Part 3: Beneath the Crown’s Gaze
The palace walls have eyes. Every corridor, every grand room, every sprawling garden hides secrets—and ours are the best kept of them all. Isabella and I, we’ve mastered the art of existing in plain sight, speaking without words and exchanging glances that hold a world of meaning. But the weight of secrecy is a heavy one, especially when every move we make is under the crown's gaze.
Our stolen moments are becoming rarer, and each one feels more precious than the last. I find myself sneaking out more often, braving icy winds and midnight shadows just to be with her. Some might call it reckless, but in a life scripted by rules and appearances, recklessness is the only freedom we know. We meet in hidden alcoves and deserted gardens, places that have borne witness to centuries of history and now hold our whispered vows, promises neither of us dares speak aloud in daylight.
But secrets have a way of catching up with you. Rumors are beginning to swirl, each one another step closer to exposing us. I can feel the eyes of the courtiers, the advisors, and the palace staff lingering a little longer, as if trying to piece together the mystery that Isabella and I have fought so hard to keep hidden. Whispers follow me through the palace halls, growing louder with every glance shared, every moment that lasts just a bit too long. The crown has rules, and bending them comes at a cost.
Isabella, ever the calm one, reassures me with her steady gaze and gentle smile. She says that we’ll make it through this, that no force in the world—not even the crown—can keep us apart. But I see the worry in her eyes, the unspoken fear of what might happen if we’re found out. Our love is a beautiful rebellion, but it’s also a dangerous one, and we both know that royal love stories rarely end in happily ever afters.
Yet, I can’t imagine a life without her. Together, we’ve faced the complexities of royal life and carved out a world where we can truly be ourselves. And if our story must eventually come to light, I would rather stand beside her, facing the judgment of the world, than hide a love so fierce, so real, that it could set these ancient walls on fire.
So we press on, moving through ballrooms and formal gatherings, knowing that the world may one day know the truth. But until that day comes, I’ll keep writing my own story—a story that’s as much about love as it is about defiance, as much about duty as it is about freedom. And if the crown demands a choice, they may just learn that this princess isn’t afraid to choose love.
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As a member of the royal families of both sweden and british
FantasyBorn into the royal families of both Britain and Sweden, I, Alryana, hold the unique title of 2nd in line to the Swedish throne after my mother, Crown Princess Victoria. As if being a princess wasn't complicated enough, my father is none other than...
