"They were gone before I could ask questions." Lyra said sadness hanging on her every word.

She could see the sympathy in her grandmother's eyes.

"Well as you can tell I'm your grandmother. My name is Cordelia but just call me grandma." She paused and Lyra could tell she was thinking heavily about something "There's a lot you don't know Lyra and a lot to be explained."

"About what Grandma?" Lyra ventured.

"Your father and uncle were heirs to a legacy older than time," Cordelia began, her voice full of pride. "We are descendants of Pyrae, keepers of the eternal flame." The word Pyrae was unknown to Lyra, yet it stirred something deep within her soul, a sense of familiarity. "Wait, keepers of the flame?" Lyra exclaimed in surprise. A smile graced Cordelia's lips, revealing the glimmer of secrets hidden there. "For centuries, our family has guarded the ember - a power passed down through generations. Your father was a flame that illuminated even the darkest corners," she continued, her voice trailing off as if lost in memory. Lyra felt a surge of emotions - excitement and fear mingled together - for this was far beyond her ordinary life. This was a legacy, a responsibility, and an unimaginable power waiting to be unlocked.

Cordelia started to speak with a sense of melancholy, "Your grandfather Kael was the light of my life. As Matriarch of the Pyrae, it was my duty to safeguard our legacy and keep the flame burning. My path had already been determined for me: an arranged marriage to one of the noble Emberkin to solidify our position." She couldn't help but smile wryly, "But fate had other plans. I was scheduled to visit the neighboring kingdom ruled by the Umbrakin – a place in stark contrast to ours where shadows seemed to dance in the air and perpetual twilight reigned. It was a simple diplomatic mission in hopes of establishing peace."

She paused and wiped away a few tears before continuing, "It was at a masquerade ball that I met Kael. He stood out like a shadow amongst the crowd. There was an immediate chemistry between us; we locked eyes from across the room and it was as if we were having a conversation without words. In that moment, I knew my life would never be the same. Kael could blend into the darkness and became my protector, ensuring my safe return back to our kingdom."

She took a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing, "Everyone refused to let us marry, so we did it in secret with a blessing from the moon instead of the law."

She chuckled at the chaos this caused, "Our marriage was further mocked when I gave birth to your uncle Silas. He inherited your grandfather's ability to manipulate shadows and most saw it as a curse. However, once I gave birth to your father, things calmed down. He possessed the strongest flame ever seen, a testament to our love and the complexities of fate."

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Cordelia's gaze softened, a hint of sadness in her eyes, "The Umbrae were relentless in their pursuit for power and saw your father as a threat – a beacon of light in a world they wanted to plunge into darkness. We lost your grandfather in the war. He fought bravely to protect his children and me, but in the end, even he succumbed to the darkness."

A heavy silence fell between them as Lyra absorbed her family's past – a history filled with divided worlds and a legacy that demanded strength and resilience.

"Why did my father leave?" Lyra asked quietly, wanting answers to the millions of questions swirling in her mind.

Cordelia's expression softened as she explained, "While your father was seen as a symbol of hope, your uncle was seen as a symbol of despair. His envy only grew over the years; though both were my children and I loved them equally, Silas always felt like he would never measure up to your father. Despite being older, he lacked the flame and could never rule as an eldest should. This caused a rift between them and Silas was determined to undermine your father's position."

She let out a sigh, looking distraught, "Your father fell in love with a maid – a union looked down upon by most. One day, we woke up and they were gone, leaving behind only a note promising his safety."

She gazed at Lyra longingly, "I suppose he did it for you. I'm glad because Silas would have stopped at nothing to take your father's position and eliminate you as a threat."

"What happened to Uncle Silas?" Lyra asked, feeling uneasy about the story's resolution. "Well, things only got worse for Silas after your father left. People blamed him for his brother's departure and treated him horribly. As his mother, I did my best to protect him, but he didn't want protection; he wanted power." She sadly glanced up at the portrait on the wall. "The Umbrae had spies everywhere, and when they saw what was happening, they saw an opportunity. They reached out to Silas and offered him everything he had ever desired: power, knowledge, and a world free from the restrictions of the Pyrae. Silas couldn't resist and turned his back on everything he once knew." As she finished her story, tears streamed down her face. Lyra leaned in and embraced her in a hug.

"I'm so sorry you had to lose both of your sons." She whispered.

After she calmed, Cordelia looked at the clock.

"Goodness it's late you must be exhausted my dear. Why don't you head back to your room? I can call the maids to come fetch you if you don't know the way." She said.

Lyra hesitated, not wanting to disturb anyone in the middle of the night just to be escorted back to her room. But as she made her way through the dark and seemingly endless halls of the manor, her unease grew and she wished she had taken her grandmothers offer. The walls seemed to shift and twist, the corridors never-ending and disorienting. She tried to retrace her steps, but soon realized she was hopelessly lost. Panic rising in her chest, she froze as a voice pierced through the darkness: "Lost, are we little Lyra? How convenient."