Chapter 27: The Return of the Past

It was a crisp morning in the Kingdom of Eldoria, the sun shining through the trees of the royal gardens as Amaria laughed, her hands gently holding Prince Alexander's as they skipped through the soft grass. The boy was full of life, his small hands clutching a wildflower he'd just picked, grinning up at her as if he had just discovered a new world.

"I think this one is the prettiest, Mama!" Alexander beamed, holding up the flower with pride.

Amaria's smile was warm and filled with affection as she crouched down to his level. "It is beautiful, my prince," she said, brushing a strand of hair away from his face. "But I think you are the most beautiful thing in this garden."

Prince Alexander giggled, his cheeks rosy as he took another handful of flowers and danced around her. The bond they had formed over the past few months was undeniable, and Amaria cherished these moments more than anything. She had never imagined that she would find such joy in her new life with the king and his son.

As the two of them continued to play, a figure appeared at the entrance of the garden. Amaria turned, sensing the presence of someone unfamiliar. Standing tall, her posture elegant yet commanding, was a woman with striking features, her blonde hair styled in an immaculate updo, her eyes sharp with an unspoken authority. It took only a moment for Amaria to recognize her—the woman who had once been engaged to King Knox, the mother of Prince Alexander's birth mother.

Her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she was frozen in place.

The woman's lips curled into a slight, almost knowing smile. "Amaria, I presume?" Her voice was cool and calculated, with an undertone of something far deeper.

Amaria stood up slowly, the air suddenly thick with tension. She felt Alexander move closer to her, sensing her unease. She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, trying to maintain a calm demeanor despite the whirlwind of emotions rising within her.

"Yes, I am Amaria," she replied, her voice steady, though her insides were anything but calm.

The woman stepped forward, her eyes flickering to Alexander with a soft, almost possessive gaze before returning to Amaria. "I see the prince has taken quite a liking to you." Her words held no warmth, only cold observation. "How fortunate."

Amaria's heart raced. She could sense the woman's bitterness, the silent challenge in her words. She didn't know what to say, but she knew one thing for sure: this woman was not here by accident. She was here for a reason.

Before she could respond, the woman's gaze shifted behind Amaria, and her eyes locked onto the castle. "I'm here to speak with the king," she said, her voice unwavering, as if she had every right to be there. "It's time for old matters to be settled."

Amaria's heart dropped. She didn't know the full story of the king's past engagement, but she had heard enough to understand that this woman, though now distant from the king's life, could still pose a threat to everything Amaria had built with him and with Alexander.

"Why don't you go inside, my prince?" Amaria said, her voice softer now, with a reassuring tone. She smiled down at Alexander, though her stomach churned with uncertainty. "I'll speak with this lady for a moment. I'll be right behind you."

Prince Alexander looked up at her, sensing the change in the atmosphere, but he did as he was told, his small form walking slowly toward the palace, casting glances back at Amaria.

Once he was out of earshot, Amaria turned to the woman, standing tall, her posture now firm. "What do you want?" Amaria asked, her voice cool but with an edge that she didn't even know she possessed. "Why have you come back?"

The woman smiled again, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm not here for you, Amaria. I'm here for King Knox," she said, her voice dripping with an unsettling calm. "There are things that need to be said, things that need to be resolved. The past isn't as easily forgotten as you may think."

Amaria felt a pang of fear, but she masked it with a steady breath, not allowing the woman's words to unsettle her. She had worked so hard to build her life, and she wasn't about to let someone like this woman tear it all apart.

"I'm sure the king will handle his past affairs on his own," Amaria replied, standing her ground. "As for me, I'm his wife. I have every right to know what's going on."

The woman's smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of irritation crossing her face before she quickly masked it again. "Oh, I'm sure the king has already told you everything you need to know. But there's more to this than what meets the eye."

Before Amaria could say anything else, the palace doors opened, and a familiar figure emerged. King Knox, standing tall and imposing as ever, his eyes cold but piercing as they landed on the woman before him. The moment their gazes met, there was a subtle tension, an unspoken history between them that no words could adequately convey.

Amaria's heart skipped, but she stood her ground, trying not to let the coldness of the situation overwhelm her.

The woman's lips curled into a sly smile. "It's been a long time, hasn't it, Knox?" she said, her voice laced with bitterness.

King Knox's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing, his jaw clenching slightly as he looked between the two women. The air felt heavy, thick with unspoken words and unresolved emotions.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low and controlled. "I didn't expect to see you here, Clarissa."

Amaria glanced at him, feeling a pang of unease. There was something in his voice—something sharp—that made her wonder just how deep the history between them really went.

Clarissa stepped forward, her eyes cold as she fixed her gaze on King Knox. "We need to talk," she said, her tone final.

Amaria watched the two of them, wondering what would come next. She couldn't shake the feeling that the past was coming to haunt them all once again.