Elena POV

The party was amazing. I danced with Calder and kind of danced with Miles. But now my body was aching.

I slowly opened my eye. Where were my purple walls? My pink comforter. My dressing table.

I sat up with a start. An envelope was on my lap.

Dear Lady Ayesha(or should I say Lady Elena),

Today you shall live the life of Lady Ayesha as she lives yours. You have been given some details about her. A queen's duty is to understand the plight of another. So your Princess felt the best way would be to make you live the life of another.

You will have to lead her life in the best way. She will lead yours. Let us see whether the others will find out that there has been a switch. If you are caught, you both will be eliminated.

Her maids will help you.

Love,

Your dear friend,

Noah

I looked horrified around. It was her room. At that moment, her maid walked in.

"Hello Lady Ayesha." She said.

"Today, the other two will not be coming."

She helped me out of the bed. Then she ran the shower and guided me to the bathroom and left. My maids usually helped me but looks like Ayesha does not need help.

I quickly took a bath and went out. She had some creams and a black wig set out.

"Ayesha, you better read this file and listen to this while I get you ready."

I was good at mimicking people's voice, so I listened to her speak and I soon could talk like her. She talked with a lot of authority.

Then I read her file. I realised that she did not know anything about her past. Just imagine, your past was nothing but a blank.

She did not have an amazing relation with her cousin. Anyone could see that.

After some time, Amy told me to open my eyes wide so she could put contacts before the makeup. She had put the tan that Ayesha had and my wig. When she came to put them in, she gasped.

"Oh my….." She said and just sat down. She raised the calling bell and rang it.

A young maid ran in.

"Yes Amy. What happened?"

She just said, "Call the prince."

I stood there shocked. Had I done something wrong?

After a few minutes, the Prince and his advisor, Betram rushed in.

"Aunt Amy…what happened?…" Then he saw me.

"My…..my Elena…Aunt Amy, you have done a very good job."

Amy got up. "Your highness, I did not do much. The genes may have done much more."

The Prince laughed. "Really Aunt Amy. You do love to joke."

At that moment, my maid Anna and me walked in.

The prince looked at the two of us.

"Ayesha and Elena, I think we have to make a doctor's visit."

The three of us were escorted by maids down the back stairwell to the royal hospital. When I arrived there, Stephen, Miles and Calder were there. Miles was half asleep and Stephen and Calder looked concerned.

"My ladies, we have to get the set up ready." A nurse informed us.

We took a seat. I noticed Ayesha did not say a word.

"Ayesha?"

She looked at me and I felt like I was staring into a mirror. Her eyes went wider as she took in my looks.

"I am scared…." She whispered.

At that moment, an elder man and two girls rushed in.

"Ayesh, are you okay?" one of the girls hugged me.

"Chloe, I am Ayesha." She whispered.

Chloe jumped back and the girl, Zoe Knight had a smirk.

"Oh my. Ayesha, looks like you found family. Which business family are you from?" She asked me.

I gave her a small smile. "I am a gardner." Ayesha looked horrified. Calder and Stephen had grins.

"What? Uncle Marlin, how will she adjust to that life?" Zoe squealed.

Before the man could reply, a nurse came and cleared her throat.

"Ladies, we are ready."

Ayesha silently went ahead of me.

After 10 minutes, we walked out. They had taken some blood from the two of us.

Stephen was sitting on a chair and Calder was missing. He was looking at something. He got up and went into the room that we had just come out of.

After sometime, the nurse came out with Stephen. Stephen ran up to me and gave me a hug.

"I have been waiting for you." I looked puzzled.

He pulled out a photo. When I looked at it, it was the picture that Calder had left for me.

"Baby Lilly." He said pointing at the baby in the picture.

Then he pointed each person out, "This is Calder and that's me. I was so happy when you were born. I used to tell Calder that you were mine. But looks like he took you, Lil Sis."

I had tears in my eyes. "So who is she?" I asked pointing at the Lady on the bed.

"Well, that is our mom and Calder and Miles's aunt Duchess Natalia. She died when I was 4 and you were 3 months."

The nurse cleared her throat. "Lady Ayesha and Lady Elena. While I would say that you are siblings. You unfortunately share a different parent. You are half-siblings."

I turned to her and gave her a hug.

"At least we are family."

She gave me a small smile and left quickly. Zoe and Chloe quickly followed her.

I and Stephen spoke for a few minutes.

"I want to ask the prince whether I and Ayesha can be in the same room?" I told him.

He smiled. "Come let us get to know our sister and don't you want to meet dad?"

I nodded and followed him when a maid came running to us.

"Lady Elena, the prince has put up a list of eliminated girls."

Stephen nodded and went down the aisle.

I followed her. I wanted to know whether I had made it.

As I was walking to the ladies' room, I saw Chloe and Zoe. They looked upset.

