Chapter 1: The Mark of the Forgotten Heir
Silence swallowed the throne room.
The King stepped forward slowly, his eyes locked on the mark beneath the girlās collar ā a crimson crescent surrounded by three interlocking stars. The symbol of the Aurelian Bloodline, a royal line believed to have vanished fifteen years ago after a palace fire and a mysterious disappearance.
The poor girl ā still kneeling on the cold marble floor ā trembled as she touched her own neck, confused.
āIā¦ I donāt understand,ā she whispered.
The princess took a step back, her face draining of color. āThis is impossible. Sheās nothing. Sheās a servant!ā
But the King didnāt answer her.
His voice broke as he spoke instead, almost to himself.
āWe searched every kingdomā¦ every villageā¦ every graveā¦ā
He dropped to one knee before the girl.
Gasps erupted across the hall.
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The King of Valmere had just bowed to a girl covered in dust and humiliation.
And that was the moment the entire kingdom began to change.
