The days had flown by for Priscilla. Between classes, training, and secretly planning her trip, she had hardly noticed how close her birthday was. There was only one week left.

  She wasn't excited at all. She hated how extravagant royal celebrations had to be, full of guests she barely knew, endless banquets, and dances that exhausted her more than they entertained her. If it were up to her, she would spend that day in silence, alone with her grandmother and Maximo, far from the formalities of the court.

  That thought led her to another: she hadn't received any letters from Leandro in weeks. At first, she had dismissed it, knowing that her brother shared her enthusiasm for finding their father, but as the days passed, the silence became unsettling.

  That night, sitting at her desk with the dim light of a candle illuminating the paper, she decided to write to him:

  "Dear Leandro,

  I haven't heard from you and I miss you. Your silence worries me, but I trust that you are as committed to finding our father as I am.

  I will soon be leaving on a boat to an island where, according to certain rumors, our parents may have been. I hope to return in one piece to tell you what I found... or, hopefully, to tell you that I found them."

  Priscila lifted the pen and looked at the paper in silence. Her fingers played with the edge of the parchment before she decided to add something else:

  “It's my birthday in a week. I'd love for you to come. It would be a relief to have you here to endure all this commotion.”

  With love, Pri.

  Satisfied with the letter, she sealed it with the royal crest and left it on her desk to be sent the next day. Then she lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling of her room. No matter how hard she tried to ignore it, she always felt a weight on her chest when her birthday was approaching.

  The next morning, during one of her classes, Maximus watched her with a smile as she leaned over her desk.

  —Your birthday is in a week. Are you excited?

  Priscilla let out a sarcastic laugh. — Not a bit.

  Maximus raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. — Come on! You're turning eighteen. It's an important day.

  — Yeah, right. That means a huge party, hundreds of guests I've barely spoken to, and a banquet I can't get out of. I'd rather celebrate with just my grandmother and... you.

  —I'll make sure it's at least a little fun. — said Maximo with a knowing wink.

  The day passed normally until, after class, they decided to go horseback riding in the palace forest. It was a habit they had shared since they were little, one of the few activities that allowed them to get away from the formality of court life.

  The trees stood tall and majestic, letting the evening light filter through their branches. The air was cool, and the sound of leaves rustling in the wind accompanied the pounding of hooves against the ground.

  For a long time, they simply rode in silence. Until Maximo broke the calm with an unexpected question.

  —Why don't you like your birthday, Priscilla?

  She didn't answer right away. Gently, she pulled on her horse's reins, slowing its pace. She felt a lump in her throat.

  —My parents were reported dead on my eighth birthday. — she finally said, her voice lower. — Since then, I've never enjoyed it.

  Maximo frowned, looking at her intently.

  —I thought they would come back for my birthday. — she added in a bitter whisper.

  Maximo approached her and, without hesitation, reached out to caress her back in a gesture of support.

  —I'm sorry, Pri. I shouldn't have asked.

  She shook her head and gave him a sad smile. — It's okay. You should know. Thank you for being here, Maximo.

  But as soon as she uttered those words, tears welled up in her eyes and she couldn't stop them from falling.

  Maximo laughed softly, tenderly, and wiped her cheeks with the back of his hand.

  —Don't cry. You're a strong woman... and we're going to find your parents.

  Priscila felt the pressure in her chest lighten.

  She nodded without saying another word and set off back to the palace.

  When they arrived, they saw the queen waiting for them at the entrance with her arms crossed.

  —Grandmother.

  —My queen.

  —You took a long time, my children. Let's have dinner before I send you home, Maximus.

  —It would be an honor. Thank you very much.

  Before entering, they made sure to dismount the horses, remove their saddles, and feed them properly. Then they walked together to the dining room.

  The table was beautifully set with a hot dinner waiting for them. The aroma of freshly baked bread and spicy stews filled the air. The conversation soon flowed naturally, amid laughter and childhood memories.

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  —Priscilla was always very adventurous. — said the queen, taking a sip of her wine. — Coral had to run after her all the time.

  —And she ran like never before! She never seemed to tire. — laughed Coral, one of the maids closest to the family.

  That night, amid laughter and anecdotes, Priscilla was able to forget for a moment the burden that her birthday brought with it. Although in the back of her mind, the shadow of the past still lurked.

  After dinner, Maximus took his leave with a courteous bow to the queen and a knowing glance at Priscilla.

  —See you tomorrow, Pri.

  —See you, Maximus. — she replied, following him with her gaze until he disappeared through the large dining room door.

  Once they were alone, Queen Edesia looked at her closely.

  —You've been restless lately, my child.

  Priscilla sighed, playing with the wine glass in her hands. She knew she couldn't hide anything from her grandmother.

  —The birthday... — she confessed.

  The queen placed a hand on hers, her gaze soft.

  —I know you don't like big celebrations, but they're necessary.

  —I know... — Priscilla lowered her gaze. — But I can't help feeling that that day will always be marked by what I lost.

  The queen sighed, caressing her granddaughter's hand.

  —Life takes things away from us, but it also gives us new opportunities. And who knows, maybe this birthday will be different.

  Priscila nodded with a weak smile. She wasn't in the mood to argue, so she said goodbye to her grandmother and retired to her room.

  When she closed the door behind her, she allowed herself to let out a long sigh.

  She took off her crown and placed it on the nightstand, feeling the weight of responsibility slip from her head, but not from her shoulders.

