A New Beginning

The next day, Elena spent her entire time, locked in her chambers. She refused to eat, drink, or speak to anyone. Heavily weighed down in grief, all she desired was to be left alone to sob in solitude of her sorrow. The king stood on the other side of the door, worried and remorseful, as he pleads for forgiveness and a chance to console her. But Elena was too devastated by the sharp unwavering tone of his Mother, like a hot sharp knife piercing through her. 

 Upon overhearing rumors of an impending marriage arrangement between the king and Lady Francesca, Elena made a tough decision. She slipped out the palace at nightfall, vanishing into the night before anyone could stop her. She had no destination or plans, only desperate to escape a fate she refused to accept, an embarrassment she couldn't bear. Unknowingly to her, she was with child. The heir to the throne, the first offspring of his royal majesty, was already growing in her womb. 

 Now, far from the comfort of wealth and royalty, she would have to forge a new path, faced with an uncertain future. One where survival was not just an option for herself, but for the life growing within her.

 Hours of transit later, she found herself in a small town, the kind where people knew each other by name, and life moved at a steady, predictable. No one asked too many questions which was just what she needed at that phase. 

 She had left everything behind. Her name, her status and her past. She had nothing of value, except a pair of diamond stud earrings she had on, so she traded it at a pawn shop to secure herself a modest but cozy apartment above a bookstore. She stocked up on essentials, careful not to draw attention to herself. And days later, she found herself a job at a cafe as a waitress. 

 It was a charming cafe at the town's Main Street, accessible to anyone, especially to people in transit. 

 Soon, Elena blended into the job, taking orders, serving coffee, and listening to the town's casual chatter from customers. It wasn't much, but it was an honest work. 

 But even in this new life, old habits died hard. She was always aware of her surroundings while anticipating the worst. She knew that no matter how far she ran, her past will come knocking someday. 

 Meanwhile, back at the palace, King Maxwell had searched relentlessly for his queen within and beyond his kingdom. The whispers in the palace grew louder. Everyone spoke in hushed tone about the love he had lost. The court speculated, wondering if Queen Elena would ever return. After months of relentless search, the king gave up. Francesca held the title, but felt like an outsider in her own marriage. 

 She had everything she ever wanted. A crown, a kingdom, power and the title. Yet she couldn't shake off the feeling of having nothing at all. 

 King Maxwell was a dutiful husband to Francesca, but not a loving one, she struggled for his attention but never got its affection. His gaze was silent, his touch was cold, and his heart? Lost to a woman he couldn't find. A woman whose name he never spoke yet her absence filled every gap between them. 

 Francesca tried to ignore the emotional misery, convincing herself that with time things will get better and she would win his affection. She adorned herself in the finest of jewelries, the most luxurious of dresses, she performed her duties as a queen so perfectly, she hosted grand feasts, and sometimes tries to act like Elena. But none of it mattered to him. Late at night, she would watch him sitting by the window, staring at the dark, lost in thoughts just hoping for Elena's return. 

 Francesca who couldn't bear the sight any longer, finally got the courage to ask, "will i ever have your heart, Maxwell?" 

 The king looked up at her and sighed heavily. "But my heart is no longer mine to give Francesca." He gazed at her with sad expression in his eyes. " you have my loyalty and my devotion to the kingdom, isn't that what matters?" He stood up and then walked out of the room towards the balcony of his chambers. "Oh my poor Elena, would you ever forgive me? Would the bond we shared ever bring you back to me? Will I ever get to see your beautiful smile again" he asked himself while sobbing in pain. 

 His words was a quiet confirmation of what she had always feared. No matter how much she tried, no matter how much time passed, Elena would always be the woman after his heart. But one way or another, she would have to find a way to replace her. But would her love ever be enough for him?