Chapter Nine: Hidden Truths

Sofia's eyes welled up with tears as she turned to leave, her heart heavy with the weight of Stefan's words. She couldn't understand why he was so cruel to her, why he seemed to take pleasure in hurting her.

As she made her way to her chambers, she couldn't shake the feeling that Stefan's words had left her with. She felt like she was walking on eggshells, never knowing when he would lash out at her again.

She was still in her chambers, her mind reeling with thoughts when she heard a knock on her door. It was Captain Ryker

"So, it's true," Captain Ryker said immediately upon entering, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You're a runaway princess."

Sofia's eyes widened in alarm, and she took a step back, her hand on her chest. "What are you talking about, Captain?" she asked, trying to sound calm despite the panic rising within her.

Captain Ryker's expression turned polite, and he bowed slightly. "Forgive me, Your Highness. I didn't mean to startle you. I recently discovered some information about your past, and I was wondering if you could enlighten me as to the circumstances surrounding your arrival at the palace."

“I still don’t know what you’re talking about Ryker” She denied trying to hide her tension

“Very well then, maybe I should go ask the Prince instead” he said turning around leading to Sofia to stop him immediately

“Hold on!”

Sofia's face paled, and she felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead. How did Captain Ryker discover her secret? And what did he plan to do with this information?

"Hold on, Captain!" Sofia's voice trembled slightly as she reached out to grasp Captain Ryker's arm, detaining him. "Please, don't go to the Prince with this. He...he doesn't know, and I'd like to keep it that way."

Captain Ryker's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he turned back to Sofia. "Why should I keep your secret, Your Highness? First it was your name..now this?” he asked, his voice firm but measured.

Sofia's eyes welled up with tears as she pleaded with Captain Ryker. "Please, Captain. I'm begging you. If the Prince finds out, my life will be in danger. I might be forced to return to my kingdom, and...and I don't know what will happen to me."

Captain Ryker's expression softened slightly, and he nodded. "Very well, Your Highness. I'll keep your secret...for now. But I think you should tell me the truth about your past and why you ran away from your life as a princess"

They both sat down and Sofia filled him in on everything that had happened and why she had ran away from her father’s kingdom.

“It must have been so hard for you” Captain Ryker said his gaze softening

“So how do you plan on hiding this? You know it can’t be a secret forever right?” He cautioned

“Yes I know. Just for now. Especially now that I don’t know where I stand in this palace” She said sniffing

“Where you stand?” He quoted her. He tried to say something else but was cut shut as he caught sight of her neck

“The Prince..He did that right?”

Being that it was obvious she simply nodded her head. She now saw Ryker as a confidant so there was no wrong in letting him know as well. He might even know something she don’t. She reasoned.

“What happened?” Ryker inquired

“Nothing..I went to meet him at the garden today” Sofia said

“The garden?”

“Where was he standing when you met him?” He questioned further

“Uhmm..I don’t know..? Oh yeah he was standing by the oak tree” Sofia said in remembrance

Captain Ryker's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the oak tree. He seemed to pause for a moment, collecting his thoughts before speaking.

“I need to tell you something you need to know ” He said, his voice low and serious

“But you have to promise not to tell anyone“

"I promise," Sofia said, her curiosity piqued.

Captain Ryker took a deep breath before speaking. "It's about the Prince and the oak tree. There's something you should know."

Sofia leaned in, her heart racing with anticipation. "What is it, Captain?"

Captain Ryker's voice dropped to a whisper. "The Prince...he was involved in the death of a young woman named Akira. She was his childhood friend, and some people say she was his first love."

Sofia's eyes widened in shock. "What? How did she die?"

Captain Ryker's expression was grim. "I'm not entirely sure. People say she died under the branches of the ancient oak tree, but I don't know the circumstances surrounding her death."

Sofia's mind was reeling with the implications. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. The Prince, who had been so cruel to her, had a dark past that was connected to the oak tree.

Captain Ryker's eyes locked onto hers. "I want you to be careful around the Prince, Sofia. He's haunted by his past, and I don't want you to get caught in the crossfire.

Is that the true nature she had been continuously warned of in the notes? Sofia thought to herself

She felt a pang of jealousy at the mention of Akira, the Prince's childhood friend and possibly his first love but she shoved it aside. She couldn't help but wonder if the Prince still harbored feelings for Akira, even after all these years. Obviously he still did, which explains his cruelty towards her, she thought

Captain Ryker's eyes seemed to bore into her soul, as if he could sense her emotions. "I think I know why the Prince didn't want you by the oak tree," he said, his voice low and thoughtful.

Sofia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Why?"

Captain Ryker's expression was somber. "It’s obviously because of Akira. He lost her there, in this palace, and it's still a painful memory for him. He wouldn’t want to lose another loved one to the same fate."

Sofia's eyes widened in understanding, but then she shook her head. "I don't think the Prince cares about me to that extent, Captain. He's been nothing but cruel to me since I arrived."

They were still talking when they heard a knock on the door

Two hearts, two secrets, one fragile bond - and the truth that could shatter them both.