Chapter 1

Come on in... Make yourself comfortable and close your eyes... Truth lies in comfort. Can you hear my soft yet clear voice? Listen closely, feel every word vividly, with your soul, in colors and shades... Let your imagination soar, let it fly into a wondrous world where everything you hear is real... I’m going to tell you a story, but I must warn you—everything I say is true. Are you ready to listen? Then let’s begin... Picture an empire... Vast—immense... Not just a single city, but entire duchies and baronies ruled by brave lords, barons, dukes, and other nobles... An empire of breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, impenetrable forests, and rivers with crystal-clear blue water... Along its roads, renowned knights gallop, earning glory, performing heroic deeds, and winning the hearts of fair maidens. The name of this realm is Endalasia. Now imagine a palace... Majestic, beautiful, with stone walls, romantic turrets, grand terraces, balconies, and countless hidden passages. In its corridors, torches burn brightly, while the walls are adorned with tapestries and gilded ornaments... In its gardens, a riot of flowers blooms, framed by elegant gazebos and enchanting fountains. Picture a serene lake, covered with green lily pads, though for twenty years, no lilies have flowered there. Can you see it? Now let your mind paint a scene of a massive crowd gathered beneath the palace’s main terrace, and on the balcony stand three figures: the proud, valiant, and celebrated monarch Adelard, alongside his two beautiful, fair-haired daughters. The subjects below shout slogans, and among them, these words ring out clearly: “Long live King Adelard! Long live Princess Elsa! Long live Princess Adel! Glory to Endalasia!” Now, imagine that lake once more. Picture it twenty years ago, bursting with white lilies, until that dreadful winter when the young queen died in childbirth, and a tiny princess was stolen by wicked hands. Since then, not a single flower has bloomed on the lake. You must be wondering, what connection do the princesses have with nature? I’ll tell you... For centuries, the mighty empire of Endalasia has been ruled by a dynasty known as the House of the White Lily. Every princess has long borne the title of a flower, embodying its essence. In ancient times, a prophecy foretold that the lily, the pure daughter of Water and Moon, would not bloom where evil thrived. When Duchess Caroline, the widow of the king’s brother, dared to kidnap the monarch’s daughter for the sake of the throne, a dark shadow fell over Endalasia’s palace. But on this day, when the lost princess returned home, history was destined to change, and past wrongs were to be righted. Though autumn was giving way to winter, the air outside was unseasonably warm. So warm that the girls didn’t need to wrap themselves in shawls, and nature seemed to decide that its time of slumber was over. For just one day, warmth triumphed over cold, just as good always triumphs over evil. And on the main lake, a lily emerged from beneath the water, showing its radiant head. It smiled at its father, the Moon, winked at the royal family, and then slipped back into slumber until spring... From now on, everything will be as it should. No, dear readers, this isn’t mysticism. Just a small happy ending at the start of our tale. How do I know about these events? It’s simple. I am one of the two Endalasian lilies, the reflection of the flower in human form. I am the one who blossomed before the eyes of the people over many years. The one who has achieved great heights, though the most important victories still lie ahead. My name is Elsa of Endalasia, and I am no longer the sole princess and heir to my father’s throne. As I recently discovered, I have a sister! A twin sister, torn from me on the very first day of our lives. My guardian angel, my innocence, the good side of myself. The price of her return was paid with my tears and suffering; I tore my soul to pieces, then pieced together what remained and carried on living with it. I grew up determined and persistent, receiving an impeccable education, mastering the intricacies of court etiquette and palace intrigue. At fifteen, I led numerous charitable foundations. By seventeen, I took on the duties of a queen, attending royal councils, receiving ambassadors and visitors, secretly turning a band of outlaws into protectors of the empire and becoming their leader, earning the titles of “the most influential princess of her time” and “queen of the ball,” as well as the moniker “snow queen” for the countless hearts I’ve broken. But all of this turned out to be mere facts in a biography. Now I realize I wasn’t truly happy. I only believed everything was fine. Happiness sparkled on