Take a moment to look around... Listen closely... Let your heart catch a glimmer of light, and allow your soul to open up to the search for wonder... Magic lives within the childlike spirit buried deep beneath the countless masks we wear as adults... May my novel about courage, endurance, strength, and resilience touch your heart, leaving behind a tiny trace of its essence...
Our story begins with a lily...
Long ago, when the world was still young, Water and Moon fell deeply in love. Every night belonged to them alone. Her will and his radiance: could there be a more beautiful union? Their feelings only grew stronger, giving birth to an extraordinary magic that one day took the form of their enchanting child—a breathtaking daughter, blessed with the melodious name: "Lilia." Her loving mother, Water, gifted her a stunning velvet gown of purest white and a light green cloak, while her father, Moon, bestowed upon her a golden crown as a generous token of his affection. From that moment on, the beautiful Lilia has captivated the eyes of all who behold her. Yet, not everyone knows of her miraculous power. Carrying the magic of her parents’ love, this enchanted flower became shrouded in legends in the minds of ordinary folk, emerging as a symbol of tenderness, majesty, simplicity, and harmony, for she united sky and earth, water and air... Thus, the plant was not only attributed with magical properties—it also came to name people and even entire lineages.
There is an ancient legend that at the very moment a lily bloomed and the first ray of moonlight touched the earth, the magnificent empire of Endalasia was born. As fantastical as it may sound, the name of this flower is indeed tied to much in this land: Endalasia, a nation nestled in Western Europe, stood out among others with its storied history, resilient people, vast borders, and rich natural beauty. It also became the land that adopted the lily’s elegance as its primary symbol. Even more so, this empire had been ruled for centuries by a dynasty known as the House of the White Lily. History often records instances when a girl of royal blood ascended to the throne, an event chronicled by ancient scribes as the "blooming of the lily." It is precisely about the blooming of Endalasia’s royal lily that our story unfolds... Let us peer into the era where a newer chapter of history takes root...
***
“Long live King Adelard! Long live Queen Axell!” rang the jubilant, clear voices of the subjects. On the grand terrace of a palace so magnificent it could only be imagined, stood a stunning woman dressed in the most exquisite gown of celestial blue. The dress, with its voluminous skirt embroidered with diamonds, a daring neckline, a tight corset that barely allowed breath, lace accents, and a light mantle that gracefully trailed behind her on the floor, was a vision of splendor. Her sun-kissed hair was styled in an elegant updo, secured by a heavy, enchanting crown placed upon her head by the bishop just half an hour prior. The large diamond on this symbol of power, representing the mighty empire proudly named Endalasia, reflected the golden domes of the palace towers above. Axell, a princess of royal blood from the neighboring realm of Zolhida, smiled radiantly. At last, peace had settled in her heart, though she knew it would not last long. Beside her stood a handsome man, clad in a cornflower-blue coat, pristine white trousers, and a mantle matching his wife’s in hue. His jet-black hair created a striking contrast with the golden crown of a monarch, passed down to him from his stern, even cruel, late father.
The smiling faces of the ruling family shone today like the brightest stars. They gazed tenderly at the crowd chanting slogans below. All these people had gathered to share in the joy of their new king and queen’s coronation. Adelard and Axell, whose names translate to “nobility” and “radiance,” exchanged gentle looks filled with both grandeur and warmth. Only those who have spent their lives in high society know how to blend sincerity with dignity so seamlessly. Today, the sun generously bathed them in its warmth, and they soaked it in eagerly, basking in it like playful kittens. Their battle was far from over, though this day could be called a victory, if only a temporary one.
Yet, even as the air around them seemed cleansed of the stench of intrigue, they knew full well that tomorrow, with the end of the celebration, a new wave of turmoil would threaten to engulf the empire. Dark, hostile clouds would loom overhead, and instead of children’s cheerful laughter, the shrill, greedy cries of crows would echo everywhere. Adelard held his wife’s hand tightly, trying today to push aside memories of the trials they had endured to reach this long-awaited coronation. But we’re not here to dwell on how a young prince became a valiant king or how he found his queen. Our story centers on the fate of two little princesses born from this union. Whether it’s a cruel jest or a dreadful curse, a shadow will fall over the heads of these two heirs of the House of the White Lily, dooming one to face her fears and fight for her life and crown in solitude, while the other will be denied knowledge of her home and family, forced to toil as a servant to a nobleman who, in truth, should be her subject... Think such a thing impossible? Hold on, for they are about to tell you their story... Settle in comfortably and let your imagination run wild, painting vivid, whimsical patterns and guiding you to a wondrous land... It all began like this...