By the time Oskar had found all the passages that mentioned Unicorns, all of the books were open and spread across the entire table surface. He took his time reading through each one, sometimes going back to cross-reference one passage with another. What surprised him the most was not the limited amount of information, just the fact the information was thoroughly detailed. Especially the passage from King Unarion's personal diary:

"Let it be known that the Unicorn is not a creature to be sought for its power or beauty. It is a guardian of the land, not a tool for gain. To harm or kill a Unicorn is to invite ruin upon the kingdom. Any who would dare such an act shall be exiled, for the wrath of the Unicorns is not one to be taken lightly. I, King Unarion, speak this truth to all who inhabit my lands: the sacred shall remain untouched."

Oskar went back to the The Bestiary of Sacred Beasts and read over the passage again.

"The Unicorns of Unara are not merely creatures of legend but beings of profound magical essence. Their horns, composed of an unbreakable substance scholars call aetherbone, are known to radiate an aura of purity. It is written that a Unicorn may bestow its gift of healing upon a soul it deems worthy, yet this gift cannot be taken by force. To sever a horn is to desecrate the bond between magic and life, and such an act taints the stolen power with an irreversible darkness. For this reason, the murder of a Unicorn is among the gravest of crimes, punishable by exile—or worse."

"Interesting," Oskar mumbled to himself as he reached for the journal of confiscated notes and read the passage aloud. "A Unicorn's magic, though revered, is but a force to be harnessed like any other. When distilled and properly extracted, the essence within the horn grants longevity, strength beyond mortal limits, and sight into realms unseen. Let the old laws tremble before discovery, for power cares not for the means of its making."

He furrowed his brow as he read on.

"I remember the first time I saw one. It was a shadow, sleek and pale, moving through the mist like a wisp of the morning fog. Its eyes—there was nothing like them. They weren't like any creature I had hunted, not like the deer or the boar. It looked at me, and I swear, for a moment, I felt like it could see right into my soul. I had heard the tales, of course, but seeing one—feeling its power—it made my blood run cold. I turned and walked away. The price of such magic isn't something I ever wanted to pay. But the alchemist says he will."

Oskar frowned and closed the journal and pushed it aside. He didn't want to know any more from that one. He decided to read the poems about the creature, hoping they would lighten his mood.

"In the twilight of dawn, when the stars have not yet fled, The Unicorn treads softly, a song on the wind. With eyes like the moon and a heart pure as snow, It offers its magic, to those who may know. But to take from the sacred is to wade through despair, A price too steep for the brave to bear. For the horn once given cannot be undone, And a life taken by greed can never be won." —Ancient Unaran lullaby, origin unknown

"Your Highness?"

Oskar glanced up, straightening when he saw Clara approaching with a scroll.

"I found this in the back," she said, frowning as she placed the scrinium in front of him. "It was on a shelf labeled banned text."

"Banned text?" Oskar asked, immediately untying the cord and unrolling the parchment. The bold words at the beginning read: Aldera's Scroll, Elder of the Council of Unara under Her Majesty, Queen Delia of Unara.

And the passage took Oskar's breath away.

"The Unicorns are not to be touched by mortal hands, nor to be slain for greed. They are protectors of the realm, stewards of balance. The magic they possess is not for us to wield, for if we take, we will never stop taking. The land will withhold its gifts, the crops will falter, and the skies will burn. The balance of life, death, and magic is delicate. To sever that thread is to invite the end of all things."

"Why would anyone ban an edict of the crown?" Oskar asked his question more to himself than to the voiceless scroll.

"If you wish, Your Highness," Clara said as she pulled out a nearby chair and sat. "I can cross-reference the dates in the scroll to the chronicles and find the reason it was banned."

"That would be most helpful," he replied, nodding as he re-rolled the scroll and handed it back to her. "But I must go as my mother is expecting me for supper."

Oskar rose to his feet and retrieved the horn from the table.

"I do not wish to leave a mess," he went on, motioning to the scattered books. "But I would like to come back to how I've left them. Will you make sure no one clears or uses this table until I return in the morning?"

Clara smiled up at Oskar, nodding. "As you wish, my prince."

Bidding her a good evening, Oskar turned and made his way to the exit.

* * *

After a quick visit to his chambers to change his clothes and leave the horn in a safe place, Oskar made his way to the private dining room. This room was reserved for the royal family when dining away from public company. On feast days, afternoon and evening meals would be held in the greater dining hall. Oskar greeted his parents with a customary bow, and he was not surprised to learn of his brother's tardiness.

"What have you learned about the horn?" Father asked, lowering his voice and they three huddled together in the corner.

"Many have coveted the magical qualities since Unara's birth," Oskar explained, sighing as he glanced over his shoulder. "King Unarion wrote about them in a diary, stating the sacredness of the creature and their guardianship of the land. Additionally, Queen Delia, Unarion's successor, wrote an edict against hunting practices... but the text was banned."

"Banned?" Mother gasped, looking at her husband. "Texts cannot be banned by anyone but the crown and royal seal."

"The bookkeeper said she would help find the connecting texts and edicts regarding the matter," Oskar went on, shrugging. "I will know more tomorrow."

Father nodded and clapped his shoulder firmly. "Well done! Not bad for a few hours work."

The prince smiled; the dining room doors opened and Oskar glanced in that direction as Erasmus entered. The elder prince wore his usual smirk as he approached the huddle.

"You're late," Mother scolded, folding her arms daintily across her chest.

"Tutor kept me," Erasmus said, offering her a soft smile. "Little brother, you were in the royal library for an eternity. Any progress?"

"I will share more at another time," Oskar replied, turning his head to the sound of the bell that signaled the readiness of the meal. "I'm starving."

"The meal is served, Your Excellencies."

Oskar waited as his father took his mother's hand, guiding her toward the table. Then Erasmus moved forward, Oskar following at the rear. The table was large enough to seat all four members of the royal family, with enough surface space to lay out the entire meal. As the family took their usual places, the servants entered from the side doors, which led to the kitchen—each carried a silver platter with either a plate or bowl of steaming food.

"Smells wonderful," Oskar said with a grin as Cook came through the kitchen doors.

"Little Mouse," Cook greeted him with a fond smile. "Ya wouldn't know anything about a missing loaf and square of cheese, would ya?"

"I only took two slices and a square that was already cut off," he protested, chuckling. "Did you not leave it there for me?"

Cook grunted, shaking her head as she clasped her hands, and curtsied before the king and queen.

"Your Majesties," she went on, clearing her throat. "Tonight's supper is braised beef with potatoes and vegetables, and hot broth for your souls. Enjoy."

Cook disappeared into the kitchen, leaving the servants to prepare the plate portions. Oskar licked his lips as something sweet and savory curled through the air—rich, slow-roasted beef, its juices mingling with the buttery scent of golden potatoes. Hints of rosemary and thyme carried on the steam rising from the platters, mingling with the earthy aroma of roasted carrots and parsnips. Beneath it all, the deep, comforting scent of hot broth, infused with garlic and pepper, promised warmth with every sip. 

As the first plates were set before him, Oskar exhaled, forcing his thoughts away from research and mysteries—at least for now.