As consciousness slowly seeps back into her mind, Avaria's senses come alive with a jolt of panic. Her body felt heavy, weighted down by an invisible force, and her head throbbed with a dull ache. With a gasp, she tried to sit up, but her movements were met with resistance.

Panic surged within her as she felt the rough fabric instead of the cool air of the room. Her fingers brushed against the coarse texture of the sack covering her head, and realisation dawned upon her like a bolt of lightning. She was restrained, trapped in the darkness with no knowledge of her surroundings.

Heart pounding, Avaria strained against her bonds, but they held fast, refusing to yield to her desperate struggles. Fear clawed at her throat, threatening to suffocate her as she struggled to make sense of her situation. Where was she? Who had brought her here, and why?

The last thing she remembered was being in the garden with Kairos. But the memory felt distant and hazy like a dream slipping through her fingers. Had he done this to her? The thought sent a chill down her spine, but she couldn't be sure. Her mind raced with questions, each more urgent than the last.

How long had it been since she had last seen him? Minutes? Hours? Days? Time seemed to blur together in the darkness, leaving her disoriented and confused. She tried to piece together the events that had led her here, but the memories remained elusive, slipping through her grasp like water. With a sense of growing unease, Avaria realised that she was completely at the mercy of whoever had brought her here.

Startled by the sudden sound of a door banging open, Avaria's heart leapt in her chest. The tension in her muscles eased slightly as she heard a familiar voice echoing through the darkness.

"Untie her! What is this? She's not a criminal!"

Relief flooded through her as she felt rough hands releasing the bindings that held her captive. With a sense of freedom, she hadn't realized she was missing, the sack was lifted from her face, and she blinked in the sudden light, trying to adjust her eyes to the brightness.

As her vision cleared, Avaria's gaze fell on the figure standing before her, and her breath caught in her throat. It was Kairos, his expression a mixture of concern and anger as he surveyed the scene before him.

"Kairos," she breathed, her voice hoarse from fear and exhaustion. "Thank the stars, you're here."

Her moment of relief was short-lived as she remembered that she was with him before the incident. "It was you!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with accusation as she lunged toward him. The guard next to her quickly grabbed her, restraining her from reaching Kairos, who held his hands up in defence.

"I have a good reason," he argued, his tone pleading for understanding.

"What possible good reason could you have for essentially kidnapping me?" Avaria demanded, her voice trembling with anger and confusion. The fear and betrayal simmered beneath the surface, threatening to boil over at any moment.

Before Kairos could respond, a woman's voice cut through the tension. "It was me, not him," she declared, capturing everyone's attention. Avaria turned to face the speaker, her confusion mounting. The fact that everyone was still dressed in their ball attire indicated that the incident in the garden hadn't occurred long ago.

Avaria's heart skipped a beat as she turned to face the source of the voice. It was the Queen herself standing before her, her regal presence commanding attention even in the midst of chaos. Confusion rushed over Avaria like a tidal wave. Everyone was still in their ball attire, so it must not have been too long since the incident in the garden.

"But... Your Majesty," Avaria stammered, struggling to make sense of the situation. "Why would you...?"

The Queen held up a hand, silencing Avaria's questions. "There are matters we need to discuss," she said, her voice grave yet tinged with a hint of compassion.

As Avaria's heart raced with a mix of confusion and apprehension, she took a seat on the couch across from the Queen. The Queen's presence demanded respect, even in the midst of this unexpected encounter. Avaria watched as the Queen instructed a guard to fetch tea, her mind swirling with questions and uncertainty.

"I'm sorry to do this to you, my little one, but you are very hard to get a hold of," the Queen began, her tone sombre yet tinged with understanding.

Avaria's confusion was evident as she replied, "But you know my mother..."

The Queen chuckled softly, her eyes filled with a hint of amusement. "Yes, you, Avaria Aeron, are easy to contact, but Nightwing, not so much."

A cold shiver ran down Avaria's spine as she realized that her secret identity wasn't as secret as she had thought. She glanced at Kairos, who avoided her gaze, adding to her growing sense of unease.

