A Heart Divided

Chapter 4

The Secret Meeting

The moon hung high in the sky as Eliza slipped through the winding corridors of the castle, her footsteps light but deliberate. She had told no one of her plans, not even her closest attendants. There was no time to waste, no room for mistakes.

She exited through the servants' quarters, moving swiftly toward the back gates of the palace. Once outside, the night air hit her with an almost painful sharpness, a reminder that the world beyond the castle walls was real, unpredictable, and free.

The market district wasn't far, but it felt like a lifetime away from the prison of the palace. Eliza's heart was racing, but she didn't stop. She had made up her mind. Alden was the only person who had ever seen her for who she truly was—a woman, not a crown. And she could not lose him.

As she neared the edge of the market, she ducked into an alleyway and pulled the hood of her cloak low over her head, hoping to avoid notice. The last thing she needed was to be recognized. The soldiers were still out there, their boots echoing in the streets, their voices low and urgent as they searched for Alden.

Eliza's mind raced. Where could he be?

She walked quickly, trying to recall every alley and shadowy corner they had shared over the past few weeks. She had to find him, but her every step felt like it carried a thousand risks. The castle's soldiers had been deployed in full force, and she had no idea how much time they had left.

Turning a corner, she froze. There, just ahead, was Alden, standing in the shadows between two market stalls, his back to the wall, his eyes scanning the street. His face was tired, drawn—he had clearly been hiding, moving in the dark for days, always one step ahead.

Her heart skipped a beat as their eyes met. In that moment, it felt like the entire world had paused. No words were needed. Eliza could see the fear and relief in his gaze, the same fear that was gripping her own heart.

"Eliza," he whispered, rushing toward her. His voice was full of both relief and concern. "What are you doing here? You shouldn't—"

"I had to see you," she interrupted, her breath coming in quick bursts. "They're looking for you. The soldiers—they'll find you if we don't leave now."

He frowned, his brow furrowing with worry. "It's too late. They're everywhere."

"I don't care," Eliza said, her voice firm, determined. "I won't let them take you."

Alden's gaze softened, a fleeting look of tenderness crossing his face. He stepped closer, his hand brushing her cheek, and for a moment, Eliza allowed herself to lean into his touch. This is what love feels like, she thought, her heart swelling. This is what it's supposed to be.

But then reality came crashing back.

"We have to go. Now."

Alden nodded, though his face was clouded with doubt. "Where will we go? How can we escape?"

Eliza took a deep breath, her mind already working. She had thought about this moment for days, planned for it in secret. "There is a way," she said, her voice steady. "I have a place in the forest. A small cottage that no one knows about. We can go there. We can be free."

"But your family... the kingdom..." Alden started, his voice filled with worry.

"I don't care anymore," Eliza said, her decision final. "This is our chance. We can't keep running from what we feel."

Alden's eyes softened with a mixture of fear and hope, and for a brief moment, everything seemed possible. But then a sound interrupted their fragile peace—a distant shout, the clatter of boots echoing through the streets.

Eliza's heart pounded in her chest.

"They're coming," she whispered urgently. "We have to move."

Together, they fled into the night, knowing that their lives would never be the same.