Whispers Of The Blue Moon

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Greater Heaven Palace

The towering white spires of Greater Heaven gleamed under the gentle morning sun as Fiona stepped onto the grand mosaic floor of the palace's eastern wing. Her footsteps were quiet but determined as she approached a door carved with celestial runes.

Inside the cozy chamber filled with herbal scents and old scrolls, a woman sat on a silken chair near a round window. Though her hair had turned silvery with age, her posture was graceful and strong. This was Mariano, a wise elder of Greater Heaven and someone Fiona had always seen as a second mother.

"Fiona, my darling," Mariano smiled warmly. "Come in."

Fiona approached and knelt beside her. "How are you, Mother Mariano?"

Mariano chuckled gently. "You look more troubled than I feel. What's weighing on you, child?"

Fiona hesitated, her throat tightening. "It's about Irin... my best friend. I feel like she's in danger. I came here for your help. Please…"

But Mariano's smile faded. She looked away, her fingers trembling as they brushed a teacup and said...look...this Cup design...is it beautiful...?

"You're changing the subject," Fiona said sharply. "Please, I've never asked anything of you since I was born. You always said you'd be there for me. I'm begging you."

Mariano's eyes turned sad. "Fiona... I've lost my power. I live here like a parrot in a golden cage, watching the sky but never flying. I cannot help the way I used to."

"But how do you know she's safe?"

Fiona demanded. "I saw with my own eyes... that demon—Dylan—he'll kill her!"

Mariano closed her eyes, a silent grief washing over her face. She said nothing.

Defeated and frustrated, Fiona stood and walked out of the room.

As she wandered the corridor, she passed a corridor shrouded in a golden barrier—the Forbidden Treasure Room. To her surprise, the door was slightly ajar.

Curious and drawn by instinct, she slipped inside.

Dust swirled around her as she tiptoed past racks of ancient armor, spell-worn scrolls, and rusted weapons. Her gaze fell on a small stone box, covered in red cloth. She pulled the cloth away and gasped.

Inside lay a dagger, its handle carved with a dragon's face, and beside it, a cracked mirror with faded inscriptions. A note lay inside:

> "A true love can kill you… not others."

Before she could dwell on the meaning, the door creaked.

Fiona quickly hid the dagger behind her robe just as Ren entered. His eyes widened. "Fiona? What are you doing here? No one is allowed inside this room."

She stiffened. "I… didn't know. I was lost. You go first, I'll follow."

Suspicious but silent, Ren nodded and turned. Fiona placed the dagger back carefully, her eyes lingering on it before she followed Ren out.

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Morning – BlueMoon Palace

The golden sunlight fell over the terrace where Dylan practiced shirtless, each strike of his sword radiating raw power. Sweat glistened on his chiseled chest, and his silver line in glowed faintly with each swing.

From the doorway, Irin stood still, holding a tray with flower tea. Her eyes widened as she saw his half-naked figure. Her cheeks flushed red. Why is he… so incredibly… hot?

Realizing her staring, she quickly turned away.

Dylan noticed and smirked. He paused, walking over and taking the tea. "Why did you bring this? Where are the maids?"

"They were… busy, so I…" Irin avoided his eyes. And Irin asked.."Why you have a silver line in your chest"

Dylan leaned in playfully. "Were you peeking at me? What else did you see?"

"I—No!" she stammered.

He moved closer, one hand landing on the wall behind her. She gasped, back against the cool marble wall. His voice dropped. "Then how did you know about the silver line on my chest?"

She blinked. "I… just noticed—"

He chuckled. "It's my birthmark. I don't know why it glows, but it does when I'm angry or… threatened."

As he pulled back, Dylan's eyes caught something on her hand. A faint blue moon tattoo, just beneath the lilly tattoo.

"Why is there a Blue Moon mark near your lilly?" he asked.

Irin's voice trembled. "I… I don't know. I noticed it after the… Magical Forest incident."

"What incident?" Dylan asked, his brows furrowed.

She whispered, almost inaudibly, "After that kiss…"

Dylan froze.

Irin's eyes widened. "Forget I said that!" she pushed him aside and hurried away.

From afar, Ruther, Dylan's right-hand, watched everything.

He approached. "Why did you still allow her to stay in our Palace...? Are you sure… she isn't the one we're searching for...?"

Dylan sighed, unsure. "Yes. She's not. But… something about her makes it hard to let go."

"Strange feelings?" Ruther asked.

Dylan didn't answer. He walked away, avoiding his own confusion.

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Royal Kitchen

Inside the silent kitchen, Lia activated her magic magnet, forming a telepathic connection with Fiona.

"We escape tonight," Lia whispered through the link.

Fiona said.."Follow as per our plan"

Lia smirked. "Understood."

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Evening – Irin's Room

Lia sneaked in.

"Did you give the flower tea?" she asked.

"Yes…" Irin said casually.

Lia lowered her voice. "There's something you should know. I… mixed sleeping herbs into it. They'll activate in 12 hours."

Irin panicked. "What!? You drugged him?!"

"I didn't poison him. How else do we escape this cursed palace?"

"But…" Irin's voice wavered. "What if… I don't want to hurt him…"

"Don't forget what he is, Irin," Lia whispered. "We escape at midnight. Be ready."

Irin bit her lip, unsure of her own feelings.

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Midnight – Fiona's House

Wearing a midnight-blue cloak, Fiona crept out. She hadn't told Ren a thing.

In her hair was a butterfly hair stick, glowing faintly. Her steps echoed as she made her way toward the Magical Forest in BlueMoon Kingdom.

She looked toward the horizon.

"You will regret this, Dylan… for what you did," she muttered, vanishing into the trees.

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To be continued in Chapter 12…