"How do you...?" Avaria began, her voice trailing off as she struggled to comprehend how her identity had been uncovered.

"Well, deary, nothing goes on in this kingdom without me knowing," the Queen replied with a knowing smile. "Although it took a while, we didn't know how to contact you, so we put up posters. Then we found a contact, but you never responded."

Avaria's mind raced, recalling the wanted posters and Talbot's message about a client in the capital wanting to meet with her. The chaos of the ball had caused her to forget to respond, and now she was facing the consequences.

"We then tasked Kairos with finding you, but lo and behold, he knew you," the Queen continued, her words hanging heavily in the air.

Avaria furrowed her brows, realizing that it was Kairos who had exposed her. She couldn't help but wonder how he had known about her alias. As the pieces fell into place, she concluded that it must have been Talbot who had revealed her secret. She made a mental note to confront him about it later, her frustration building with each passing moment.

Despite her frustration, Avaria remained composed, nodding in understanding as the Queen continued to speak. She knew she had to listen carefully to what the Queen had to say, even if it meant facing the consequences of her actions

"Why didn't you just ask me?" Avaria questioned, her voice tinged with frustration and disbelief.

The Queen contemplated for a moment before responding, her gaze shifting to the three soldiers in the room, her stare lingering on Kairos for a beat longer than the others. "Well, we didn't intend to kidnap you," she explained, her tone measured yet firm. "But I couldn't just ask, as we were afraid you'd get defensive and go into hiding."

Avaria couldn't deny the logic behind the Queen's words. Clearly, Kairos had warned her of the type of personality Avaria possessed, as that was exactly how she would have reacted if she had known the royal family wanted to speak to her. The realisation left her feeling conflicted, torn between frustration at the deception and understanding of the Queen's reasoning.

"I see," Avaria replied, her voice softening slightly as she processed the Queen's explanation. Despite her initial anger, she couldn't fault the Queen for taking precautions given the circumstances. "I suppose I can understand your concerns."

The tension in the room began to ease as Avaria and the Queen exchanged a knowing glance, silently acknowledging the complexities of the situation. While Avaria may not have agreed with the methods used to bring her here, she couldn't deny the importance of the conversation that was about to take place.

As the guard returned with the tea, Avaria accepted a cup with a grateful nod, the warmth of the liquid soothing her frayed nerves. With a deep breath, she prepared herself for whatever revelations lay ahead, knowing that she would need all her wits about her.

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"What is this about, Your Majesty?" Avaria inquired, her curiosity piqued but her apprehension still palpable.

The Queen sighed, her expression growing somber as she leaned forward slightly. "I'm sure you and everyone else have noticed the King's absence lately," she began, her voice tinged with concern. "He's quite ill, Avaria, and we've tried everything. It seems he's afflicted with some sort of curse rather than a curable illness."

Avaria's eyes widened in surprise and concern at the news of the King's condition. She had noticed his absence from public events, but she hadn't realized the severity of his illness. The revelation left her feeling a mixture of sympathy and dread, knowing the implications it could have for the kingdom.

"We've attempted all types of remedies, both fabled and common alike," the Queen continued, her tone heavy with frustration. "But nothing has worked. That's where you come in, Avaria."

Avaria furrowed her brow in confusion, unsure of what the Queen meant by her statement. "What do you mean, Your Majesty?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

The Queen sighed once more, her gaze locking with Avaria's. "You have quite the record of getting your hands on things nobody else can, or knowing about things the majority have long forgotten," she explained, her tone grave yet hopeful. "We need your help, Avaria. We need you to find something, anything, that can help lift this curse from my husband and save our kingdom from further turmoil."

"Do you have anything in mind?" Avaria inquired, her mind racing with possibilities as she awaited the Queen's response.

The Queen nodded solemnly and gestured for one of the guards to approach. With a respectful bow, the guard handed Avaria a piece of parchment adorned with the symbol of an hourglass. Avaria's eyes widened in recognition as she realized what it was - the Chronocycle.

