Chapter 11. A Day of Escape and Revelation.

Evelyn.

After we finished from the mines, we prepared to go to the village to have some fun before settling for the night. For a brief moment, the oppressive weight of the palace and its secrets seemed to recede, allowing me to breathe a little easier. Today was different, a day of escape, a day when I could briefly forget the chains that bound me.

Amaris and I stood before a modest mirror in our quarters, carefully selecting our attire for the day's outing. The clothes we wore were far removed from the regal gowns and jewels of my former life. They were simple and practical, garments that allowed us to blend in with the villagers of the nearby town.

Amaris wore a cheerful, sunflower-yellow dress that complemented her radiant smile. She looked as though she belonged in the vibrant tapestry of the village, a picture of warmth and kindness. I, on the other hand, opted for a modest blue frock, one that concealed the markings of my past status as a princess.

As I looked at my reflection i