Chapter 70
Aurora sat in the quiet royal chamber, her hands folded neatly on her lap. The queen and king stood before her, their faces soft and careful, like people walking on thin ice.
Her chest felt tight again. That same strange spark inside her, like a weak flame slowly waking up.
The queen stepped forward with a small smile.
“Aurora,” she said gently, “there are things you must know. Things about your life before the incident.”
Aurora lifted her eyes. “I… understand.”
The king nodded calmly.
“You were very important to this kingdom. Even before you lost your memories.”
Aurora swallowed. “Who was I?”
The queen spoke first.
“You were the chosen bride for our son, Prince Kairo. You two were promised to each other since you were young.”
Aurora blinked slowly.
“Promised?”
“Yes,” the queen continued, her voice sweet and steady.
“You were not our daughter, but you were raised close to the palace. You were trained, educated, and prepared to stand beside Kairo one day.”
Aurora didn’t feel anything.
No shock.
No excitement.
Just emptiness, like she was listening to a story that didn’t belong to her.
The king folded his arms behind his back.
“When the incident happened — when you went missing — the whole kingdom fell into chaos. Many believed you were gone forever.”
The queen sighed softly.
“To keep peace among the noble families, we brought in Seraphine, a noble girl from a respected clan. She was… meant to take your place beside Kairo.”
Aurora frowned lightly.
“I met her. She didn’t like me.”
The queen’s smile faded for a second.
“She was shocked to see you alive, that is all. But now that you have returned, she has been dismissed. You are the rightful bride.”
Aurora nodded slowly, though her mind didn’t fully accept the words.
Then something stirred in her head—
A memory?
A whisper?
A distant voice?
“Rhianna, come! Mama said not to go to the stream side—”
Another voice followed.
Soft. Familiar. Warm.
“Hardin will save me if I get hurt. He always does.”
Aurora flinched.
The queen stepped closer instantly.
“Are you alright, dear?”
Aurora touched her forehead. “Who are Hardin and Sebastian?”
The king and queen exchanged a sharp, silent look.
Their reaction was too quick. Too tense.
The king cleared his throat.
“Those names… must be fragments from your past. Before you were brought to the palace, you lived among many guards and staff. Hardin and Sebastian were likely just part of your childhood surroundings.”
“Yes,” the queen added quickly.
“You knew many people growing up. They were not important figures. Just people who worked here.”
Aurora stared at them.
Something felt wrong.
Something didn’t fit.
“Did I care about them?” she asked quietly.
The queen forced a soft smile.
“You cared about everyone here. But you don’t need to overwhelm yourself with unnecessary memories. What matters is who you are now.”
Aurora looked down, hands tightening together.
The queen gently cupped her face.
“You belong here. With us. With Kairo. You were meant to be his bride long before anything happened.”
The king nodded firmly.
“Kairo has waited for your return. The kingdom needs stability. And you give it to us.”
Kairo stepped forward then, expression calm but protective.
“Aurora,” he said quietly, “I will look after you. I did before, and I will again.”
Aurora nodded slowly.
She didn’t fight them.
She didn’t argue.
Because she had no memory strong enough to push back with.
But inside her heart…
That spark grew.
Weak but alive.
A spark made of three names:
Rhianna.
Hardin.
Sebastian.
Names that felt real.
Names that felt like hers.
But she stayed silent.
Because she didn’t know why they mattered.