THE HEART THAT REMEMBERED

The Messenger

The princess of Vale had finally returned.

But Kael did not share Liam's relief.

His eyes remained fixed on Alice.

There was something in his expression that made Liam's smile slowly disappear.

"What is it?" Liam asked.

Kael was silent for a moment.

Then he turned toward the window.

The black rain continued to fall against the glass, darkening the world outside.

"The council knows the princess is alive."

Alice's eyes widened.

"They know?"

Kael nodded.

"They have known for some time."

Liam's expression hardened.

"How?"

"The moment the betrayer was captured, they found evidence that someone had survived the attack eighteen years ago."

Alice stared at him.

"Eighteen years..."

Kael looked at her again.

"Your disappearance was never considered an accident, Your Highness."

Alice's fingers tightened around the edge of her cloak.

"Then what was it?"

Kael hesitated.

"A planned betrayal."

The words settled heavily over the cottage.

Liam stepped closer to Alice.

"Who would want to hurt a child?"

Kael's amber eyes darkened.

"That is exactly what the council is trying to discover."

A sudden growl came from the silver wolf.

Everyone turned.

The wolf was staring toward the door.

Kael immediately reached for the sword beneath his cloak.

"Liam."

"I heard it."

The cottage fell silent.

Then—

A faint sound came from outside.

Footsteps.

Slow.

Careful.

Someone was walking through the rain.

Alice moved closer to Liam.

"Is someone there?"

Kael positioned himself between Alice and the door.

"No one should know this location."

Liam's eyes narrowed.

"Unless they followed you."

Kael's expression remained calm.

"I made sure I wasn't followed."

Another step sounded outside.

Then another.

The silver wolf stood fully now, its fur raised.

Liam looked at Kael.

"Stay with Alice."

Kael nodded.

Liam slowly approached the door.

His hand rested on the handle.

For several seconds, nobody breathed.

Then a voice came from the other side.

"Prince Liam."

Kael's eyes widened.

He knew that voice.

Liam looked back at him.

"Who is it?"

Kael's face had gone completely still.

"The royal messenger."

Liam frowned.

"From the palace?"

Kael nodded.

"But he should not be here."

The voice came again.

"Your Highness... you need to leave immediately."

Alice's heart began to race.

"Why?"

The messenger answered from behind the door.

"Because the council has discovered where the princess is."

Silence.

Liam's hand tightened around the door handle.

Then the messenger added quietly—

"And they are not coming to bring her home."