The room they were given was modest, but clean. A soft light filtered through the thin curtains, bathing the space in a calming glow.
As soon as the door closed, Amaya jumped onto the creaky bed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
— Nahia! Tell me everything!
What does he look like? Did he talk to you? Is he really as impressive as everyone says?!
Nahia, still shaken by the memory of their encounter, let herself fall onto the edge of the bed. Her gaze clung to the floor, lost in an inner world.
She took a deep breath. How could she explain what she had felt under that burning gaze?
— He is…
She closed her eyes briefly, searching for the right words.
— Tall… very tall, actually. Upright. Powerful. He exudes a natural authority.
His hair is dark, cut short. And his features… wild in their beauty.
A straight nose, high cheekbones, a jaw carved from marble…
She paused, feeling her heart race.
— His eyes, Amaya… A deep gray, almost metallic.
Cold as steel, but burning with intensity.
When he looks at you… it's like he sees everything inside you. Everything.
Amaya's eyes widened, her mouth slightly open.
— Wow… You talk about him like a fairytale hero, Nahia!
Nahia gave a nervous laugh.
— This is no fairytale, Amaya.
It's real. And believe me… that prince is not a man you can ignore. Or defy. Not without consequences.
A silence settled.
Amaya, exhausted from the emotions of the day, lay down on the bed. A smile still clung to her lips as she drifted off to sleep, peacefully.
Nahia remained seated.
She had taken off her sandals, pulled her knees to her chest. Her eyes stared at an invisible stain on the whitewashed wall.
Every part of her still vibrated from the memory of that encounter.
He had seen beyond her words. Beyond her defenses.
Why?
Why had he kept them here? They were nothing. Two strangers pushed here by chance.
He could have turned them away. Forgotten them.
But he had chosen otherwise.
And in his eyes… there had been something.
A link. Fleeting. Indescribable.
She shook her head. No. She had to remain cautious. Discreet.
That was the only way to stay safe.
And yet… part of her wanted to understand. What she had seen in that gaze. What he was hiding.
That prince carried a pain no crown could conceal.
Why did it affect her so deeply?
She wasn't here to get lost in illusions.
She was here to protect her sister. Nothing more.
Not to burn her wings.
A quiet sigh escaped her lips.
She slid against the cold wall, searching for an anchor.
The future was uncertain. But one thing was sure: she would not let herself be broken.
Never.
---
The next morning, the palace garden stretched before them.
Golden light played with the petals. The scent of flowers floated in the air, intoxicating.
Under a fig tree, Nahia clutched her veil against her face. Only her eyes, bright, betrayed the storm within.
Amaya, crouched beside her, fiddled with a leaf.
— You really want to stay hidden? she asked softly.
— I have no choice, Nahia replied.
My eyes… they reveal everything. And I don't want… to start over. Not here. Not again.
The memory of stares, whispers. Accusations…
Even here, the fear hadn't left her.
Amaya shook her head.
— You're not a witch, Nahia. They're the ones who refuse to see.
But Nahia turned her head, holding back the burn in her eyes.
— The world doesn't change just because you believe in it, Amaya.
A silence settled.
In the distance, a voice rose. Nahia recognized Amira, their protector. She was giving orders in the garden.
Severe, upright, respected.
Amaya nodded toward her, a mischievous smile on her lips.
— What if we go help?
Nahia hesitated. She wanted to stay invisible. But another voice inside whispered that it was time.
That she could no longer hide.
— Let's go.
They crossed the lawn, hearts pounding.
It took Amira a moment to notice them.
— What are you doing here, little ones? she asked, her voice gentler than expected.
Amaya, ever quick, replied first:
— We want to help, Lady Amira!
Nahia nodded timidly, her fingers gripping the edge of her veil.
Amira studied them for a long moment. Her gaze lingered on the veil, then on the brightness in their eyes.
— This isn't your role. You're under my protection. This isn't your duty.
Nahia slowly lifted her chin.
— We want to be useful.
Not just wait.
We're not princesses.
Amaya nodded eagerly:
— And it's better if we get to know the place, right? And the people too.
A faint smile appeared on Amira's lips. She quickly chased it away.
— You're stubborn.
A sigh.
— Fine. But nothing too heavy.
Nahia felt her heart swell. Not with fear this time.
With pride.
— Thank you, Amira, she said, her voice trembling but firm.
Amaya beamed with joy.
— Start with the flowerbeds over there. No foolishness.
And if anyone speaks badly to you… you come straight to me.
They may have been strangers here.
But now, they would no longer be invisible.
As they headed toward the flowerbeds, Nahia felt a chill crawl up her spine.
A whisper.
A gaze.
She turned instinctively.
There, on the upper balcony of the palace, a dark figure was watching them. Motionless. Silent.
The prince.
Even from afar, his eyes pierced through her.
As if he could read within her the secrets she didn't dare face herself.