"I... I'm the true heir?! How is that possible? It can't be!" Isabel Grace said out loud.
Clap, clap, clap...
Isabel looked around, frantically, only to see a boy, about her age, clapping sarcastically. The boy was tall and thin with jet black hair and chocolate brown eyes.
"So you finally figured it out." he said crossing his arms.
"Who are you?" Isabel asked firmly.
"My name is Dante. Dante Ramirez. My family ruled over this land thousands of years ago. When I was sixteen, a wizard attacked my kingdom. He killed the whole royal family -- my family -- but spared my life. However, that came at a price. The wizard, known as Merlin, cast a spell on me that trapped me in the forest forever. At least, until a certain person, in this case you, broke that spell. That person had to be pure of heart and had to have a soul of gold. However, most royals astray from pure intentions while others tried to seize the throne." the boy said.
Isabel crossed her arms in disbelief and shock.
"I don't understand. So, I set you free, a boy who supposedly lived thousands of years ago?" she said.
Dante nodded.
"Yes. And before you ask... you are the TRUE heir to the throne. You are a descendant of the royals that ruled after my family was murdered. You are a great, times eight, granddaughter of of Queen Elena Luciana Montoya." Dante said.
"No, you must have me confused with someone else. I am an orphan. I have no royal blood line. I'm a nobody. I am just a servant girl!" she said.
Dante lifted his eyebrows.
"Are you sure? Take a closer look." he said. He nodded to the stone.
Isabel slowly turned to the stone and touches the words carved into it. The words lit up and suddenly projected pictures in the air around her.
"Whoa. What are these?" she said, smiling, as the pictures flipped through scenes.
"Your family's past. The royals that lived before you." Dante said.
There was a woman with kind eyes like Isabel's with a man by her side. They were holding a baby.
"Who -- who are they? They feel familiar. But I've never seen them before." Isabel said, not looking away from the picture.
Then, the picture changed, again. This one, Isabel recognized. It was her. One picture was her as a child and the other was her as she was now. Then, the slideshow was over.
"That couple you asked about.... do you know who they are now?" Dante asked.
Isabel nodded with tears in her eyes.
"My parents. Right? How did I not know about this? What happened to my family?" she said wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Your parents snuck you out of the castle when you were a child. They left you on an orphanage doorstep hoping to hide you from Merlin. They didn't want to leave you, trust me. But it was the only way. I'm sorry." Dante said with his hanging his head in sadness.
Isabel smiled slightly.
"I've always wanted to know who my parents were, and now, thanks to you, I do. Thank you so much." she said.
"I can do even better. Follow me. I'm going to show you your past." Dante said reaching out his hand.
Isabel hesitated for a moment. Then she realized she had nothing to lose, so she took his hand. Dante untied Aztec and got in the saddle, pulling Isabel up with him. They rode back to the palace in search of answers about Isabel Grace's past.