9 Months Later
Winter... Evening... A blizzard... The mischievous wind shows no respect for human effort, burying roads and shifting massive piles of snow to where paths had just been cleared. Tree branches, heavy with ice, bend low to the ground as if pleading for mercy. But the earth slumbers, wrapped in a fluffy blanket of snow, deaf to the groans of its tall, slender daughters. Stars are born on the blue veil of night, and the moon’s glow pierces through, chasing away the melancholy hanging over nature. The snowfall doesn’t let up, so the light must fight to reach the humble human dwellings. The cousins Moon and Frost are quite the pranksters: they love sneaking up to cottages and playing tricks on folks. Sometimes, as a person drifts off to sleep, Moon peeks through the window and shines right into their eyes. Frost, chuckling, taps on the glass, making it sound like someone’s at the door. And what artists they are! Moon provides the light while Frost paints intricate patterns on the windows—try replicating that!
But tonight, neither Moon nor Frost had time for their antics, as all attention—both of the living and the imagined—was fixed on the magnificent palace of the kingdom of Endalasia. In those moments, within the grand chambers, the beautiful Queen Axell was giving birth to her firstborn. The labor was premature and incredibly difficult. The midwife did her best to assist Her Majesty, but her strength was waning. In a prayer that faded into unconsciousness, the queen begged the Lord to spare not her life, but that of the child, who for some reason had decided to hasten its arrival into this sinful world.
“Your Majesty, hold on! Just a little longer!” whispered the midwife, but the poor woman was losing strength with every passing moment. Then, when it seemed dawn would never come, the chambers echoed with the piercing cry of a newborn. But it wasn’t over yet. Before the mother could recover, a second child was eager to enter the world.
“Queen Axell, hold on, I beg you…” pleaded the midwife, wiping sweat from the brow of the kingdom’s fairest lady. Clenching a white towel between her teeth, Her Majesty pushed with her last reserves of strength, desperate to give life to her child. And then, the long-awaited moment arrived... A second, equally desperate cry broke the silence that had settled in the room.
“My... children...?” whispered the golden-haired queen weakly, unable to even lift her eyes to the midwife.
“You have two beautiful princesses!” the woman announced joyfully. But her face quickly lost its happy expression: the queen’s bleeding wouldn’t stop, and she was losing far too much blood.
“Let me... see them... I want... to look... at... my daughters,” Axell managed to say, word by word. The midwife bowed to her command and immediately instructed the young ladies-in-waiting to bring the princesses. With trembling hands, Axell touched her daughters’ faces, offering the world one last enchanting smile.
“I bless you... my children,” escaped her parched lips, and in the next moment, the golden-haired queen slowly slipped into her eternal slumber... Consciousness left her gradually, and the terrified midwife could do nothing to help.
“She’s gone... Inform the duchesses... And let the king know…” the woman exhaled in resignation, turning to the attendants as she pulled a pristine white sheet over the queen’s beautiful face. “Forgive me, my queen. And farewell…”
The midwife knew she would soon face her own reckoning, for the strong and resolute King Adelard would never forgive her for the death of his beloved wife. The poor twin princesses! They would never see their mother’s face... On this ominous night, as the star of the queen faded in the chronicles of Endalasia’s dynasty, two tiny stars were born in her place. The king himself was away from the palace at the time. No one could have anticipated that labor would begin today, so, entrusting his wife to his sister and sister-in-law, he had set out to meet with his vassals. Caught off guard by the storm, the monarch decided to spend the night at the estate of his sworn brother. But upon receiving news of the queen’s labor, he resolved to brave the journey home. How he longed to return as quickly as possible, to embrace his wife, tell her how much he loved her, and hold his longed-for son in his arms. But cruel Fate had prepared a bitter surprise.
