Chapter 9: Doubts

Lyra's thoughts raced as she ran towards the gate. She couldn't believe that her own stepmother was plotting against her own father. She wondered if the queen had the support of the nobles too if so they would need a scapegoat to appease the masses.

As she reached the gate, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around to see her stepmother, Queen Isadora, approaching her.

"Lyra, please come back inside. We need to talk about this," Isadora said, her voice soft but firm.

Lyra hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. Could she trust her stepmother? Or was she part of the conspiracy to depose her father?

"I can't stay here, Isadora. I need to leave," Lyra said, her voice trembling slightly.

Isadora's expression hardened. "You can't just run away from your responsibilities, Lyra. You're the princess of Ardenia."

Lyra glared at her stepmother. "And you're the queen. Yet, you're plotting against my father. How can I trust you?"

Isadora sighed. "Lyra, please don't be naive. There are forces at work here that you don't understand. The nobles are concerned about your father's rule. They think he's too weak and that he's putting Ardenia in danger. I'm trying to help him by taking over the regency."

Lyra shook her head in disbelief. "And what about the Syndicate? Are you working with them too?"

Isadora looked away, unable to meet Lyra's gaze. "I... I don't know what you're talking about," she stammered.

Lyra didn't believe her for a second. She knew that the Syndicate was behind the attacks on her father's caravan. And now, she had reason to suspect that her stepmother was involved as well.

Without another word, Lyra turned and ran towards the stables. She needed to escape Ardenia and find the artifacts of power and head north to solve the mystery of the bracelet her mother left behind before her enemies did. She called for Aira, her griffin, who soared down from the sky and landed beside her.

"Let's go, Aira. We have a long journey ahead of us," Lyra said, mounting her griffin.

As she flew away from Ardenia, Lyra couldn't help but wonder if she would ever see her father again. And if she did, would he be on her side or her stepmother's?