the water stilled.
Completely.
No ripple.
No movement.
As though something unseen had touched it…
Then it shifted again, breaking into gentle waves.
Ariana's hand paused.
"…Strange."
But she said nothing more.
And above them, the sky remained clear—
Unbroken.
Unaware.
Ariana's hand lingered over the water.
For a moment, she did not move.
Then—
A sharp, unfamiliar sensation tightened in her chest.
Her breath caught.
Not pain.
Not fear.
Something else.
Something… pulling.
Her fingers curled slightly against the stone edge of the fountain.
"Your Highness?" Serena stepped closer.
Ariana blinked once, as if waking from something she could not see.
"…It's nothing."
But even as she said it—
The feeling did not fully disappear.
It lingered.
Faint.
Insistent.
As though something, somewhere…
Had just noticed her.