Meanwhile, in the palace, two equally influential figures awaited news in their chambers: Duchess Delaine, the king’s beloved sister, who had recently lost both her husband and unborn child, and Duchess Caroline, the widow of the king’s late brother. These women were united only by the mourning they wore for their husbands, who had died defending the homeland. Though it is an honor for a warrior to perish on the battlefield, it is a heavy burden for their families to bear. Delaine, a fair-haired, brown-eyed beauty over whom fate had played a cruel trick by tearing out her heart—taking her beloved husband and later her child—fervently prayed to the Almighty in those moments for the labor to go smoothly and for Axell to deliver a healthy baby. At the same time, the palace trembled under the darkness of Caroline’s soul, who, like a vulture, preyed on the happiness of the royal family. This imposing woman was obsessed with one thing—the throne. She understood all too well that if Adelard and Axell produced an heir, whether boy or girl, her own son would lose his place in the line of succession. Thus, there was only one solution—the child must not be born. While her dark minions stood ready to carry out her sinister orders, a lady-in-waiting to the queen knocked on her door. Suppressing her nerves, Caroline gracefully settled onto a sofa before granting permission to enter. But what she heard made her inwardly thank Fate three times over and restrain herself from a triumphant dance of gratitude:
“Duchess, Her Majesty Queen Axell has passed into the presence of the Almighty…” Feigning sorrow with great effort, Caroline asked only one question:
“And the heir?”
“Two healthy princesses were born. Thank the heavens, they were spared!”
“Yes, thank the heavens,” Caroline gritted through her teeth. Two? Two was twice as many as one. Realizing it was the perfect moment for her treacherous plans, the duchess swiftly made her way to the royal chambers.
“And remember: the girls were born dead! You’ll tell everyone that if you value your life!” she instructed the midwife, handing one of the princesses to her accomplice cloaked in black.
“But how can this be, Your Grace? I won’t take such a sin upon my soul,” the poor woman pleaded.
“You killed the queen and dare speak of sin? I’m not asking or begging you! This is an order! Axell is gone, and now my era begins! The era of Caroline! Or have you forgotten all the good I’ve done for your family? Do you think if I take your daughter, your conscience will be clear? Well? Choose—either you say the princesses are dead, or you’ll mourn your own... Annette, isn’t it?”
“I beg you, Duchess! I’ll do everything, just don’t touch my child!” the woman fell to her knees, clutching the hem of Caroline’s lavish gown.
“That’s better,” Caroline sighed, signaling her accomplice. In an instant, the tiny daughter of the king and queen vanished from her mother’s chambers through a hidden passage. Just as the woman with a wicked soul lifted the second girl to hand her over to her servant, the chamber doors burst open, and a horrified Delaine appeared in the doorway. Having heard the dreadful news of Axell’s death, the woman had no idea that her arrival had just saved the little princess.
“Caroline, is it true? Oh, heavens, why do you test us so?” Delaine exclaimed tragically, stepping decisively into the room and casting a fearful glance at the queen’s body covered by a sheet.
“Sadly, it is true, Duchess,” Caroline replied with a grimace, still holding the tiny girl in her arms and cursing everything under her breath. Now that Delaine was here, she couldn’t carry out her plan to completion.
“Oh, Axell, my sweet Axell... Must I mourn you too?” the king’s sister lamented, finally noticing the small bundle in her sister-in-law’s arms. She hurried over to take the child into her own. “She’s so tiny... Let me hold her... My little princess, I’m so sorry... How will you manage now? And where’s the other one?”
“Duchess…” the midwife stammered, glancing nervously at Caroline. “The other princess was stillborn. We’ve already sent her for burial…”
“What?” Delaine froze in shock. “I was told both girls were healthy!”
“Unfortunately, one of the princesses passed... She suffocated, Your Grace. A congenital defect…” the woman lied. Delaine sat down, stunned, cradling the baby in her arms.
“I promise you’ll never be alone... I’ll be a mother to you, little one,” she whispered softly, her beautiful face washed with bitter tears...
Soon, through the frost and blizzard, King Adelard himself arrived at the palace. His heart sensed disaster, though he couldn’t fathom its nature...
“Your Majesty, the queen has given birth…” came the voice of his loyal servant Ler, dark as the night itself.
“Given birth? I have a son?” the new father asked joyfully, though his soul trembled with unease.
“The queen gave birth to two princesses…” the servant added quietly.
“Princesses?” the king said, surprised. For some reason, he had been certain it would be a boy.
“You have a beautiful daughter. Healthy and such a little beauty,” the young man said cautiously, though he hadn’t even seen the princess himself.
“And the other? And how is the queen? Why are you silent? Speak!” Adelard demanded, dread creeping into his voice.
