Chapter 3

The air outside was crisp and cool, a sharp contrast to the warmth and noise of the ball. Aliana leaned against the stone railing of the balcony, her fingers gripping the edge tightly. Her mind raced with fears she couldn’t silence.

'What if Penny tells him my name? What if he realizes the truth?'

The thought sent a chill down her spine. She knew the law—he had every right to claim Penny as his child, to take her away. What could she do against the power of a king? And what would Penny’s life be like in the palace, raised by strangers, torn away from the only world she knew?

Aliana’s breath hitched, and she closed her eyes, fighting the wave of panic that threatened to overwhelm her. She didn’t know what to do. For now, she could only leave it in God’s hands.

Inside the ballroom, Penny was blissfully unaware of her mother’s turmoil. She was having the time of her life chatting with “Mr. James,” her favorite new friend.

“You enjoy sweet things, I see,” James said, his blue eyes gleaming with amusement. They were the same shade as Penny’s—clear, bright, and full of life. His blond hair caught the light, giving him an almost golden glow.

“Yes!” Penny replied enthusiastically, her cheeks still sticky with sugar. “But I can’t eat too much. Mommy says I’ll upset my tummy, and I *really* don’t want that!”

James chuckled, crouching slightly to meet her gaze. “Your mommy sounds very smart,” he said warmly.

“She is!” Penny declared with pride. “My mommy is the best mommy in the whole world!”

James smiled at her enthusiasm. “Really? Is your mommy here?”

“Huh? Of course, she is!” Penny said, her tone almost incredulous. “I wouldn’t be here if she wasn’t!”

The king laughed at her logic. “You’re right, of course. My apologies. But where is she?”

Penny scanned the crowd and spotted Aliana standing outside on the balcony. Her little hand shot up, pointing eagerly. “There she is!” she said brightly.

James followed her gaze, his eyes landing on the figure of a woman in a light red dress standing just beyond the window. Her back was to him, and her face was turned away, hidden in the shadows of the night. Something about her felt familiar, a tug in his memory that he couldn’t place.

Curiosity stirred within him, and he took a step toward the window, intent on seeing her face. But before he could move further, a firm hand landed on his shoulder.

“Your Highness,” a man said, bowing slightly. “The high lords would like to see you.”

James hesitated, his eyes lingering on the woman outside. She hadn’t moved, her posture tense as if she were holding herself together. There was something about her presence that gnawed at him.

Reluctantly, he nodded to the man. “Of course,” he said, glancing down at Penny with a soft smile.

“Your Highness?” Penny asked, tilting her head curiously. “Are you a king?”

James froze for a moment, then chuckled, a bit awkwardly. “...Something like that,” he said with a wink. “Until we meet again, little one.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Penny to shrug and return to her sweets, completely unfazed.

~~~~**°~~~~°~~~~°**

Outside, Aliana exhaled shakily, her heart pounding. She hadn’t realized how close she’d been to disaster. For now, she was safe. Thanks to God

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