s. The room was bathed in the eerie glow of flickering candles, casting elongated shadows that danced

e Queen's voice was a silken whisper,

tremor. She couldn't bring herself to meet the Queen's gaze, her ey

summoned you here today?" Queen Nadia inqu

dark," Alia replied, her pulse quickening further

isbelief. "Yet you, a tainted wretch, have been entangled in an illici

h unsaid truths. She couldn't deny the damning accu

ice dipped to a venomous whisper. "I have knowledge of so

d her deepest secret? Struggling to maintain composure, she re

e a serpent's warning. "You carry a child, a child whose existence threatens

Queen's words. She fought to steady her voice as

into a thousand shards, subject you to unimaginable torment, an

e, and her world narrowed to the

dripped with cruel temptation

h she knew not where it would lead. Could e

oposition cut through the room's heavy air, "I

own flesh and blood to the very embodiment of ma

ime to think,"

irk. "But remember, time is running o

d Alia, leaving her alone in t

ild, yet the Queen's threat loomed as tangible as the shadowed walls. She needed an escape, a lifeline,

to seek refuge in a world beyond the Queen's reach. But first, she knew she

****

mson and gold as the sun dipped below the horizon. Beside him stood Alia, her ebony tresses dancin

ver Alia, her eyes distant, her

ed in the air. Alia's gaze seemed

right, my love?"

ze still drawn to the horizon. "I

into her emerald eyes with concern.

o confide and the weight of secrecy. Sh

y King. Nothing

us here," he urged, seeki

lent, her thoug

embrace our love openly," Aric said, reaching for

I share that yearning. But alas, our circu

epening. "Does my presence anger you

ng his gaze. "Your majesty, my hear

the truth," he implored, his azure eyes sear

crumbled slightly. "I'm not

?" Aric rep

meeting his briefly b

s seeking to understand. "Tell me

ain. "Aric, you deserve happiness. We both do. But our paths a

around hers. "Wha

rembling breath.

uding his features as he struggled t

heeks, mirroring the

each heartbeat. She couldn't bear the thought o

r back, but he saw the determinati

itted with worry. His heart raced, pe

eart grew. "What troubles you, my dear?" he murmured