The Journey to Elizabeth

I stared hopelessly at my reflection in the mirror as the maid worked through my hair.

It felt like my life was ending—like the world was collapsing in front of me while I was forced to watch, powerless to stop any of it.

“I’m finished, my prince,” the maid said softly, snapping me out of my thoughts.

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

I was leaving for Elizabeth Island today.

The thought alone made my skin crawl. Part of me wanted to scream, cry, beg them not to send me… but the man inside me knew I had already made the choice. And I couldn’t take it back. I had to face whatever awaited me there.

“My prince,” a voice called from the doorway.

Both the maid and I turned to see a royal guard standing at attention just outside the room.

“May I come in?” he asked.

I nodded. He stepped inside, bowed, and then straightened.

“It’s time for you to go, Prince Luca. The royal guards of Elizabeth have arrived.”

My chest tightened. “You may leave,” I managed.

He bowed again and left.

I exhaled shakily.

“Please go as well, Lydia. I need a moment alone,” I told the maid.

She nodded quietly and slipped out, closing the door behind her.

I walked to the window and peered down. The Elizabeth carriage waited in the courtyard, draped in their royal flag. Two mounted guards flanked each side, another pair in front and behind. All wore black uniforms with their faces concealed, but the Elizabeth insignia glinted clearly on their chests. There was no mistaking where they were from.

I drew in a slow breath and returned to my dressing table. My hand hovered over the ash-silver signet ring resting there—the emblem of my home, my kingdom. The only piece of George I was taking with me.

I slipped it onto my middle finger, braced myself, then stood and walked out of the room.

Downstairs, outside the palace gates, the carriage waited like a silent threat. I stared at it, exhaling a long breath.

“Luca!”

I turned to see my little sister standing with my mother. Julia rushed toward me and threw her arms around me.

“I’m going to miss you, brother.”

“I’ll miss you too,” I whispered. She pulled back, her small face twisted with sadness.

“I can’t believe you’re going all the way to Elizabeth to learn sword fighting. That’s so far away…”

She didn’t know the truth.

I hated lying to her—but it was better this way.

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

I forced a smile and nodded, hoping my voice wouldn’t crack and give me away.

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

Julia sniffed and nodded.

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

I nodded, unable to trust my voice.

“Excuse me,” a firm voice said.

We turned to see a man in a captain’s uniform, the badge of an Elizabeth guard captain pinned to his chest.

He bowed. “We must begin our journey if we wish to arrive in Elizabeth by nightfall.”

I inhaled slowly and looked at my mother and sister.

“I guess this is goodbye.”

Mother pulled me into a tight embrace.

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

She pulled back, wiping away the tears gathering in her eyes. "It is you who needs to forgive us," she caresses my cheek.

I capture her hand in mine, pulling it from my face. "There is nothing to forgive."

Then I turned to the captain. “Let’s go.”

He nodded and led me to the carriage. He opened the door, and I climbed inside, settling into the seat.

“It will be a long ride to Elizabeth, my prince. You may rest if you wish,” he said before closing the door.

I leaned back, exhaustion washing over me.

I hadn’t slept at all last night—the fear kept gnawing at me.

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

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