Moonveil Academy: Trapped With The Five Kings

Elara:

I tore my eyes away from the place where the white blur had disappeared and forced my feet to keep moving.

Whatever I’d seen, if I had actually seen anything at all, could wait. Right now, I had far bigger problems.

The towering castle grew even more overwhelming as we approached. Massive stone walls stretched high above us, their pale surface glowing beneath the full moon as if the building itself had been carved from silver. Ancient ivy climbed along sections of the outer walls, while enormous stained-glass windows reflected moonlight in shimmering colors. It was breathtaking... and terrifying.

The female warrior climbed the wide marble staircase leading to the entrance. Without a word, I followed.

The moment we stepped inside, I stopped. But it wasn’t because of fear this time. It was surprise.

The exterior of the castle looked centuries old, every stone whispering of ancient history. Yet the enormous reception hall before me felt strangely... modern.

The ceiling still stretched several stories high, supported by elegant marble pillars, but polished black floors reflected soft crystal lighting hidden within the architecture. Large reception counters stood to one side, behind which two neatly dressed women worked with sleek glass screens that seemed to float above their desks.

The female warrior never slowed her pace. She led me across the enormous reception hall and toward a grand staircase that curved elegantly upward before splitting into two separate flights. We climbed to the second floor, where the atmosphere became almost cold.

Long hallways stretched endlessly in both directions, lined with dark wooden walls illuminated by antique lanterns that somehow coexisted perfectly with discreet modern lighting hidden along the ceiling.

Portraits hung every few meters. Some depicted kings. Others queens. Warriors. Probably noble families. Every painted face seemed to watch me as I walked past.

Eventually, we stopped before a pair of enormous double wooden doors. Golden letters had been engraved neatly into a polished plaque.

Vice Headmistress Katherine Noctis

The female warrior knocked once and a calm voice answered from within.

”Come in.”

The warrior pushed one of the doors open before stepping aside. She didn’t enter. Instead, she simply inclined her head toward the office in an invitation, or perhaps... a command.

I inhaled slowly.

There was nowhere left to run. Even if I somehow escaped this room, I’d never make it beyond the dozens of warriors outside. If these people truly intended to kill me, they already had countless opportunities. Which meant, the only thing left was answers.

I stepped inside.

The office was far larger than I expected. Bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling, each filled with ancient leather-bound volumes alongside strangely modern files and documents. Plush sofas occupied one side of the room while an enormous mahogany desk rested directly in the center. Behind it, a wall made entirely of glass overlooked the moonlit grounds outside.

At first, I thought the room was empty. Then movement near the window caught my attention.

A woman stood there with her hands clasped behind her back. She turned gracefully and a smile immediately spread across her lips. It wasn’t overly warm, but it wasn’t cold either. Simply... polite.

She looked to be in her early fifties. She was tall, at least five foot seven. And she looked elegant in every possible sense. Her blonde hair had been pulled into a flawless bun that didn’t have a single strand out of place. A dark tailored suit hugged her slender figure perfectly, while pointed black heels clicked softly against the polished floor as she walked toward the desk.

Everything about her radiated refinement. Authority. And control.

She reached the desk before folding her hands neatly atop its polished surface. ”Welcome, Princess Argentis.”

Again. That title.

I didn’t move toward the chair she gestured to. Instead, I remained exactly where I was. ”I think there’s been a mistake.”

She waited.

”I’m not a princess.” My voice sharpened despite my exhaustion. ”My name is Eleanora Crest. My parents are... were David and Nia Crest.” The words almost broke me as I corrected myself. I swallowed painfully before continuing, ”You have brought the wrong person.”

’And you have killed the wrong people too’ - I wanted to add but refrained myself.

The woman didn’t seem offended, nor surprised. Instead, she calmly lowered herself into her chair. ”I expected that response.” She opened the upper drawer of her desk before removing a thick brown folder. Without saying anything else, she opened it. Several neatly organized documents rested inside. She turned it around and then gently slid it across the polished wood toward me.

”Please have a look. I believe you’ll find everything you need inside.”

I hesitated. Then slowly approached.

”There are sufficient documents within this folder to establish your identity.” She looked directly into my eyes. ”Eleanora Crest...or rather... Crown Princess Eleanora Argentis of Starfall.”

I didn’t touch the folder.

She continued anyway. ”The first document contains DNA analysis comparing your genetic profile to preserved samples belonging to the late King Raven Argentis.”

My heart skipped. ”...What?”

”We preserved genetic material belonging to both His Majesty and Queen Seraphina twenty years ago.” She spoke as though discussing tomorrow’s weather. ”It was done precisely because we hoped one day their missing daughter would be found.”

My fingers curled into fists.

”The second DNA report compares your DNA with David Crest and Nia Crest. You share no biological relationship with either individual.”

”No.” The denial escaped before I could stop it. ”That’s impossible. They’re my parents. They raised me. They loved me.”

She watched me quietly as she spoke, ”I do not doubt that they raised you. But biologically, they were not your parents.”

My breathing grew uneven. ”No. No... they are.”

She reached for another document inside the folder. ”The remainder of these files concerns the Crest family.”

A strange feeling settled inside my stomach, cold and heavy. ”What about them?” I asked though a part of me didn’t want to know the answer.

”Your human family began receiving monthly financial payments approximately twenty years ago.”

I stared blankly.

”The payments originated from an organization known as the Reapers .”

The unfamiliar name meant nothing to me.

”It’s the same organization responsible for the massacre of the Argentis royal family, and the same organization responsible for your kidnapping.”

My ears rang.

Ms. Noctis continued without any mercy. ”They also employed David and Nia Crest.”

”No!” My voice echoed through the office. ”They weren’t criminals! They were good people! They would never-”

”They loved you.” Her calm interruption stopped me. She looked genuinely sincere. ”I have no reason to question that. But love... and truth... are not always the same thing.”

I shook my head over and over.

”No. No. This...” I pointed weakly toward the folder. ”This could all be fake. You could have forged every single document. You expect me to believe this after one night?”

After everything I’d lost?

She remained silent for several moments. Then leaned back slightly. ”Princess.” Her tone had changed. It was still calm, but firmer. ”Do you truly believe the Five Regents would dedicate twenty years of resources - to forge government archives, fabricate DNA analyses, and construct thousands of false records - all to convince a random young woman that she is someone she isn’t?”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

She continued, ”The Reapers didn’t make a mistake when they took the Moon Child away two decades ago, and neither we have made a mistake today by bringing that very girl back. You aren’t just the Crown Princess for us, Princess Argentis, but you are our realm’s only hope of reviving our lost werewolf bonds.”

Werewolf? Bonds?

I was hardly able to keep up with every new term and creature thrown my way. But I didn’t have the time to ask anything because Ms. Noctis continued.

”The people of Starfall have spent twenty years mourning their lost royals. The realm sacrificed so many of our warriors in the lost Princess’ search. The last thing any of us wishes... is to mistake someone else for her.”

The office fell silent.

Finally, she took one slow breath. Then looked directly into my eyes as she spoke, ”There is no mistake. You are Eleanora Argentis. The Lost Princess of Starfall. And whatever doubts remain within you... will disappear soon enough.”

I frowned.

She folded her hands neatly together. ”Once you begin your studies here at Moonveil Academy and awaken your powers.”

The words echoed inside my head. My mind stopped. I looked up at her with wide, disbelieving eyes.

”...Study where?”