CHAPTER 13: The Inauguration of Elara Memorial Hospital

The day of the inauguration dawned bright and clear, a fitting tribute to the life and memory of Princess Elara. The Elara Memorial Hospital stood as a gleaming structure in the heart of Vaeloris, a testament to progress, compassion, and resilience. For months, everyone involved had worked tirelessly to make this project a reality, and today, the doors would finally open.

As dignitaries and members of the press gathered, Prince Dale and Princess Gray arrived together, stepping out of their car with the practiced grace expected of royalty. Dale held out his hand to assist her, his gaze softening as he glanced at her. To the public, they were the picture of a devoted couple, a union bound by love and dedication.

Gray felt his hand tighten slightly around hers, and she looked up to meet his calm, composed expression. Whatever tensions existed between them in private, Dale's commitment to their public facade was unwavering. He would stand beside her, as the people of Vaeloris expected, and he would do so with a protective air that hadn't gone unnoticed by the crowd.

As they moved toward the entrance, Mireille's cheerful voice caught Gray's attention. "Gray!" she called, waving excitedly. She was surrounded by a small group of her classmates from the academy, their faces alight with anticipation and admiration. Gray waved back with a gentle smile, grateful for the budding warmth between them.

Mireille turned to her friends, her voice filled with pride as she spoke of Gray. "You know, she's the head of OR department here. She's practically a genius and has more skills than you'd think!" she gushed, clearly excited. "I'm telling you, she's incredible at the young age of 23."

One of her friends, a young woman with wide eyes and an eager smile, leaned closer to Mireille. "She really sounds amazing. It must be intimidating having her as a sister-in-law, right?"

Mireille laughed, glancing at Gray with genuine warmth. "Maybe a little. But I couldn't ask for a better one."

The simple words touched Gray more than she expected, and she found herself smiling in return, grateful for Mireille's budding acceptance.

---

The ceremony was understated yet elegant, with speeches that honored Princess Elara's legacy and emphasized the hospital's mission. Dignitaries took the stage one by one, offering their congratulations and sharing their hopes for the hospital's success. As the speeches concluded, Gray was introduced as the head of the neurosurgery department. She stepped up to the podium, her voice steady, as she expressed her gratitude and dedication to the work ahead.

Afterward, the hospital's department heads were introduced, each a carefully chosen expert in their field. Gray took her place among them, exchanging polite smiles and nods with her colleagues. Prince Dale stayed beside her, a constant presence, his posture relaxed but attentive as he met the curious gazes of the attendees with calm authority.

Soon, the guests were divided into small groups, and a guided tour of the hospital began. Each floor showcased cutting-edge equipment, advanced medical facilities, and beautifully designed patient spaces. Every aspect of the hospital had been designed to reflect compassion and inclusivity. The layout was thoughtful, making accessibility a priority, with ramps, signs in braille, and designated quiet rooms for those who needed a peaceful space.

The departments were spread over the five floors, with each head being shown their respective offices. As they walked through, Gray couldn't help but marvel at the resources now at her disposal. The neurosurgery floor boasted state-of-the-art imaging equipment, specialized operating rooms, and recovery areas that allowed families to stay close to their loved ones. She could feel the pride in her colleagues' voices as they explained their visions for each department.

After the tour, as the guests made their way to the ground floor for the feast, Gray felt a firm grip on her arm. She turned, surprised to see her father, King Theodore, guiding her toward a secluded hallway away from the crowd. His face was composed, but there was coldness in his eyes that sent a chill through her.

Once they were alone in a small, empty conference room, he closed the door behind them and turned to face her. "This is absurd," he began, his voice low but filled with authority. "All this—this display of loyalty to Vaeloris. You forget where you come from, Gray."

Gray held her gaze steady, refusing to back down. "I haven't forgotten, Father. I'm just doing my duty as a doctor."

"That's not enough." King Theodore's voice turned sharper, his tone laced with reproach. "Vaeloris may benefit from your skills, but your loyalty belongs to Valyshire. You owe it to the family that raised you to gather information here. You are in the perfect position to observe and report back."