“Her Majesty Queen Axell and Her Highness the princess…” Silence... A sharp ringing filled his ears, as if someone had begun tolling the bells in the tower. Losing himself, hearing nothing, seeing nothing, the mighty King Adelard raced through the palace to the royal chambers. No, he refused to believe it! He couldn’t accept that his beautiful Axell was gone. How could it be possible? Leaping over stairs, the powerful ruler couldn’t see the path through the tears clouding his eyes. Memories flooded back—the first meeting at a ball, where he first saw Axell’s captivating blue eyes. He had fallen in love at first sight, if such a thing even existed. He adored her, would have done anything for her. She became his wife, his queen, promising to bear him a son and a daughter... She couldn’t have just left him like this... There were the chambers. The doors opened... He stepped inside slowly, scanning those present. Caroline, with her characteristic indifference, curtsied. Sweet Delaine clutched a pink bundle to her chest, shedding endless tears that hadn’t dried on her face for two months. The midwife and others bowed. The marital bed was covered with a sheet, and beneath it... the outline of his beloved wife’s form.
“Axell?” he whispered softly, hesitantly lifting the sheet... “Axell, get up, my love. Don’t lie there, you don’t need to. Our daughter is crying,” he murmured like a madman, falling to his knees. “Everyone out! Get out! Now!”
He locked himself in the chambers with his wife, kissing her cold hand through tears and whispering all the things he hadn’t said while she was alive. How much he loved her. How afraid he’d been to ask for her hand, terrified of rejection. How he’d raced to her today with all his might. How he sometimes hadn’t appreciated her and now regretted every harsh word. How often we hurt those closest to us, forgetting that life can be as fragile as a thin thread! A thread that can snap at any moment... No one knows how long the king bid farewell to his queen behind closed doors. Eventually, he ordered his daughter to be brought to him. Taking his tiny girl into his arms, Adelard didn’t hold back his tears of grief.
“My little daughter, I swear I’ll protect you, even if I couldn’t protect your sister and mother. I love you more than life itself, my precious. My girl…” he whispered, holding the princess close.
The next day, the queen’s funeral took place. The palace and the entire empire donned mourning for their kind and beautiful lady, who had genuinely cared for the lives of her subjects. Now, with all formalities observed, the wound in their souls would linger forever. Yet, no matter how heavy the burden, royal law declares: “The king is dead! Long live the new king!” The empire cannot remain without heirs of royal blood, so the time had come to name the tiny successor to the throne and present her to the people. In the grand cathedral, surrounded by all the nobility, Adelard held his daughter in his arms, repeating the sacred words:
“I name you Elsa Endalasian of the House of the White Lily, princess of our sacred empire!”
After the naming and baptism ceremony, the monarch carried his pearl out onto the grand terrace of the palace. The celebration should not have been so dark and somber, but fate, as always, had its own plans, heedless of human dreams...
“Attention! His Majesty King Adelard and Her Highness Princess Elsa Endalasian!” came the loud proclamation, and the people of the empire, filling the square, the palace gardens, and even the streets, bowed in reverence. Adelard stepped to the railing, lifting little Elsa in his arms to show the people their future queen. The subjects bowed and curtsied, showing respect to the royal heir. That tiny bundle in a golden blanket, wearing a small tiara, was me. From that day, my story began. An hour after the lavish ceremony concluded, my father, King Adelard, summoned the person dearest to him to his chambers, seeking her counsel. That person was his beloved sister. Moments later, Duchess Delaine appeared before the ruler. A black satin gown, tailored to the latest fashion, suited the woman well, though she had worn her mourning attire for far too long.
“Delaine, sister…” Adelard spoke, his voice hoarse with pain.
“Brother... My dear brother, do we share a single fate of sorrow?” the duchess sighed sadly, embracing the person so precious to her. “I haven’t yet removed the black veil for my husband, and now I must wear it for your wife and my niece... Don’t cry, Adelard. We’ll get through this too…”
“Is there even a reason to live, sister?”
“There’s no choice... Brother, you at least have a daughter. You must hold on for her, for the empire... Elsa is just a baby; she can’t rule. Do you want the throne to fall to Caroline and her son? If power touches that woman’s hands, the empire will be doomed. I won’t allow it! I’ll stand by you, brother. By your side. We’re united in our grief, together. Together, we’ll endure and walk this path... You must live at least until you’re certain Endalasia is in safe hands. In the hands of your heir.”
“You’re as wise as ever, Delaine... Yes, you’re right,” the father exhaled heavily. “Elsa is still a baby, but as soon as she’s old enough, she’ll begin rigorous preparation to take my place on the throne. I’ll muster what strength I have left and guide my daughter through this difficult journey... For Axell... For her... Will you help me, sister? I want you to personally oversee Elsa’s education and training…”
“It’s an honor, Your Majesty…”
“Choose a good nanny for her. Someone must take the place of her mother…” the king said, eternal pain and longing in his voice.
