A Heart Divided

Chapter 35

The Spark of Rebellion

The days that followed were a blur of training and preparation. Eliza was quickly swept into the harsh rhythm of life in the rebel camp. The first few days felt like an initiation of sorts—her body aching from the unaccustomed physical labor, her mind reeling from the weight of the choices she had made. But as the hours stretched into long, silent nights, something inside her began to change. She was no longer just the princess. She was Eleanor, a fighter, and she would no longer let her fate be dictated by men who saw her as a piece to be moved on a chessboard.

Elias, the rebel leader, was a hard man to read. He was a man of few words, but his presence commanded respect. He kept a tight grip on the camp, ensuring that everything was in order. The rebels here were not disorganized outlaws; they were an army in the making. Each one had a story, a reason for joining the rebellion, and many of those stories mirrored her own—betrayal, heartbreak, a burning desire to take back control.

As the days passed, Eliza spent more and more time with Elias. He instructed her in combat, though she found the lessons difficult. She wasn't used to holding a sword, and the bow felt awkward in her hands. But Elias was patient, his piercing eyes always watching, always observing. He pushed her harder than she ever thought she could go.

"You're not just a princess anymore," he said one morning as they stood in the dim light of the training yard. "You're the symbol of something bigger. The kingdom won't change unless people believe in you. In what you stand for. You've got to make them see that you're worth following."

Eliza's fingers tightened around the hilt of the sword as she tried to focus. She was tired—physically drained from the constant training and the long hours spent learning how to survive. But Elias was right. Every bruise, every cut, was a reminder that she was stepping into a new role. The old princess, the one who wore silks and attended lavish balls, was gone. In her place stood a woman determined to reclaim her life.

Alden was always by her side, of course. His presence was a comfort, a constant reminder of the love they had shared for so many years. He, too, had been training with the rebels, though he had far more experience with combat than she did. Every so often, Eliza would catch him watching her with an expression she couldn't quite decipher—part concern, part admiration. She knew he worried for her, and she understood why. The life they had left behind in the palace was dangerous, and the path they had chosen now was even more perilous. But their bond, forged through years of loyalty and love, made her stronger. She was no longer alone.

The camp was alive with tension as rumors swirled about the Duke's growing anger at the disappearance of the princess. Word had spread throughout the kingdom that Eliza was no longer in the palace, and the Duke's men were searching for her with increasing intensity. The prince she was once promised to, Prince Julian, had publicly pledged his loyalty to the Duke, his eyes set on securing the throne. Eliza's very existence was a threat to his plans.

Elias gathered his people one evening, his face grim as he addressed the group around the fire. "The Duke has sent out a bounty for Princess Eleanor's return," he said, his voice low. "He doesn't just want her found—he wants her dead. The prince has made it clear that he will stop at nothing to see her out of the picture."

Eliza felt a cold knot tighten in her stomach. The prince was not a mere figurehead in this game. He was a ruthless man, loyal to the Duke's ambitions, and he would do whatever it took to eliminate her as a threat.

"We can't stay here much longer," Elias continued, his eyes flicking to Eliza. "The Duke's forces are closing in on the border. If we're going to fight back, we need to move. We need to strike before they strike us."

Alden's jaw tightened, but he remained silent, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the faces of the rebels around him. They had no choice. The time had come to act.