Upon reaching her room, she took a moment to process everything, and placed the magic sword on her desk. She plopped down on her bed, placing a hand on her face and slowly dragging it down. Her head tilted toward the sword as the day's events replayed in her mind. A sudden knock at the door broke her train of thoughts.
" Come in," Starfania said. To her surprise, a guard stood on the other side, urging her to follow him to the throne room, where her father awaited. As she stepped out of her room, she slipped the sword-pen into her pocket—she didn't want it to leave her sight, not even for a meeting with her father. As they approached the throne room, the sight of soldiers standing in perfect formation added to the tension.
Taking a deep breath, she slowly turned the doorknob and stepped inside. Her father, King Cesar, stood near his throne, his expression betraying a sense of urgency. His piercing gaze locked onto her, and she knew she was in for a long one. Starfania's fingers instinctively tightened around the sword in her pockets as she waited for him to speak.
" Starfania, " he said, his deep voice carrying a weight that silenced the room. " Come closer. "
She hesitated for a moment, inching forward, walking past the imposing line of soldiers. Their presence made everything far more intimidating. The seriousness of the situation settled on her like a heavy cloak. When she finally stood before him, he studied her with an intensity that made her shift uncomfortably.
" You've been out all day, " he said, his gaze unwavering. " Your absence did not go unnoticed. "
Starfania lowered her head in a bow. " I apologize, Father. I lost track of time. "
" Ah, " he said, his voice sharpening. " You've been quite busy, haven't you, my little star? "
The words sounded innocent—but there was a blade hidden beneath them. She froze; her heart skipped a beat.
" I… I'm not sure what you mean, " she said cautiously, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her. Cesar's smile widened, a mischievous glint igniting in his eyes.
" Oh, come now, Starfania. You didn't think I wouldn't notice? How late you returned?" He stepped closer. "Tell me…did you really think you could keep it a secret? "
The room seemed to grow colder; the walls inching closer than his words pressed heavily against her chest. He knew. Somehow—he'd known all along. And the real question was… What was he going to do with that knowledge?
" I—I don't know what you're talking about, " she managed, struggling to keep her voice steady.
Starfania's denial hung in the air like smoke—fragile, impossible to sustain. Cesar's eyes narrowed. A quiet amusement curved his lips, but it wasn't warm. It was the smile a predator gave when the prey pretended it hadn't been caught. The soldier remained perfectly still. No one shifted. Not one breathed too loudly. The throne room felt suffocatingly vast yet unbearably tight, as though the walls themselves were listening.
Cesar took one slow step forward. Then another. His boots echoed across the polished stone floor—measured, far too calm for Starfania's racing heart.
" Starfania," he murmured, voice low and coaxing, " I have known you since the moment you opened your tiny eyes to this world. Every expression, every habit, every wandering thought…you think I do not notice when something changes?"
Her fingers curled harder around the sword-pen in her pocket. She prayed she couldn't hear the tremble in her breath. He kept advancing until he towered over her—close enough that she could see the faint exhaustion in his face, the shadows beneath his eyes…and something else. Something calculating.
" Let us stop this little game," he continued, tone soft but razor-sharp. " You came home with a look I have not seen since the day your mother…"
He paused. Just for a fraction of a second. "...since the day we lost her."
Her throat tightened. He leaned slightly closer—just enough to remind her he held all the power here. " You are hiding something."
The words were gentle. The intention behind them was not. Starfania's pulse hammered. Her mind raced. Her mouth struggled to form an answer, but nothing came out. Cesar's smile vanished, replaced by a cold, unreadable calm.
" I will ask you once more," he said, each syllable carried with quiet authority. " What…are you hiding from me?"
The sword-pen pulsed once in her pocket. Starfania froze. Not now. Not here.
Her father's gaze flicked downward, noticing the tiny shift in her posture—how her hand twitched, how her weight shifted protectively to one side. His eyes sharpened. He reached out—swift, precise—and clasped her chin between his fingers, tilting her face up so she had no choice but to meet his gaze.
" Do not lie to me," he whispered. Her breath shook. Her mind screamed. But she held his gaze, refusing—just for this moment—to crumble.
" Father," she said softly, " I'm telling you the truth."
His eyes searched hers…and for the first time, Starfania couldn't tell whether he believed her or not.
The throne room was silent. Too silent. And deep beneath the quiet, beneath the tension, beneath Cesar's piercing stare… Starfania felt it. A shift. A faint ripple, like a whisper through the air. The sword-pen. It was reacting again. And Cesar noticed the flicker of fear in her eyes. A slow, deliberate exhale slipped past his lips as he stepped back.
" Very well," he said at last, though the calm in his voice was strained at the edges. " If you insist on keeping your secrets…then I suppose I must uncover the truth myself."
He turned from her, cape sweeping behind him, and walked toward his throne. Starfania's heart dropped. Because the way he said those words—felt like a warning. Or a promise. Or both. He stopped halfway, glancing back over his shoulder.
" Do not leave the castle tonight," he said flatly. " There are matters I must attend to, and I will not have you wandering where you shouldn't."
Her blood ran cold. Because she knew exactly what he meant. And she had a terrifying suspicion. He wasn't talking about her safety. He was talking about his secret. Cesar descended the steps toward the war table at the far end of the hall—where maps, vials, and sealed documents lay scattered. One vial in particular caught Starfania's eye. Dark. Thick. Unfamiliar. And glowing faintly with a sickly purple light. Her stomach churned. He noticed her staring—and without hesitation, he placed his hand over the vial, obscuring it from view.