𝑻𝑶 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑶𝑵𝑬𝑺 𝑾𝑬 𝑶𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬𝑫 || 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐒 (ON HIATUS)

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟸

Y/N'S POV

I've always been hidden from the world.

The walls of Harrington Castle, though grand and gilded, have been my cage for as long as I can remember. The towering windows of my room overlook sprawling gardens, lush forests, and beyond, the glittering horizon of a kingdom I barely know. The people down there-peasants, courtiers, knights-they live their lives freely, laughing, dancing, and loving, while I remain behind locked doors, a princess in name only.

I am Y/N Harrington, sixteen years old, daughter of King George Arthur and Queen Irene, yet most of the kingdom has never seen me. They know of me, of course-the sickly princess, the fragile flower who has never stepped beyond the palace walls. The whispers of my illness travel faster than the truth, and while the people pity me, they do not truly understand. But how could they? They have only seen the veil of sickness that my family has carefully woven around me.

And yet, even I do not understand it fully. I only know what I've been told: that I am delicate, that my body cannot handle the strain of the outside world. The doctors come and go, bringing strange remedies and hopeful smiles that never reach their eyes. My mother brushes my hair and promises that one day I will be strong enough to attend the grand balls, to walk in the gardens without fear. My father reads me stories of great kingdoms and valiant warriors, trying to distract me from the fact that I am not a part of the world he rules.

But it is my brother, Alexander Felix, who reminds me of the life I am missing most.

Alex is everything I am not. Strong, handsome, and charismatic, he is beloved by all. The perfect heir to the throne, already leading the court with a grace and ease that leaves no room for doubt. Where I am kept in shadow, he basks in the light of admiration. Our parents adore him, the people revere him, and even the court whispers of his eventual rise to power with awe. But to me, he is simply Alex-my brother, my protector, the only one who never treats me like I'm fragile.

He visits me every day, bringing news of the court, stories of his adventures in the kingdom, and sometimes, just silence. Sitting with him, I can almost forget the confines of my room, the way the castle seems to press in on me. He never pities me, never speaks of my illness unless I do. And for that, I am grateful.

Today is no different. As the sun begins to set, casting a golden hue over the kingdom, Alex strides into my room, his usual confident smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"I heard you missed quite the spectacle at court today," he says, settling into the chair by my window. "Lord Bryson fell into the fountain trying to impress some noblewoman. I swear, the man is as clumsy as a newborn foal."

I laugh, though it feels distant, like the sound belongs to someone else. "I would've liked to see that."

"I know," Alex replies, his voice softening. "One day, Y/N. You'll see all of it."

I smile, but it's a tired smile. The kind that knows better than to believe in dreams that will never come true. "I think we've both heard that before."

Alex frowns, leaning forward. "You've been cooped up in here too long. Come on, let's go outside. Just for a moment. No one will know."

I shake my head. "You know I can't. Father would never allow it."

"Father's not here. And I don't care what the doctors say. You need fresh air, not more tonics and rest."

His words are tempting, as they always are. But I can feel the weight of my parents' warnings, the burden of their worry. I've been told my entire life that I'm too weak, too sick to live the life I want. And maybe they're right. I've never known anything else.