The Truth Surfaces

Lina’s chatter and sweet pastries do nothing to cheer me up this morning. I saw her again in my dream last night, the girl who looks like me. She wore a simple dress like a commoner, smiled and waved at me. I’ve seen her so many times in my dreams. She looks like me… but everything about her is different.

I didn’t sleep much last night. I couldn’t stop fussing over my true identity.

I wonder again... do my parents know I’m not their biological child?

Mother is the curious type, always meticulous and sharp. She must have investigated at some point.

But Father? He always seemed less bothered. He acts like he’s genuinely proud of me, Princess Christie of Aerithia, and never misses an opportunity to show me off or spoil me silly.

I smile at the thought.

Still... he’s always been very protective. Too protective sometimes, especially when it comes to Gregory. Almost like he’s trying to keep a boundary between us.

Or... does he already know?

Does he know Gregory and I aren’t really siblings?

My smile fades. I frown at the thought.

I look nothing like Father, Mother, or Gregory, not in features, not in temperament.

Gregory is always calm, grounded, and composed. He walks like the world should follow him and Aerithia does. They adore him.

Me? I’m the dramatic one. Loud when I shouldn’t be. I'm very emotional and always getting into trouble or drawing attention in ways the king doesn't always approve of.

Sometimes, I wonder how they even call me theirs with so much pride.

“I think you should talk to the Crown Prince about the result,” Lina says gently, handing me a warm cup of tea. “Maybe there’s an explanation.”

I give it a thought.

What would I even say? ‘Hi, I stole your hair and ran a DNA test because I’m secretly crushing on you... and turns out, we’re not related!’

No, I can’t. I was raised better than that. My parents taught me to carry myself like a lady. Like a true princess. I might be hopelessly in love with Gregory, but I’ll never be the first to initiate anything… even if deep down, I already have.

But if he ran his own test too and never said a word, then maybe I should do the same. I’ll play along. I’ll see where all this leads.

I’m still lying on my bed, lost in thought, when Lina walks back in, holding a sealed envelope.

“It’s from the Crown Prince’s guard,” she says.

My heart flutters instantly. When Gregory sends me notes like this, it usually means he’s inviting me for a walk in the garden, a game of chess, or a ride around town.

What is it this time?

I tear the envelope open quickly, my fingers tingling, and I read the short note inside:

“We need to talk, Christie. Meet me in my quarters in 4 hours.”

My breath hitches.

His quarters?

Gregory has never invited me to his quarters before. I’ve only been there a few times, and always with Mother, back when he broke his leg racing on that power bike of his.

“Gregory wants to see me in his quarters in four hours,” I say aloud.

Lina widens her eyes. “That’s when the court session ends,” she says with a silly smile. “He probably has something important to say. Maybe it’s your chance to tell him too… about the test.”

I nod slowly and slide off the bed. I head to my closet and start flipping through my gowns. I need to look elegant, just the way he always likes me.

***

I walk casually through the corridors leading to the Crown Prince’s quarters, Lina following behind. On the outside, I look calm and maybe even bored but inside, my heart is pounding. My pulse is racing.

What is Gregory going to say?

Will he confess about the DNA test he ran? Or maybe… about his feelings for me?

“Your Highness!” The guards greet with a respectful bow as I approach the first gate.

When I reach his main chamber, his personal guard, Kito, bows and opens the wide door for me. Lina stops outside as the heavy doors close behind me.

“Greg?” I call softly, taking slow steps into his space, breathing in the scent of him that seems to pump excitement in me and cause an adrenaline rush in my system.

“Christie.” He steps out from his inner chamber, dressed in simple shorts and a tee.

My eyes run over him for a brief moment. He looks too good, too dangerously good and I feel myself drawn to him again, like a helpless moth to a flame.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been summoned here before by the Crown Prince of Aerithia,” I say with a teasing bow. “Should I be worried for my safety?”

He laughs, a rich, warm sound that moves me more.

“Stop it, Christie!” He takes my hand gently. “Come, sit.”

He leads me to a double seater, and we sit side by side. With him this close, I might actually forget how to breathe.

“I just want us to talk,” he says, locking eyes with mine. “Like grown-ups.”

“Is everything alright with you?” There’s real concern in his voice.

“Yes, sure. Why?” I mutter.

“You’ve been distant lately. Always brooding, like something’s weighing you down.”

Our eyes meet again. He holds my gaze, and I feel like he sees right through me.

“If there’s anything on your mind… you know I’m here for you, right?”

Then his eyes flicker, just briefly to my lips. My heart skips, pounds and double flips. I wonder if he can hear it too.

Just as I part my lips to say something, a familiar voice booms from outside the chamber.

“Gregory!”

The King.

We freeze. Our eyes lock in panic. We scramble to our feet.

“Your Majesty,” Gregory calls back, trying to steady his voice.

Then, in a swift motion, he gently guides me into his inner chamber and I slip behind the heavy drapes, hiding just in time.

I hear the door open, and the King steps in.

“Father,” Gregory says, and I can imagine him bowing respectfully.

“Did you forget something in the courtroom?”

There’s a pause. I hear the King take a few steps further into the room.

“I saw Christie walking toward this direction,” he says calmly. “I thought she was coming to you.”

My heart somersaults in my chest. I stay perfectly still behind the drapes.

“No, Father. She didn’t,” Gregory lies smoothly.

There’s silence. Then more slow and calculated footsteps.

“You know how important it is for you to keep away from her, beyond the simple sibling interactions.” the King finally says, his voice firm. “This growing attraction between you two isn’t healthy for this kingdom.”

Gregory’s voice is tight. “Father, don’t say…”

But the King cuts him off.

“Christie may not be our biological child, but she is our daughter. Both of you are our children, and the kingdom sees you as siblings.”

I freeze.

He knows. They all know.

“I don’t want you doing anything scandalous. Nothing that will stain my reign. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Father,” Gregory mutters.

“Good. Now, about Princess Anna. When are you rounding up the engagement?”

“I’m working on it, Father.”

“Step on it! Taking a wife will add to your credibility as the crown prince.”

I’m not surprised by his words. I’ve always felt it, how he monitored every little closeness between Gregory and me. Now I know why.

The door opens again, then shuts. The King is gone.

I curse under my breath and step out from behind the drapes.