Chapter 21: Being Loved

**Thelma Zane’s Perspective** The day began with a sense of serenity. It was one of those rare, perfect days, and I had spent it with someone who had become incredibly dear to me—Aldrich. Fate had played its mysterious hand, drawing us together and turning us into close friends. His presence brought a warmth and vitality to my life that was far more engaging than the cold rigidity of palace routines. In the palace, I was expected to shadow my parents as they navigated the labyrinth of government affairs. While these responsibilities were often dry and challenging, I had no choice but to follow them dutifully. My role was to assist with small tasks that aligned with my capabilities, while silently observing and absorbing lessons on governance. As the future Queen, this was a duty I could not shirk. The crown, glittering and coveted by many, carried a weight that only those who bore it could comprehend. It demanded sacrifices unimaginable to the outside world. My parents had dri