Arif heard the whispers echoing through the palace halls.

  Rumors of the cure's success. Of hope returning.

  He carried a tray of warm food to Princess Lina's chamber, only to find her standing at the balcony—barefoot, dressed in thin garments, untouched by the cold.

  "Princess?" he gasped.

  "You must wear something warm—the air is freezing!"

  He set the tray down and gently wrapped the fur cloak around her shoulders.

  "If your father were here...

  He would be overjoyed.

  Even in his final days, he dreamed of seeing you awake."

  Lina said nothing.

  "Eat what you wish," Arif said softly.

  "Don't linger at the window.

  I'll head into the city for a while."

  —

  Arif left the palace, flanked by two guards. He visited herbalists and healers, inspecting their stalls.

  "I need to be sure," he murmured.

  "If the cure is being sold illegally...

  That would be dangerous."

  He wandered through the city, watching children play—smiling, even as illness clung to their skin.

  "Uncle Arif!" one child shouted.

  Arif waved, his heart heavy.

  After his rounds, he assigned investigators to monitor the cure's distribution.

  —

  Back at the palace, chaos erupted in the medical wing.

  Arif rushed in, eyes widening at the sight of stacked crates.

  He opened one.

  "The cure?

  Who authorized this?"

  He turned to a startled worker.

  "You!

  Who gave this order?

  I told you to wait for the crown's decision!"

  "Princess Lina, sir," the worker stammered.

  "She gave the command.

  She's royalty, isn't she?"

  Arif's breath caught.

  "Impossible..."

  He stormed to Lina's chamber.

  She had finished her meal.

  "You were truly hungry," he chuckled.

  "Five years asleep..."

  But the fur lay discarded. Lina stood motionless in the center of the room, dressed lightly, the balcony still open to the icy wind.

  Arif closed the doors, shivering.

  "What's wrong with you, my lady?

  If anything happens to you, Prince Lucas will be furious."

  He guided her to the bed, covering her gently.

  "I can't believe this.

  Someone claims you authorized the cure's release.

  That's impossible.

  We don't know its long-term effects.

  Its origins are unclear—possibly tied to those who tried to kill your father.

  We must be cautious."

  He turned to leave.

  Then—a whisper.

  "Foolish old man..."

  "Did you say something, my lady?" Arif asked, turning.

  Lina lay still, eyes closed.

  "I'm getting old," he muttered.

  He closed the door.

  Then marched to the medical wing, ordering the cure's distribution halted. All crates were to be locked down.

  He entered the council chamber.

  "Summon all advisors not involved in the cure," he told the guard.

  "At once, sir."

  Arif whispered to himself:

  "Return quickly, Prince Lucas...

  Before the frost spreads deeper."

  *******************

  The Hollow Awakening - Beneath the Comet's Gaze

  The council chamber echoed with tension.

  Arif sat at the center, his voice sharp:

  "What is happening here?

  Who authorized the distribution of the cure?"

  One advisor spoke.

  "Wasn't it the princess?"

  Another confirmed.

  "Yes. Princess Lina."

  Arif's eyes widened.

  "How is that possible?"

  "A guard summoned me at her request," one counselor explained.

  "She said the cure worked.

  That she felt strong.

  She insisted we save the people—

  And ordered immediate distribution."

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  Arif's voice dropped.

  "She did this... while I was gone?"

  "We couldn't defy her," another said.

  "You know how it would look.

  She could accuse us of treason."

  Arif stood.

  "I've halted the distribution.

  We must stand united—

  No more of this cure until Prince Lucas returns."

  "But what if she commands us again?" one asked.

  "She may be under the drug's influence.

  She's only just awakened—after five years.

  We cannot follow her blindly.

  You all know Prince Lucas forbade this medicine."

  "Understood," the council replied.

  —

  Later that night, Arif walked the palace halls.

  He paused outside Lina's chamber, hearing strange sounds.

  He knocked gently.

  "My lady?"

  She lay still, asleep.

  He smiled faintly and closed the door.

  —

  The night deepened. The temperature dropped. The green comet pulsed above Silva's black sky.

  Midnight.

