Priscilla recovered quickly and set out on her journey to the Oracle of Delphos with a mixture of excitement and determination. She knew this would be an important step in her life, an opportunity to seek answers to questions that had plagued her for years. However, in her rush to organize everything, she had not found the time to inform Maximo. For some reason she didn't fully understand, she felt a strong need to tell him, but finally decided to leave instructions with the servants: if anyone asked for her, they would simply say that she was on an important trip.

  Max, for his part, arrived at the school that morning looking for Priscilla. Disappointment set in quickly when he didn't find her. She had always been his companion for intelligent conversation and stimulating challenges, and now, without her presence, the place felt empty. With not much else to do, he began to look around, trying to fill the time.

  It was then that he noticed something unusual: Selene and her two friends, Marina and Grissalda, were more tense than usual. They were talking to each other in a corner of the courtyard, moving their hands nervously or twisting their gloves restlessly. Maximo wondered what was going on. He hadn't seen Selene since Priscilla's incident, which was strange considering how often he passed her.

  Intrigued, he decided to follow them when he saw the trio moving to a more secluded corner of the garden.

  Keeping his distance, he listened to their conversation, enough to turn his initial curiosity into a mixture of confusion and alarm.

  — Priscilla didn't come, Selene. Do you think that's very bad? — asked Grissalda, obviously nervous.

  — Nonsense. I heard she's traveling. — Selene replied, trying to keep a carefree tone, even though her gestures gave it away.

  — We've come too far… — Grissalda lowered her voice and swallowed hard. — If she says anything, my family will be ruined. My brother will kill me if they find out I pushed her.

  — She fell by herself, it's not our fault. — Marina interjected, trying to console herself more than the others.

  Selene clicked her tongue in annoyance.

  — That's right. She fell by herself. We know nothing. If anyone asks, we keep quiet. Do you understand?

  — Yes, Selene…- Marina and Grissalda answered in unison and nodded quickly.

  Selene took a deep breath and added seriously:

  — Do you have your daggers? I hope you didn't leave anything at the crime scene.

  — Of course, we already returned them. — Marina replied.

  — Good. Now go to class. I need a break.

  The two girls hurried away, leaving Selene alone. Maximo, who was still hiding, felt his heart beating fast. Could it be that Selene and her friends were involved in the Priscilla incident? The words he had just heard hinted at something darker than he had ever imagined.

  Before he could fully process what he had discovered, Selene began to move toward where he was hiding. Maximo reacted quickly and left before she saw him. When the bell rang, he decided not to return to class. Instead, he went straight to the palace to try to confirm the information.

  But the servants told him the same thing he had already heard: Priscilla was traveling. Nothing more. Maximo returned home with a mind full of questions and a knot in his stomach. In his room, he went over and over what he had heard.

  Maximo returned home with a mind full of questions and a knot in his stomach.

  Was it possible that Selene had been involved in the attack? Why hadn't Priscilla said anything if she was responsible? Was it true that she didn't remember what had happened, or was there something else behind her silence?

  Confusion and frustration kept him up late into the night. Something was wrong, and though he didn't know what, he was determined to find out. What bothered him most was the fact that Priscilla, whom he trusted completely, hadn't shared something so important with him. What was she hiding?

  Priscilla finally arrived at the Sanctuary of the Pythia, at the foot of the majestic Mount Parnassus. The journey had been long and tiring, but the books Maximo had recommended made the endless hours in the carriage more bearable. Every page she read seemed to carry an echo of his enthusiasm, and that brought a smile to her face even in the most tedious moments of the journey.

  Stepping out of the carriage, Priscilla was surprised to find that the place was not as crowded as she had imagined. Although the sanctuary was famous, the atmosphere was peaceful, filled with a serenity that seemed in perfect harmony with the landscape. The constant murmur of a small nearby fountain and the singing of birds created an almost mystical atmosphere. Priscilla adjusted her cloak to protect her from the cool mountain breeze and began walking toward the main temple, following the guards' instructions.

