The darkness swallowed them whole.

For several moments after the fall, Florence could neither see nor hear anything except the frantic pounding of her own heart.

Instinct took over before reason could.

The moment she felt solid ground beneath her feet, she immediately reached for the small body beside her and gathered little Saline into her arms. The child had remained remarkably quiet throughout the ordeal, though Florence could feel the slight tremble running through the girl’s body.

Only after ensuring the child was unharmed did she search desperately for the wooden box.

Relief washed over her when her fingers brushed against familiar wood.

She pulled it toward herself and clutched it tightly against her side.

The box had survived.

Thank the heavens.

For several long seconds, Florence remained where she was, allowing her eyes to adjust to the darkness surrounding them.

The cave smelled damp and rotten.

Moisture dripped from unseen surfaces somewhere in the distance while cold air brushed against her skin.

Slowly, shapes began to emerge from the shadows.

It was then that she noticed a narrow passage stretching deeper into the cave.

A faint current of air drifted from that direction.

More importantly, there appeared to be light.

Very faint light.

Hope stirred within her chest.

"Come, little one," Florence whispered gently, adjusting Saline higher against her hip. "Let’s see where this path leads."

The little girl nodded and wrapped her small arms around Florence’s neck.

Together they began walking.

The journey felt endless.

The tunnel twisted and curved beneath the earth like the body of some sleeping beast.

The further they walked, the brighter the distant light became.

At first it resembled nothing more than a pale glow.

Then it became a beam.

Then an opening.

Finally, after what felt like hours, they stepped out of the tunnel.

Florence stopped immediately and Saline looked ahead.

Both simply stared.

The world before them was unlike anything either of them had ever seen.

Golden sunlight poured from a sky so clear it seemed painted by divine hands.

Massive trees rose toward the heavens, their leaves glowing with shades of emerald and silver.

Flowers covered the landscape in brilliant colors.

Crystal streams wound through the greenery, sparkling beneath the light.

Everything seemed alive.

Everything seemed brighter.

More beautiful.

For a brief moment Florence wondered if they had somehow wandered into a dream.

Even Saline’s eyes widened.

"It’s pretty," the child whispered.

Florence could only nod.

Then something cold touched her shoulder.

Her entire body froze.

The beautiful scenery vanished from her thoughts instantly.

A sharp metallic edge pressed lightly against her neck.

Close enough for her to understand exactly what it was.

A sword.

"Do not move."

The voice behind her was calm.

Dangerously calm.

"If you value your neck, stay exactly where you are."

Florence immediately raised both hands.

The wooden box remained trapped beneath one arm while Saline clung tightly to her.

"We mean no harm," Florence said quickly.

Her voice remained surprisingly steady despite the fear threatening to overwhelm her.

"We became lost. Please spare us."

Silence followed.

Then another voice spoke.

"Turn around slowly."

Florence obeyed.

The sight that greeted her left her momentarily stunned.

The man standing behind her possessed striking blue eyes and long black hair tied neatly behind his back.

Yet it was not his appearance alone that caught her attention.

His ears.

They were longer than any human’s.

Elegant and unnaturally beautiful.

Almost ethereal.

The realization came instantly.

These people were not human.

The man studied her carefully.

His gaze lingered on Saline.

Then the wooden box.

Finally he lowered his sword slightly.

"You’ll come with me."

It was not a request.

Florence understood immediately.

A short while later, she found herself being escorted through what appeared to be an entire hidden civilization.

Everywhere she looked, people stared openly.

Children stopped playing.

Merchants paused their work. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Conversations died at the sight of them.

The strangers watched Florence and Saline as though they were creatures from another world.

Perhaps they were.

The feeling was mutual.

The people surrounding them possessed vibrant hair colors ranging from silver to violet and even shades of blue.

Their eyes shone with unusual brilliance.

Combined with their elongated ears, they looked almost otherworldly.

Saline frowned from Florence’s arms.

"Why are they staring?"

Florence smiled weakly.

"Probably because we’re new."

The little girl considered this.

Then nodded.

Apparently satisfied.

Eventually they arrived before the largest structure Florence had seen since entering the hidden realm.

The building rose proudly above everything else.

White stone walls gleamed beneath the sunlight while flowering vines climbed its pillars.

Two armed guards stood at the entrance.

