The royal palace loomed in the distance, its towers piercing the sky. For Alina, this was no longer a place of royalty—it was the place where her real life had been stolen.
She tightened her grip on Elric's hand as they approached on horseback. He glanced at her, his eyes full of silent support.
"You don't have to face her alone," he said gently.
"I've waited my whole life for this," Alina replied. "I have to."
They slipped into the palace through a hidden passage, guided by the same old soldier who had once helped her mother escape.
Everything looked the same—the golden walls, the polished floors, the scent of rose incense—but Alina felt nothing. No attachment. No fear.
Raelynn stood at the top of the grand staircase, dressed like a perfect queen. Her fake smile stretched across her face as she saw Alina enter.
"Well, well. My lost daughter returns," she said, her voice too sweet.
"I'm not your daughter," Alina said, her voice steady. "You took me from my real mother. Lied to me. Used me."
Raelynn slowly descended the stairs. "And yet, I gave you everything. A royal life. A future. Without me, you'd be nothing but a village girl."
Alina's eyes burned. "That 'village girl' had a mother who loved her. You replaced that love with lies and control."
Elric stepped forward. "Your game ends now, Raelynn."
Raelynn smirked at him. "So you've fallen for her. Another weak man charmed by pretty eyes."
"Don't test me," Elric warned coldly. "I'm not here to play politics. I'm here to protect the woman I love."
Raelynn's expression flickered for a second—jealousy? Anger? She turned away and said, "You can love her all you want, but she will never be queen."
"I don't care about the crown," Alina said. "I came to tell you that your lies are over. I remember everything now. And I will never let you hurt anyone else."
Raelynn's tone turned sharp. "Then leave. Before I make you regret coming."
Elric pulled Alina close. "We're not leaving in fear. We're leaving in freedom."
And with that, they walked out of the palace—not as fugitives, but as two hearts finally united.