  The sanctuary was a work of art in itself, with its imposing Doric columns carved from white stone that gleamed in the sunlight. Every nook and cranny was decorated with reliefs telling ancient myths of gods and legendary heroes. In the distance, the Temple of Apollo rose majestically like the beating heart of the sacred place. Priscilla paused before a statue of the Pythia, depicted with her eyes closed and an expression of deep trance, as if connected to another dimension.

  — Impressive, isn't it? — a male voice said behind her, pulling her out of her reverie.

  Startled, Priscilla turned to see a young man with dark hair and light eyes smiling kindly at her. He was plainly dressed, but his bearing radiated confidence. — Sorry if I startled you. My name is Leandro. — the young man said, bowing his head slightly in a gesture of respect.

  — No, don't worry, you didn't frighten me. — Priscilla replied as she regained her composure. — I'm Priscilla.

  — Nice to meet you, Priscilla. You seem new to this place. — Leandro observed, pointing to the statue with a casual gesture.

  — That's right. This is my first time here, and I'm fascinated. There's something special about this statue, don't you think?

  — Definitely. They say the Pythia could see what we can't. That she had a direct line to the gods. Some believe that these sculptures capture a fragment of that connection, as if they can whisper secrets to you if you look at them long enough.

  Priscilla was intrigued by his words, surprised by the fervor with which he spoke.

  — And what brings you here, Priscilla?

  — I am searching for answers about my parents. They died when I was very young, and I've never been told how it happened. I want to know the truth.

  Leandro nodded with an expression that mixed understanding and sadness.

  — It seems that fate has brought us here for similar reasons. I'm looking for answers too, but about my father. I understood that he would come to see me in Paris, but he never arrived. I need to know what happened.

  Priscilla looked at him sympathetically.

  — How tragic. I can't imagine it. What was your father's name?

  — Magnus. And your parents? What were their names?

  Priscilla felt a chill run down her spine.

  — My father was also called Magnus and my mother Elina.

  They both looked at each other, surprised and a little confused by the coincidence. Leandro frowned, trying to put the pieces together.

  — By any chance… was your mother the Princess of Rome? — he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

  — Yes, she was. How do you know that?

  Leandro seemed breathless for a moment before answering:

  — My father married a woman named Elina when I was nine years old.

  The revelation hit them both like a bolt of lightning. They looked at each other with eyes full of uncertainty, their minds working frantically to understand what it all meant. Could it be that they shared the same blood? That they were half-brothers?

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  — My father never told me he had another son.

  — Nor did he tell me he had another daughter. Then you are a princess of Rome?

  — Yes, since my mother and father never returned, they gave the position to me. . . How old are you?

  — Me? 27 years old. How old are you?

  — 17… That fits if he married my mother when you were 9 and my mother got pregnant 4 months after she married my father.

  — I'll be 17 on February 17, and you?

  — February 16th.

  They looked at each other again, but they had reached the Pythia.

  The sanctuary of the Pythia rose before them, imposing and majestic. The Doric columns glowed in the sunlight, and the scent of burning herbs filled the air, as if every particle were charged with ancient magic. Leander and Priscilla walked in silence toward the main temple, their footsteps echoing off the stone slabs worn by centuries of devotion.

  Inside the temple, they were enveloped by a heavy and reverent atmosphere. A priest dressed in white robes with gold embroidery greeted them.

  — The Pythia awaits you. — he announced in a deep voice.

  Priscilla and Leandro exchanged a nervous glance before following the priest. He led them into a circular room where incense smoke danced in the air. In the center sat the Pythia on a golden tripod, her eyes closed and her expression one of deep concentration. She seemed as ethereal as the stories that surrounded her, a bridge between the human and the divine.

  The priest gestured for her to speak.

  — Great Pythia, we have come a long way to find answers about our parents. — Priscilla said, trying to sound confident even though her heart was pounding.

