ARIA'S POV
My heart raced as I watched Kieran walking towards the shadowy figure standing in the doorway. His movements were slow and deliberate, his muscles tensed as if ready to spring into action.
“I asked you a question, who are you?” Kieran asked again, his voice low but firm.
Whoever it was didn’t say a word, and for a moment, the silence was suffocating. I tightened my grip on the blanket and felt my breath catch in my throat.
Then, suddenly, the figure rushed forward.
I gasped, instinctively pulling the blanket higher. But instead of attacking, the figure dropped to their knees and grabbed onto Kieran’s pant leg.
“Prince Kieran,” they said, their voice trembling with emotion. “It’s really you! You’re alive!”
Kieran froze, his body going stiff. I could see the shock in his
