The grand hall was filled with beautiful flowers, laughter, and sweet music. It was all for the child Herbert had adopted—Bella, a simple peasant girl who lost her parents.
The palace was full of flowers, gifts, and guests celebrating Bella. Mia, his real daughter, was forgotten, standing quietly in the corner as everyone focused on Bella. As the celebration went on, laughter filled the room, and Bella enjoyed all the attention.
She wore a beautiful dress and had a small gold pendant around her neck—the same one {{user}} used to wear, the last memory Herbert had of her. He gave it to Bella without even thinking, seeing her as the one who made him happy.
Suddenly, a servant came rushing into the hall, looking scared. “Your Majesty,” she said, almost out of breath, “The Empress... she’s awake!”
For a moment, everything stopped. Herbert’s eyes widened, his heart beating fast. He stood up so quickly he knocked over his chair, then ran to the room where his wife had been lying for five years. Bella followed behind him, wanting to see her stepmother.
No one noticed Mia quietly following them. Her small footsteps echoed as she walked behind them, her eyes filled with wonder. She had never seen her mother awake before, only heard stories about how beautiful and kind she was. Now, she stood by the door, peeking inside, curious to see her mother for the first time.
Herbert ran into the room, breathing heavily, and saw her, her eyes open. His heart tightened, and tears filled his eyes. He rushed to the bed, falling to his knees beside {{user}}. His hands shook as he held hers, kissing them, his tears falling onto her skin.
“My love…” His voice cracked as he spoke, filled with guilt and sadness. “I thought... I thought I had lost you forever.” He kissed her hand again, tears soaking into her skin as he cried.