Do you think I will bear the crown?

Morning

Before dawn broke over the horizon, Arissa sat at her small kitchen table, the flickering candle casting a warm glow on her face. She scribbled a quick note, her hand trembling as she wrote. The weight of the decision pressed heavily on her shoulders. The letter explained her absence from work that day, citing an "emergency" that demanded her immediate attention. With a deep breath, she folded the paper and placed it on the table.

As she stepped outside, the chill of the early morning air wrapped around her like a cloak. She gathered her resolve, returning home to collect the essentials. She packed a small bag with her most necessary items—clothes, food, and a delicate party mask to conceal her identity. The mask shimmered slightly in the dim light, its intricate designs hinting at the noble life she was about to reclaim.

Pulling a heavy cloak around her shoulders, she left her home behind, her heart racing with a mixture of fear and anticipation. She approached a carriage driver, her voice steady despite the nerves bubbling within her. "To the Celeste Kingdom's castle, please."

The driver tipped his hat and they set off, the rhythmic clatter of hooves echoing in the stillness of the dawn. As the castle came into view, her heart pounded louder. What was she doing? Was she truly the daughter of the former queen? The uncertainty gnawed at her, filling her mind with questions that had no answers.

When they arrived, the sky had begun to lighten, a soft glow illuminating the magnificent structure before her. Arissa stepped out of the carriage, her breath hitching at the grandeur of the palace. She approached the imposing doors, each step heavy with the weight of her lineage.

The guards stood at attention, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and suspicion as she approached. "Who are you, and what is your purpose here?" one of them asked, his voice gruff.

"I am one of the king's dear people," Arissa replied, trying to sound confident, her heart racing. "I request an audience with him this instant."

The guards exchanged skeptical glances, but ultimately, they parted to let her through. "Very well. But be cautious. We will be watching you."

Entering the palace felt surreal. The marble floors glistened, and the opulent decor whispered tales of grandeur. She was ushered into a guest room, a beautifully appointed space adorned with rich tapestries and elegant furniture. Nervously, she sat on the plush couch, her mind racing. What would she say when he arrived? What if he didn't believe her?

Finally, the door opened and King Issac entered, his expression one of confusion. "Who came to see me at such an early hour?" he asked, sitting down in front of her, his brows furrowing at the sight of the cloaked figure.

Arissa stood, dropping into a curtsy, trying to project a sense of nobility. "I shall not reveal my identity yet. Is Lady Elisabeth here?"

"Why do you ask?" he replied, leaning back in his chair, intrigued but wary.

"I will tell you when she arrives, Your Majesty," she said, her voice steady but laced with a hint of mystery.

Issac signaled for Elisabeth to be summoned. As they waited in silence, Arissa felt her stomach churn with anxiety, a mix of dread and determination swirling within her. Would he accept her? Would he acknowledge her mother's legacy?

Elisabeth entered the room with a graceful curtsey, her demeanor formal. "Your Majesty, who is she?" she asked, eyeing Arissa curiously.

"I do not know; she has been waiting for you," the king replied, his tone revealing a hint of impatience.

"Well, my lady, why did you ask for the king and my presence?" Elisabeth inquired, tilting her head with curiosity.

Arissa took a deep breath. "Did you not read my letter?" Her tone was blunt, the weight of her revelation hanging in the air.

"What letter?" Elisabeth asked, confusion evident on her face.

"Do you think I will bear the crown?" Arissa's words struck like thunder, filling the room with tension.

Elisabeth's eyes widened in shock, her jaw dropping as she covered her mouth with her hands. Memories flooded back, and she stood frozen in realization. "That was you?!"

"Mhm," Arissa replied, her heart racing.

"Who are you, young lady?!" King Issac exclaimed, rising to his feet, his frustration palpable. "You've kept me in suspense long enough!"

Arissa stood tall, gathering her courage. She slowly lowered her cloak, feeling the weight of her identity settling upon her. The king's eyes narrowed as he studied her, recognition flickering across his face.

"I am…" She removed her mask, revealing her striking features and piercing blue eyes that seemed to reflect her mother's legacy. "I am my mother's daughter, the one you killed."

The king's face paled, disbelief etched into his features. "Wha—? How is that possible? I thought you were dead!"

"I don't know…" Arissa replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.

The shock shifted into something else as the king's expression changed. A mixture of joy and disbelief lit up his face. "This is incredible! Elisabeth, gather an audience for later today. Prepare her a room—she must be treated like the princess she is!"

Elisabeth, still reeling from the revelation, nodded and hurried from the room, leaving Arissa alone with her father.

King Issac stepped toward her, his arms outstretched as if to embrace her. But she held up a hand to stop him. "I will come back under one condition: you won't mistreat me, and you will clear my mother's name."

His face softened, sincerity flooding his features. "I'll try my best. Please, let me be the father I've always wanted to be."

She took a moment, then stepped into his embrace, allowing herself to feel the warmth of his presence. For the first time, she felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps she could reclaim her place in the world, reunite with her family.

But as she pulled away, a heaviness settled in her heart. This wasn't just a fairy tale reunion; she had much to confront, and the shadows of the past loomed larger than ever.

"Remember," she said quietly, "this isn't a happy ending yet."

As she left the room, her mind swirled with thoughts of the future, aware that the challenges ahead would test her strength and resolve.