Alina sat on the edge of the bed and slowly opened the book. The first page had a handwritten note:
Don't skip the last section.
She stared at the note for a second, then opened the first section. The section described Arcasedia's geography: its borders, rivers and mountains she had never seen. Then came the history section with details of dynasties rising and falling. She read on.
The next pages shifted to Arcasedian customs. It said that Arcasedia's royalty folded their napkins in a unique triangular style, with one corner tucked inward.
Alina froze. Her fingers hovered over the page. Suddenly, an old memory resurfaced. Her mother used to fold napkins exactly that way.
She closed her eyes and shook her head as if to dislodge that thought.
It must be a coincidence.
She turned the page. It contained a lullaby about a child who used to sleep by the river. Coincidentally, it was the same lullaby her mother used to sing to her every night.