“Why a nanny? What about me?” the duchess asked confidently. “It’s unlikely the Lord will grant me the joy of motherhood... I’ve lost my husband, lost my unborn child. I have no one left but you and this little one. Give Elsa to me, brother. We’ll heal each other’s wounds... I beg you…” The king looked at his sister weakly, nodding in approval:
“Alright... Of course... It’s for the best. There’s no one I trust more than you, Delaine... I issue the order: you are responsible for raising the princess…”
“Thank you, sire,” the fair-haired woman bowed, then tightly embraced her brother to ease his pain, if only a little... The order took effect swiftly. The grand apartments of the beautiful duchess were soon filled with baby things. A small crib appeared beside her wide bed, and soft toys brightened the space around. In her arms, the kind fairy brought her tiny niece into the chambers, humming a lullaby.
“Everyone out, leave us!” she commanded, and once the doors closed behind the attendants, the woman sat on the bed, rocking the girl in her arms. “My little Elsa... I’m your auntie... I’m so glad you’ve come into my life. I promise I’ll protect you like the apple of my eye. Soon, you’ll grow up. You’ll run around, filling everything with your laughter. You’ll heal our wounds, you’ll become the new queen... You’ll rule wisely and justly, like your late mother... Sleep, my angel... Sleep, gather your strength. Auntie will be right here... A difficult life awaits you. Sleep, my treasure, sleep…”
And Elsa—that is, I—slept, nestled tenderly against a loved one. The fair-haired duchess smelled of peaches and spring flowers. I calmed down, listening to her gentle, melodic voice and feeling safe... Meanwhile, in another wing of the palace, Duchess Caroline was fuming. The fact that the child had been taken under the care of the king’s own sister, the ever-positive and her sworn enemy Delaine, infuriated her. She knew she hadn’t won this battle, but who would win the war remained uncertain...
Adel
The same time, outskirts of Endalasia.
The blizzard grew fiercer, the wind howling ominously, gusting and sweeping across paths and roads. A carriage raced along a winding forest trail. If you listened closely, you could hear the hiss of snow as swift-footed horses pushed through the drifts. The moon looked down disapprovingly at the man driving the carriage, while inside, a baby wailed desperately in the arms of a figure as dark as the one who had issued this cruel command. Far beyond the city limits, the driver halted the horses, and the person inside stepped out into the storm. Without even glancing at the terrified infant, they tossed it into a snowbank.
“Poor child... It’ll freeze... Maybe we should leave it in a village instead?” the driver muttered quietly. “With this wind, no one will even hear its cries…”
“Your conscience waking up now? Are you crazy? You’ll get us both killed! The duchess will destroy us if the child survives!” the other argued.
“No one will know whose child this is! Who’d ever guess it’s a princess? Think about it…”
“I don’t want to think or know anything! I’m following orders, and so should you. Show pity once, and you’ll regret it later... That’s it, let’s get out of here…”
What’s said is done. Leaving the infant in the snow to certain death, the duchess’s minions headed back to the palace to report the deed and claim their promised gold. Thus, the life of a monarch’s daughter was valued at a mere pouch of coins. Yet, in the eyes of the gods, the child was meant to live... That cold night, poor villagers were returning home to their native village... Whether by chance or a twist of fate, the wheel of their rickety cart broke off right opposite the crying, freezing, abandoned princess—no one can say. A poor man named Oscar set to fixing the cart, while his wife, Melissa, with her keen ears, heard the sound of a child’s cry...
“Do you hear that, Oscar? It sounds like a baby…”
“It’s just the wind howling,” the man dismissed.
“No, listen closer... That’s a child crying…” Melissa insisted, moving toward the snow-covered bundle. Suddenly, her sharp eyes spotted the infant. Clapping her hands in shock, she waded into the deep snow and pulled out the tiny baby. She could never have imagined who she had just saved...
“Look, Oscar! A child... Did someone throw it away? How could anyone abandon such a sweet little thing? It’s freezing... A little longer, and it would’ve been gone,” Melissa said, clutching the girl tightly to warm her.
