Chapter 48

1 1 0
                                    




The Heart of the Kingdom

As the days passed, the rebels continued their march toward the heart of the kingdom—the Duke's stronghold in the capital. The road was treacherous, winding through dense forests and across hills, with every village they passed carrying the scars of years of oppression under the Duke's rule. It became clear to Eliza that this was no longer a battle for a throne. It was a fight for freedom.

Along the way, Eliza's leadership continued to grow. Though she had once been a princess, expected to sit on the sidelines and smile for the court, now she was a queen in all but name. She led the rebels with confidence and determination, making difficult decisions that would shape the future of the kingdom. Her bond with Alden, once based on love and shared dreams, had deepened into something more—trust. He had become her closest ally, her partner in all things.

It was late one night, as they sat by the campfire, that the full scope of their situation became clear. Eliza stared into the flames, her thoughts turning inward.

"I've been thinking," she said, her voice quiet. "We can take the capital, yes. But even if we defeat the Duke, there's still the matter of what comes after. How do we rebuild? How do we restore the kingdom?"

Alden, seated across from her, looked at her with understanding in his eyes. "We'll rebuild it together," he said simply. "We've fought for a future where people like you—like us—can have a say. We will ensure that the nobility doesn't control everything. The people will have a voice in how this kingdom is run."

Eliza nodded, her heart swelling with a mix of hope and fear. She had always dreamed of a fairer, more just kingdom—one where her people weren't oppressed, where the nobility didn't take everything for granted. But the cost of that dream was greater than she had ever imagined.

"What if it's not enough?" she asked. "What if I'm not enough?"

Alden smiled gently. "You're more than enough, Eliza. You already proved that on the battlefield. You proved it when you didn't run from Julian. You're a queen, whether you have a crown or not."

Her heart fluttered at his words. For the first time in what felt like forever, Eliza felt a glimmer of certainty—a belief that they could win this. They could rebuild. Together.

A Heart DividedWhere stories live. Discover now