CHAPTER 2: THE LIE UNRAVELS
“Seize her.”
The King’s command cut through the hall like a blade.
The guards hesitated—torn between the girl they had served for years… and the truth standing before them.
“Now!” the King roared.
The hesitation vanished.
Two guards moved toward the false princess.
“No! You can’t do this!” she shouted, backing away. “I am your daughter! I’ve always been your daughter!”
“Then explain the mark,” the King said coldly.
She opened her mouth—
But no words came.
Because there were none.
The court began to murmur, then louder… then louder still.
The truth was spreading like fire.
“I—I was told…” she stammered. “I didn’t know… I swear I didn’t know at first…”
“At first?” the King repeated.
Her silence answered him.
The ministers stepped forward.
“This requires investigation, Your Majesty,” one said.
But the King’s gaze never left her.
“How long?” he demanded.
Tears finally broke free from her eyes.
“…Since I was a child,” she whispered.
The hall exploded in outrage.
“TREASON!”
“IMPOSTOR!”
“LOCK HER AWAY!”
Meanwhile—
Elara stood frozen, overwhelmed, unable to process the chaos around her.
The King turned back to her.
And his voice softened again.
“Bring her something warm,” he ordered quietly. “And food.”
May you like
For the first time in years—
Someone was looking at her like she mattered.
