Lily, a young maid in her early twenties, dragged her sprained foot along the ground as she searched frantically around the house.

"Princess?" she called out, her voice slightly strained.

There was no response. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

She tightened her grip on the letter in her hand, wincing as she moved. Her ankle throbbed painfully, she had twisted it earlier that morning while chasing after a stubborn chicken that had ultimately escaped them. It meant they had gone without meat for the day, but that didn’t matter now.

What mattered was finding her princess.

Just as she was about to turn back inside, a voice called out from the garden.

"Right here. I’m here. And why are you moving around like that?" the voice asked.

Relief washed over Lily immediately.

"My lady!" she called, hurrying—well, as much as her injured foot allowed—toward the garden.

Princess Rosaline stood among the flowers, her white hair catching the light as the breeze passed through it. Her striking green eyes turned toward Lily with quiet curiosity.

"My lady," Lily said, slightly out of breath, "you have a letter from the palace. Your father... he sent a letter this time."

Rosaline froze.

For a brief moment, she said nothing.

Then she stood up slowly, brushing off the dirt from her gown before taking the letter. But before opening it, she noticed Lily’s condition.

"Sit down first," Rosaline said firmly.

"My lady, it’s nothing...."

"Sit."

Lily obeyed.

Rosaline gently cleaned her hands before carefully opening the letter. Her eyes moved quickly across the page,and then widened.

Her father.

He was calling her back to the palace.

It had been ten years.

Ten years since she and Lily had been sent away to the quiet village of Barkallow. Ten years since she had been hidden from the world, treated as an embarrassment rather than a princess. Her white hair and green eyes had always set her apart, making her different from the others in the palace.

Unwanted.

But now...

Now, he remembered her.

A slow smile spread across her face, her eyes shining with emotion she hadn’t felt in years.

"We’re going back," she said suddenly.

Lily blinked. "My lady?"

"We’re going back to the palace!"

Before Lily could react, Rosaline pulled her into a tight embrace.

Lily let out a relieved laugh. "Thank God..."

Rosaline pulled away, already thinking ahead.

"We don’t have much time. The carriage is already on its way. It should arrive by night."

"So soon?" Lily asked.

Rosaline nodded. "Yes. We’ll be leaving for the city of Everbloom.....tonight."

Excitement filled the air between them.

They began preparing immediately.

Though they lived simply, Rosaline packed what little she had with care. Lily moved around as best as she could despite her injured foot, insisting on helping. The small house soon filled with the quiet urgency of departure.

By nightfall, the carriage arrived.

The two girls stood outside with their modest luggage as a maid stepped forward and respectfully opened the carriage door.

Rosaline entered first, her posture composed and dignified despite her simple attire. Lily followed behind.

As she settled in, Rosaline caught the coachman’s gaze.

There was mockery in his eyes.

She said nothing.

She was used to it.

Ever since her mother, the former queen of Everbloom....had died, things had changed.

The queen had fallen ill just two years after Rosaline’s birth, and by the time Rosaline was four, she was gone.

Life in the palace had never been kind to her after that.

At the age of eight, her father had sent her away to the village.

And now, ten years later...

She was returning.

Rosaline straightened slightly.

She was no longer the helpless child they had cast aside.

She was eighteen now.

And whatever awaited her in the palace, she would face it.

She would not disappoint her parents.

The journey passed through the night, the carriage rolling steadily along the road.

Beside her, Lily watched her with teary eyes, overwhelmed with happiness. After years of isolation, her princess was finally reclaiming her place.

By morning, they arrived.

The city of Everbloom stretched before them, bathed in the golden light of the rising sun.

Rosaline opened her eyes slowly, feeling the carriage come to a stop. She looked outside, and her breath caught.

Everything had changed.

Yet somehow... it still felt familiar.

A small smile formed on her lips.

They had finally returned.

Soon, the carriage approached the palace gates. The structure stood as grand as ever, only brighter, more imposing than she remembered.

Rosaline gently nudged Lily awake.

"We’re here."

They prepared to step out, but instead of stopping at the front entrance, the carriage continued moving.

Toward the back of the palace.

Rosaline frowned slightly.

Something wasn’t right.

And just like that.....

The moment hung in the air.

The carriage slowed to a quiet halt.

But not at the grand entrance of the palace.

Rosaline felt it immediately, the difference. The absence of ceremony. No guards announcing her arrival, no servants lined in greeting, no echo of royal acknowledgment.

Instead, when the carriage door opened, she was met with the back entrance.

A servant’s passage.

Her gaze lingered on the tall, plain doors before her,worn from frequent use, lacking the polished brilliance of the palace’s front gates. She recognized it instantly. These were the doors used by servants to move in and out unnoticed, especially during grand events or celebrations, so that their presence would not disturb the noble guests and high-ranking individuals.

For a fleeting moment, something sharp twisted in her chest.

So this was how she was to return.

Not as a princess.

But as someone who must not be seen.

Still, Rosaline said nothing.

Her expression remained composed as she stepped down from the carriage, her posture straight, her chin lifted just enough to maintain the dignity she refused to let them take from her.

There could be a reason, she told herself.

There had to be.

A maid quickly approached and bowed her head respectfully.

"My lady," she said softly, "please follow me. His Majesty has instructed that you rest. You are to join the King and Queen for lunch later this afternoon."

The word Queen landed heavily.

Rosalind’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

Queen.

The woman who had stolen her place.

The woman who had come into the palace shortly after her mother’s death, claiming she carried the king’s child. A son.