Avaria had heard tales of the Chronocycle since she was a child, especially from her mentor Larkin. According to ancient legends of the Celestial Harmony Faith, the Chronocycle was not merely a magical artefact but a relic of creation itself. It was said that when Solara, the divine goddess of light and life, and her celestial dragon companion crafted the universe, they used the essence of time encapsulated within the Chronocycle to weave the very fabric of reality.

Avaria's breath caught in her throat as she gazed upon the parchment, her mind reeling with the implications of the task before her. Finding the Chronocycle was no small feat.

As if on cue, Kairos stepped forward, a chest at his side overflowing with riches beyond Avaria's wildest dreams. Money, jewels, and trinkets of incomparable value lay before her, tempting her with their glittering allure. Avaria's gaze lingered on the treasure for a moment, her fingers itching to reach out and claim it for herself. But then, with a determined shake of her head, she forced herself to look away, closing the chest with a resolute click.

"Your Majesty, I..." Avaria began, but the Queen cut her off with a gentle yet insistent plea to reconsider. "Sleep on it before you say no," she urged, her tone soft yet firm. With a solemn nod, she produced a weathered book from her side and placed it in Avaria's hands. The book looked older than the kingdom itself, its pages yellowed with age and its cover worn and frayed.

"This is all the information I have about it," the Queen explained, her voice tinged with a note of hope. "Please, just read it. Consider what's at stake, not just for us, but for the entire kingdom."

Avaria's resolve wavered as she stared down at the ancient tome in her hands, the weight of responsibility heavy upon her shoulders.

s a knock echoed through the room, a soldier hurried to answer it. Moments later, he returned with an urgent message for the Queen and Avaria. "Your Majesty," he began, addressing the Queen, "the festivities are coming to a close. It's time for you to bid farewell to your guests."

The Queen's expression softened as she acknowledged the soldier's words. With a graceful nod, she turned to Avaria, her eyes filled with a mixture of regret and resolve. "It seems our time is up for now," she said, her voice tinged with sadness.

As the Queen rose from her seat, Avaria felt a pang of guilt tugging at her heart. She watched as the Queen bid her farewell, her expression a mix of hope and apprehension. "Please, think about it," she pleaded once more, her words echoing in Avaria's mind.

Before she could dwell on it further, the Queen issued her final command. "Kairos," she called out, turning to the trusted knight, "please escort Avaria back to the ballroom. Make sure she returns safely." Kairos nodded in acknowledgement, his expression unreadable as he gestured for Avaria to follow him.

As Kairos led Avaria back to the ballroom, she couldn't shake off the feeling of betrayal that gnawed at her insides. The silence between them was thick with tension, broken only by the echoing sounds of their footsteps on the marble floor.

"No apology?" Avaria snapped, unable to contain her frustration any longer. "Did you lure me to be on my own? Was..." She stopped herself before delving into the intimate scene they shared before she was taken.

"I was under orders," Kairos responded matter-of-factly, his tone devoid of emotion.

"Still a dick move," Avaria retorted, her voice laced with bitterness. "Those are not the words of a lady," he replied, his tone teasing.

Avaria scoffed at his remark. "It's a good thing I'm not a lady but the daughter of a seamstress," she shot back, her words dripping with sarcasm.

Kairos chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Yes, because being the daughter of the continent's most renowned seamstress is such a small acknowledgement."

She rolled her eyes at his response, feeling a mix of irritation and amusement. "How can I ever trust you again?" she questioned, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"I guess that's your choice," he replied nonchalantly, his expression unreadable.

As Avaria opened her mouth to confront Kairos about the unsettling feeling of being watched the past two days, they turned the corner to the ballroom entrance. Before she could utter a word, Odelia spotted them and came charging towards them, her expression a mix of concern and accusation.

Grabbing Avaria, Odelia pulled her into a tight hug, her protective stance a facade for the tension brewing between them. "What are you doing with my dear Ava?" Odelia demanded, her tone laced with possessiveness. "Are you going to steal her like you steal everything else that's mine?"

Kairos scoffed at his sister's accusation. "You can't own a person, Delia," he retorted, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Don't call me that," Odelia snapped back, her grip tightening on Avaria's waist. "You're still my brother," Kairos shot back defiantly.

