Untitled Episode
716 Words
Chapter 14: The Shadow Within the Palace
The rain had stopped, but the storm had not truly passed.
Dark clouds still hung over the royal palace like a warning from the heavens. The ancient halls felt colder than usual, and whispers of tension drifted through every corridor.
Aria had barely moved since King Adrian revealed the truth.
The lost princess.
The words still felt unreal.
She stood near the tall balcony window, staring at the gardens below. Guards were everywhere now—far more than before. Soldiers walked the grounds, their armor clinking softly as they patrolled.
It felt less like protection.
And more like a prison.
Behind her, the door opened quietly.
“Still trying to process everything?”
Adrian’s voice was calm, but there was a heaviness beneath it.
Aria didn’t turn around.
“You lied to me,” she said quietly.
Adrian stepped inside the room and closed the door.
“I didn’t lie,” he replied. “I waited.”
“That’s the same thing.”
Finally, she turned to face him. Her eyes burned with frustration.
“My entire life… I believed I was just an ordinary girl. Now suddenly you’re telling me I’m some lost princess?”
Adrian’s gaze softened slightly.
“I know it’s difficult to accept.”
Aria shook her head.
“No. What’s difficult is believing that everyone around me knew the truth except me.”
Adrian sighed.
“Your mother begged us to keep it hidden.”
At the mention of her mother, Aria’s anger faded into sadness.
“She died protecting me… didn’t she?”
Adrian nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
The room fell silent.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Adrian walked closer.
“Aria, there’s something else you need to understand.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“What now?”
“The enemies who attacked the palace years ago… they weren’t all defeated.”
A chill ran through her.
“They’re still out there?”
Adrian nodded.
“And now that rumors of the lost princess returning have started spreading… they’re looking for you.”
Aria’s heart pounded.
“So I’m not safe here?”
“You are,” Adrian said firmly. “But there’s another problem.”
“What problem?”
Adrian’s expression darkened.
“We believe someone inside the palace is helping our enemies.”
The words hit her like a slap.
“A traitor?”
“Yes.”
Aria felt her stomach twist.
“Who?”
“That’s what we’re trying to find out.”
Adrian walked toward the door, then paused.
“That’s why you must begin royal training immediately.”
Aria blinked.
“Training?”
“You are the rightful heir,” Adrian said. “If the kingdom ever discovers the truth, you must be ready.”
Aria laughed nervously.
“I can barely handle the truth right now, and you want me to rule a kingdom?”
Adrian’s voice became serious.
“You may not have a choice.”
Suddenly—
A loud crash echoed from the hallway.
Both of them froze.
Footsteps.
Fast.
Rushed.
The door burst open.
One of the royal guards stumbled inside, breathing heavily.
“Your Majesty!”
Adrian stepped forward immediately.
“What is it?”
The guard’s face was pale.
“We captured someone trying to escape the palace.”
Adrian’s eyes sharpened.
“Who?”
The guard hesitated.
“A palace servant.”
Aria frowned.
“A servant?”
The guard swallowed.
“Yes… but when we searched his room…”
He held up a folded piece of paper.
“We found this.”
Adrian took the paper and unfolded it.
His expression turned cold.
Aria stepped closer.
“What is it?”
Adrian slowly handed it to her.
Her eyes scanned the message.
And her blood turned to ice.
The message read:
The princess is alive.
Prepare to move tonight.
Aria looked up slowly.
“They know.”
Adrian’s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
“Yes.”
He turned toward the door.
“Which means we have no time left.”
Aria’s heart began racing.
“What do you mean?”
Adrian looked back at her, his eyes dark with determination.
“It means the war for the throne…”
He paused.
“…has just begun.”
- Writer
