章 2: The Pigeon Has Arrived with an Invitation?

Ding!

Alas, it was finally time.

The pang of the Great Academe Bell echoed across the nation, spreading the word through the valleys, hills, and to the farthest corners of the vast Kingdom of Elaria.

Ding!

As the everyday folks started to rejoice in the sound of their kingdom's most prestigious doors finally opening after years, they knew much better that the castles they served were more excited than them.

Who wouldn't be thrilled? After all, it was time for Elaria's noble families to attend Thornwood Academy — where the future kings and queens of the Kingdom are nurtured and cultivated!

"Release the pigeons!" With that signal, the cages were opened in one snap, and the birds' wings sprung to the sky.

Their silky white feathers dazzled glitters through the air, except for one… because instead of shiny glitters … ashes were falling from the tip of its feathers.

Yet it flapped its wings longer than anyone else; its red eyes only focused on one thing: It was time to give courage to the oppressed.

There, the black pigeon flew to the southern corner of the Kingdom of Elaria, where the sun could never lay its fingers on — The Shadowlands.

Surrounded by a lifeless forest where fogs danced over the dead trees and the black crows flocked together up in the sky, villages still existed within the Shadowlands' borders.

However, the royal family barely cared about the Shadowmen — or what other citizens called them.

The villages of the Shadowlands were small and impoverished, inhabited by people who had long been accustomed to hardship and toil.

These villagers were often the manual laborers for the more prosperous cities, providing essential resources like coal and wood.

Ding!

And yet, even the people far remote of the Kingdom's blessings heard the opportunistic sound of the bell.

Unlike city and country folks, most Shadowmen barely knew what the sound coming from the sky meant, as they would instead focus more on how to make a living so that the Kingdom wouldn't deprive them of their little compensations.

But to those few who knew of the sound, waiting forever for it to come and spread music to the Shadowlands, their heads instantly turned to the princess who, just like every single day, was out spending time with the people.

It is easy to spot Raena Ravenscroft in a crowd of busy laborers. Amidst the unsettled dust and coal blemishes, her beautiful silver hair will always stand up amongst everything dim.

The princess, now in her teens, wandered through the narrow, winding paths of the village nestled deep within the Shadowlands. Her presence was a beacon of light amidst the gloom, her steps purposeful, yet her demeanor gentle.

At last, the once-childish innocence had matured into a quiet determination, and the villagers, worn from their laborious lives, found solace in her kind gestures and caring nature.

"Thank you, Lady Raena," an elderly woman said, her voice husky from years of hard work, as Raena handed her a bundle of fresh herbs. Her hands, calloused and trembling, clutched the gift like a lifeline.

"You're welcome, Granny!" Raena replied, her smile as warm as the occasional sunlight piercing the dense canopy above.

"I know what the bell meant, my Princess." Raena's smile shifted the moment the older woman spoke of these words. Her smile, which was only a cover for the nervousness and thrill she had inside, vanished slowly. "The last time it rung, the Shadowlands could only hear of it, as no one from the House Ravenscroft and House Darkbane was worthy of the Kingdom."

Raena gulped. She did not require any reminders, as she knew more than anyone else what the opportunities of Thornwood meant not only for her Grandmother and her abandoned family but also for the wholeness of the Shadowlands.

However, her spirit could not stop there.

She tried to erase the expression from her face and gave older people another convincing smile, and before she could utter any word, she was cut off by another voice.

"Princess! Princess!" came along the cute calls of the children who have grown fond of Raena. She turned her back and tried to find out where the voices came from, but it was too late.

Children started darting around her, their laughter a fleeting melody in the shadowed village square. Raena often took it upon herself to look after them while their parents toiled in the coal mines or harvested wood from the dense, foreboding forest surrounding their home.

She knelt beside a small girl, helping her tie a makeshift doll with scraps of cloth.

"Princess Raena, look at this!" a young exclaimed, holding up a carved wooden figure proudly. His eyes sparkled with excitement; his cheeks flushed with pride.

"That's wonderful, dear," Raena praised, her eyes shimmering with genuine admiration. She reached out to gently touch the figure, tracing its intricate details. "You have a real talent. Keep practicing, and you'll create masterpieces."

As she continued to play with the children and assist the villagers, Raena noticed a peculiar sight in the sky.

A black pigeon, its feathers tinged with ash, flew with determined speed towards the castle. From that point on, she knew something was up!

Raena's heart quickened. After all, the arrival of a black pigeon was always an omen of significant news.

Without hesitation, she looked at the Granny, but it seemed the older woman was already smiling on her behalf. Pounced, raced, nervous as it could get, the princess's heart could no longer contain her feelings.

She has to get back to the castle!

Raena's heart bolted as she watched the black pigeon disappear over the treetops, its destination unmistakable. She turned to the children, her voice calm but urgent. "Stay close to Granny, children. I need to go to the castle."

"Yes, Lady Raena," they chorused, their wide eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of worry.

Raena hurried through the village, her feet barely touching the ground as she ran towards the castle. The once-familiar path seemed longer, her anticipation growing with each step. The imposing silhouette of Ravenscroft Castle loomed ahead, shrouded in the perpetual twilight of the Shadowlands.

It is finally time... it is finally time!

She burst through the castle gates, her breath coming in short gasps.

Her father, Lord Ravenscroft, stood at the entrance, his expression a mix of pride and apprehension.

"Raena," he said, his voice steady despite the emotions swirling in his eyes. "A message has arrived for you."

Raena's heart pounded as she took the letter from his outstretched hand. Even the helpers could not help it! Everyone was waiting for this moment, and almost everyone could barely keep it to their toes.

And there it was.

After years of constant suffering from the neglect of the Kingdom, the doors have finally opened once again to the bedimmed chambers of House Ravenscroft!

The seal of Thornwood Academy was unmistakable, its presence both thrilling and daunting.

"Father..." Raena does not know what to feel. She could not find the right words to say! Imagine finally getting into your dream university even when you thought you could not enter anymore. Isn't it so much of a shock?

Lord Ravenscroft announced, his voice filled with a solemn pride. "This is your chance, Raena. Show them what the Ravenscroft family is truly made of."

Raena's fingers trembled as she broke the seal and unfolded the letter.

The words blurred before her eyes, her mind racing with excitement and fear. This was her opportunity to rise above the shadows to prove herself worthy of her family's legacy.

"I won't let you down, Father," she vowed, her voice firm and resolute.

Lord Ravenscroft placed a hand on her shoulder, his grip solid and reassuring. "Remember, Raena, your strength lies within. Show them who you are."

Raena nodded, her determination solidifying. The journey ahead would be challenging, but she was ready to face it. The people of Ravenscroft rejoiced as everyone started congratulating their only princess.

It was a night of beauty and gratefulness, but Raena was ready to fulfill her Grandmother's wishes, among others.

Little does she know the trials of Thornwood would hurt her spirit for a lifetime.