the horizon the day love stirred in my heart. First, love for my father and the aunt whose affection I carried from childhood. Love for my adopted brother and my best friend, who became my fiercest supporters. Love through burning hatred for the person who became my savior from both physical and spiritual death. His name is Prince Arlet of Zolhid. Striding confidently into my life, he didn’t ask for permission or consent when he broke the chains binding my hands, boldly rescuing me from the prison of unwanted dynastic marriages, becoming my pillar, friend, and advisor. He taught me another kind of love as well—love for my cousin, the son of the woman who is my fiercest enemy. Love is deadly; it made me vulnerable. Love is healing; it shielded me like armor from fatal arrows. The love of these people saved and healed me, and my love for them gave me strength and inspiration. Yet despite it all, I ached terribly for my sister, as if my heart knew she was alive. And now, having found her, I’ve seen true happiness. My family is reborn, we’ve overcome the past, but sadly, our enemies—those involved in the crimes, those who still harm us—are yet to be punished. And so, I will have no peace until just retribution falls upon the heads of those responsible for the misfortunes of my kin and my empire... “The Bloom of the Lily” signifies how, after twenty years, a fragile yet powerful flower overcame the frost and, at the end of November, shone with its beauty and tenderness, as if teaching us a lesson in struggle and love, light and goodness. But it also refers to the ascension of a princess to the throne—the rightful heir—triumphing over an era of fear and war... My most critical mission lies ahead: to protect my little sister, my family, and the entire empire from the evil witch who has poisoned our lives for years and seeks to destroy everything I hold dear. But first, by the will of my father, His Majesty the King, I will pour all my energy into training my sister, for to live in the palace, she must learn to be a princess. And this must be done before the Winter Ball, which will take place exactly one month from now in honor of milady’s return. That means in four weeks, she must master history, etiquette in conversation and at the table, the art of dance, proper demeanor, and most importantly, learn to shed her shyness, gain confidence, and accept herself as the daughter of a monarch. In other words, in thirty days, she must learn what I’ve studied for nearly nineteen years, day after day, under strict tutors and later through practice. There’s another crucial detail: my sweet, shy sister doesn’t see herself in high society and constantly tries to hide behind me. But as a diplomat and politician, I know that in our harsh world, Adel won’t be able to hide from herself. They won’t allow it; the supporters of our enemies, led by Duchess Caroline—the root of all our woes—will give her no peace. Moreover, Endalasia needs its princess, and the princess needs Endalasia. A few days have passed since the ceremonial naming, which we spent together with our friends Arlet, Armel, my cousin Ledger, and the enchanting Viteli. I must note that my sister was utterly charmed by my crew. She bonded instantly with the dark-haired daughter of a seer; their outlooks on life aligned perfectly, they always found common ground, and sometimes playfully teamed up against me. With Ledger, our cousin in spirit, Adel also got along right away. And no wonder—she’s a true angel! She somehow avoided Arlet, who couldn’t help but marvel at how different our personalities are, while she seemed to like Armel but hid it, blushing in his presence. I tried not to interfere in their relationship. I believe time will sort everything out. Living with us in the palace is my adopted little brother, the fair-haired Enrico, who took to me from the very first day. And I’ve grown to love him dearly. I often think that if Arlet and I had a son, he’d resemble this boy—at least in his boldness, cunning, sense of humor, and lighthearted, slightly cheeky nature (there’s plenty of that in both me and the brown-eyed Zolhidian, so I shudder to imagine what kind of children parents with such equally unbearable personalities might have). In Enrico’s family, only his mother, Lady Melissa, possesses these traits. Thankfully, the boy takes after her and not his father, Oscar, whom I’ve strictly forbidden from crossing my path. Despite Adel’s pleas to be stronger, to forget and forgive, I couldn’t turn a blind eye to how the villagers treated my twin. My love for my sister and Enrico saved that cruel, self-serving “father” and the haughty Baroness Isadora from my wrath. But I didn’t dwell on thoughts of them for long. For the first time in months, my heart felt