  She walked over to her desk, where the letter she had written to Leandro was still lying. She picked it up and read each word.

  —I hope you're well... — she whispered before placing it next to the royal seal to send it the following morning.

  She let herself fall onto the bed and closed her eyes. She knew that dawn would soon break and that with each passing day, her birthday and her journey would draw closer. But for now, she just wanted to sleep.

  The following days were spent rehearsing for the celebration and preparing for the expedition. Priscila had to try on dresses, practice the formal dance steps, and review the guest list for the grand evening in her honor.

  However, her mind always returned to the trip. She spent every free moment researching the island they planned to visit. She looked at old maps, read sailors' chronicles, and analyzed the prophecies she had found in the school library.

  It was one of those nights, while reviewing the old writings, that a particular fragment made her skin crawl:

  —When dawn turns red and the raven sings on the tower, the princess with golden blood will lose everything she loves. Her shadow will follow her to the shore of destiny, and on the last wave, her name will be forgotten.

  Priscila felt a chill run down her spine.

  —Princess of golden blood... — she whispered, reading again.

  The description was disturbing. It could refer to any princess, but her instinct told her it was no coincidence.

  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It wasn't the first dark prophecy she had come across, but something about this one felt too personal.

  She shook her head, trying to calm herself.

  —They're just old superstitions... — she said to herself in a low voice.

  But for some reason, the words continued to echo in her mind long after she had closed the book.

  And deep down, a doubt began to germinate inside her.

  The court was immersed in preparations for her birthday, which required her to attend endless costume fittings, meetings about the banquet arrangements, and endure the nobles who came to congratulate her in advance.

  But amid the hustle and bustle, her mind was set on her trip.

  Every afternoon, after classes and exhausting meetings, she would escape to the library for a while to continue her research. She couldn't get the prophecy she had read days ago out of her head.

  —The daughter of the moon and the sun, with eyes like the sky, will search among the shadows for what was taken from her. The truth will be her condemnation, blood her destiny. Only fire can decide her fate.

  She had tried to convince herself that it was nonsense, that it was just an ancient text like many others, but part of her couldn't ignore the coincidences.

  —Daughter of the moon and the sun... — she whispered as she ran her fingers over the parchment. — My mother and my father...

  And their eyes, blue as the sky.

  She shook her head, trying to clear her mind of those thoughts. Her journey was near, and she couldn't afford any distractions.

  —Here again? — Priscilla looked up and saw Maximus leaning against the library door with his arms crossed.

  —You always find me.

  —It's easy when I know you're hiding here. — he replied with a smile. — Still working on the ancient writings?

  She nodded, but folded the parchment and put it away before he could read it. —Yes, but I'm done for today. Shall we go horse riding?

  Maximus raised an eyebrow but didn't insist. — Let's go.

  They both headed for the stables and, minutes later, were riding through the palace grounds, enjoying the fresh air.

  Priscila closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the wind on her face. For a few moments, she forgot the burden she carried in her heart. But she knew the peace would not last long.

  Her journey was getting closer. And with it, all the answers she longed for... or feared to find.

  The sound of hooves echoed on the damp ground as they rode through the forest. The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, tinging the sky with shades of gold and pink.

  Priscila gripped the reins tightly, feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety that she couldn't shake.

  —You've been very quiet. — Máximo commented, glancing at her. — What are you thinking about?

  Priscila took a deep breath, wondering if she should tell him the truth. In the end, she decided to share only part of it.

  —My birthday.

  Maximo rolled his eyes exaggeratedly.

  —Not that again?

  —It's not my fault the court insists on throwing a ridiculous celebration. — she snorted. — I'd rather escape that day.

  —And what would you do instead?

  Priscila was silent for a moment.

  —I'd ride to the cliff on the coast and spend the afternoon there, alone.

  Maximo chuckled.

  —You know they wouldn't let you.

  —I know. — she murmured resignedly. — But I like to imagine it.

  They rode on in silence until the sound of the sea reached their ears. Priscila gently pulled on the reins, stopping her horse at the top of a hill from where she could see the waves breaking against the rocks.

  —I'll be there soon. — she said quietly, more to herself than to Maximo.

  —Where?

  Priscila blinked, realizing she had spoken aloud.

  —To the sea. — she replied quickly. — I've always wanted to take a boat trip, even after what happened to my parents.

  Maximo stared at her intently, as if trying to figure her out.

  —Why do I feel like you're not telling me everything?

  She smiled mischievously.

  —Because you know me too well.

  —Priscila...

  —It's late. We should go back.

  Without waiting for a reply, she spurred her horse and galloped away, leaving Maximo with a suspicious look on his face.

  That night, while the court slept, Priscilla got out of bed and walked silently to her desk. She lit a candle and took out a small notebook where she had been jotting down details about her trip.

  Supply list:

  - Light, discreet clothing

  - Hidden daggers

  - Gold coins

  - A detailed map of the coast

  - A false document in case she needed it

  Every time she looked at that list, her heart beat faster. She knew her grandmother would never approve of what she was about to do, and the fact that she didn't know anything about her departure yet made her feel guilty. But if she told her the truth, she would stop her.

  Priscila sighed and rested her forehead on the table. “It'll just be a short trip,” she told herself.

  But deep down, she wasn't sure that was true. Her destiny was in motion, and soon she would find out if her journey would bring her closer to the truth... or lead her straight into danger.