Surprisingly Royal

👸Chapter 34: Feeling Numb

Mary's POV

I open up to her, recounting everything from the moment I was summoned to the palace to the day her real parents entrusted her to me. As I reveal the truth about who she really is, I try to stay composed. Deep down, I always knew this day would come, the day I'd have to give her back. But I never imagined it would come so soon... or feel this painful.

Over the years, I've come to love Ciara like she was my own flesh and blood. Despite my cousin Grace's constant warnings not to grow too attached, I couldn't help it. She was the only living being aside her parents who knew she wasn't my biological daughter. I raised her as mine.

Now, Ciara just sits there, staring at me blankly. No expression. No emotion. I can only hope she finds it in her heart to forgive me. I didn't tell her because I made a promise and because I believed knowing the truth would only bring her pain and unanswered questions.

The letter made everything real. The King himself is coming in a week to take his daughter back.
I can't imagine life without her. She's been my entire world since my parents passed. I've poured all of myself into raising her, sacrificed so much... and now I'm supposed to just let her go?

But it's not my choice to make. Maybe my only true mistake was loving her too deeply, knowing all along that she was never truly mine to keep.

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Ciara's POV

I feel completely numb. I don't know whether to scream or cry. How is any of this real? Me... royalty? A princess in some faraway kingdom?

This has to be a dream. A weird one that's beginning to feel way too real.

"Ciara... please say something, dear," Mum says gently. But I can't. I'm frozen. A tear escapes down my cheek.

She reaches over and wipes it, then pulls me into her arms and that's when I lose it. The tears I'd been holding back come pouring out.

This woman has been my only family for as long as I can remember. How am I supposed to accept that I have a whole other family somewhere I've never even heard of? I cry until my eyes are dry and my body just slumps in silence.

We just stay there, wrapped in each other's arms, without saying a word.

"Can I have some time alone?" I finally whisper.

"Yeah, sure. Anything," she replies, kissing my forehead.

I nod, crawl into bed, and hide under the covers.

"I'll be in my room if you want to talk... or need anything," she adds before leaving.

My head is pounding from all the crying. I try to fall asleep just to escape the overwhelming thoughts.

Later That Evening , i wake up to the smell of something delicious wafting through the air. No doubt Mum's in the kitchen making supper. I try to ignore it, but my stomach has other plans — it growls loudly.

I haven't had anything proper to eat all day, and I'm starving.
Still, I don't really want to go out there. I'm not ready to talk about... everything. But maybe if I'm quick enough, I can eat without getting dragged into a conversation.

I get out of bed and head to the kitchen. Mum is making lasagna one of my absolute favorites. If this is her way of trying to make things better, she's going to have to do a bit more than comfort food. But still... it smells amazing.

As soon as I walk in, she notices me. I quietly help her set the table, and she serves the food. We eat in silence. No one mentions the elephant in the room, and I'm so relieved.

The lasagna tastes incredible. Normally, I'd shower her with compliments for such a yummy meal. But today isn't normal. Maybe I'll tell her another time when things don't feel so heavy.

I really hope things get better between us. I miss the way things used to be.

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