Chapter Forty Three

Eliza’s POV

I spent time with my brother Alex, exploring the palace and its surroundings. He was an excellent guide, showing me all the hidden passages and secret rooms that only a few knew about. He laughed about how he used to hide from our parents there when he was smaller. We would spend hours talking about our mother and how she used to be the one who would take him on adventures. Alex would tell me stories about her bravery and kindness, and I would listen with wide eyes, feeling like I was getting to know her better.

Our father would often join us, sitting in on our conversations and sharing his stories about our mother. He would tell us about the times she had stood up for what was right, even when it was difficult, and how she had always put her family first. I loved hearing these stories, and I could feel a deep sense of connection to my mother through them.

As we talked about our mother, I couldn't help but feel a longing. I wished I could have met her, to know her as