A Discovery

The castle was buzzing all morning gossip spread like wildfire about the event at the end of the evening. So many of the couples still were unsure of their masked partners. They were supposed to keep it secret but I am sure many had figured it out as I had with Christian.

Although, that doesn't mean their families were aware of the connections they made with their mystery suitors. I was honestly the most excited to see the reactions of families that didn't approve of the unions and would be unable to do anything about it.

Trying to manage to get my daily tasks done was near impossible. Most of the females in the castle were aware of Isabella setting me up with who they thought was Christian's steward. They wouldn't leave me alone asking if I was going to say yes to a proposal tonight.

Little did they know the drama that would unfold when I did say yes; and who exactly I said yes to. I decided since it was useless to keep working I was going to head to my little cabin. I would need to straighten up and pack anything I needed before this evening.

I didn't really have much that held value to me except the locket. After Isabella had asked to wear it one day as kids I have always kept it hidden away. I was sitting down and opened the little box I kept it in. I was just holding it up when the door opened.

I scrambled to shove the locket back in the box and hide it behind my back before I realized the intruder was Christian. "Oh, you scared me! How did you find me?"

"I am a man of many secrets." He laughed as he came closer to me. "What were you trying to hide when I came in?"

"Oh, that is the locket they found with me when I was a baby. I keep it hidden, it is the only connection I have with my family. Isabella was interested in it once and I don't want to risk anything happening to it."

"Would you mind showing it to me? Only if you are comfortable with it that is." He was actually being sweet and genuine. I liked this side of him.

"Sure, just please be careful. The fabric inside is becoming so worn I worry it won't last much longer." I pulled it back out and handed him the locket.

"It is beautiful," He leaned over and kissed my cheek. He cradled the locket and was being extremely careful as he gently opened the locket. His face suddenly went flush all the color gone. He was white as a ghost.

"What's wrong? Are you ok?"

"Do you know what this symbol is?"

I was confused, "Um, no. Should I? The Queen never told me what it was either. Just that it belonged to me."

He looked at me and grabbed my hand. "This is the crest of the Winterhaven kingdom. They were attacked nearly 18 years ago. The entire royal family was killed and thrown into the river. They never found the body of the youngest princess. She was only a baby."

"I have never even heard of Winterhaven, but what does that even matter. It is just a locket, my parents could have just worked in the castle, and their attempts to escape failed." I took the locket from him and began examining it.

"They were my kingdom's greatest allies. They never recovered after the royal family was found dead. The kingdom was divided amongst the surrounding kingdoms. Cameron acquired one of the largest stakes. It is why they are as prominent as they are now.

Honestly, my family always thought Cameron played a major part in the attack since they had the most to gain. It would have been the current King's father that orchestrated their murder. A few years after the family was discovered my father led an army to confront him. It was a massacre for all, both kings fell in battle. My mother couldn't handle the loss and took her own life when she got word.

There is no way that King Theodore and Queen Catherine didn't know what this symbol was. They had to have known what the letters meant. How could they have treated you this way? They have lied to you your entire life.

This is why no matter what Isabella tried I would have never married her. I refuse to be connected to the family that was responsible for killing my own." He stood up I could sense the anger coursing through him.

I was still confused and couldn't process that much information so quickly. "What did they lie about? They have been good to me really."

"You own a locket that contains the Winterhaven crest. With the initials E. M. as in Elizabeth Mordovia. The name of the missing princess. Someone must have smuggled you out and hid you."

"That is crazy." I was shaking my head. "It is just a coincidence there is no way I am a princess."

He came over to me and took my face in his hands. "I was younger then but I see it now. Your long straight flaxen hair. The way your smile lights up your eyes. You look exactly like your mother. I was young but our mothers were the best of friends. I held you in my arms as a child."

"Why wouldn't they tell me, why wouldn't they let people know I had been found. If it was me that is. What does this even mean now after all these years?" I felt the tears welling up in my eyes.

"Don't you see if Winterhaven had a living heir they would not have been able to acquire their share of the kingdom. Just like my own kingdom with my parents dying young. A council would have advised and oversaw things until you were able to come of age." His fists were clenching and unclenching with anger.

"I can't believe they would do this to me. I always thought it was Isabella that bothered me the most because she thought she was better than me. They took away my rightful title. Do I have other family members that are alive?"

"You have both an Aunt and Uncle that have had their own families that live in my kingdom. I too call them Aunt and Uncle because they remind me of my own family." His face looked sad as he recalled.

"I want to punish them. With every fiber of my being, I want them to pay for what they have done." I was determined to make sure they got exactly what they deserved. "Will you help me?"

"I would be glad to." He took my hand as he sat with me. "The question is what is the best way to not only punish them but to make them suffer?"

"I have an idea, but in order for it to work, I need to know every detail about the secret group wedding ceremony you have planned for tonight. Tell me everything!

We sat for a good while planning everything out. Then planning contingencies if things went awry. This was going to be a night no one would soon forget. Everyone would know exactly who I was from here on out.