"Not if I say so," Odelia replied childishly, releasing Avaria from her grip. A flash of frustration crossed Avaria's face as she tried to calm the situation.

"Dels, you're my number one," Avaria reassured her, trying to defuse the tension. "As for him, I'll deal with you later."

"Deal with him for what?" Odelia shot back, her tone bordering on indignation. Bickering ensued between the three, their voices rising in intensity until the domineering figure of the Duke appeared beside them

"Stop causing a scene," the Duke ordered sternly, his disapproving gaze sweeping over them. With a sigh, he took Kairos by the arm, leading him away to introduce him to the guests. As he walked away, he shook his head in disappointment at both girls, silently urging them to behave themselves.

As they watched the Duke and Kairos walk out of sight, Odelia turned to Avaria with a mixture of frustration and hurt in her eyes. "What is this? I always feel like you're hiding things from me," she accused, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Avaria tried to defend herself, her words stumbling in the face of Odelia's accusations. "It's not what it looks like," she insisted, but Odelia wasn't swayed.

"Is it not?" Odelia countered, her tone sharp with frustration. "I always see you and Talbot exchanging knowing glances, disappearing for days on end, conveniently having to leave at the same time. Or not being able to hang out with me at the same time. You think I'm a fragile flower and you can't let me in on things. Well, I am not, and I am sick of being left in the dark."

Tears welled up in Odelia's eyes, her emotions spilling over as years of frustration and hurt bubbled to the surface. Avaria's heart ached at the sight of her friend's pain, realising the depth of the rift that had formed between them.

As Odelia suggested taking space, Avaria felt the weight of her friend's words hit her like a physical blow. Before she could gather her thoughts or offer a response, Odelia turned and left, sparing them both from potential hurtful words in the heat of the moment. Avaria was left standing alone, grappling with a torrent of emotions.

Avaria watched her friend go, her heart heavy with guilt and sorrow. She had never intended to make Odelia feel that way. Odelia was the closest thing she had to a sister, and the thought of causing her pain tore Avaria apart.

Flushed with embarrassment, Avaria felt the sting of tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She blinked rapidly, fighting to keep her emotions in check amidst the bustling activity of the hallway outside the ballroom. Catching Kairos's eyes, she saw his gaze filled with longing and concern. Before he could close the distance between them to comfort her, she turned and ran. Without another word, she hurried away, seeking solace by the fountain where her carriage awaited. Once alone, the floodgates opened, and tears streamed down her cheeks unabated.

Avaria couldn't bring herself to face Kairos now, not when her world seemed to be falling apart. This situation felt like a tangled mess, and she had no idea how to untangle it.

The air crackled with unresolved feelings, leaving Avaria feeling adrift in a sea of uncertainty. Turning away from the lingering echoes of their argument, Avaria sought refuge by the fountain where her carriage awaited. Each step felt like a struggle, her mind racing with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The soft trickle of water provided a soothing backdrop to her turmoil, offering a moment of respite from the chaos of the evening.

As Avaria sank onto the edge of the fountain, her thoughts turned inward, grappling with the fallout of the confrontation. The cool night air wrapped around her like a comforting embrace, offering solace in the midst of her inner turmoil. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, threatening to spill over as she struggled to make sense of the rift that had formed between her and Odelia.

Alone with her thoughts, Avaria allowed herself to finally let go, the weight of her emotions crashing over her like a tidal wave. Silent sobs wracked her body as she surrendered to the flood of tears, the fountain serving as a silent witness to her grief.

In that moment of vulnerability, Avaria found herself longing for the comforting presence of her mother. With a heavy heart, she wished for the warmth of her mother's embrace, yearning for the reassurance that only a mother's love could provide.

As if in response to her silent plea, Poppy appeared by her side, her gentle presence a balm to Avaria's wounded soul. Without a word, Poppy draped her shawl over Avaria's shoulders, offering silent support in her daughter's moment of need.

With her mother's comforting presence by her side, Avaria felt a sense of peace wash over her, the tumultuous emotions of the evening slowly ebbing away. In the embrace of her mother's love, she found solace amidst the chaos, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she would always have her mother's unwavering support.