  The city was silent—save for the hoot of owl-like birds and the clink of armored boots.

  Arif stirred from sleep, lighting a candle.

  He stepped into the corridor.

  "You there—come here."

  A guard approached.

  "Sir... we've heard strange noises from the princess's room.

  It's... unsettling."

  "First night on duty?" Arif asked.

  "No, sir."

  "Then don't act like a child afraid of shadows.

  You guard the royal family.

  Earn that title—or I'll replace you."

  "Yes, sir."

  They walked together.

  A sound echoed from the atrium.

  "Check it," Arif ordered.

  "Probably stray dogs."

  The guard returned.

  "Nothing there."

  Arif felt a sudden movement behind him—turned. Nothing.

  "Strange..."

  "Double the patrols," he ordered.

  "Secure the halls. Now."

  The guard ran off.

  Arif whispered to himself:

  "Someone may be trying to steal the cure...

  Or distribute it.

  I don't blame them.

  But I must protect them—until Prince Lucas returns."

  Then—glass shattered.

  From the royal kitchen.

  Arif rushed in.

  Princess Lina stood before a goblet—drinking from it savagely, without her hands.

  "My lady?" he gasped.

  "If you're hungry, summon the servants.

  They'll bring you anything."

  She didn't move.

  He gently took her arm, guiding her back to her room.

  "You're wearing light clothes again...

  You'll catch your death in this cold."

  He turned to speak—

  She was gone.

  "Where...?"

  He opened her chamber door.

  The bed was torn.

  The walls—scratched and clawed.

  Arif stared.

  "The guard was right.

  The sounds...

  Perhaps these are the drug's true effects..."

  *****************

  The Frost Beneath Her Eyes - The Night of the Hollow

  Arif stood at the threshold of Lina's chamber, staring into the cold.

  "I should retire soon," he muttered.

  He wandered the palace halls, candle in hand.

  "My lady?

  Where are you?"

  The darkness was thick. Guards patrolled the corridors, their armor whispering against stone.

  Then—he found her.

  Princess Lina stood motionless in the grand hall, shrouded in shadow.

  "Servants!" Arif called.

  "Bring her fresh garments.

  Change her bedding.

  The cold is worsening."

  "At once, sir."

  Arif walked slowly back to his room.

  —

  The next morning, a counselor approached.

  "Arif...

  The storage locks were broken.

  The cure crates—opened.

  Some are missing.

  Some... consumed."

  "I suspected as much," Arif said.

  "There was noise last night.

  I ordered more guards.

  Word must be spreading.

  Thieves are circling."

  The advisor leaned in.

  "It was the princess."

  Arif froze.

  "Are you mad?"

  "I'm certain."

  Arif sighed.

  "We'll seal her chamber at night.

  Double the guards."

  "Do you know what's happening to those who took the cure?

  Nameq hides the truth—even in his cell."

  "What do you mean?"

  "They've lost their minds.

  They don't respond to names.

  Their eating habits—feral.

  Some don't blink.

  It's a curse."

  Arif's face darkened.

  "They only move at night.

  When the cold deepens."

  "That expLainas... too much."

  Arif inhaled sharply.

  "Nameq gave the cure to the princess without permission.

  And now..."

  He left the palace, flanked by guards.

  The streets of Leona were quiet.

  "Strange silence," Arif whispered.

  "Sir," a guard said.

  "Rumors say the cure was distributed to homes last night."

  "What?!"

  Arif clenched his fists.

  "Search the homes.

  Some resisted.

  That's good.

  We must contain this."

  By nightfall, Arif returned.

  He ordered vigilance around Lina's chamber and the medical wing.

  He checked on her—sleeping.

  Then returned to his room.

  —

  Midnight.

  The air was unnaturally still.

  Arif woke, uneasy.

  He lit a candle and found guards outside Lina's room.

  "Any strange sounds?"

  "No, sir.

  All quiet."

  "Good."

  He descended to the lower floor.

  A flicker behind him—he turned. Nothing.

  He continued.

  Then—he saw it.

  Lina's balcony... open.

  "No... please..."

  He rushed to her room.

  Empty.

  "You fools!