light and at ease, so I opened it wide and enveloped my loved ones with affection. And they did the same in return. Yet all good things must come to an end, and we must move forward. There was no time left to linger in leisure: the calendar relentlessly reminded me of the approaching Winter Ball, and I knew the time for my sister’s adjustment was over. Now, serious preparation had to begin. This morning, I woke with an unease I couldn’t describe or understand. Thanks to the fact that my bed in my chambers now stood close to the window, the first thing I did was pull back the curtain with my hand and peer into the royal garden. The sun cast its first rays, but they could no longer warm the earth. The half-bare branches of the trees were coated in a delicate frost, as if a giant spider had woven everything in silver webs. With the gentle touch of sunlight, the frost shimmered in all the colors of the rainbow, dazzling me with its beauty. Slowly, autumn was leaving us, handing over its reign to its stern sister. And what does winter mean to you? A time of eternal sleep and a transition into a realm of endless, uniform white, or rather a sparkling fairy tale of mystery and secrets, dusted with snow? They say that with the first frosts, nature dies. Don’t believe it; it’s not true. It merely falls asleep to gather strength and burst forth in vibrant greenery come spring. It sleeps, dreaming a magical dream of happiness. Quickly rising from bed, I dashed toward the dressing room. Halfway there, my loyal lady-in-waiting, Ivaine, stopped me, sternly ordering me to wait in place. I chuckled to myself at her boldness in commanding me and headed to the mirror. Today, I must shine like that first frost. Yet, with the happiness I’ve felt these past few days spent with friends, I’m already radiant with beauty. Lightness and inner peace, unmatched charm, and natural grace... Is there a better recipe for allure? I slip into a luxurious snow-white gown with long sleeves, a tight corset to accentuate my figure, and a rather daring neckline framed by expensive fur. The full skirt, studded with diamonds, satin inserts, and a high tiara... I look like a true queen. Arlet will appreciate it, though I shouldn’t care. But it doesn’t matter. “Your Highness, His Majesty invites you to a family breakfast,” my faithful old servant, Ler, informs me, and I nod eagerly: “I’m on my way...” With a light, distinctly feminine gesture, I adjust my hair and stride proudly toward my father’s chambers. I love family breakfasts, especially now that our family is complete. The guards open the doors for me from a distance, and all the servants bow in greeting. I step confidently into the monarch’s apartments, casting a warm smile at those present. Everyone’s here, all my friends in attendance. I adore these “family” gatherings. Gracefully, I curtsy to my father and approach him. From the warmth in his eyes, I can tell the king is in a splendid mood. “My enchanting daughter,” he smiles, immediately embracing me, then looks into my green eyes and continues with a hint of reproach, “Elsa, you’re always the last to arrive. Is this a tradition of yours, or do you not consider punctuality a virtue?” “Forgive me. I just love making a grand entrance. The longer they wait, the more they appreciate, Your Majesty,” I reply brightly, and in tune with me, Ledger chimes in: “She actually arrives before everyone else, but waits around the corner in the hallway until the whole family gathers...” A friendly laugh ripples through the room. In two steps, I reach my cousin, wrap one arm around him, and add playfully: “My little brother knows everything. We sit in that hallway together, but he comes in a bit earlier...” At that, the blond pinches my waist, I tug his nose, and then give him a tight hug. Then I warmly greet my aunt before hurrying to embrace my big, loving family, saying: “I adore our family like this...” Caroline isn’t here, or perhaps she wasn’t invited, but Adel, Viteli, and the inseparable duo of Armel and Arlet are present. The first calls me his favorite sister and sends odd, meaningful glances, gesturing toward the blue-eyed milady. He’s clearly trying to tell me something, to ask for something, though I can’t quite grasp what. Meanwhile, the Zolhidian prince gallantly kisses my hand and gazes at my snow queen ensemble as if seeing me for the first time. He whispers mysteriously that he’s enchanted by me, all while acting completely self-assured. “Everyone’s so strange today,” I think to myself as I gracefully take my seat at the table between my father and my sister. Next to Adel sits Viteli, and across from us are Armel, Arlet, and Ledger. Opposite the monarch, as always, the elegant Duchess Delaine occupies the queen’s place. Amid