Chapter 7 - THE PRINCESS IN THE FUTUREIn the year 2026, Eleanor Vale lived in a small apartment near the university where she worked.
She appeared to be twenty years old.
She had long dark hair, thoughtful brown eyes, and a habit of touching the golden pendant whenever she felt nervous.
She knew almost nothing about her past.
Her earliest clear memory was waking near the ruins of Saint Aurelia's Chapel.
A local historian found her wandering the grounds.
She wore an unfamiliar dress.
She had no identification.
And she spoke English with an accent that sounded archaic.
Medical examinations revealed no obvious explanation for her memory loss.
Eleanor gradually adapted to modern life.
She learned to use a phone.
Ride trains.
Work with computers.
And navigate a world that seemed both miraculous and frightening.
But certain things never changed.
She dreamed of stone corridors.
Burning torches.
A golden throne.
And a man calling her name.
"Ellie!"
The voice always sounded desperate.
Sometimes she woke crying.
She did not know why.
Then she met Dr. Adrian Vale.
He claimed to be a historian specializing in medieval England.
He offered to help her understand the strange symbols engraved on her pendant.
Eleanor trusted him.
He was patient.
Knowledgeable.
And strangely familiar.
But he discouraged her from investigating the chapel ruins.
He warned her that the site was unstable.
He told her certain memories were better left buried.
Eleanor tried to believe him.
Then Ethan Parker attended one of Adrian's lectures.
Ethan was nineteen.
Curious.
And fascinated by historical mysteries.
After the lecture, he approached Eleanor.
He asked about her necklace.
She hesitated.
Then explained that it was the only thing she remembered owning before she was found.
Ethan showed her a photograph from an old manuscript.
The image depicted a medieval princess wearing an identical pendant.
Eleanor stared.
The princess looked exactly like her.
Ethan watched her reaction.
"Do you recognize her?"
Eleanor shook her head.
But tears filled her eyes.
She didn't know why.
That night, she dreamed of a throne hall.
A gray-bearded king stood before her.
He reached out.
"Eleanor!"
She tried to run toward him.
But a man wearing a black cloak appeared between them.
His face was hidden.
He took her hand.
And whispered:
"Come with me, niece."
Eleanor woke screaming.
The next morning, she visited Ethan.
She wanted to see the manuscript again.
But Ethan was missing.
His apartment was empty.
His phone was disconnected.
His friends had not seen him.
Eleanor became frightened.
She went to Dr. Adrian Vale.
She explained that Ethan had disappeared after investigating the chapel.
Adrian listened quietly.
Then smiled.
"Perhaps he found what he was looking for."
Eleanor frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Adrian approached the window.
"Some doors should never be opened."
She stared.
"Do you know where he is?"
Adrian turned.
For a moment, his expression changed.
The friendly historian disappeared.
In his place stood someone colder.
Older.
Far more dangerous.
He looked toward Eleanor's pendant.
Then whispered:
"Not yet."
Eleanor stepped backward.
"What?"
Adrian smiled again.
"Nothing."
But as she turned to leave, he spoke.
"Eleanor."
She stopped.
He continued.
"Your father was a powerful man."
Eleanor froze.
"My father?"
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
She turned slowly.
"You know him?"
Adrian's smile faded.
"Better than anyone."
Eleanor's heart pounded.
"Who was he?"
Adrian stepped closer.
Then whispered:
"King Edward."
The room seemed to tilt.
Eleanor stared.
"What?"
Adrian looked toward her pendant.
"Your name is not Eleanor Vale."
He paused.
"It is Princess Eleanor of Aurelian."
Eleanor began trembling.
"That's impossible."
May you like
Adrian smiled sadly.
"Nothing is impossible once you learn how to open the Sun Gate."
