A year had passed since the Voice of the Moon wreaked havoc on the Kingdom of Dandelion. Slowly, those affected by the battle between the knights and the Voice of the Moon were starting to recover. Many were injured, and many more had perished.
But despite it all, they could now smile again.
Ghilarre buried his face in the stacks of papers on his desk, staring listlessly at the documents he needed to review. "I can't take this anymore. I'm exhausted. Let's just go outside and hunt down some criminals."
Fynilopi placed another pile of papers on the desk and smirked at Ghilarre. "Your Highness, there's more. These are from the kingdom's borders."
"Enough, Fyn. I can't take it anymore. My brain's about to explode."
Fyn smiled as she watched him practically melt from boredom. "I have an unusual idea, Your Highness, but only for now."
Ghilarre's eyes lit up, and a broad smile spread across his face. "What did you think of, Fyn?" His voice echoed through the room, making Fyn chuckle.
"There are some old libraries here in the castle that people rarely visit. We might find something interesting."
The light in Ghilarre's eyes quickly faded, and he slumped back in his chair. "Tell your brother to switch places with me. I'd rather be a knight than a prince."
"Your Highness, this is your punishment for everything you've done. If you weren't a prince, they might have locked you up with Maly and Obsidian."
"And of all places, why the library? Isn't there anywhere else?"
Fyn sighed deeply. "There is, but I received a letter from Herica. She mentioned that the diaries of Hydron and Queen Astrala might be here. So when I learned about the old library, I thought they might be there."
"Didn't their story end in tragedy? What's so exciting about finding their diaries?"
Fyn looked down at the floor, a wide grin spreading across her lips. "Fine, Your Highness. Continue reviewing the reports piled up on your desk."
Ghilarre immediately stood up. "Who said I wouldn't join? Let's go, Fyn. Let's find those diaries."
Fyn looked up at him, smiling warmly. "As you wish, Your Highness."
Ghilarre led the way down the castle corridor, with Fyn following closely behind. The servants they passed bowed as they walked by. They made their way to the old library, which was covered in cobwebs and dust.
They descended a spiral staircase leading to the supposed library.
"This place is strange. Even the Voice of the Moon's hideout was cleaner." Ghilarre brushed off the cobwebs clinging to his clothes but couldn't help but smile. "I guess I won't be bored, Fyn."
"Of course, Your Highness. I wouldn't be your right hand if I didn't know that..."
"I knew it; you still have a high opinion of yourself, but that's why I admire you. And stop calling me 'Your Highness' for now. It's getting tedious."
"I refuse. I don't want to get imprisoned."
Eventually, they reached a room where the walls were stacked high with books and papers that hadn't been touched for ages. Both stood frozen, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of books, more than those in the southern island's libraries.
Ghilarre raised his hand, his smile widening. "This is amazing. I've never seen anything like it."
"I... I can't breathe."
"But how will we find their diaries in all this? There's so much that we'll grow old before we finish."
Fyn shook her head. "Your Highness, the question is whether you'll even reach old age."
They turned towards the sound of falling books and saw a woman with long hair, seemingly made of crystal threads, standing there, staring at them, almost unblinking.
Ghilarre and Fyn exchanged glances, this being the first time they had seen the woman. She sparkled in her attire, a crown resting upon her head.
"Ghi-Ghilarre?" the woman asked tentatively.
They turned their gaze back to the woman. "Do you know the Prince? May I know your name?"
She smiled at them and adjusted her position atop the high stack of books. "Yes. It's good to see you home."
"Do I know you?" Ghilarre asked, earning a slight nudge from Fyn.
Crystal staircases appeared between them, and the woman descended using them. "You're worthless, Ghilarre. But then again, we've never met. I'm Ghiliyan. I'm your older sister!"
"But the Prince is an only child."
"That's true. My mother never accepted me. They hid me here in the library, where even the servants and the head knights knew nothing. Moreover, I'm not the Queen's child. Ghilarre and I share the same father. What brings you here?"
"I have a sister?" Ghilarre muttered, staring at Ghiliyan, seeing in her the resemblance to the first Queen Astrala.
"We're looking for some diaries."
"Queen Astrala's and King Hydron's, right?"
Fyn's eyes sparkled when she mentioned the names, making Ghiliyan's eyes gleam as well. "You're a mind reader?"
"Fyn, don't look at her. She sparkles," Ghilarre whispered, clearly audible to all three.
"I've read everything here."
A crystal emerged between them, containing two books within it. "These are what you're looking for."
"Sister, don't you want to leave?" Ghilarre asked bluntly, but Ghiliyan shook her head.
She approached her brother, cupping his cheek. "No one must know about me. It would be too difficult for our people to accept. Don't tell anyone, Ghilarre."
__________________
Year 1873, Third Day of June,
Princess Astrala has come up with another one of her crazy ideas. She said, 'Write down what you want to happen in the future, for when we're old.' And the first thing that came to my mind was Herica. She's so dear to me that I don't want her to get hurt again. I love both of them, and I want to protect them as best as I can. In the future, I want to be with Herica forever. I love Astrala, but her life won't last long. I love her for who she is, but I don't see a future with her.
But as long as Astrala breathes, I will make her smile. But that's all it will ever be. I may be playful, but I don't want anyone to get hurt.
— Hydron