CHAPTER 1: THE MARK OF THE LOST PRINCESS
Silence swallowed the Royal Gown Chamber.
No one moved.
No one dared breathe.
Lady Beatrice stared at the king as if she had misheard him.
"Your Majesty..." she whispered. "Surely this is some misunderstanding."
King Adrian slowly walked toward Elena.
His eyes never left her face.
For years he had searched every village, every orphanage, every corner of the kingdom.
And now she stood before him.
Alive.
The young woman looked completely confused.
"My king..." Elena said softly. "I don't understand."
The king's hand trembled as he reached toward her wrist.
Gently, he lifted her sleeve.
A golden birthmark appeared beneath the candlelight.
Gasps filled the chamber.
Every member of the royal bloodline carried the same mark.
The symbol of House Valmont.
Lady Beatrice staggered backward.
"No..."
King Adrian swallowed hard.
"Eighteen years ago, my infant daughter disappeared during a palace attack."
The nobles exchanged shocked glances.
"Everyone believed she died."
Elena's eyes widened.
The king's voice cracked.
"But she survived."
Tears filled his eyes.
"And she is standing before us."
The chamber exploded with whispers.
The lost princess had returned.
May you like
And every noble who had mocked her moments earlier suddenly looked terrified.
Because they now realized exactly who they had insulted.
