The grand doors of the palace loomed before you, towering and ornate, their intricate designs etched with the history of a kingdom you knew all too well. But this time, it wasn’t the kingdom of your past—it was the kingdom of your ancestors, the past you never thought you'd see. Behind those doors, your family Duke James and your mom Elenora as well as family of your friends The royal family, too—King Alistair and Queen Elowen waited, eager to meet their children from the future, your closest friends—Crown Princess Aeliana and Prince Caelan.

But you were the only one who had come back.

The air felt heavy as you stood there, the familiar yet distant weight of time pressing down on you. The Duke's daughter—the young girl they knew—was long gone. You were fully grown now, hardened by a future they couldn’t even imagine. The best friend of the future heirs, their trusted companion, and the daughter of a noble house that would one day rise to greatness—now standing alone at the crossroads of time.

You could picture the looks on their faces when you stepped through those doors—the confusion, the shock. They had been informed of your arrival, but they expected the future prince and princess at your side. How would you explain why you were here alone? Why Aeliana and Caelan hadn’t followed?

The thought made your heart tighten.

Taking a deep breath, you steeled yourself. This wasn’t going to be easy, but you had come too far to turn back now. Whatever had separated you from your friends—whatever fate had in store—you would face it. And you would face it alone.

As you reached for the door, your hand trembling only slightly, you whispered to yourself, "I’m ready."

And then, you pushed it open.