'A Princess and a Commoner: Star Crossed Lovers'

Torn From Love

(ISASORA'S POV)

As the door swung open, I pulled back from Gabriel, my heart racing, feeling as if I'd been caught in the act of a forbidden crime. For a moment, the only sound was the soft rustle of my gown and the faint clink of cutlery against the plates.

Harold stood frozen in the doorway, his eyes wide as they darted between us. His voice wavered, "How's the cake testing—" His sentence died on his lips, replaced by the shock that overtook his face.

Behind him, my father's voice cut through the thick silence. "Why did you stop, Harold?" he asked, his usual booming tone completely unaware of the tension thickening the air. He stepped into the room, still smiling, blissfully unaware. But as soon as his gaze landed on Gabriel, far too close to me, I watched the colour drain from his face.

My father's disbelief was palpable. "What is going on here?" he demanded.

I opened my mouth, struggling to find the right words to defuse the situation. But everything was a mess. "Father, it's... it's not what it looks like."

He raised an eyebrow, the cold edge in his voice making me flinch. "Really? Because it looks like my daughter is standing far too close to a baker when she should be preparing for her wedding to Prince Julian."

I saw Gabriel bow quickly, trying to salvage the moment. "Your Majesty, I apologize for this," he said, his voice steady despite the tension. I could feel his glance brush over me before he turned back to my father. "But I can't hide the truth anymore—I love your daughter."

The silence that followed was deafening. My breath hitched in my throat as I waited for my father's reaction.

His mouth opened, then closed. His face twisted into something between shock and frustration, as though he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He shook his head, trying to grasp the situation. "No... no, this isn't how it works," he muttered. His eyes snapped to me. "Isadora!" His voice held both anger and disbelief. "
This is not what we planned. You know your responsibilities."

I felt tears stinging at my eyes, the pressure of his expectations suffocating me. "Father, please..."

But his gaze was hard, unmoving. "Guards!" The command cut through the air like a knife. Moments later, two guards appeared, their hands on the hilts of their swords.

"Seize him," my father ordered.

"No!" I rushed forward, my voice breaking. "Don't, please!"

He looked at me, his expression dark and unyielding. "This wedding must happen, Isadora. You cannot jeopardize this alliance. Julian must not know."

Gabriel straightened, his eyes never leaving my father's. "Your Majesty, I won't fight your decision, but you should know—I truly love Isadora. She deserves the chance to follow her heart."

My father's face was a mix of fury and disbelief. His gaze turned back to me, and the weight of his authority crashed down like a tidal wave. "You know what is at stake here. This isn't about love, Isadora. It's about duty."

The tension in the room was suffocating.

"Guards," my father's voice sliced through the tension. "Take Gabriel to the dungeon."

"No!" I cried, rushing to Gabriel as the guards seized him. I grabbed his hand, holding on tightly, unwilling to let go. His grip was strong, but the guards were stronger, pulling him back inch by inch.

"Isadora!" my father's voice rang out again, cold and unyielding, as more guards rushed to drag me away.

I fought them, clinging to Gabriel, desperate. "Gabriel!" I screamed, as his hands were pulled from mine. His eyes were full of pain and helplessness.

"Isa,I won't let this end here," Gabriel shouted, his fingers tightening around mine. "I'll find you, I swear."

But the distance grew. His hands slipped from mine, slowly, agonizingly, until only the tips of our fingers touched. I stretched, reaching, straining to hold on just a little longer, but the final pull came, and his touch was gone.

"Isadora!" he called out, his voice echoing as the door slammed between us.

I was dragged down the hall, tears burning my cheeks, the weight of loss suffocating as the door to my room closed, separating us entirely.

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