The Price of Freedom
As dawn began to break over the kingdom, a sense of quiet dread settled over the small cottage. Eliza lay in the corner, wrapped in a blanket, her injured foot elevated. But sleep had eluded her. Her mind was fixed on Alden. Where was he? Had he been captured? Had he escaped?
The reality of the situation was settling in. They had made the decision to run, but the consequences of their choices were only just beginning to unfold. What had she truly sacrificed in this pursuit of freedom?
The soft rustle of the door pulled Eliza from her thoughts. Lila entered the room, her face pale and drawn.
"Eliza," she said quietly, "there's word that your father has issued a decree. They're offering a reward for information on your whereabouts. He's called for a royal search."
Eliza's heart clenched in fear. He was serious about finding her.
"I won't go back," Eliza said fiercely, though her voice trembled. "I won't marry Edmund. I won't be a pawn in a political game anymore. I'm choosing my own destiny."
Lila nodded, but there was a trace of sadness in her eyes. "I understand, dear. But be careful. The kingdom is powerful. And if Alden hasn't escaped yet..."
A soft knock at the door interrupted her words.
YOU ARE READING
A Heart Divided
RomanceIn a kingdom bound by tradition and duty, Princess Eliza is forced into an arranged marriage to Prince Edmund to secure a political alliance. But Eliza's heart belongs to Alden, a humble cloth maker she meets in secret. Their love, though genuine, i...
