The Maid They Called Your Highness

Chapter 2: The Princess Who Served Drinks

The banquet hall remained frozen.

No one knew whether to bow, run, or call the guards.

Princess Alina had disappeared five years ago after the royal carriage fell from the northern cliff. Her body had never been found, but the court declared her dead within three days. Her uncle, Duke Severin, became royal regent. The kingdom mourned for a month.

Then everyone moved on.

Everyone except Adrian.

He had been Alina's childhood friend, then her secret betrothed. The night before she vanished, she had sent him a note asking him to meet her at the old chapel. He arrived too late. By morning, she was gone.

Now she stood in front of him in a servant's uniform.

Alive.

Terrified.

The man in black grabbed Alina's wrist gently but firmly. "We need to leave."

Adrian blocked his path. "Not until she tells me what happened."

Alina looked at him with pain. "I cannot explain here."

"Then explain outside."

The man in black snapped, "She owes you nothing."

Alina's voice sharpened. "Matteo, enough."

So that was his name.

Adrian looked at Matteo, then back at Alina. "Why are you serving champagne at a noble banquet?"

Alina swallowed. "Because servants hear what nobles think they have hidden."

Adrian's anger faded into confusion.

Before he could ask more, the doors opened.

A group of royal guards entered.

At their center stood Duke Severin.

He looked older than Adrian remembered, but his smile was the same: calm, cold, and perfectly controlled.

"My dear guests," Severin said. "It seems we have an impostor among us."

Alina's hand tightened around the tray.

Adrian stepped forward. "She is not an impostor."

Severin looked at him with mild amusement.

"Then prove it."

Alina slowly reached beneath her collar and pulled out a small broken pendant.

Adrian recognized it.

The royal sun crest.

Severin's smile disappeared.

And Alina whispered, "You should have checked the river before declaring me dead."