"Hello Tilly," her mother greeted as she entered her father's study.

"Matilda, I'm sure you know why we wished to speak with you before the ball," King Roland said, folding his hands on his desk.

"Well," Tilly began, sitting down in one of the chairs, her mother in the other, holding her hand. "I've decided to abdicate my claim to the throne. Roland will be a great king and I am going to see where life take me. But please, you can never tell Rolie you offered me the throne. Being king is all he wants, it would crush him."

"Of course, darling," Queen Mum agreed.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Roland inquired.

Tilly nodded. "Yes. I am not passionate about ruling. I want something else for my life."

"Alright then," King Roland said, scribbling something on parchment. "I shall tell Roland he will be my heir when he graduates. He need not know you abdicated your place in line."

"Thank you, Father."

"Now," Mum giggled. "don't we have a ball to attend?"

Tilly danced and ate until she was exhausted. Much of Enchancia's nobility came: knights, dukes and duchesses, counts and countesses. Tilly told Quon of her decision and he assured her that though she would've made a very good queen, he could tell she was happy, so he was happy for her.

Eventually the ball began to wind down and Tilly walked her little brother back to his room.

"You've gotta tell me all about Ever Realm," Rolie insisted. "I want to be prepared for when I go."

"I'm sorry, Rolie, but I can't. I've decided to go to the School for Adventure instead. It was rather last minute, but I'd rather go there," Tilly explained.

"That's perfect for you! You love exploring new places and learning new things," Rolie exclaimed. "But what if Father chooses you to be heir?"

"He…can't," Tilly forced out as they reached his room. "You see-"

"It's because of those pesky old-fashioned rules, isn't it?"

"Huh?"

"Habib told me that his kingdom had a law that all the boys are in line for the throne before the girls. I bet it's like that here too."

Tilly didn't know what to say. Would it be lying to him if she didn't correct him? But she hadn't said anything false.

"I'm sorry, Tilly."

She smiled at her brother. Let him believe what he wanted. After all, what harm could come from it?

"It's okay, Rolie." She hugged her brother tight. "I wouldn't want to be queen anyway."

When Tilly reached her room after saying goodnight to Roland she found her father standing outside her door.

"Matilda," he said when he saw her. "I…I wanted to give you your graduation gift. Well, my graduation gift to you."

"Oh. Okay."

"Here it is." King Roland handed Tilly a leather covered book that looked very old.

"The History of Enchancia Castle?"

"I found it in my study. You did say you like history books, correct?" King Roland inquired. Tilly was surprised to realize that, for the first time, her father looked nervous.

"Yes. Uh, thank you. Very much," she said.

Roland nodded sharply. "Congratulations Tilly. You've done very well. With your schooling and what not."

"Thank you."

"Don't stay up too late," he cautioned as he walked down the hall, disappearing around a corner. Tilly smiled after him, realizing how loved she truly was.

And that night, as she began to read the book by the light of the moon, the journey of the a new Storykeeper coming to the Secret Library began.