The Veil of Darkness
Chapter 294: Late Light Queen’s Diary

Chapter 294: Late Light Queen’s Diary

After finishing the breakfast, Annalise took her leave and headed upstairs with a destination in her mind. She was going to search for some much-needed answers.

As she entered the secret library on the top floor of the castle, she found herself getting enchanted by the sight before her all over again. Ancient tomes and scrolls lined the shelves, whispering tales of the past.

Her gaze landed on Sir Niles and Silas who were engaged in a deep discussion near the fireplace but stopped when they sensed her presence.

"What a surprising guest? It’s been a while, My Lady." Silas was the first one to speak as he stood up from his armchair and moved to retrieve something from a nearby wooden table.

When he returned, he was holding a cup in his hand. He poured the freshly brewed tea and offered it to Annalise before signaling her to take a seat on one of the empty chairs.

Annalise took a seat and sipped the warm tea before turning her attention toward Sir Niles and spoke - "Sir Niles," there was a sense of urgency in her voice, "I seek knowledge about the history of the Seelie Empire. Are there any books that can shed light on its past?"

Sir Niles exchanged a look with Silas before he returned his attention at Annalise and nodded. "Indeed, My Lady. We possess a rare and ancient book that once belonged to the Royal light fae family. It contains secrets and chronicles of our ancestors, including the founding of the Seelie Empire."

He stood up from his seat and headed deeper into the library.

"Can I follow him?" Annalise asked Silas as she wasn’t sure if she was allowed to venture deeper into the library or not.

"This place is all yours, Lady Annalise. If anyone here is allowed to show their authority over this place, then it’s definitely you. Please do whatever you want here." Silas replied as he signaled toward Sir Niles who was returning with a dusty, leather-bound book that was way too thick and probably weighed tons.

He carefully handed it over to Annalise and the latter nearly dropped it because of how heavy it was.

The book emitted a faint glow, indicating its magical significance.

"Treat it with utmost care, for its knowledge is both powerful and fragile." Sir Niles added before he returned to his seat, leaving Annalise with the book.

"I will." Annalise promised as she settled down next to Sir Niles before dusting the book and opening it.

The pages looked really old and so was the writing on them. There was so much information that it was nearly overwhelming.

As Annalise leafed through the pages of the ancient book, she noticed a small leather-bound diary tucked away inside it. The diary bore the emblem of the Late Light Fae Queen, a symbol of royalty and wisdom.

Sir Niles noticed the diary first and took it out, checking to see exactly what it was. He hesitated for a moment before handing her the diary, knowing that its contents held secrets that only Annalise could uncover.

"This diary belonged to the Late Light Fae Queen," Sir Niles explained. "It contains her personal thoughts, reflections, and experiences throughout her reign. You, Lady Annalise, possess a connection to the past that makes you the only one who can unlock its secrets."

Intrigued by the prospect of discovering hidden truths about the Seelie Realm, the Late Light Queen, and probably her own past as well, Annalise clutched the diary tightly. "Thank you, Sir Niles. I will ensure that this precious artifact is treated with utmost care and respect."

* *

As the sun began to set, Annalise retreated to her chambers with the ancient book and the Late Light Fae Queen’s diary. She settled down by the window, where the fading light provided a comforting ambiance.

Opening the diary gently, she saw the first entry, written in elegant, flowing script. "My Dearest Diary," it began, "today marks the beginning of my reign as the Light Fae Queen. The responsibility weighs heavily upon my shoulders, but I shall embrace it with grace and dignity."

With each word, Annalise felt a connection to the Late Queen, as if the words resonated with her very soul. She read on, absorbing the Queen’s thoughts and feelings about her subjects, her responsibilities, and the challenges she faced during her rule.

Seconds turned into minutes and then into hours as Annalise spent countless hours poring over the diary’s entries. She discovered the Queen’s hidden struggles, her sacrifices for the Seelie Empire, and her unwavering dedication to her people.

She only went downstairs to have dinner before she once again returned to her chambers with the information that Valerius and Elijah had gone to meet Ezra and his team and they all would be returning within next two-three days.

She once again delved into the contents of the diary and while reading a particularly emotional entry, she noticed a peculiar symbol sketched in the margins. It resembled a crescent moon entwined with a delicate rose. It seemed like a clue, leading her deeper into the mystery of the diary’s secrets.

With newfound determination, Annalise delved into the historical book Sir Niles had given her. She cross-referenced the symbols, attempting to decipher their significance in the history of the Seelie Empire. Each revelation brought her closer to understanding the hidden truths that lay within the pages of the diary.

As Annalise pieced together the puzzle, she uncovered a dark secret that had been buried for centuries. The symbol in the diary was associated with a forgotten rebellion, orchestrated by a group of influential fae who sought to overthrow the Royal light fae family.

In a gripping revelation, Annalise learned that the Late Light Fae Queen had been betrayed by someone close to her, who was secretly aligned with the rebellion. The betrayal had cost the Queen dearly, resulting in significant losses for the Seelie Empire.

Something really big happened back then, or why would such a powerful Realm and a powerful ruler would end up in ruins?