The airport was bustling with activity when Dale arrived, his tall figure cutting through the crowd with ease. He spotted Gray and Louise near the exit, their luggage stacked neatly on a trolley. Gray stood composed as always, her calm demeanor contrasting sharply with the chaotic energy of the terminal. Louise, however, waved animatedly when she saw him approach.
"Ah, the knight in shining armor has arrived," Louise teased, her voice light but her eyes sharp, already gauging Dale's mood.
Dale didn't bother with pleasantries, his expression stoic. "Let's go," he said curtly, taking the handle of the trolley without waiting for a response.
As they exited the terminal, the chill of the evening air greeted them. The drive was quiet, with Louise stealing occasional glances at Gray, who seemed lost in thought. Dale, as expected, offered no conversation, his attention fixed on the road.
When they reached Louise's apartment, Dale parked and moved to help with her luggage. Louise took the opportunity to linger as they loaded her belongings into the elevator.
She turned to him, her playful demeanor giving way to something more serious. "Look, I know you're an ass to Gray most of the time," she said bluntly, her emerald eyes boring into his."
Dale raised an eyebrow but said nothing, prompting her to continue.
"But do me a favor—just for the next few days, try not to be. Please, just… ease up.. Just for a couple of days." she pleaded, her expression earnest.
Dale's lips twitched in what might have been amusement, though he didn't answer directly. Instead, he gave her a faint nod before turning to leave. Louise sighed, muttering to herself, "Well, I'll take that as a win."
---
The silence between Dale and Gray on the way to the royal estate was palpable. Gray kept her gaze fixed on the passing scenery, her thoughts swirling as she prepared for the conversation she'd requested with Queen Amara. Dale, meanwhile, stole occasional glances at her, his mind replaying Louise's words. Why does she always get under my skin? he thought, irritated by the sudden pang of guilt he couldn't quite shake.
When they arrived, Queen Amara was already waiting for them in the grand foyer. Her face lit up with relief as she approached Gray, embracing her warmly. "Welcome home, dear," she said, her voice tender. "I've missed you."
"Thank you, Mama," Gray replied, a small smile gracing her lips. The title still felt strange on her tongue, but it brought a certain warmth she couldn't deny.
"Dale, take her luggage to her room," Queen Amara instructed, her tone brooking no argument. "Dear, come with me. We need to talk."
---
Queen Amara led Gray to her private office, a cozy room filled with bookshelves, soft lighting, and a large oak desk. Once they were seated, the Queen clasped Gray's hands in hers.
"Tell me everything," Amara said gently. "How was your trip?"
Gray smiled faintly, her amber eyes reflecting the firelight. "It was... refreshing. Switzerland is breathtaking, and Lou made sure we made the most of it. We visited the Alps, some hidden villages, even indulged in too much chocolate."
Amara chuckled. "Sounds like a perfect getaway."
"It was," Gray admitted. Then, her tone shifted, growing more serious. "But there's something I need to talk to you about."
"What is it?" the Queen prompted. She leaned forward, her attention focused. "I'm listening."
"There was this… woman," Gray began, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. "She looked exactly like my mother."
"She followed you in Switzerland?" Amara inquired.
Gray was lost for a moment but she realized she's referring to Queen Eleonora. "Oh! Absolutely not. If you're pertaining to Queen Eleonora, she is not my mother. She can't stand to see me, much more to follow me there"
Amara stiffened slightly but said nothing, encouraging Gray to continue.
"At first, I thought I was imagining things. But the resemblance was uncanny, though her eyes were different. I've never seen anyone who looked so much like her. Thus…" She trailed off, her amber gaze meeting Amara's. "I can't shake the feeling that it's her. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I need to find out who she is. I need your help."
The Queen's expression grew serious. "What help do you need from me?"
"I want to investigate her background," Gray said, her voice firm despite the vulnerability in her eyes. "I need to know if it's possible... if she could somehow be my mother."
Amara studied Gray for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, she asked softly, "Gray, do you know much about your mother's past?"
Gray blinked at the unexpected question. "Not much. I know she and my father, King Theodore, were in a long-term relationship before Queen Eleonora entered the picture. But... my mother disappeared when I was little. I was told she died in an accident."
"What kind of accident?" Amara asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"A car accident," Gray replied, her tone laced with lingering pain. "Or at least, that's what I was told. The body they found was unrecognizable. The only confirmation was a watch and a necklace that belonged to her."
Amara's breath hitched, and Gray noticed her hands trembling slightly.
"Dear," Amara began, her voice trembling. "Do you have a photo of your mother?"
Gray nodded, pulling out her phone. She scrolled through her gallery until she found the image and handed the device to Amara.
The moment Amara saw the picture, she gasped audibly, her eyes widening in shock. She stared at the photo, her face pale and her hands gripping the phone tightly.
"Mama?" Gray asked, alarmed.
Amara looked up, her voice shaking. "This... this is Athena Seraphine. She's... she's my best friend."
Gray blinked, stunned. "Your best friend?"
"She disappeared over 24 years ago," Amara continued, her voice trembling. "I've been looking for her ever since. No wonder I've always felt so drawn to you, why I've always felt this sense of familiarity when I look at you. You're her daughter."
Gray's mind raced as she processed the revelation. "You knew her? Personally?"
Amara nodded, her expression pained yet nostalgic. "She was the second princess of the Kingdom of Sylvaria. My hometown. We grew up together. She used to tell me about a man she loved—a man she kept hidden because of their positions. I had no idea it was King Theodore."
Gray felt her breath hitch as she tried to reconcile the new information with what she already knew. "Their relationship was so private," she murmured. "It's hard to believe my father was that man."
Amara reached out, squeezing Gray's hands tightly. "This changes everything, Gray. You said you saw a woman who looked like her?"
"Yes," Gray said, her voice trembling. "She was in a restaurant in Switzerland."
Amara's eyes filled with determination. "Then we'll find her. I'll do everything in my power to uncover the truth about her."
---
Unbeknownst to them, Dale stood outside the door, his back pressed against the wall as he listened to every word. His mind reeled from the revelations, each piece of the puzzle falling into place. So that's why she looked so shaken when she returned, he thought, his chest tightening. And why Louise told me to stop being an ass. Gray's been carrying this weight all along.
He clenched his fists, his emotions a storm he couldn't quite name. She's stronger than I gave her credit for.
As he turned to leave, one thought lingered in his mind, unshakable and unnerving. Athena Seraphine… could she really be alive? And if so, what does that mean for all of us?