Chapter 1
CHAPTER 2: THE WOMAN WHO STOLE A PRINCESS
Hours later, the Royal Council gathered in the throne room.
Proof after proof was presented.
The matching lockets.
The royal birthmark hidden behind Elena's shoulder.
Records from the night the princess disappeared.
Everything pointed to the same truth.
Elena was royalty.
But one question remained.
Who had taken her?
Then an elderly servant stepped forward.
Lady Margaret.
For years she had remained silent.
Not anymore.
With shaking hands, she pointed toward Lady Beatrice.
The room gasped.
"She did it."
Lady Beatrice's face turned white.
"That's absurd!"
Lady Margaret continued.
"Twenty years ago, Lady Beatrice wanted her own daughter to inherit the throne."
Everyone looked at Princess Celeste.
Tears streamed down Celeste's face.
She had never known.
Lady Margaret revealed everything.
A newborn Elena had been secretly removed from the palace.
A poor farming family had been paid to raise her far from the kingdom.
And Lady Beatrice had hidden the crime for two decades.
The evidence was overwhelming.
At last, Lady Beatrice collapsed to her knees.
"It's true!"
The throne room erupted.
King Adrian rose from his throne.
His voice was cold.
"You stole my daughter."
Lady Beatrice sobbed.
"I only wanted my child to have a future."
"You destroyed mine."
The king sentenced her to permanent exile.
As guards led her away, Princess Celeste broke down crying.
"Father... am I no longer your daughter?"
The king crossed the room and embraced her.
"You may not share my blood."
He gently kissed her forehead.
"But you will always share my heart."
For the first time that day, Elena smiled through her tears.
She reached for Celeste's hand.
And Celeste took it.
May you like
Not as rivals.
As sisters.