“Well, I’ll be! Miracles!” Oscar muttered, taken aback. “Probably born out of wedlock, and they wanted to get rid of it... Did you see that fancy carriage we passed at the forest entrance? Bet those folks dumped this kid…”
“They’re so rich, couldn’t they afford to keep a tiny baby?”
“It’s not about that, woman... It might be a matter of honor... One thing’s clear—whoever threw this child out didn’t want it found…”
“Whatever the case, we’re saving this little one. We’ll take her home,” Melissa declared firmly.
“Melissa, that could be dangerous... Do you want trouble? Let’s leave her here…” Oscar grimaced.
“Have you lost your mind? Heartless! Who did I even marry?!” the peasant woman wailed. “Listen to me, Oscar! We’re taking this child and raising her as our own! And don’t you dare tell anyone how we found her! I’ll skin you alive, you know me! I’ll report you to the baroness! Heartless man! Let’s go, the baby’s freezing!”
What could he do against such a determined woman? Oscar scratched the back of his head, scowling, and grumbled:
“What can you do with a stubborn woman? Fine, Melissa, take the kid and raise her. I’ll keep quiet. But don’t even think I’ll accept her as my own or be a father to her! Don’t even dream of it! That’ll never happen!”
With that, the family headed home. All the way, Melissa pondered names for the little girl. Thus, the lost princess, doomed to perish, became the daughter of an ordinary village couple. And then came the long-awaited moment. The cart stopped, and Melissa, with the baby in her arms, stepped out and made her way to their modest little house. Their cottage wasn’t large, but it was cozy enough. The stone walls sheltered the tiny princess from the blizzard and snowstorm, and her new mother made sure the girl felt the warmth of an old fireplace.
“Adel... I’ll name you Adel,” the woman decided joyfully, gazing at the noble features of the little beauty’s face. In Endalasia, it was customary to name children with names starting with the letter “A.” People believed this would protect them from evil forces and grant them a good fate.
“Oscar, bring a big bowl, warm water, dried herbs, and a towel. I’m going to bathe Adel!” she called out in a clear, ringing voice. The man rolled his eyes, staring out the window at the swirling snowstorm. He still didn’t like his wife’s idea, but what could he do when she was so stubborn?
“Get it yourself! I’m not your servant!” he grumbled, though he fetched everything anyway. Melissa knew her husband’s grumpy nature, so she paid no mind to his muttering.
“Just look, Oscar... Isn’t she lovely? Look, she’s a real miracle!” the fair-haired woman whispered tenderly as she bathed her adopted daughter.
“A kid’s a kid, what’s there to look at?” the peasant replied irritably, though, unnoticed by his wife, he still peeked over her shoulder.
Oscar and Melissa were poor folk. Every day, they toiled hard for Baron Andrew and Baroness Isadora, who ruled over the barony where their village was located. With her lively and kind-hearted nature, Melissa saw only the good in everything. Thanks to her quick wit, she had managed to gain the trust of the baroness, a selfish, hypocritical, and cruel woman. Oscar worked in the fields during the summer and in the baron’s stables during the winter. Naturally timid, he avoided dealings with the nobles and often warned his wife, whom he somehow feared as well.
“Tomorrow, you’ll go to the priest and bring him here to baptize Adel. You hear me?” Melissa said quietly, wrapping the girl in an old blanket.
“I’ll go, but you’d better be right about this... If this child brings trouble on us, it’ll be your fault!”
“Then it’ll be my fault,” the woman replied calmly, laying the girl down on their bed.
The next morning, Oscar did as his wife asked and brought the priest to their home. After performing the baptism, the holy man handed the baby back to Melissa, speaking softly to her:
“May your little one be blessed... By the way, did you hear that today the king presented our princess to the people?”
“What did they name her? The baroness mentioned a princess was born, but I didn’t hear the name,” the woman asked with curiosity.
“I heard they named her Elsa... Her Highness Elsa, they say, is a very pretty little girl. Just like this Adel of yours. She’s a beauty too, probably takes after her mama…”
“Thank you,” Melissa laughed as she showed the guest to the door. Neither of them could have imagined just how true those words were...
While Princess Elsa slept sweetly in the chambers of her dear aunt Delaine, in a cradle in a humble village home lay her twin sister—little Adel. That tiny lost princess—that’s me. My name is Adel, and my life is a tangled knot. I had no idea who I truly was, nor could I have hoped that the thread of fate would one day unravel, allowing my eyes to see the truth...
End of Chapter 1.