"Jacob?" a voice said.

Jacob slowly opened his eyes. He was standing in a garden, but the flowers looked so gloomy and sad. A young, tall woman appeared in front of him. She had brown hair that was pulled back with a flower wreath, but like the garden around him, the flower wreath was dead and gloomy. Her eyes were a beautiful sky-blue, but they held a dark sadness that made her eyes seem so dark. Her skin was white, and she wore a tight black dress.

Jacob cautiously stood.

"Who are you?" Jacob asked.

"My darling," the woman said,

"Who are you?!" Jacob asked again.

"I've missed you so much," the woman said

"I don't even know who you are," Jacob said.

"Jacob, my sweet Jacob," the woman said, floating forwards and touching a hand to his cheek. 

"Who are you?" Jacob asked

"Jacob...you don't recognize me?" the woman asked sadly.

Slowly, Jacob realized who this was.

"M-M-Mother?" Jacob whispered.

Jacob had never seen his mother, who'd died when he was a few months old. She used to be a very rich and kind woman, but with her death, it brought hardship upon Jacob's family. 

"My sweet son, I've missed you so much," the woman murmured.

"I missed you too, Mother," Jacob whispered.

Jacob's mother had died from a fever that happened after Jacob was born. His father had been filled with grief until Jacob was five. 

"My sweet darling Jacob, you have been so strong," his Mother whispered, "You are so brave."

"Thank you, Mother," Jacob said.

"I am so sorry my death brought you and my husband hardship," his Mother whispered.

"I'm sorry too," Jacob said, "You shouldn't have died so early. It's my fault."

His mother had tears in her eyes, "My sweet son, it is not your fault. You couldn't have stopped the illness that overcame me. It's not your fault."

"Mother, I miss you so much," Jacob whispered, "Father misses you too."

"I miss you both," his Mother said.

"Jacob, I have come to give you strength," his Mother said.

Jacob looked up. 

"I have been following your mission along the way," his Mother said, "Lady Astoria is a very kind woman, and she is very powerful. You can trust her."

Jacob's mother produced a pendant the size of a regular necklace from out of nowhere. The pendant was shaped like a fire, but it was blue.

"My son," his Mother said, "If you show this to Lady Astoria, you will be able to meet Queen Rose. Queen Rose and I were very good friends, and she can help you on this quest."

Jacob's mother handed Jacob the necklace.

"Good luck, my sweet hero," she said, "I love you."

Slowly, she began to fade.

"MOTHER! COME BACK!" Jacob pleaded, "PLEASE! I NEED YOU!"

But it was too late. His mother disappeared, and slowly, blackness closed over him.

Jacob awoke. Sunlight was beginning to filter in through the open window. He looked down, and sure enough, in his hand, was a pendant shaped like a blue fire. 

"So it was real," Jacob murmured to himself.

He clutched the pendant, refusing to let it go. A knock sounded on the door.

"Jacob? Are you awake?" a voice - Lady Astoria- said.

"Yes, Lady Astoria," Jacob replied, "I am awake."

Lady Astoria opened the door and smiled, "Good morning, Jacob."

"Good Morning, Lady Astoria," Jacob said.

"How did you sleep?" she asked.

"Quite well, thank you," Jacob said.

Lady Astoria's eyes drifted to his clutched hand.

"What is in your hand?" she asked,

Jacob held up the blue fire pendant. Lady Astoria gasped. She slowly took the pendant and turned it over.

"Your mother," Lady Astoria said.

Jacob nodded, "She visited me in a dream."

"My word," she said, "It has been a long time since Al-"

Lady Astoria paused, and thought it over, "Never mind. Now come down, it's time for breakfast." Lady Astoria gave the pendant back to Jacob, "I will let Queen Rose know about this. What is your last name?"

"Night," Jacob said, "Jacob Night."

Lady Astoria blinked, then nodded and left the room. Jacob stared out the window, letting his thoughts run.

Lady Astoria knew my mother. Queen Rose knew my mother. Am I dreaming? Is this real?  What is going on?

Jacob headed down the stairs and to the dining hall. There, was a long table filled with the most delicious food Jacob had ever seen. Plates of bread, jars of jam, bowls of cereal, glasses of milk, and jugs of juice. He sat down eagerly, and a servant placed a plate and silverware in front of him.

"Thank you," Jacob said.

The servant nodded and disappeared. Soon, Lady Astoria joined him.

"I have sent the message to Queen Rose," Lady Astoria said.

"Can you tell me more about my mother?" Jacob asked, applying strawberry jam to his white bread.

Lady Astoria hesitated, taking a sip of her coffee, "I don't know.."

"Please?" Jacob pleaded.

Lady Astoria sighed, "Very well."

Jacob eagerly looked up, his bread dangling from his mouth.

Lady Astoria poured some sugar into her coffee, "Your mother, was a very popular lady when she was young. She had the luxury of school and riches and a good home. She was very kind. Her parents died young, like your mother."

Lady Astoria sighed and sipped her coffee, "Your grandparents died at the young age of thirty and thirty-five. Your grandmother died when your mother was five, and your grandfather died when your mother was ten. She experienced many hardships, because she had to keep the family business running while learning. But she pulled through.

"After a few years, she graduated high school at a quite an early age, and went to the best University in the kingdom, Sun University. She studied there for around five years, and when she graduated, she was of marriage-age, around twenty."

"So she was 15 when she went to college?!" Jacob asked, gulping down some lemonade.

"Yes," Lady Astoria said, "Quite astonishing."

"Then what happened?" Jacob asked.

"Your mother continued running the family business, and it was very successful for a long time. She had many people who loved her and loved working at her company."

"What did her company do?" Jacob asked.

"Have you heard of the Science Research Co.?" Lady Astoria asked.

"The string of companies? Yea," Jacob said.

"Your mother owned that string of companies," Lady Astoria said with a smile, "But then Queen Rose's mother, former Queen Lily, offered her a job as her personal advisor. Your mother was very....hard to convince, because she loved her business and running it. But in the end, she sold it for almost $10M! 

"While working for Queen Lily, she fell in love with a business man, your father. Queen Lily blessed their wedding, and they were very happy for a while. Then, your father lost his job. your mother supported him as best as she could. Then, a few years later, Queen Lily died, and Queen Rose inherited the throne. Queen Rose was also very supportive of them, but soon...."

Lady Astoria sighed.

"My mother died?" Jacob said.

"Yes," Lady Astoria said, "Soon after her death, Queen Rose tried introducing your father to other possible wives. But your father adored your mother, and refused to remarry. So, Queen Rose had no choice. She had tried supporting your family as best he could, but in the end....your father lost everything, and was forced to move out.

"Every year, on your mother's death day, Queen Rose actually makes her entire kingdom wear black, and put banners and close their curtains."

"What day did my mother die?" Jacob asked.

"A week from today," Lady Astoria said, "Queen Rose declared it the "Grief Day."

"Oh," Jacob said. 

Lady Astoria finished her meal and said, "I'll leave you to your thoughts."

With that, she left, giving Jacob the freedom to think by himself.

Jacob turned the pendant over in his hands. On the back were the words Lady Alexandra Night.