The night was quiet. Moonlight poured through the royal window, painting the floor in silver. The castle was still. Only the fire crackled in the king's chamber.
King Ryan sat by the fire, his face drawn with worry. Queen Natalie stood near him, her hands clasped tightly. They had been silent for a long time. Neither spoke.
Finally, Natalie broke the silence. "She asked me today," she said softly. "She wants to know why we keep her inside."
Ryan rubbed his eyes and exhaled slowly. "I know. She asked me this morning. She's growing restless. She will not stop asking questions."
Natalie looked down at her hands. "She is seventeen now. How long can we hide the truth from her?"
"As long as we must," Ryan said firmly. "If she finds out too soon… it could destroy her. We are protecting her—from herself and from the world."
Natalie's voice trembled. "But she is our daughter. Doesn't she have the right to know who she is?"
Ryan shook his head. "Not yet. The mark—it's more than a sign. It is power. Dangerous power. We do not know its limits… or how much control she might lose if it awakens too soon."
Natalie's eyes drifted to the window. "Sometimes I see it," she whispered. "When she turns her back… it glows faintly, like fire under her skin. I cannot stop worrying about the day it fully awakens."
Ryan stood and moved closer to her. He placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "That is why we keep her inside. Outside, the wrong people would see it. They would know who she truly is… and they would come for her. There are people who would use her power, or destroy her to take it."
Natalie closed her eyes. "How long can we protect her… from the world, and from herself?"
Ryan did not answer. He stared into the flames, his jaw tight. His face was hard, but sorrow lay deep in his eyes. He thought of their daughter—curious, brave, stubborn—and of the danger she could face.
The fire crackled and flickered, throwing shadows across the walls. The shadows moved like quiet watchers, as if they too knew the secret that the king and queen fought to hide.
Outside, the wind whispered through the castle, rattling the window panes. Somewhere in the castle, Nara slept, unaware of the conversation, unaware of the power that flowed through her. One day, she would learn… but not yet.
The night grew colder. The moon climbed higher. And still, the two rulers sat quietly, their minds heavy with worry and fear.