Chapter 29
(Lily’s POV)
The palace gates loomed ahead, tall and golden, just like I remembered. But instead of joy, a tight knot twisted in my
stomach.
I sat quietly in the back seat of the sleek black car, hands folded tightly on my lap. Aunt Lamia sat beside me, humming lightly as if this was just any other day.
It wasn’t.
I hadn’t seen the palace since Zion’s birthday, and now I was going back. Not because I wanted to… but because I had no choice.
As we passed through the main gates, I felt the weight of it all pressing down. Memories tugged at the edges of my mind; familiar halls, laughter that once belonged to me, eyes that used to watch me with love.
Aunt Lamia turned, her eyes
“I feel pale.”
warm. “You look pale,” she said gently..
She chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You’ll be fine.”
The car slowed near the palace steps. She glanced ahead, and then leaned in to squeeze my
“Remember what we agreed. You’re going to give them a chance.
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.
hand.
The King and Queen stood at the top of the marble steps, glowing in the golden light. Their faces were hopeful. Zelda stood beside them, a smile so wide it nearly reached her ears. She was practically bouncing.
And Zion…
He stood slightly apart, his expression unreadable. But his eyes… those piercing blue eyes, burned into me like a flame under my skin.
The car door opened, and we stepped out. The sun touched my skin, but I felt cold. My pulse was loud in my ears.
I could feel Zion watching me, and every step I took felt heavier.
Aunt Lamia bowed respectfully to the King and Queen. They returned the gesture with warm nods, but their attention was fully on me. As I reached the bottom of the steps, they opened their arms, a silent invitation.
But I bowed gracefully, and avoided their eyes. I pretended not to see the slight falter in their smiles, the way their hands slowly lowered.
A flicker of hurt danced across their faces before it disappeared behind years of royal composure.
“You’ve grown so well, Lily,” the Queen said softly, her voice laced with emotion.
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Chapter 29
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“Your Majesty,” I replied, forcing my voice to stay even.
The King gave a solemn nod. “Welcome home.”
Zion didn’t move, but just watched my every move like a hawk. Aunt Lamia turned to me again, squeezing my hand one last time. “I’ll leave you now. You’re in good hands.”
She gave the royals a final nod and walked toward the car.
The Queen stepped beside me, her touch feather–light on my arm. “Come. Let me show you to your room.”
Zelda practically skipped ahead. “I’m coming too!”
We entered the palace together. The same gold–trimmed walls, the same towering portraits of past rulers. The scent of polished marble and old roses lingered in the air… familiar but distant.
The Queen stopped at a white door and opened it with a soft smile. “Here it is.”
Zelda rushed inside. “They didn’t change much but just added somethings.“)
My old room welcomed me with warmth. Soft curtains danced in the breeze, and a cream rug softened the floor. On the nightstand sat a framed photograph: me between Zelda and Zion, all of us laughing.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, but it felt like a ghost of who I used to be.
The Queen stepped closer and gently touched my cheek. “We missed you, Lily”
I tried to smile. “Thank you.”
Zelda bounced on the bed. “If you ever feel weird, you can sneak into my room. Seriously.”
I laughed softly. “I might take you up on that.”
They gave me space to breathe.
That evening, we gathered for dinner. The dining hall glowed with soft candlelight, but the air felt thick. The King and
Queen sat on opposite ends of the long table with Zion directly across from me. He didn’t speak or touch his food much,
but his eyes would flick toward me now and then.
I focused on Zelda who chatted away, trying to keep the room from sinking under the weight of everything unspoken.
I nodded, smiled, even pretended.
But inside, I felt like a guest in a dream I couldn’t wake from.
After dinner, I returned to my room. A warm bath had been prepared for me, the scent of lavender curling through the air. I let the water cradle me as I tried to wash away the ache sitting in my chest.
When I stepped out, steam clinging to my skin, I wrapped myself in a soft robe and padded toward the vanity.
There, and then I froze… Zion was standing in my room.
He stood near the window, bathed in moonlight, his hands tucked in his pockets. His gaze found mine and held it. He didn’t
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Chapter 29
blink.
“We need to talk, Lily.” He said.
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