  It's quiet because she's gone!"

  "We felt no movement!

  Where did she go?"

  "She must have jumped..."

  "Impossible..."

  "Come.

  To the medical wing.

  Now."

  They ran.

  None noticed Lina—hanging from the ceiling of her chamber, staring down, unblinking.

  At the medical wing, a guard lay unconscious.

  "He's out cold," Arif said.

  The guard stirred.

  "Were you asleep?"

  "No...

  Something struck me from behind."

  Arif saw the shattered door.

  "Damn it.

  Search the crates."

  Empty.

  "No...

  This can't be."

  "Nothing here," the guards confirmed.

  "Seal the room.

  Guard it with everything."

  Arif turned—and saw a figure in the dark.

  "Who are you?

  Did you steal the cure?"

  The man stepped forward.

  Then lunged—frothing, wild.

  A guard intercepted him. Others restrained him.

  "They're not themselves...

  It's another stage.

  The disease is evolving."

  Arif ran to his chamber.

  He wrote a letter.

  "Prince Lucas must know.

  Now."

  He dispatched the fastest scout.

  Then returned to Lina's room.

  She lay in bed.

  He closed the balcony.

  Turned—

  She was standing behind him.

  "You startled me, my lady.

  Are you hungry?"

  She nodded—without blinking.

  "I'll send for food.

  Don't worry."

  He left, ordered the servants, and returned to his room.

  He closed his eyes.

  But sleep did not come.

  *******************

  The Betrayer Named Loyal - The Night the City Burned Cold

  The next morning, Arif approached Princess Lina's chamber.

  She lay still.

  "Of course you're asleep," he whispered.

  "You were awake all night, weren't you, my lady?"

  He closed the door—then froze.

  Her eyes were open, staring at him.

  He opened the door again.

  She was asleep.

  —

  Arif checked the medical wing. Guards stood watch. All seemed in order.

  He summoned the council to discuss the worsening situation.

  Later, he walked the city with his two personal guards.

  People stood frozen in the streets—unmoving, unblinking.

  He entered a tavern.

  Bodies lay scattered. Others stood, silent.

  Arif's face darkened.

  Then—screams.

  From the palace.

  He rushed back. Guards and advisors gathered.

  "What's happening?

  Is the princess hurt?"

  "No..." a counselor whispered.

  Arif stepped into the room.

  His eyes widened.

  A maid lay dead. Blood soaked the floor. The food tray had fallen.

  Blood stained Lina's mouth and hands.

  Arif's voice was cold.

  "Remove the body.

  Clean this mess.

  And bind the princess.

  Do not let her move."

  "But Arif—" a counselor began.

  "It doesn't matter.

  We must protect her.

  And the palace."

  Guards hesitated—then obeyed.

  Lina stared at Arif, tears in her eyes.

  "You...

  You traitor!"

  Arif's voice cracked.

  "What happened to you, my lady?"

  The guards tied her down, hands trembling.

  —

  That night, the cold deepened. The green comet pulsed above Silva's dark sky.

  A guard ran to Arif.

  "Sir!

  The city—

  It's chaos.

  The people... they're attacking each other!"

  "What?!"

  "Gather the guards.

  Now!"

  Arif rushed into the streets.

  Bodies littered the ground. Citizens fled in terror.

  "This...

  This is impossible..."

  Guards and soldiers assembled.

  "There may still be innocents—

  Those who didn't take the cure!"

  They advanced.

  "They're attacking the uninfected!" Arif shouted.

  "Protect them!

  Net the infected!

  Prince Lucas will receive the message any moment!"

  The infected moved fast—erratic, violent.

  Arif sealed doors, posted guards, and shielded the untainted.

  Blood painted the streets. Screams echoed. Some infected tore through soldiers with unnatural speed.

  Arif turned to the commander.

  "Basel!

  Organize the troops.

  Capture the infected.

  Protect the clean!"

  "Yes, sir!"

  —

  Arif returned to the palace.

  Guards blocked his path.

  "You?

  What is this?!"

  Nameq stepped forward, slow and smug.

  "Dear old man...

  You've done well—despite your age."

  "Traitor!" Arif growled.