She drew in a breath, her hands clenched at her sides. "You want me to spy on my husband's family." she stated flatly.

"Yes," he replied without hesitation. "It's time you repaid your debt. Or have you grown so comfortable here that you've forgotten where your loyalty should lie?"

Gray's voice remained calm, but there was steel beneath her words. "You speak of loyalty, but you've shown me none. You've treated me like a pawn, discarding me when it suited you. You never treated me as your daughter. And now you want me to betray the family I've come to know here?" She paused, her eyes hardening. "I know that you covered up something about Elara's death—and about my mother's so-called accident. So stop threatening me because I have more cards than you in this game of yours."

King Theodore's face froze, his eyes narrowing. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"I know enough," she retorted, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "And if you try to force me into this, I'll reveal everything I've discovered, including Queen Eleonora's involvement. I will not be your pawn."

For a brief moment, a flicker of uncertainty passed over his face. But he quickly masked it, sneering at her. "Ungrateful," he muttered, his voice dripping with disdain. "I should have known you'd turn your back on us. You will regret this."

"Only because you forced me to," she replied quietly, her voice unwavering.

Just then, the door opened, and Prince Dale appeared, his expression carefully neutral as he took in the tense scene. "Ah, there you are, Gray. I've been looking for you." He looked pointedly at King Theodore, his voice polite but firm. "Are we interrupting something?"

King Theodore's eyes flicked between them, his mouth settling into a tight line. "No," he replied, his tone clipped. "We were merely catching up."

Dale nodded, stepping aside to let Gray pass. She offered her father one last look, her eyes holding a warning, before joining Dale. As they walked down the hallway, Dale didn't pry what they were talking about which made her think that he had clearly overheard. Instead, he cast her a casual smile, playing his role with flawless ease. But she only heard footsteps nanoseconds before Dale had interrupted them so she dismissed that thought.

---

The feast was held in the spacious ground-floor banquet hall, where dignitaries, family members, and friends gathered to celebrate the hospital's inauguration. Conversations flowed, glasses clinked, and the atmosphere was one of camaraderie and hope for the future.

Gray and Dale took their seats near the head of the table, surrounded by important figures from both Vaeloris and Valyshire. Mireille sat across from them, surrounded by her friends from the academy, who were eagerly asking her questions about Gray.

"Is she really that brilliant?" one of the girls asked, her gaze flicking over to Gray with a mixture of awe and curiosity.

"More than brilliant," Mireille replied, her voice full of admiration. "She's been the head of OR in Aldeburgh ever since she turned 22. That speaks a lot I'm telling you. And she was the one who helped me with my portfolio."

The friends exchanged impressed glances, nodding in approval. Mireille's acceptance of Gray had become apparent, and Gray couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of satisfaction at the young princess's pride in her.

The conversation at the table gradually shifted to matters of state, with the Vaeloris officials discussing recent reforms and their impact on the country's stability. King Gregor and Queen Amara listened attentively, offering occasional comments that demonstrated their care for Vaeloris and its people.

As the night wore on, Gray exchanged polite conversations with the other guests, but she kept her responses brief, her mind preoccupied with the earlier confrontation. She felt Dale's presence beside her, steady and unyielding, but he asked her no questions, leaving her some semblance of peace.

As the event began to wind down, Mireille approached Gray, her eyes bright. "Would you mind coming with me for a moment? My friends have been dying to talk to you."

Gray hesitated, but she could see the hopeful look in Mireille's eyes. With a smile, she nodded, following Mireille over to her group of friends.

Mireille's friends eagerly greeted her, their faces lighting up. They asked questions about her work and about the dedication it took to balance her responsibilities. Gray answered with humility, gently deflecting praise while sharing insights that left the young women even more in awe.

At the end of the evening, as they were preparing to leave, Mireille linked her arm with Gray's, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, Gray," she murmured. "For everything."

Gray glanced at her, surprised by the affection in her voice. "You don't need to thank me, Mireille. I'm just glad we're family."

And with that, they left the hospital together.