friendly chatter, we begin our meal, though I’m distracted by my adopted brother, who keeps trying to mime some request. I barely understand what he wants. Thankfully, most others are focused on their food and pay us no mind. But not everyone. Arlet watches our silent exchange with a faint smile until I finally realize what my dear friend is asking. The thing is, the smitten Armel wants to switch seats with me to sit next to Adel. Good heavens! They’re both so sentimental, valuing every little detail, that it sometimes drives me up the wall. I’m different. Arlet is different... Yet the happiness of my sweet twin sister and adopted brother is sacred to me, so for their sake, I’ll play courtly chess once again. I sigh heavily, glance at Arlet, and barely hold back a laugh. The Zolhidian has figured it out too and waits with curiosity for my next move. And I, as if to spite him, can’t come up with anything better than the nonsense I pull off a moment later. Suddenly, I squint as if blinded by the sun—which is hidden behind clouds today—and turn to my blue-eyed neighbor: “Adel, dear, is the sun bothering you?” “The sun?” my sister asks, surprised, shrugging. “No... It’s cloudy today...” “But it’s glaring at me... Right in my eyes. It’s reflecting off the plate and shining...” “Elsa, what sun? How is it shining on you?” my father smiles, understanding that this charade has a purpose. “Probably reflecting off the frost,” I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind and look at my sister again. “Can I ask you to sit in my place next to Father? Please, Adel. I’m going to go blind here...” “Of course, dear,” she agrees quickly and switches places with me. That’s a start; now I just need to get Armel next to Adel. A moment later, I continue the act, ignoring how slyly Arlet smirks and how he sips his wine to stifle a hysterical laugh so as not to give me away. “Adel, is it shining on you now?” “No, sis. Not at all...” she replies, puzzled, staring at the frost-painted window. My sweet, naive sister—how I love her! “And it’s shining on you again, Elsa?” my aunt asks, surprised. “It is...” I shrug. “Viteli, is it shining on you?” the king asks gently. My friend gives me a confused look before quietly responding: “Not always, Your Majesty. But sometimes it does. When the wind sways that branch outside the window, the sunlight reflecting off the frost does sting my eyes a bit.” My wonderful beauty! How loyal and clever she is—she caught on. I immediately shoot her a grateful look and receive a smile in return. “Something’s wrong with your vision...” Ledger chuckles. “In winter, my eyes always hurt too; everything dazzles me. It’s just a quirk...” My dear friends. They support me however they can. Arlet wants to say something too but barely holds back his laughter. Finally, he composes himself and speaks seriously: “Does it really shine so much, milady? Don’t sit facing the window; spare your eyes...” “You’re right,” I reply, barely containing my own laughter, and turn to Armel with utmost tenderness. “Brother, would you mind sitting in my place, and I’ll take yours?” “Of course, Elsa. Don’t I care about you? There’s no glare here; come, sit...” I pretend to rub my eyes and walk around the table, then gracefully settle into Armel’s chair next to the king and Arlet, across from my sister. My adopted brother helps me sit and asks with concern if I’m feeling better now and if I’d like some water to wash my face. I thank him profusely, adhering to all rules of etiquette, and send him to take the empty seat next to Adel, who is charmed by the marquis’s attentiveness. Mission accomplished. “Oh, Arlet, you’re here too. What a surprise!” I joke to ease the tension in the room, and the brown-eyed prince gives me a soft, warm smile, casting a tender glance. “Now the sun will blind me too, Your Highness...” “And why’s that?” I ask, surprised. “Well, how could it not? When you sat across from me, I could still squint, but now that you’re beside me, I’ll be completely blinded by your radiance, milady...” “After that statement, don’t expect me to move again. You know, everyone knows, how much I love you. I’ll keep dazzling you...” I laugh. “What more could I wish for?” the prince agrees happily, as the servants switch my cutlery with Armel’s, and I start eating. The marquis gives me a grateful smile, while the Zolhidian abandons his food entirely, gazing at my face in fascination until I step on his foot, snapping him out of it. The prince gets the hint, looks away, and tries to act more serious. My father watches all of this with a smile, while my aunt joins in with a jest: “How nicely everyone’s settled, don’t you think, Adelard? With your beautiful daughters on either side, you’ve grown younger