"What's with this news?" Paula demanded, turning to Nancy as the two of them walked into the company building. Earlier that morning, they had seen the headlines on social media — Cindy hospitalized after an alleged suicide attempt. The report claimed that the actress had broken down from stress, unable to cope with the resurfacing rumors and the sudden reappearance of the child she had once abandoned.
Paula's voice rose, sharp with anger. "It's that reporter again, isn't it? Doesn't he have anything decent to do? Everything he writes is gossip — no truth, just trash!"
Nancy sighed, glancing at her phone. "We'll find out what's real soon enough. He just wants clicks and readers."
"That's exactly it!" Paula snapped. "I don't understand what his problem is. Why is he doing this? He's destroying Cindy's name. Shouldn't we be taking legal action already? Everything he's written is a lie meant to defame her."
Eden stayed silent, her gaze fixed on the floor while the two women argued. She had noticed her mother's change in the past few days — ever since that news about the death of the King of Valenor had broken. Cindy had grown distant, unfocused, her once-bright energy dimmed. Sometimes Eden would find her mother quietly crying in her room, clutching old photographs, only to hurriedly hide them when she came in.
Eden wanted to help, to comfort her, but she didn't know where to start. Her mother had built walls around her grief, and Eden had no idea what was on the other side. It wasn't enough just to stay by her side — she needed to understand why her mother was hurting.
And now this new story — another cruel piece written to tarnish her name. Eden knew it wasn't true, yet her mother's silence frightened her more than any rumor ever could.
"I want to press charges," Paula said firmly.
"It's not necessary," came a quiet voice from the doorway.
The three women turned. Cindy stood there, looking pale but composed. It was the first time Nancy had seen her since she was discharged from the hospital — almost a month ago.
"Cindy! What are you doing here? You should be resting," Paula exclaimed, rushing toward her.
"I'm fine," Cindy replied softly. "I've rested long enough. And there's something important I need to say."
Her eyes found Eden's across the room. The intensity of that look made Eden's breath catch. She rose from her seat, uncertain, sensing that whatever her mother was about to say would change everything.
Eden felt a sudden rush of anxiety as her mother entered the room and announced she had something to say. The seriousness on Cindy's face sent a chill through her. For days, her mother had barely spoken to anyone, and none of them knew why. And now — she had come all the way to the company just to make some sort of declaration.
Sometimes, Eden couldn't understand what went on in her mother's mind.
"Are you feeling okay?" Nancy asked gently. "You're supposed to be on vacation. We can resume filming once you're done—"
"I'm fine," Cindy interrupted, her tone firm but calm. "And that's part of what I came here to talk about. Can you hear me out?"
"S-sure," Nancy stammered, uncertain. She glanced at Eden, equally confused, both of them waiting to hear what Cindy would reveal.
"For the past month, I've thought long and hard about this," Cynthia began, her voice steady as her eyes swept across the room. She met Paula's gaze and hesitated. She knew this would hurt her — the one person who had been by her side since high school, who had become more like a sister than a friend. Paula had stood with her through every storm, helped her keep a secret for twenty years, and never once asked for anything in return.
"I've decided to retire," Cynthia said quietly. "The film we're working on will be my last. I want to make a public announcement — not only about my retirement, but also about the truth concerning my child."
The room fell into stunned silence.
"Cynthia!" Paula gasped, her voice cracking with disbelief.
"I'm sorry," Cynthia whispered, her eyes softening. "I should have told you beforehand. You've been there for me through everything." She turned to Nancy. "And you — you've taken care of my career for decades. I owe so much to both of you. But I think it's time to give the spotlight to the younger generation."
"This is… sudden," Nancy said, shaking her head. "But if you do this, people will believe the rumors—"
"No," Cynthia cut her off sharply. "This is how I'll prove them wrong."
Nancy frowned. "You said you were going to reveal a secret about your child. You mean… you really have a child? Paula, did you know about this?"
Paula exhaled heavily and sank into her chair. "You better hear it from her," she said quietly, unable to meet Cynthia's eyes.
"Cynthia?" Nancy asked again, voice trembling.
"I'll tell everyone during the press conference," Cynthia replied. "It's time to end the whispers and the lies. I can't say more right now. I'm sorry."