The man escorting them stepped forward.

"I found these intruders near the entrance to the sealed cave."

The guards immediately straightened.

"I brought them for Her Majesty’s judgment."

One of the guards frowned.

"The Queen is currently unavailable."

The black-haired man looked mildly disappointed.

"What should be done with them?"

"The dungeon."

The answer came without hesitation.

"They will remain there until Her Majesty returns." One of the guards responsed immediately.

Florence’s heart sank.

The man beside her merely nodded.

"As you wish."

The flat side of his sword tapped lightly against her shoulder.

A clear signal for her to move.

Once again they walked.

This time toward a separate stone structure not far from the grand residence.

The moment the heavy doors opened, a wave of damp air greeted them.

The smell was unpleasant.

Moist stone.

Rust.

Human confinement.

A prison.

Rows of cells stretched into the darkness.

Some occupied with people that looked like only skeleton.

Others empty.

Whispers followed their arrival.

Curious eyes peered through iron bars.

Eventually they stopped before an unoccupied cell.

The guard unlocked it.

The metal gate groaned open.

"Inside."

Florence obeyed.

There was little choice.

The moment she stepped inside, the gate slammed shut behind her.

As she turned, the dim lighting finally allowed her to study the guard properly.

Blue eyes.

Black hair.

Sharp features.

The elongated ears somehow made him appear even more handsome.

For a brief moment their gazes met.

Neither looked away immediately.

Then Saline yawned loudly.

The moment shattered.

"Miss Florence."

The little girl’s sleepy voice drew Florence’s attention.

"When is my mama coming?"

A sharp ache passed through Florence’s chest.

She crouched beside the child.

"Soon." She whispered to the child

She brushed a hand through Saline’s hair.

"Your mother told you to be brave, remember?"

Saline nodded.

"Good girls wait patiently."

The little girl nodded again.

Satisfied.

Behind the bars, the guard found himself strangely relieved.

The child wasn’t hers.

The realization appeared from nowhere and made little sense.

Yet it pleased him nonetheless.

Annoyed by the thought, he turned and walked away.

The cell soon fell silent.

After ensuring Saline was comfortable, Florence subtly allowed her magic to flow through the room.

The filthy floor remained unchanged to ordinary eyes.

Yet beneath the illusion, every trace of dirt vanished.

At least the child would sleep comfortably.

Hours passed.

Eventually footsteps echoed once more through the corridor.

Florence looked up.

The same guard had returned.

His blue eyes found hers immediately.

"The Queen wishes to see you."

Florence glanced toward the sleeping child in her lap.

Instinctively she raised a finger to her lips.

"Please."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"She’s asleep."

The guard nodded automatically.

Then paused.

A slight frown appeared on his face.

For a moment he couldn’t understand why he had obeyed so quickly.

It almost felt as though she’d compelled him.

The thought lingered briefly before he dismissed it that it was just probably a normal occurrence.... because truly the little girl was sleeping and she must be tired.

Judging from the way they looked they must have being walking a long distance.

The cell door opened.

Florence carefully lifted Saline into her arms.

Together they followed him through winding corridors until they eventually returned to the grand palace.

Massive doors opened before them.

The throne room beyond stole Florence’s breath.

Golden pillars rose toward an impossibly high ceiling.

Crystal chandeliers illuminated polished marble floors.

Elegant banners flowed gently in the air.

And at the center of it all sat a woman upon a magnificent throne.

She was breathtaking.

Long dark hair cascaded down her back like liquid midnight.

Her purple eyes seemed capable of seeing through every lie ever spoken.

Dressed in rich velvet and adorned with jewels, she appeared less like a ruler and more like a goddess descended from the heavens.

Florence immediately lowered herself to one knee.

Saline remained asleep against her shoulder.

The Queen’s gaze settled upon them.

Sharp and assessing patiently.

For several long moments she simply watched.

The silence stretched.

Neither woman spoke.

Then finally the Queen leaned forward slightly.

Her voice was calm.

Elegant.

Powerful.

"Tell me."

Her purple eyes narrowed.

"Who are you two?"

The Question striked Florence heart...not knowing if she should really tell the Queen the truth or lie here.

She doesn’t know what the Queen was like and saying everything plainly could lead to their end so therefore the best option was....

" Your Royal Majesty, I am ...."