yourself...” “Indeed!” Father agrees. “This is how we should’ve arranged everyone from the start. But the sun, the frost, the trees swaying in the wind, and Elsa’s eyesight are quicker than this old man...” “You’re not old, Daddy,” I smile, and he just laughs. Truly, we should’ve sat like this long ago. While Arlet tested my patience by offering me meat casseroles, and I retaliated by piling his plate with diet salad—since I prefer actions over mere words—Armel and Adel exchanged shy glances and spoke quietly, hiding behind faint smiles. The king observed with interest the two completely contrasting scenes unfolding on either side of him. “Are you sure people eat this? I’m not going to turn into a goat afterward, am I?” the brown-eyed prince whispered with a laugh, inspecting the contents of the “grass,” as he called my favorite dish. “Well, when you eat meat, you don’t turn into a tiger...” I shot back with sarcasm. “Not a tiger, but maybe a lion...” the young man winked, smiling meaningfully. “All you’ve got from a lion is that long, shaggy mane, and it’s some weird black color. Don’t believe in magic; eat the salad. It’s good for you...” I teased. “And you’re not afraid of turning into a bunny? I think the process has already started, Elsa. You’ve even swapped your colorful coat for a white fur one for winter...” the dark-haired man joked, touching the lavish collar of my dress. I barely held back a laugh. “One more word, and I’ll slam this tray over your head, Arlet!” I hiss playfully, but at that moment, the prince nudges my arm with his elbow. I start to get annoyed, but then notice the king watching us. The young man was just trying to warn me. Fine, I’ll keep quiet. “And do you enjoy horseback riding, Adel?” Meanwhile, on the other side of the monarch, another important conversation was unfolding. “I love it, Armel. My uncle Henry taught me, and the baroness often sent me into town on errands. I’d saddle my horse and race forward. I always felt that if we went fast enough, we could take flight. Every time, I dreamed that’s how I’d ride into a new life,” Adel smiled, not lifting her eyes to my friend’s face. “You won’t believe it, but I used to love riding too. But Elsa doesn’t care for it, and I’m nowhere without the princess. So I rarely got the chance... Adel, would you like to go riding together sometime? I’ll show you a beautiful spot,” Armel whispered hopefully, and the fair-haired girl glanced at his eyes almost imperceptibly, smiling brightly: “That would be wonderful... I’d love to.” All in all, it was a splendid and delightful breakfast. I stepped on Arlet’s toes in response to his jokes, while Armel gently touched his princess’s hand, finally letting her know she wasn’t indifferent to him. And the breakfast didn’t end there; it brought us more joyful news, as Ledger asked the monarch to set a date for his wedding with Viteli. My friend blossomed with happiness, and Aunt Delaine gazed at us all with fondness, praying to the Almighty to preserve such wonderful days. After tea on cozy, soft sofas, our knights decided to make the day even more unforgettable. They all began pleading with the monarch to let us slack off for the rest of the day. But I stood in the way of their plans, quickly speaking up: “No, no, no! You can go wherever you like, but Adel and I have important matters to attend to. Our celebration is in a month, sister. We have little time to learn everything...” “You’re right, daughter. You need to focus on preparation,” the king agreed immediately. “Dedicate your time to your sister. I’ll handle your duties with the foundations and at the palace for now,” my aunt added, and I smiled at her gratefully. “That’s correct. You don’t need to receive visitors or ambassadors for the time being, but don’t forget that you must lead the main winter royal council. I’ve ordered you to prepare new laws. Are they ready yet?” the monarch asked sternly. “Not yet, Your Majesty,” I admitted, as I truly hadn’t had time to complete the task, having received it only a few days ago. “Adel, let’s go... Onward to victory! With your permission, Your Majesty...” With a bow, I confidently and resolutely left the chambers with the newly named princess and my dark-haired friend, who also decided to join us. “It wouldn’t hurt you to practice either, since you’ll soon officially join the royal family, though you’ve always been my sister,” I noted while we were still in the monarch’s apartments. Ledger thanked me generously for looking out for his fiancée, as he had reason to worry. Though Viteli knew the customs and rules, she lacked confidence at celebrations and receptions due to her humble origins. The haughty nobility barely accepted the seer’s daughter into their circle, and this troubled my cousin.