The sun rose high above the Kingdom of George, bathing the palace in warm golden light. But all I could feel was the dread sitting heavily in the pit of my stomach.

The maids arrived early, as they always did, and I allowed them to bathe and dress me without protest. I barely spoke as they worked, my mind too occupied with the journey ahead. 

I stared hopelessly at my reflection in the mirror as Lydia worked through my hair.It felt as though my life were ending. As though the world were collapsing in front of me while I was forced to watch, powerless to stop any of it.

And yet, beneath all that fear, there was one thing I knew with absolute certainty. If I had to make the choice again, I would still choose to go to Elizabeth. 

“I’m finished, Prince Luca,” Lydia said softly. Her voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I met her eyes in the mirror. Her expression was heavy with sadness, and she looked one breath away from crying.

Today.

I was really leaving for Elizabeth Island today.

The thought alone made my skin crawl. Made me want to throw up. Made me want to demand that my father stop the journey, close the gates, and declare war if necessary. 

But I did none of those things. I simply nodded.

“Prince Luca.”

The voice came from the doorway.

Lydia and I both turned.

A royal guard stood outside my chambers, dressed in the dark blue uniform of the King's Guard. 

He bowed deeply before straightening.

“May I enter, Your Highness?”

I nodded.

He stepped inside.“It is time, Your Highness. The Elizabethan delegation has arrived.”

My chest tightened. “Already?”

“Yes, Your Highness. The delegation is assembled in the eastern courtyard. The captain of the Elizabethan Royal Guard has requested your presence so that the journey may begin.”

Of course. There was no delaying this.

“I will be down shortly.”

The guard bowed again. “Yes, Your Highness.”

He turned and left. 

I exhaled shakily. “Please go as well, Lydia. I need a moment alone.”

She hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave me, but eventually nodded. “Yes, Your Highness.”

She dipped into a small curtsy before slipping out and quietly closing the door behind her. 

I stood and walked toward the window. Below, the eastern courtyard had already been prepared for my departure.

The Elizabethan delegation waited beside the palace gates. Their royal carriage stood at the center, its dark polished wood bearing the silver crest of Elizabeth. Several mounted guards surrounded it, while others stood beside the carriage in formation. Their uniforms were entirely black, a stark contrast against the blue and silver of George's Royal Guard. Their faces were concealed beneath polished helmets, but the Elizabethan insignia gleamed clearly on their chests. 

There was no mistaking where they came from. This was not merely a carriage waiting to take me away.It was Elizabeth coming to claim what had been promised.

I swallowed.

My gaze dropped to the dressing table. There, beside the combs and jewelry I would leave behind, rested my ash-silver signet ring. The emblem of my home.The emblem of George. The only piece of my kingdom I intended to take with me. 

I picked it up and slipped it onto my middle finger. For a moment, I stared at it.

Then I straightened my shoulders and walked out of my chambers.

By the time I reached the palace entrance, the entire eastern courtyard seemed to be waiting. Several members of the royal household had gathered at a respectful distance. 

My father's royal guards stood along the palace steps, while the Elizabethan delegation waited beyond the gates.

My mother and Julia stood closest to the carriage. But my father was nowhere to be seen. 

I swallowed. He must be so disappointed. 

“Luca!”

Julia came running toward me before anyone could stop her.

She threw her arms around my waist. “I’m going to miss you, brother.”

I wrapped my arms around her. “I’ll miss you too.”

She pulled back, her face twisted with sadness. “I can't believe you're going all the way to Elizabeth to learn sword arts. That's so far away…”

I forced myself to smile. She didn't know the truth. I hated lying to her. More than anything. But it was better this way.

If Julia knew why I was truly leaving, she would blame herself. She would blame our parents. She might even blame me. 

I couldn't do that to her.

“You're going to come back soon, right?”

My throat tightened but I forced a smile and nodded. “Of course.”

The lie tasted bitter.

“Stop, Julia,” Mother said gently, resting a hand on her shoulder. “Don't make him sadder than he already is.” 

Julia sniffed and nodded.

“Be careful, okay?” she whispered. “Stay safe.”

I nodded. I couldn't trust my voice.

“Your Highness.” The firm voice drew my attention.

A man stood beside the Elizabethan carriage. He wore the black uniform of Elizabeth's Royal Guard, though the silver trim across his shoulders marked him as something far more important than an ordinary soldier. The insignia of a captain rested against his chest.

He stepped forward and bowed.

“Your Majesty. Your Highness.” His words were directed first toward my mother before his gaze settled respectfully on me. He looked young, younger than any Captain of the Royal guards I've seen. “I am Captain Alistair Astor, commander of the Elizabethan escort. We should depart soon if we are to reach the island by first light.”

Mother gave a small nod. “Thank you, Captain.”

The captain bowed once more. 

I looked at my mother. Then at Julia.

My heart felt as though someone had wrapped a fist around it.

“I suppose this is goodbye.”

Mother's expression crumpled. She stepped forward and pulled me into a tight embrace. For a moment, I wasn't a prince. I wasn't a political offering. I wasn't the son being sent away to another kingdom.

I was simply her child.

“I’m sorry, Mum,” I whispered against her shoulder. “I hope you and Father can forgive me.”

She pulled away and held my face between her hands. “You have nothing to apologize for.” Tears gathered in her eyes. “Remember that, Luca.”

I nodded.

She kissed my forehead before letting me go.

I looked toward the palace one last time.

The towers of George rose behind us, familiar and impossibly beautiful beneath the morning sun. 

I memorized them. Every stone. Every window. Everything I might never see again. 

Then I turned toward the Elizabethan delegation.

“Captain.” 

He straightened. “Yes, Your Highness?”

“Let us go.”

He bowed. “As you wish.”

Captain Astor opened the carriage door. I stepped inside. The interior was far more luxurious than I expected, lined with dark velvet and polished wood. The Elizabethan crest had been carved into the door beside the seat. 

I ran my fingers over it absently. George was behind me now. Elizabeth was ahead. The captain closed the door. Through the window, I saw my mother holding Julia's hand. 

Julia waved.

I raised my hand in return.

Then the carriage began to move. 

The wheels rolled across the stone courtyard, carrying me farther and farther from the palace gates.

I didn't look away until George disappeared behind the trees.

Only then did I lean back against the seat.

Exhaustion washed over me. With a trembling sigh, I closed my eyes, trying to escape, even briefly, from the painful reality awaiting me.

Tomorrow, I would wake beneath the skies of Elizabeth.