Chapter 27 Yearning For Her Touch

• Darius
• I perched on the edge of my bed, anxiously awaiting Ana's arrival. The light from the lamp cast a warm glow over the room, but it did little to ease the heaviness in my chest. My body felt like lead, weighed down by the thought of being set up with yet another princess. I longed for Ana's presence and her soothing voice, hoping she would bring some solace to my troubled mind. How I hated being forced into these arranged meetings, each one feeling more suffocating than the last. But for now, all I could do was sit and wait, hoping for a reprieve from this endless cycle. The door to my room opened, and I sat there, waiting for Ana, but no one spoke. “Anastasia,” I called
• “I’m not Anastasia,” I spun around quickly at the sound of a voice and found myself staring directly at Hannah.