A Heart Divided

Chapter 3

 The Choice

Eliza stood frozen in front of the mirror, her delicate fingers tracing the edges of the gown that now seemed to smother her. The soft ivory silk, embroidered with the finest golden thread, was a symbol of her fate—one she had not chosen. She could hear the distant sounds of the bustling court below, the clatter of preparations for the upcoming wedding, but all of it seemed a world away. Her mind was elsewhere, caught in a storm of emotions.

The letter from Alden burned in her hands, its words dancing in her mind like an echo, each line a fragile thread pulling her closer to the life she craved but could never reach. She had read it over and over again, each time hoping for a different outcome, for a sign that there was still a chance for them, for a life beyond the gilded cage she now inhabited. But there were no answers. Only more questions. Could she truly leave everything behind?

Her thoughts were interrupted when Clara entered the room, her pale face flushed with fear. "Your Highness," she said softly, closing the door behind her, her voice tight with urgency, "there's word of a disturbance in the market. Soldiers have been asking about... a man. They've been searching for him."

Eliza's heart skipped a beat. Alden.

She had known this day might come—the day when their secret would be uncovered. But hearing the words out loud sent a shock through her chest. She forced herself to steady her breathing, her thoughts racing.

"Alden..." she whispered to herself, barely audible.

"Do you know who they are looking for?" Clara pressed, worry creasing her brow.

Eliza nodded, her mind swirling. It had to be him.

She had never imagined their love would come to this. In the beginning, it had been thrilling, forbidden but full of longing. The stolen glances, the secret meetings in the moonlit gardens, the quiet words shared under the cover of night. Each moment spent with Alden had felt like a brief escape from the reality she was bound to.

But now, with soldiers combing the streets and the kingdom's eyes on her every move, the reality of their situation pressed down on her like a weight too heavy to bear. She knew that if they found Alden, if the truth came to light, it would ruin them both. Her father would never allow such a disgrace. She would be married to Prince Edmund tomorrow, and Alden would be nothing but a distant memory, a dangerous one at that.

Clara's voice broke into her thoughts. "Your Highness, what should we do? If they come here—"

Eliza turned, her eyes locking with Clara's, her resolve hardening. "We can't let them find him. I won't let them."

Clara's eyes widened in confusion. "But where can he go? The soldiers are everywhere. If they catch him—"

"I'll find him," Eliza said, her voice low but firm. "You must tell no one. Do you understand? No one."

Clara hesitated, but seeing the determination in Eliza's eyes, she nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."

The princess moved quickly, grabbing her cloak from the back of the chair and tying it around her shoulders. She had to act fast. Alden was in danger, and so was she. The clock was ticking, and she could no longer hide from the truth.

But as she opened the door to leave, her father's voice rang out in the hall, his tone commanding. "Eliza?"

She froze, her hand gripping the doorknob. No, not now.

She had barely turned to face him when King Henry appeared in the doorway, his presence as imposing as always. His eyes, sharp and calculating, assessed her instantly, reading her like an open book.

"Where are you going?" he asked, his voice clipped, though there was a hint of concern in his eyes.

The princess swallowed hard. "I... I was just going for a walk in the gardens, Father. To clear my mind."

He eyed her warily, his gaze flicking to the door as if sensing that something was amiss. "At this hour?"

"I will be fine," Eliza said quickly, forcing a calm smile, though her heart pounded in her chest. "I need some air. I've been... overwhelmed by the preparations. I just want a moment alone."

Her father looked at her with a mixture of suspicion and concern, but after a long pause, he sighed. "Very well. But be careful. Tomorrow is a great day for Aramore. You need to be ready."

"I will be," she promised, though she wasn't sure whether she was speaking the truth.

As King Henry walked away, Eliza's heart raced. She had to move quickly. If she didn't leave now, she might never get the chance to say goodbye to Alden.