Chapter 3: The Letter Beneath the Floorboards
The eastern royal apartments had once belonged to Queen Eleanor's mother.
They were enormous.
Tall windows overlooked the palace gardens, and pale blue curtains framed a four-poster bed covered in embroidered silk. A fireplace burned beneath a marble mantel. A silver tea service rested on a table beside fresh flowers.
Elia stood in the doorway, uncertain whether she was allowed to enter.
Two maids waited inside.
One bowed.
"Your Highness.""
Elia immediately looked behind her.
"Are you speaking to someone else?""
The maid blinked.
"No, Your Highness.""
Elia shook her head.
"Please don't call me that.""
The second maid exchanged a confused glance.
"But you are the princess.""
"I haven't even been told whether that's true.""
A voice came from the doorway.
"It is true.""
Queen Eleanor entered.
She had changed from her emerald ceremonial gown into a simple dark dress. Without the crown, she looked older.
And somehow, more human.
"Mother," Adrian said from behind her.
Eleanor glanced at him.
"Not yet, Adrian.""
Elia looked at the queen.
"Why?""
Eleanor approached slowly.
"Because you deserve the chance to decide what you want to call me.""
Elia looked down at her hands.
"I don't know what I want.""
"That's understandable.""
"Yesterday, I was a maid. Today, everyone says I'm a princess. Tomorrow, will they tell me I'm something else?""
The queen's eyes softened.
"No one should be allowed to decide who you are without your consent.""
Elia looked at her.
"Then can I ask you something?""
"Anything.""
"Can I keep my old clothes?""
Eleanor blinked.
"Your clothes?""
"My foster mother made some of them. I don't want to lose them.""
The queen smiled through her tears.
"Of course.""
"And can I keep working?""
Adrian looked surprised.
"Why would you want to continue working as a servant?""
Elia glanced at him.
"Because I know how to do that.""
"You don't have to do it anymore.""
"I know. But I don't know how to be a princess.""
Eleanor gently touched her shoulder.
"Neither did I, when I first became queen.""
For the first time, Elia smiled.
It was small, uncertain, but real.
A knock interrupted them.
Captain Marcus entered.
"Your Majesty, the royal council is assembled.""
Eleanor's expression hardened.
"Already?""
"They have requested an explanation regarding the ceremony.""
"Then they can wait.""
"Your Majesty, Duke Ashbourne has demanded an immediate investigation.""
Adrian frowned.
"He has no authority to demand anything.""
Marcus hesitated.
"There is another matter.""
"What?""
"Lady Victoria has refused to leave the ballroom. She claims the crystal's reaction was caused by a magical disturbance.""
Adrian scoffed.
"Of course she does.""
Eleanor looked toward Elia.
"Stay here. No one is to enter without my permission.""
Elia nodded.
Before leaving, the queen turned back.
"About the letter...""
Elia held it tightly.
"I think I should read it.""
Eleanor nodded.
"When you're ready.""
The queen and prince departed.
Elia sat on the edge of the enormous bed.
For several minutes, she simply stared at the folded paper.
Then she opened it.
Inside was a single sheet, yellowed with age.
My dearest Elia,
If you are reading this, then the day I feared and prayed for has finally arrived.
I need you to understand that I did not steal you.
I saved you.
Elia stopped breathing.
She continued.
On the night you were born, the palace was filled with celebration. The queen had given birth to a healthy daughter. The bells rang across Valoria, and the entire kingdom prepared to welcome its future princess.
But before sunrise, the royal nursery was attacked.
I was working as a nurse in the western infirmary. I heard a baby crying near the old chapel. When I found you, you were wrapped in a white blanket marked with the royal crest.
Your mother was not there.
Your father was not there.
Only a man stood in the snow, holding a bloodstained royal dagger.
He told me to take you far away.
He said that if you remained in the palace, you would be killed.
Elia's fingers trembled.
She read the next lines.
I asked him who he was.
He told me his name was Lord Cedric Vale, the king's most trusted adviser.
He said your uncle wanted the throne.
I did not understand what he meant until I saw the guards searching the chapel.
I ran.
Elia swallowed.
The letter continued.
I raised you as my own because I loved you. I never wanted you to spend your childhood running from men who would hurt you for a crown.
But there is something else you must know.
Your father did not die naturally.
And the man who ordered his death still lives inside the palace.
Elia dropped the letter.
Her hands were shaking so badly that she struggled to pick it up.
At the bottom was one final sentence.
If the Crystal Hand awakens for you, do not trust the man who wears the royal signet ring.
Elia stared at the words.
A knock came at the door.
She quickly folded the letter.
"Come in.""
The door opened.
A young servant entered carrying a tray.
"Tea, Your Highness.""
"Thank you.""
The servant placed the tray on the table.
As he turned, Elia noticed a golden ring on his right hand.
A royal signet ring.
She froze.
"Excuse me.""
The servant stopped.
"Yes, Your Highness?""
"Where did you get that ring?""
He looked down.
"This?""
"Yes.""
The young man smiled.
"It's not mine. It belongs to the Lord Chancellor. He asked me to bring it to the royal council chamber.""
Elia's stomach tightened.
"Who is the Lord Chancellor?""
"Lord Cedric Vale, Your Highness.""
The name from the letter.
The servant bowed.
"Is there anything else?""
Elia forced herself to shake her head.
"No.""
The door closed.
For several seconds, she remained perfectly still.
Then she ran to the window.
Across the courtyard, an elderly man in a black ceremonial coat was entering the council building.
A large gold ring gleamed on his right hand.
Elia recognized the face from the portrait gallery.
Lord Cedric Vale.
The man who had saved her.
The man who had ordered her disappearance.
She did not know which part of Mara's letter to believe.
But before she could decide, someone knocked again.
This time, the door opened without waiting.
A palace guard stepped inside.
"Your Highness, Her Majesty requests your presence.""
Elia folded the letter and slipped it into her uniform.
"Where is she?""
The guard hesitated.
"In the royal council chamber.""
"Is the Lord Chancellor there?""
The guard looked surprised.
"Yes.""
Elia stood.
"Then I need to speak to her immediately.""
The guard lowered his voice.
"Your Highness, there's something you should know.""
"What?""
He glanced toward the corridor.
"Lord Vale has just issued an order.""
Elia's heart began pounding.
"What order?""
May you like
The guard looked directly at her.
"By decree of the royal council, you are to be arrested for attempting to impersonate a member of the royal family.""
