Chapter 1
"Grandma, I already had my breakfast and I need to go out now!" Kiara's voice echoed through the grand marble hall. Irritation clouded her face, her tone sharper than she intended. "I've been locked inside this palace for months. Even the doctors cleared me! Why can't I step outside? Is it really that dangerous?"
Her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, didn't flinch. Her eyes—stern and sharp despite her age—met Kiara's with regal finality.
"Kiara, that is enough. You are not to leave the palace. It is not safe."
"But Grandma—"
"I said enough!" The Old Lady's voice was firm, echoing with generations of power. "Go to your chambers. Now."
Without another word, Kiara turned and stormed off to her room in the west wing, her silky dress trailing behind her like a wounded shadow.
It had been over six months since Kiara awoke from a coma. Months of physiotherapy and strength training had brought her body back, but the walls of the palace still felt like a gilded cage. No answers. No freedom. Only shadows, whispers, and her grandmother's constant watch.
She couldn't understand it. She felt fine. Normal. But something was wrong—more than just her confinement. The world outside called to her, but every time she reached for it, the iron hand of fear slammed the gates shut.
"Mother, you need to let her go out," Lupert said softly, setting down his teacup. "She's not a child anymore, and she's not the same girl she was before the accident. She deserves some freedom."
Elizabeth shot her son a warning glare. "Lupert. Are you implying she is no longer your daughter? That her spirit has changed? Are you suffering from the same delusions as your elder Daughter did?"
"Mother, that's not what I— I apologize," he stammered, realizing his words had cut too deep. "But… it was just a car crash. She recovered. We cannot keep her in isolation forever."
He turned to his wife Eliza with helpless eyes, pleading for intervention.
Eliza gently placed her hand over her husband's and looked at her mother-in-law.
"Mother, please. Just a small outing, with security. She's strong. She's calmer than ever before. Let her breathe a little."
Before Elizabeth could respond, footsteps echoed in the hallway.
"Seriously, Grandma? It's the 21st century—democracy, free will, Wi-Fi, and all that." Vicky strolled in with a grin, his white shirt crisp, his dark hair tousled just enough to look effortless.
"Vicky," Queen Elizabeth said, arching an eyebrow, "never forget—once a royal, always a royal."
He rolled his eyes but bowed lightly. "Yes, yes. The title is etched in our bones. But come on, let our beloved princess out for air. She's got a banquet to prepare for next month, doesn't she? Let her go out with someone trusted. And no, Jennifer doesn't count."
"I'm still not convinced," the Queen said coldly.
"What about Ursula?" Eliza suggested, earning a collective pause from the room.
"Mom," Vicky groaned, "are you serious? Ursula and Kiara together? That's a walking disaster. They hated each other before the accident, and I doubt six months changed that much."
"She is a princess," Queen Elizabeth said thoughtfully. "And Edric did mention Ursula wanted to visit. Perhaps this is the right time."
Vicky's stomach twisted. He knew Ursula's hatred for Kiara ran deep—too deep. Whatever peace the Queen hoped for, he feared the outing would do more harm than good.
Meanwhile, in the Orton Estate…
"I'm not going anywhere with that shameless brat!" Princess Ursula snapped, her voice reverberating through the high-ceilinged study. "And I never asked to visit her!"
King Edric didn't flinch. "That's enough, Ursula. The Ortons and Greenes have shared centuries of friendship. We won't break that over your tantrums. You will visit Kiara."
"She is not worthy of our alliance," Ursula hissed. "She's not even worthy of breathing the same air as my brother. Don't insult Avik by dragging him into this nonsense."
"Her surname is Greene. That alone carries enough weight."
"She can't even respect her own family, let alone others! She's heartless, selfish, and manipulative…"
"That's an order, Ursula," Edric interrupted, his tone like a blade. Then he left, slamming the study doors behind him.
Seething, Ursula pulled out her phone and dialed.
"I'm not babysitting your snobbish sister," she snapped into the line.
"Ursula," came Vicky's voice, dangerously low, "watch your words. She's my sister."
"Then keep her to yourself. Why am I being dragged into her drama again? Hasn't she done enough damage already?"
"She's changed, Ursula. She doesn't even remember who she used to be."
"Or that's exactly what she wants you to think. I'm telling you—this is her game again. You'll see. I'll prove she's still the same cruel, calculating witch."
"If you insult her again, I swear—" Vicky cut the line, jaw tight with fury.
Ursula slammed her phone down and gritted her teeth. Fine. She'd play along. She'd go to Greene Mansion. But not to make peace.
As her car pulled away from the estate, she sent a cryptic message to her brother—Avik, who was away on a business trip.
"Heading to Greene Mansion. Not for fun. I'll uncover her truth, no matter what it costs."
And somewhere, in the vast chambers of the Greene Palace, Kiara sat at her window… feeling the breeze whisper secrets she didn't understand.
Unaware of what the world expected from her.
Unaware of the storm that was already on its way.
To be continued…