  — We both share a bond with a man named Magnus and a woman named Elina. — Leandro added. — We want to know what really happened to them.

  The Pythia took a deep breath of incense smoke and, after a few moments of silence, began to speak in a voice that seemed to resonate from another world:

  — Two lives intertwined by fate, united by love and separated by tragedy. Magnus and Elina are not dead, but neither are they alive as you know them.

  Priscilla felt her knees weaken, but she held on.

  — What do you mean? Where are they? — she asked, her voice full of urgency.

  — A shipwreck took them far away, to unknown lands. Their memories, fragmented like broken glass, keep them in a state between memory and oblivion. But do not despair. Destiny has charted a path for you.

  Leandro clenched his fists.

  — How do we find her?

  The Pythia slowly opened her eyes and fixed them on both of them.

  — The stars will guide you. The constellation of Orion will mark the beginning of the path. But remember, not all roads are meant to be traveled alone.

  Priscilla and Leandro exchanged a look of determination. The answers were vague, but they were more than they had had so far. Magnus and Elina were not dead. There was hope.

  The priest approached and announced that the audience was over. As they left the sanctuary, the weight of the Pythia's words still hung over them.

  — The stars. — Priscilla murmured thoughtfully.

  — And Orion. — Leandro added. — This has only just begun.

  They both knew that the road would be long and difficult, but also that they would walk it together. For the first time in their lives, they were not alone in their quest.

  They left the Pythia's Sanctuary with their minds full of thoughts, bubbling up in no particular order. The cool mountain air seemed insufficient to clarify what they had just discovered.

  — Good thing I know a lot about astronomy. — Priscilla joked, breaking the silence with a smile.

  — I am completely confused… — Leandro admitted, running a hand through his hair.

  They walked in silence until they reached Priscilla's carriage. She paused for a moment before speaking, as if searching for the right words.

  — You see… my grandmother, the Queen, loved my father very much… our father. — she quickly corrected herself, looking at him sideways. — Would you like to come to the palace and stay for a few days? I'd like to get to know you better, brother.

  Leandro thought for a moment before smiling.

  — I like the idea. Even if I'm not the best at the rules of royal society, I'd like to meet the queen and learn more about each other.

  With that decision made, they both boarded the carriage, which soon began its journey. During the ride, the conversation flowed naturally, as if they were catching up on all they had missed during their years apart.

  — What is your mother's name? Asked Priscilla.

  — Amelia. We live in Paris. She designs clothes and is quite well known for it. I'm her assistant, but I've always dreamed of being a royal equestrian or even a soccer player.

  — That sounds very interesting. — Priscilla said, intrigued.

  — Is it hard to be a princess? — Leandro smiled but waited for her answer.

  — Sometimes it is. — she admitted. — Keeping up appearances can be exhausting, and I have a constant weight on my shoulders because I am the next queen.

  — What do you like to do to relax? — he asked, genuinely interested.

  — Reading, mostly, or practicing martial arts. I'm also quite good at ballet, though I do it more to please my grandmother than for my own pleasure.

  — What was our father like with you? — Leandro said after a short pause.

  Priscilla looked out of the carriage window, a soft smile lighting her face.

  — He was the best. He always told me I could do anything I set my mind to, and he taught me to be brave. — What about you? What was he like with you?

  Leandro also smiled as he remembered.

  — Even though I only had him for a few years, he taught me a lot. He was a good man and an excellent father. He was the one who introduced me to soccer.

  Both were silent for a moment, letting the memories of their father fill the room. — How was your life with Amelia?

  Leandro laughed softly.

  — We lead a fairly simple life. She is a strong and creative woman. She works tirelessly, and although she has always supported my dreams, she reminds me to keep my feet on the ground.

  They both smiled, feeling the initial tension of their meeting slowly dissipate. Though the road to their destiny was uncertain, they knew that having each other was a promising start.