Nancy didn't press further. She just looked at Cynthia — uncertain, shaken — as the weight of her friend's words settled in the room like a storm about to break.
"Lt. Commander, you've arrived," said the ambassador, stepping forward as the young officer entered the palace of the Royal Family of Valenor. Behind Davin were several elite soldiers — his most trusted men. The ambassador greeted him with a firm handshake.
"I've been waiting for you. Thank you for coming on such short notice."
"It's my honor to serve," Davin replied.
It had been a month since the assassination that claimed the lives of the King and Crown Prince. The Second Prince had been gravely wounded and remained unconscious, his condition a closely guarded secret. The court feared that if word spread, those who orchestrated the attack might strike again.
"I asked you to come because you are the only person I can trust," the ambassador said as they walked down the long, silent corridor. "Her Majesty needs your help."
"Is she in danger?" Davin asked.
"That much is certain," the ambassador said grimly. "But there is another reason you're here."
They stopped before a pair of ornate doors. Two guards pushed them open, and the scent of burning incense filled the air. Standing by the tall window was an elderly woman — the Queen Dowager herself.
"Your Majesty," the ambassador announced, bowing. "I have brought Lt. Commander Davin Bryant, as you requested."
The Queen turned to face them, her expression calm but heavy with weariness.
"Ambassador. Lt. Commander. Thank you for coming."
Davin bowed deeply. "Your Majesty."
"You must already know what has happened to our kingdom," she said, her voice trembling slightly as they all took their seats.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"The ambassador tells me you are a man he trusts above all others," she continued. "That is why I must ask for your help — if you are willing."
"How may I serve you, Your Majesty?" Davin asked.
The Queen folded her hands. "The King and Crown Prince are gone, and our country has become vulnerable — not only to radicals, but to neighboring nations eager to claim our lands. I am old, and my time grows short. Before it is too late, I must find the last remaining member of the royal bloodline — the only one who can rightfully rule Valenor."
As the Queen Dowager spoke of the royal bloodline, Davin's thoughts drifted to the request the two princes had made to him just two months earlier. He had already gathered evidence confirming the identity of the King's lost child — but before he could report it, both princes were gone.
"My son, the late King, married the woman he truly loved," the Queen said softly, setting a yellowed document on the table — a marriage certificate bearing the names Cynthia Anderson and Darius of Valenor. "For twenty years, I've known that the woman he loved was her. They were separated because of my pride."
Her voice trembled as she went on.
"They had a child — a daughter. She's alive, living with her mother. I wish I could go to them myself and ask for their forgiveness, but I cannot. I have duties to the court, and the nobles are pressing to declare the Duke — the King's cousin — as the next ruler. If that happens, Valenor will fall into ruin. I won't allow it. That's why I need your help."
She slid a folder toward him.
"These documents contain everything about my granddaughter — the last heir to the throne."
Davin opened the file. Inside were photographs of a woman and her child: Cynthia and a little girl, from infancy to adolescence. His pulse quickened when he saw another familiar face — Cynthia's personal assistant. The resemblance was unmistakable. The young woman was Cynthia's daughter — the lost princess of Valenor.
"Ever since they left this country, I've had them watched in secret," the Queen confessed. "My son never knew. He was doing well without them — or so I told myself. But I knew he missed them every single day. I wanted to bring them back before he passed the crown to Alaric. Then… the tragedy happened."
The ambassador broke the silence. "Your Majesty, do you have any idea who was behind the assassination?"
"Not yet," the Queen said, her eyes darkening. "But I will find them. For now, what matters most is finding that child — and protecting her. Some nobles oppose me. They'll do anything to stop her from returning. I'm counting on you, Lt. Commander."
Davin bowed. "You can count on me, Your Majesty."
Before returning to his post, Davin visited the hospital where Prince Rowan lay unconscious. The steady rhythm of the machines filled the quiet room.
"He might never wake," the ambassador murmured beside him. "That's why the Queen Dowager wants to reunite with her granddaughter."
Davin's gaze lingered on the prince. "Do you think a girl like her is ready to rule a country?"
"She has her grandmother — the new Queen — to guide her," the ambassador replied. "The real question is, is she ready to learn who she truly is?"
Davin said nothing. He knew the ambassador was right. The truth would change everything — for Cynthia, for her daughter, and for Valenor itself.