King Charles's life changed forever the moment hope arrived—he was finally to become a father. With a radiant smile that seemed to chase away the realm's lingering shadows, he appeared before his people as a joyful ruler, his love for Isabel growing stronger with each passing day. As the mother-to-be, Isabel was revered as the Queen Mother, her status elevated to royal dignity. Whispers of destiny spread through the kingdom like wildfire, for this child was no ordinary heir; the ancient scrolls spoke of a child who would either unite or unravel the realm.Oracle Elian, sensing the king's eagerness, advised him to seal their bond through marriage. "Pay her dowry, marry her, and prepare for the arrival of your heir," Elian counseled. King Charles, impatient to claim Isabel fully, agreed without hesitation. Preparations began at once, transforming the palace into a living tapestry of wonder.Days later, the palace buzzed with an electric excitement that made the very stones hum. Dignitaries and kings from neighboring lands—Eldoria, Sylvandar, and the floating isles of Aerith—arrived in grand processions. Their carriages, pulled by luminous steeds with manes of starlight, wound through the golden gates. Banners of emerald and crimson fluttered in the enchanted breeze, while sky lanterns drifted upward, releasing showers of sparkling petals that never touched the ground.The wedding ceremony unfolded in the Grand Hall of Chilaland Palace, a breathtaking spectacle of grandeur and ancient magic. The hall had been transformed: towering crystal pillars pulsed with inner light, projecting holographic visions of Chilaland's heroic legends dancing across the vaulted ceilings. Enchanted vines heavy with glowing orchids climbed the walls, their flowers opening and closing in rhythm with the music. A massive canopy of woven moonlight silk stretched overhead, simulating a night sky where constellations shifted to form protective runes.Isabel entered on a path of rose petals that shimmered like liquid gold. She was resplendent in a flowing golden gown embroidered with intricate silver threads depicting the history of Chilaland—battles won, alliances forged, and prophecies yet to be fulfilled. The bodice hugged her form elegantly, accentuating the gentle swell of her early pregnancy, while the skirt cascaded like liquid sunlight, trailing behind her with tiny embedded gems that chimed softly like distant bells. A translucent veil of moonlight silk framed her face, and a crown of living starflowers rested upon her dark curls, their petals emitting a soft, fragrant glow.King Charles awaited her at the altar, resplendent in royal crimson robes trimmed with ermine and threads of pure magic. His eyes never left hers, filled with a love so fierce it seemed to bend the air around them. Oracle Elian, robed in flowing white and silver, officiated the rite. As the couple joined hands beneath the canopy, Elian raised his staff, and a cascade of ethereal light rained down, weaving their auras together in visible golden and sapphire threads. The guests gasped in awe as the magic hummed, binding their fates.The vows were spoken with captivating passion. King Charles declared, "In this life and the next, I claim you as my heart, my queen, and the vessel of our legacy." Isabel's voice rang clear and steady: "I give myself to you, to Chilaland, and to the child we shall raise in light and shadow." As they kissed, fireworks of colored magic erupted overhead—dragons of pure light spiraled through the hall, and harmonious choirs of invisible spirits sang an ancient melody that brought tears to even the sternest kings.The gift-giving followed, a cherished tradition that turned the ceremony into a feast of generosity and symbolism. A grand procession formed, led by the royal families of neighboring lands. The King of Eldoria presented a chest of flawless diamonds that glowed with protective wards, capable of shielding the unborn child from dark sorcery. The Queen of Sylvandar offered a living necklace of intertwined emerald vines that would bloom with healing herbs whenever Isabel felt pain. From Aerith came a crystal orb that floated gently above the cradle-to-be, projecting soothing lullabies drawn from the winds themselves.Then came the older queens—the fifteen wives who had long shared King Charles's court. Dressed in their finest silks of varying hues representing their individual strengths, they approached Isabel with solemn grace and warm smiles. Queen Sesi, the first and most revered, stepped forward first. She placed a golden fertility amulet around Isabel's neck, its center holding a drop of sacred spring water said to ensure safe passage for the heir. "May this child bring unity to our sisterhood," she whispered, kissing Isabel's forehead.Queen Emily, the fifteenth and youngest among them, offered a delicate silver bracelet etched with runes of loyalty. "Wear this, sister, and know you are never alone in these halls." One by one, the others presented their gifts: a velvet cloak woven from phoenix feathers for warmth and rebirth, a jeweled comb that would keep Isabel's hair eternally lustrous during the trials of motherhood, and ancient scrolls containing lullabies that could calm even the most restless spirit. The people of Chilaland, gathered outside the great doors, cheered wildly as each gift was announced, hailing Isabel as their beloved Queen Mother. The air filled with the scent of blooming magic and the sound of joyful drums.As night fell, King Charles led Isabel to his chambers, their love electric and all-consuming. Their union was a night of fierce passion and whispered promises, the air thick with the scent of jasmine incense and the glow of floating candles. Every touch felt like destiny unfolding.The next morning, the fifteen queens welcomed Isabel more formally into their circle, performing sacred rituals to affirm her place. They anointed her with oils of lavender and myrrh, chanting blessings for strength and wisdom. Queen Sesi requested a skilled midwife be assigned to care for Isabel, while Queen Emily insisted a devoted personal maid be appointed to attend her every need.Weeks passed, and the palace thrummed with excitement. Isabel's pregnancy advanced, her belly swelling beautifully with the long-awaited heir to Chilaland's throne. The entire realm held its breath, awaiting the child's arrival. Servants whispered of the baby's strong kicks, and the people left offerings at the palace gates—tiny carved figurines and baskets of ripe fruit.As the due date drew near, Isabel was gently settled in the birthing chamber, surrounded by the queens, Oracle Elian, and the palace healers. The room hung heavy with tension, the air thick with unspoken expectation.Queen Sesi, her voice low and soothing, whispered to Isabel, "The time is near, dear one. Hold steady, and let the magic flow."Isabel, face set in quiet determination, nodded, her fingers tightening on the armrests. The midwife, wise and steady, gave a subtle signal to Elian, who raised his hands toward the heavens.Silence fell. Only the soft, rhythmic chanting of the healers filled the space. The air pulsed with unseen energy as Isabel's breathing grew faster.Suddenly, the lights flickered violently. A deep, bone-rattling rumble shook the palace walls. The queens exchanged fearful glances, their faces draining of color. Elian's eyes flew open, his voice sharp and urgent: "The prophecy stirs… something is coming."The chamber plunged into absolute darkness. Only Isabel's ragged breathing pierced the void. Shadows on the walls twisted and writhed like living creatures, stretching toward the center of the room.From the blackness came a low, guttural whisper that seemed to crawl inside their skulls:
"The unwritten tale is about to unfold… and Chilaland will shatter."The silence became suffocating. The queens held their breath, eyes locked on Isabel, whose body now trembled with an unnatural, pulsing energy.Then the lights sputtered back—dim, sickly, and cold.Isabel's eyes snapped open. They glowed with an eerie, unearthly silver light, no longer entirely her own. A thin, black vein crept slowly across her cheek like spreading ink.Outside the chamber, the darkness thickened into something solid—something watching. Waiting.A single, wet sound echoed from Isabel's swollen belly: not a heartbeat… but a slow, deliberate scrape, as though claws were testing the inside of her womb.And then, from within her, came a voice that was not hers—low, ancient, and smiling."…I am awake."