Two days before.
Inside the elven palace, a small boy quietly slipped through the corridors, careful not to draw attention. His tiny steps made no sound against the marble floor.
He glanced around once, making sure no guards were near, then hurried forward, chasing the soft sound of—
"Meow."
A red cat with glowing fur darted down the hallway, its tail flicking as if teasing him.
The boy—Veritas, the third prince of the elves—giggled softly and followed. He knew he shouldn't be out of his room.
His father had grounded him for sneaking out before. But the cat looked so cute… he couldn't resist.
He crept through the halls, slipping past guards like a shadow. The cat ran ahead, but not too fast. It was as if it wanted him to follow.
Step by step, it led him farther from the castle, out toward the edge of the forest where the moonlight filtered through tall trees.