That single claim had been enough.

Enough to wrap the king completely around her fingers. Enough to push Rosaline aside. Enough to rewrite everything that had once been certain in her life.

Rosaline remembered it all too clearly, the whispers, the sudden coldness, the way doors had begun to close on her one after another. And finally, the exile.

Her fingers curled slightly at her sides, nails pressing into her palm.

But when she spoke, her voice was calm.

"Lead the way."

Lily followed closely behind as they were guided through narrow corridors, hallways far removed from the grandeur Rosaline once knew. The path was quiet, almost hidden, as though deliberately chosen to avoid attention.

Eventually, they stopped in front of a large door.

The maid opened it and stepped aside.

"This will be your room, my lady."

Rosalind entered.

The door closed behind them with a soft but final sound.

For a moment, silence filled the room.

Then Rosalind’s eyes moved slowly across the space, and she froze.

Everything was there.

Her belongings.

The things she had left behind ten years ago, carefully preserved, arranged as though waiting for her return. Books she once read as a child, small trinkets, even pieces of clothing she had long forgotten.

Nothing had been discarded.

Nothing had been erased.

A fragile emotion rose in her chest, catching her off guard.

He... didn’t forget.

Her father hadn’t thrown her away completely.

A faint tremble touched her breath as her vision blurred slightly.

Lily noticed immediately.

"My lady..." she said gently.

Rosalind blinked quickly, turning away before the tears could fall.

"I’m fine," she said, though her voice carried a softness that betrayed her.

Lily set their bags down and moved closer. "Everything will be alright."

Rosalind gave a small nod, then exhaled slowly, steadying herself.

"Leave the rest," she said after a moment. "You should sit. Your ankle needs rest."

Lily hesitated but obeyed, lowering herself carefully.

Time passed quietly as they settled in.

When the hour for lunch approached, Rosaline prepared herself.

A gown had already been laid out for her, a soft, elegant piece that fit her perfectly, as though someone had taken precise care in choosing it. The fabric flowed smoothly against her skin, its color complementing her pale complexion and striking features.

Lily watched her with admiration.

"You look beautiful, my lady," she said sincerely.

Rosaline gave a faint smile. "Thank you."

She paused, glancing down at Lily’s foot.

"You should stay here," she added. "Rest. There’s no need for you to strain yourself further."

Lily looked down at her ankle, then nodded reluctantly. "That might be wise."

Rosaline stepped closer, her expression softening. "I’ll be fine."

Lily met her gaze and forced a small smile. "Good luck, my lady."

With that, Rosaline turned and followed the maid out of the room.

The door closed behind her.

Left alone, Lily let out a quiet breath.

The silence felt heavier now.

After a moment, she carefully stood up, wincing slightly as she put weight on her injured foot.

"I should get ointment," she murmured to herself.

Slowly, she made her way out of the room and into the corridor.

The palace felt... different.

Colder.

Even the air seemed to carry a quiet tension.

As she turned a corner, voices echoed faintly ahead.

Lily’s steps halted instantly.

Her heart skipped.

She recognized that voice.

Without thinking, she moved quickly, pressing herself against the wall and slipping behind a pillar just as two figures came into view.

The prince.

He walked with quiet confidence, his presence commanding without effort. Beside him was an older man, speaking in a measured tone, likely his tutor or advisor, judging by the way they conversed.

Lily held her breath.

She didn’t dare move.

Didn’t dare be seen.

Her fingers tightened against the wall as memories surfaced uninvited.

He used to visit often.

Back then... he had adored the princess.

He would follow Rosaline everywhere, his attention always fixed on her, as though she were the only person in the world that mattered.

Though the Queen hated that.

But that was before.

Before everything changed.

Before the palace became a place of quiet danger.

Lily’s gaze lowered.

Things were different now.

They had to be careful.

She had to be careful.

Her loyalty was clear, she would always stand by Rosaline’s side. She had promised that long ago... to her mother.

And she intended to keep that promise.

The voices faded as the two figures disappeared down the corridor.

Only then did Lily release the breath she had been holding.

"I’m not ready to face him..." she whispered.

After a moment, she pushed herself forward again.

Eventually, she reached the healer’s quarters and collected the ointment she needed. The healer gave her a brief glance but asked no questions, a silent understanding passing between them.

With the ointment in hand, Lily made her way back.

The door creaked softly as she entered the room.

She had barely taken a step inside when,

She froze.

Rosaline stood there.

But something was wrong.

Terribly wrong.

Her gown was disheveled, no longer sitting perfectly as it had before. Her hair had come loose, strands clinging to her face. Her breathing was uneven.

And her hands,

Lily’s eyes widened in horror.

Fresh burns marked her skin, red and angry, the fabric around them damp as though she had tried to cool them with water.

"My lady!"

The ointment slipped from Lily’s grasp, hitting the floor as she rushed forward without hesitation.

"What happened?" she asked urgently, guiding Rosaline to sit.

Rosaline didn’t answer immediately.

Her shoulders trembled slightly, and when she finally looked up,

Tears were streaming down her face.

Lily’s chest tightened painfully at the sight.

"My lady... talk to me," she said softly, her voice filled with worry as she carefully took Rosaline’s injured hands.

Whatever had happened at that lunch,

It was far worse than either of them had expected.

**************************

Hi guys, thank you for reading this book and i hope you stay till the end of the story as many things will be happening and so as not to miss out..... please add to your library and comment on how you feel about this book after reading every Chapter.

Thank you guys and see you on the way towards Dagon.

XX.