the forbidden love with the lost princess

chapter 5-the royal guard

Fiorella walked quickly, her feet carrying her away from the shop as her mind whirled with questions and possibilities. She had always known she had a star-shaped birthmark, but it had never seemed significant before. Could it really be a sign that she was the long-lost princess?

As she turned a corner, Fiorella caught a glimpse of herself in a window reflection. She slowed to a stop, staring at the familiar face. Was it possible that her whole life had been a lie? That she wasn't who she thought she was?

Fiorella's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind her. She turned to see a tall, dark-haired man approaching her. He was dressed in fine clothes, and there was something about him that seemed...regal.

"Can I help you?" Fiorella asked, feeling a sense of trepidation.

"I think you might be the one I'm looking for," the man replied, his eyes fixed intently on hers. "My name is Edward, and I am a member of the king's guard. We've been searching for...someone, for a very long time."

Fiorella's heart skipped a beat as she wondered if this man knew her secret. Did he know about the birthmark? And what did he mean by "someone"? Was he talking about the lost princess?

"I don't know what you're talking about," Fiorella said, trying to sound nonchalant despite the racing of her heart.
Edward's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he didn't quite believe her. "Don't play games with me, miss," he said, his voice firm but polite. "I think you know exactly what I'm talking about. You have a certain...marking, don't you?"

Fiorella's heart skipped a beat as she wondered how he knew about the birthmark. She tried to keep her expression neutral, but she could feel her face growing warm.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she repeated, trying to sound convincing.

Edward sighed and rubbed his temples. "Miss, I'm not going to hurt you. But I need to know the truth. Are you...are you the princess?"

Fiorella's eyes widened in shock. How did he know? And what did he want from her?

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said again, trying to keep her voice steady.

Edward looked at her with a mixture of frustration and pity. "Fine," he said. "If you won't tell me the truth, then maybe you'll come with me and meet someone who can help you understand what's going on."

Fiorella hesitated, unsure of what to do. Part of her wanted to run away, to escape from this strange man and his questions. But another part of her was curious, wanted to know what was going on and what Edward meant by "the princess".

"Who do you want me to meet?" she asked finally, stalling for time.

Edward smiled, a small, enigmatic smile. "The king," he said.