"Is she okay?" I asked.

Zoe looked surprised.

"She did not let us in. She said she would be fine. Now, we have to leave. Elena, please take care of her." Chloe whispered holding onto both my hands. Then she guided me away from Zoe.

"Ayesha has problems. Please take her to a doctor. It is getting out of control."

She then followed Zoe, giving me a tight smile.

I would check on Ayesha, the list can wait.

I was about to walk away.

Dylan came running up to me.

"El, I am so sorry but you….." she trailed away.

"…..did not make it. What about Ayesha?" I asked with a sad smile.

She shook her head.

I walked to the women's room to see the list. As I was looking through the list, I heard loud but hushed whispers.

I turned around, Ayesha walked in, she looked nothing like the poised young heiress that I had seen before.

Her hair was a mess, she had mascara streaks from her eyes. She looked broken.

"Should have guessed that Lady Ayesha would be an illegitimate child? No longer a heiress, I guess." remarked her snooty and mean cousin, Bianca.

Thalia and Krysten looked pained seeing her. Meghan looked like she wanted to go to her but something was preventing her.

"Ayesha, are you okay?"

She turned to me and fainted.

Meghan got up in a flash and ran up to her.

"Ayesha? Ayesha, are you okay?

Krysten POV

Finally, it is my turn to tell my thoughts.

Everyone knew how Ayesha and Elena were half-sisters. But when I saw her walk in I was shocked. I mean knowing that you were someone's scandal kid has got to be painful. But to such an extent of breakdown.

I saw them carry her out.

"To think that she used to act like a princess." her cousin replied snidely.

"Oh Shut up, Bianca. Behave yourself." Thalia exclaimed.

Thalia might be a maid but she knew where to stand up.

Am I really admiring her? Oh my, looks like even I have to go to the doctor.

Suddenly I saw a pink envelope on the floor. I quickly got up and picked the envelope.

"To Prince Noah."

Was she writing a letter to him? Should I open it? No….Krysten, it is for Noah's eyes.

I took up to the prince's study. When I walked in, Noah looked up.

"Lady Krysten….what is the commotion? Is it because of the list of eliminated?"

I looked at him surprised. Had no one told him?

"I was going to meet the eliminated tomorrow before they leave."

I got really angry when he looks down at the paper.

"Noah, I can't believe that you are so conceited. I thought I ruled that area but you…..are a another story. You don't even try to find out. Here is your envelope and if you really want to know, try and walk out of your study."

I stormed out and crashed into someone. My head spun for a minute.

"Lady Krysten, are you okay?" Duke Stephen helped me up. "I am so sorry. I was….." He looked tensed.

"Is Ayesha okay?"

He gave me a grimace. "She is stable as of now. I am so scared for her. I do not know what she is going through….But you don't have to worry Lady Krysten. Please enjoy the rest of your day."

Prince Noah POV

I just got yelled at by one of the selected. I picked up the letter that she had thrown at me. Outside was my sister's elegant handwriting.

I quickly opened it.

Dear Noah,

I know that this must come as a surprise. I mean Lady Ayesha is a privileged member of the society but she has problems with accepting herself. She will understand your differences.

She is a very unique young lady and would have been a very important part of my Ladies. She may act a bit dumb, a bit snooty and silly. But that is all just an act.

I know that she may not be a perfect wife, but she is certainly a good support to have. She will be able to take your temper tantrums.

Please make her part of your team of advisors.

Love,

Your sister.

P.S. your niece or nephew is a real kicker. Keeps me a awake all night.

I smiled at the last line. Mom used to always tell us that Em was a really hard child to carry. Well, Em, she can't be my advisor as she may be an ally Queen. Queen for Prince Aryan.

At that moment, Stephen walked in.

"Noah, I need to talk to you about shifting my sisters to my wing of the palace."

I looked at him puzzled.

"Your sisters?"

He looked at me. "Oh, Rob's on leave. Well, Lady Elena is my sister and Lady Ayesha is my half-sister."

"Wow. That is great. Elena is basically my cousin. What about Ayesha? Half-sister from?"

Stephen grimaced. "We do not know. And Dad refuses to give a blood sample or anything."

I gave him a small smile. "Well, Ayesha can't be shifted to your part of the palace. She may be a future queen and that means she lives in the Royal Guest quarters. I heard Aryan is going to propose to her tonight."

Stephen winced. "Well, he can't tonight because she needs rest."

"What happened, Phen?" I never called him that since we had become adults.

Suddenly, he broke down. "No, I don't know what my two sisters went through. I know that Elena was with her cousin and family. But Calder told me that life was never easy for her. And Ayesha, she may have been rich and her dad loves her but she…she needs someone. She is broken."

I gave him a hug.

"It's okay, I and Aria are with you right. We will face everything. After all, we have always been a team."

Ian was never included. He was after all a baby.

