The Alliance

Chapter 10: Secrets and Farewells

The morning sun baths the royal courtyard in golden light as the royal family of Eldermere prepares for their journey to Mercia. The air buzz with activity—servants loads carriages with trunks, guards inspects the horses, and the royal coach gleams, adorned with Eldermere’s crest. Princess Bianca stands by the carriage, dressed in a regal gown of sapphire-blue velvet, her face betraying all of the turmoil roiling within her.

Her mother, Queen Elenna, approaches, her presence as commanding as always, though her eyes softens as she places a comforting hand on Bianca’s shoulder. “Are you ready, my love?”

Bianca nods, forcing a small smile. “As ready as I’ll ever be, Mother.”

Nearby, Jasmine stands discreetly with the other attendants, her hand brushing the medallion hidden beneath her simple gown. The previous night lingering in her mind—a memory filled with terrifying revelations.

The memory surges back to Jasmine as she glances at Princess Bianca, who now carries herself with calm poise. Only days before, Bianca’s expression has been far from serene.

“Your Highness,” Jasmine whispers one evening, cornered in the princess’s chamber. “I swear, I won’t tell anyone what I saw.”

Bianca turns to face her with a fury that Jasmine has never seen before, her sea blue eyes burning with intensity. “You had better not,” she hisses. “If word of this escapes your lips, it won’t just ruin me—it will destroy everything my family has built. Do you understand that?”

“I do,” Jasmine says, her voice trembling. “I wouldn’t betray you.”

Bianca’s expression softens slightly, though her voice remains firm. “Good. Keep it that way. Whatever you think you know, forget it. Dorian and I—” She pauses, as though unable to finish. “You’re loyal, Jasmine. Don’t let me down.”

Like a wind, Jasmine’s mind trails off again to another bittersweet memory, the night she snuck out of the palace to see her mother.

That night, she slipped out of the palace under cover of darkness, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. She couldn’t leave for England without saying goodbye to her mother.

Morgan, now frail but still beautiful in her own way, sat by the fire in their small cottage. When Jasmine entered, her mother’s face lit up with a warm smile. “Jasmine, my flower. You’ve come.”

“I couldn’t leave without seeing you,” Jasmine said, embracing her tightly.

They spoke for hours, their conversation eventually drifting to a truth Jasmine had never heard before.

“Your father,” Morgan began softly, her eyes distant with memory, “was a soldier. After the war with Norway, I found him wounded near the river. He was dying, but I couldn’t let him go without a fight. I nursed him back to health, and in those weeks, we fell in love.” She paused, clutching a medallion that hung around her neck.

“This was his,” she said, taking it off and pressing it into Jasmine’s hand. “He gave it to me before he died. I didn’t even know I was carrying you when I buried him. Here you can have it, and wear it wherever you go, it may give you the closure you never had.”

Jasmine stared at the medallion, her fingers tracing the worn metal. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

Morgan’s voice cracked. “I didn’t want you to feel the same loss I did. I hoped you’d see Arden as your father. He married me knowing I couldn’t bear more children after your birth. He raised you as his own.”

Tears welled in Jasmine’s eyes. “Mother, I—You should have told me sooner. I loathe Arden! If I had the slightest idea that I wasn’t born to a criminal, then the weight of shame I carry would’ve been lighter”

Morgan stood up and walked over to Jasmine and crouched in front of her. “ I know I did wrong my child, that’s why I’m rectifying all my wrongdoings now.”

“I want to know about his family. What house does he belong to, I would love to meet them—“

“I have no clue what family he belongs to but I know he’s a nobleman that belongs to a wealthy family. Hold on to the medallion Jasmine, it might be the gate to your freedom—-“

Before Jasmine could question her mother any further, she laced a hand on her cheek. “Go, Jasmine. Be strong. I’ll always be proud of you.”

Jasmine stayed a little bit longer, eating the bland porridge and stale bread her mother made her while they sat in silence by the fireplace wishing this moment would last forever.

Jasmine blinks, pulled back to the present by the sound of her name. Lyanna— Aurora’s maiden approaches her, carrying one of the princess’s smaller trunks. “Come on, Jasmine ,” she whispers . “We’re leaving soon.”

Jasmine follows Lyanna’s trail back to the royal carriage, helping her arrange the essentials belongings of the princesses accompanying Bianca to Mercia.

“ I wonder if they know about the affair ___” Jasmine cannot help thinking about how Bianca’s sisters would snap if they knew she was sleeping with a common knight.

The palace gates creaks open as the royal procession begins to move. King Maises leads on horseback, flanks by guards, while Queen Elenna and the princesses rides in the grand coach. Jasmine follows with the attendants, her heart heavy with the knowledge of the secrets she carries.

As the procession departs Eldermere, Bianca steals a glance at Dorian, who stands among the guards left behind. Their eyes meets briefly, a silent farewell passing between them. She clenches her hands in her lap, steeling herself for the road ahead.

The journey to Mercia would be long, but for Bianca and Jasmine alike, it was the secrets they carried that weighed heaviest of all.