  "Me?

  Are you sure?

  Who ordered the princess bound?

  You did.

  You saw her weak, confused...

  And with Prince Lucas far away,

  You seized your chance."

  "You snake—"

  Then Lina appeared.

  She pointed at Arif.

  "That man...

  Bring me his head.

  For treason against the crown."

  She smiled—strangely.

  Arif stared, stunned.

  He looked at Nameq.

  Then ran.

  Guards chased him.

  He vanished into the alleys.

  —

  In a quiet home, a child ate by the fire.

  His mother slept nearby.

  Arif crouched in the shadows, breath shallow.

  The city burned in silence.

  And the comet above pulsed—green, cold, and watching.

  *****************

  The Crown of Ash - The Day Leona Broke

  Nameq bowed low before Princess Lina.

  "Your Highness...

  You may rest.

  I'll handle the remaining soldiers who resist."

  "Kill them," Lina said coldly.

  "They are traitors."

  "Of course, Your Majesty."

  "Expand the cure's reach.

  Make everyone take it.

  Those who refuse...

  Execute them.

  Charge them with treason, disease-spreading, and defiance."

  "Understood."

  Lina walked slowly to her brother's faded throne.

  She sat.

  "Where is my brother?

  He's late..."

  —

  Leona was in chaos.

  Markets shuttered.

  Families hid in their homes.

  Fear ruled the streets.

  Nameq marched with guards, crates of the cure in tow.

  "How do we know they won't attack us?" one guard asked.

  "They won't," Nameq replied.

  "Look at them.

  They watch us.

  They know their masters."

  "Is this really a cure?" the guard whispered.

  "They look like monsters..."

  "Are you calling the princess a monster?" Nameq snapped.

  "No! I didn't mean—

  It's just... they don't speak.

  They move strangely.

  Prince Lucas banned this."

  "He banned it because he doubted it.

  But now the princess is awake.

  The cure works.

  He'll be thrilled."

  They distributed the cure.

  Some citizens refused—arrested.

  Others took it out of fear.

  Some fled.

  Some never opened their doors—guards surrounded them.

  —

  Then—a voice.

  "You!"

  Nameq turned, smiling.

  Commander Basel of Leona's army approached, flanked by soldiers.

  "What are you doing?" Basel shouted.

  "You're destroying families—this kingdom—with that cure!"

  Guards froze.

  Citizens looked to Basel, eyes pleading.

  "You're a traitor," Nameq hissed.

  "You defy me!

  Seize him!"

  No one moved.

  "You have no authority over me," Basel said.

  "I answer only to the High Advisor and Prince Lucas."

  Nameq laughed.

  "The High Advisor is gone.

  Prince Lucas is busy.

  Princess Lina commands now.

  She ordered full distribution."

  Basel drew his sword.

  "I swore an oath—to the king, to Prince Lucas.

  Anything that harms our people...

  Harms the royal family.

  We all swore that oath.

  Even you."

  Guards hesitated.

  They stepped back.

  Basel advanced.

  "Leave.

  Or I'll kill you."

  Nameq retreated.

  "I'll tell the princess.

  You'll be arrested.

  Executed."

  He fled.

  —

  In a quiet home, Arif gasped for breath.

  "I'm too old for this...

  Forgive me, Prince Lucas..."

  A girl stared at him.

  Her younger brother hid behind her.

  "You?

  How did you get in here?"

  "I'm sorry, child.

  I was running.

  I just needed rest.

  I'll leave soon."

  "Arif?

  The High Advisor?"

  "Yes."

  She ran, returned with hot tea.

  Her brother watched silently.

  "Thank you, child."

  "This is my brother.

  He saw you enter.

  He was scared."

  "I understand."

  "I'mShahrazad.

  It's an honor to host you."

  "Thank you."

  "So... what do we do?

  The city is falling apart."

  Arif stood.

  "Don't leave your home.

  Only go out at midday.

  And no matter what—

  Never take the cure."

  Shahrazad's face fell.

  "But... my mother.

  She took it.

  She's asleep."

  Arif's expression collapsed.

  "No...

  I'm sorry."

  *******************

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