  When the carriage finally stopped in front of the palace, Priscilla stepped out first and extended her hand to Leandro.

  — Welcome to the palace, brother. — she said with a warm smile.

  Priscilla entered the palace with the young man and was greeted by the queen, who looked at the boy with surprise and confusion.

  — Welcome, young man. Who are you? — she asked, studying him carefully.

  Priscilla and Leandro looked at each other for a few seconds.

  — He is my half-brother, Grandmother. — he replied quickly. — He went to the Pythia to find out what happened to my father, Magnus. We spoke and our stories matched.

  — And your name is? — the queen asked, unable to hide her wariness.

  — Leandro, Your Majesty. — he replied in a confident, if somewhat nervous, tone.

  The queen watched him carefully, without passing judgment, but clearly taken aback by the situation.

  — My father had me 27 years ago, but he married his daughter when she was 9. When Priscilla was about 7, they went on a trip and at one of the stops my father was supposed to visit me, but he never arrived. — Leandro explained, his voice shaking with the emotion of telling his story.

  — Oh. — was all the queen could say, the words almost lost in her astonishment.

  — I brought him here because I want to know more about him. — Leandro continued, a flash of determination in his voice.

  — He paused before revealing the news that had brought them there. — The Oracle has told us that my parents are not dead, but lost.

  The queen put her hand to her chest, clearly affected by Priscilla's words. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, as if trying to process the news. Then she looked at Leandro with a mixture of skepticism and hope.

  — The Oracle told you this? — she asked in a low, almost incredulous tone.

  — Yes, Your Majesty. — Leandro replied firmly. — We both received the same answer: that they are alive, but lost. I don't know what that means, but Priscilla and I think it might be true.

  The queen was silent for a moment, her eyes shining with a mixture of emotion and melancholy. Finally, she let out a deep sigh and looked at her granddaughter.

  — Priscilla, you know that I have always tried to protect you from the pain that comes with the truth… — she began, choosing her words carefully. — But if what you say is true, then perhaps I made a mistake in accepting the worst without looking for answers.

  — Are you saying that you also had doubts about her fate, Grandmother? — Priscilla asked in surprise.

  — Of course I did. — the queen admitted, her voice cracking slightly. — But at the time, it was easier to accept their disappearance as final than to face the possibility that they were in danger…and there was nothing we could do about it.

  Leandro, who had been listening in silence, took a step forward.

  — With all due respect, Your Majesty, I believe that Priscilla and I are now in a position to seek those answers. Perhaps together we can find out what happened to them.

  The queen looked at him more closely this time, her eyes searching for something in the young man that would give her confidence. Finally, she smiled slightly, though still full of sadness.

  — You have your father's eyes. — she said, surprising them both. — Now that I look at you closely, I can see him in you.

  Leandro bowed his head in respect, not knowing what to say. Priscilla took the opportunity to walk over to her grandmother and take her hands.

  — Grandma, I know this is hard for you, but I can't ignore what the Oracle told us. Mom and Dad deserve that we try to find them, and Leandro and I are willing to do that.

  The queen sighed deeply, as if she carried the weight of years of uncertainty on her shoulders.

  — Very well. If you truly believe you can find something, you have my support. But I must warn you that this path may be more difficult than you imagine. Sometimes the answers we seek are not the ones we want to find.

  Priscilla and Leandro looked at each other with determination.

  — No matter how hard it is, Grandmother. — Priscilla said firmly. — If there is a chance, no matter how small, to bring them back, I want to try.

  — And I will be by your side. — Leandro added.

  The queen nodded slowly, her eyes filled with emotion. Finally, she turned to one of her servants.

  — Prepare a place for Leandro in the guest wing. And bring me the documents I kept on the disappearance of Magnus and Elina. There may be something there that I have overlooked.

  As the servant left, the queen looked back at the young people.

  — Welcome to your mission, my children. May the gods guide you on this path.