Stephen POV

After having a heart to heart talk with Noah, I went to the room with Elena and Ayesha. I could hear laughter.

"Elena, I am so happy to know that you are my sister. I found a part of my family."

I walked in and the two girls looked up. Ayesha was lying down and Elena was seated next to her. For the first time in the world, I felt like I had a real family.

"Well, Stephen, you should tell us about our family." Ayesha said.

She had a small smile but I could see a lot of fear in her eyes.

"Well, where do I start?…..I read most of it from Mom's diary and Dad's journal. Well, our mother was our father's best friend. Our dad was a bit of a playboy. Mother had a huge crush on me and he kind of took advantage of it. When mother got to know that she was pregnant with me, she with the help of her sister, Calder's mom. I smiled at Elena.

Then after 4 years, Dad got to know that Mom had his child. He had become a changed man. A totally different person according to mom. He took her back to the palace. Treated her like his queen. They got married secretly as the kingdom had been told that he was already wedded to her.

But unfortunately, mom and dad got into an accident. Dad hasn't been himself since then. I know that mom died but I am sorry Elena, I do not know how you landed up with her sister and family. Ayesha, I also do not know, how you fit in.

Ayesha's face fell. Elena too looked disheartened.

"Elena, could I have a minute with Ayesha?"

Elena got up quickly. Gave me a questioning look.

I nodded. We had talked about her injuries. Once she left the room, I turned to Ayesha.

"Ayesha, what are these scars?" I pointed at her shoulders.

She tried to hide them.

"Nothing" She stammered.

I gave her a look and pulled her arm towards me. "This is not nothing, Ayesha."

Then she started crying. It felt like it was the first time she actually she let her feelings out.

"Please leave me alone." she whispered.

"Ayesha, you better listen to me. If you think that I and my sister or even Calder for that matter are going to leave you alone, you are so wrong. You are part of the small family that I have left. So you can either tell me or I will ask the doctor."

She looked at me surprised and then a fresh set of tears started flowing out of her eyes. "When it hurt too much in the heart, physical hurt was nothing."

At that moment, Elena walked in. "Steph, can we go meet dad?"

I nodded. Then looked at Ayesha. "Would you like to come?"

She gave me a small nod. So with the doctor's permission, she was taken in wheelchair to the psychiatric wing.

When we walked into the room, I felt very uncomfortable. Dad was sitting on a chair and looking at some book. He looked exactly like when I was a little boy.

"Dad?"

He looked up and in his eyes was the usual dazed expression because of the meds. Here sitting in front of me was the greatest playboy of all times.

He looked at me and Elena and gave a smile like we were strangers. When he turned to Ayesha, the mist that were over his eyes lifted.

"Asha? I am so sorry. I searched for you everywhere. Where is our baby?" He was seated near her feet. She looked agitated and nervous.

At that moment, I heard a crash. When we turned around, Elizabeth, dad's nurse was standing there. She was part of our family since my father was a teen. She remained away from the palace. Her husband was a very important advisor but when he died, she moved away from the palace. She refused to step into the palace.

"Aunt Eli?"

She turned away and walked out.

I followed her. Elena was helping another nurse pry Dad away from Ayesha, who was paralysed with shock.

"Tell me what do you want?"

Elizabeth had tears down her face. "I should have realised that she would have been the one."

Elena came wheeling Ayesha out. Aunt Elizabeth went silent.

"El, you go to the room with Ayesha."

The two of them left.

"When your father was a young man, a lady and her family had been brought in by the royal family. You know, I stayed away from the palace but from what I know through rumours, she was supposed to be the Prince's wife. But then she became pregnant and her family threw her out. Looks like we know now who the man was."

I was shocked. "So she was sent out into Illea?"

Aunt nodded. "I don't what came of the poor girl."

So that means Ayesha is dad's kid and a child of a palace guest? I have to find out more.

Aryan POV

I had been sent by my mother to check on Ayesha. She was after all eliminated for me. When I opened the door, she was staring out of the window.

"Ayesha?"

She turned to face me. She gave a small smile.

"Hi Aryan."

I sat next to her on the chair.

"Ayesha, as you know, my family wants you to be our queen…"

Ayesha held my hand, "Is that what you want?" She asked with a whisper. As I stared into her big eyes, I understood why she would be a good queen.

"It is the best choice for my kingdom. So, yes."

She looked down. "Aryan, I know that you are a prince but don't you have a responsibility to your heart."

I shook my head. "Ayesha, I am Prince first, then Aryan."

Then she nodded. "Well, if you believe so then, very well."

I removed the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger. It fit perfectly. It was my aunt's engagement ring. She had left it with my mother before she fled the palace.

Author's Note: Well, Ayesha has found her family and she is engaged. She will become a more side character now. Megan too will move to sidelines. Rose will move to the center and so will Krysten.