Chapter Text
Art by ithildins
“Make no mistake, this is not a fairytale…”
Shhhhhhh…..just listen.
The kingdom of Azkaban is an anomaly. Perched atop high mountains and isolated on a peninsula, the kingdom was once thought to have made a pact with the Gods of the heavens for its fortunes.
But that’s not the anomaly…
In this kingdom, there is a castle, but no traces of a past monarchy.
Servants know that there was once a king, but can’t recall a face or name.
Families carry portraits of people whom they do not recognize. Strangers trapped in paint whose eyes watch them with unsettling affection.
And now you’re wondering:
Has a ghost swept through, erasing traces of people and memories?
Or perhaps it’s something else?
Like a dusty old music box, rumors swirl and twirl around town. Rumors about hidden magic that once thrived in the kingdom. Tales of cooks who could conjure a breakfast in minutes, or a maid who could clean without lifting a finger.
But those times are long gone, along with traces of any of those people.
Eerily familiar, yet unknown.
Only the standing Lord of the kingdom seems to be clear of this fog of memory. No clouds cover his eyes, no holes bare their mark on his mind.
And lately, he has been looking towards one thing. Whispers of where his gaze lingers spread among those who are paying attention.
We must not say it out loud.
Because he is looking towards the place where no man dares to enter. Where thorns as big as trees tower, and hidden secrets lie.
Do you really not know by now? Here, I’ll whisper it to you, lean close.
He has been looking at the Forbidden Forest.