CHAPTER 2 — The Woman Who Sold a Princess

Chaos erupted inside the Royal Gown Chamber.

Guards surrounded the trembling midwife before anyone could move.

King Adrian's face remained frighteningly calm.

"Speak."

The old woman began crying.

"Nineteen years ago... the queen gave birth to twin daughters."

Every noble froze.

Twins?

Princess Celeste staggered backward.

"No..."

The midwife nodded.

"The first child was born healthy."

"The second carried the royal birthmark."

She pointed toward Elena.

"The mark beneath her left shoulder."

Elena instinctively touched her shoulder.

How could this stranger know?

The midwife continued.

"Queen Isabella believed both girls should inherit equally."

"But Lady Beatrice believed only one heir could secure her family's power."

Lady Beatrice shouted.

"She's lying!"

The midwife screamed back.

"You paid me!"

Silence.

"You paid me to remove the second child before dawn."

Gasps echoed through the chamber.

"I left the baby outside the eastern village."

"I thought someone would find her."

"I never imagined..."

She looked at Elena.

"...that she would survive."

Princess Celeste's hands began shaking.

She slowly turned toward Lady Beatrice.

"You told me I was Father's only child."

Lady Beatrice couldn't answer.

Because she already knew.

King Adrian finally spoke.

"Arrest her."

Guards immediately seized Lady Beatrice.

She laughed.

Not from madness.

From confidence.

"You can imprison me."

"You can even execute me."

She looked directly at the king.

"But you'll never prove Elena is your daughter."

The chamber fell silent again.

She smiled.

"Because the only evidence..."

"...burned with Queen Isabella."

King Adrian's expression darkened.

He had searched for proof for nineteen years.

There was none.

Lady Beatrice smiled wider.

"You have a peasant girl."

"Nothing more."

Just then—

The palace doors burst open.

A dusty royal messenger stumbled inside.

Holding an ancient wooden chest.

"Your Majesty..."

"We found the Queen's hidden archive."

He slowly opened the lid.

Inside...

Lay Queen Isabella's personal diary.

And beneath it—

A sealed letter.

Addressed to...

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Elena.

END OF CHAPTER 2