The mountain's peak raised high to the raspberry-colored clouds. Above it, dragons with wings so big, they could have covered the entire meadow. A warm sun was bathing everything and a mild wind was blowing, cooling that entire magical realm and its beings.

When Eliza stepped on the meadow, no one moved back, no one was scared of her appearance. A small fairy, like a sparrow, greeted her, flying around. Behind her, she left coloured sparks melting in the air.

'Could I speak to Dawn's Fairy?' Eliza asked her. But before finishing, a sparkling white winged horse, the most pristine she's ever seen, drew near her and kneeled down. Eliza mounted and found herself flying to a cliff at the top of the mountain, the one covered in clouds.

When they got there, the stone wall that seemed impenetrable opened like a gate and Eliza was taken inside the cliff. She discovered a creature of dazzling beauty sitting on a gem-encrusted gold throne. Her blonde hair was so shiny, that you could barely look at it. Her eyes, in the colors of the clear skies, warmly wreathed Eliza; and her arms, the foam of milk, were asking her to come closer.

The room she entered seemed to be taken out of the most beautiful story. The sun was shining through the upper part of the den, warming the greenery which seemed to merge with the one outside. Climbing plants and flowers covered the stone walls like alive tapestry. Fairies, birds, sparkling insects were flying through the air.

'Come closer, Eliza,' said the fairy in the most gentle voice.

Eliza could barely look at such beauty. She almost felt embarrassed by her looks, which seemed to stain this beautiful world.

'Are you the Dawn's Fairy?'

'Yes, child. I am. And I'm also your Godmother. I've been with you since you were born... I've protected and kept you from harm as much as I could. I've always been beside you. I took the appearance of an old neighbour of yours to advise you about healing herbs. And I put a rabbit in front of the royal chariot so you could meet your sister. I blew the layer of flour which stuck on you every time you brushed it off. That was the only way to keep you hidden, away from the eye of the enemy. Alas, your destiny I couldn't change, you see. For life shows you many unsuspected paths; and no matter what turn you choose to take, fate tosses you in its whirlpool and then grabs you out from the most turbid waters. When you least expect it... You just have to believe in your dreams and follow it.'

Eliza listened to the fairy's wise words and her soul was filled with hope again. 'This means you can help me become myself again? I wouldn't care if I were to be like this forever, I deserve my fate. But the future of all my loved ones depends on it.'

The fairy rose from her throne and approached her. 'Of course I can help you. The healing water from the Fountain of Youth will turn you back into your old self. But it only works on those with a clean soul, thought and deed...' Eliza thought of all the people she cheated with her lies. Perhaps her soul was pure, but her deeds were far from it.

'I've come such a long way,' she sighed. 'Tell me what I must do for the water to break the spell.' The fairy caressed her wrinkled cheek and her warm stroke brought her for just a second the tranquillity she's been searching for so long.

'What you have to do is simple—just tell the truth. Tell it to the one you love and you've hurt the most. Then and only then, you will become the one you once were. Now hurry, Celestius will take you there.'

Eliza bowed and kissed the fairy's dress of air as a thank you. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude, but her words were lacking. And then, she had a weird feeling. That smell of jasmine flowers was familiar. The touch of her silky dress, too. And that warm hand had caressed her before. Raising her eyes, she discovered her dear Nanny giving her a silver bottle with a blue liquid inside. And then everything was clear.

She didn't have time to say anything else. With tears in her eyes, she took the bottle and left.Celestius, the winged horse, kneeled before her. Eliza mounted, and the two of them left the charming den, flying high, so high, to the horizon and beyond.

●

Winter hadn't left the lands of the Dark Kingdom yet. Even though you could feel the spring in the air, it was still too weak to pierce through the winter's cloak. Eliza led Celestius to the library window, which luckily was wide open. She managed to squeeze in without being noticed, and Celestius disappeared without being seen by the guards. Still, some children noticed him; and even though the little fingers were raised to the sky to get their parents' attention, the grown-ups were much too worried about the danger that floated around to see such a bizarre creature.

Behind the waving curtains, Eliza could see the Prince. He was going to and fro, with no particular goal in mind.

'Gabriel,' she called him with her old voice.

When he noticed her, the Prince drew his sword from his waist and lunged at her with a steady hand: 'What are you doing here? How did you get in?'

The sword was getting closer and closer.

'Gabriel,' she begged him, 'before calling the guards, please, listen to me...'

And, without knowing why, the Prince let his sword down, but not leaving her out of his sight. Eliza opened the bottle she kept in her hand and drank the liquid.

Then she told her story. She told him her whole life. She told him about the mill and her loving father. About her dream of becoming a princess. About Mara and Adrian. She told him about the lies she made up to become a princess. About the foolish things she did to get her voice from Witch Guzma. About the torment she's been through ever since the first time she sang. About the lies that were getting bigger and bigger, like a rolling snowball. She told him about finding out that she actually was a princess and that, without her will, she had fallen into the witch's trap and couldn't change her destiny. Until now...

As the story was coming to an end, Eliza was turning into the girl she once was. Her wrinkles were gradually disappearing, the silver hair was turning to its natural colour, and her eyes were getting clearer. Her arms were delicate again. Her back was straightening up. When the spell was finally broken, Eliza was back to her old self. The Prince, baffled at first, didn't play along.

'How do I know this isn't another spell? How do I know you're the Hidden Princess?'

Before finishing his question, a terrible storm started to make the sky darker and brought powerful winds and cold rain. Out of nowhere, Guzma appeared next to them, more hideous and frightening than ever. Her eyes were spitting venom and hatred came out of her every pore.

'I see you've managed to break the spell, Eliza,' she whispered, trying to put her claws around the girl's delicate neck. 'But it's not over. Not yet...'

Fortunately, the Prince was faster and leaped next to the girl, pointing his sword towards the Witch.

'Who would have thought?' laughed the old hag, making the castle tremble. 'The cold-hearted prince really loves you... And you love him. Too bad this won't last. When the Shadows will take over this land, you'll both be dead!'

The Prince tried to cut her with his sword, but the witch disappeared and quickly reappeared on the divan. Then on the table, then on the chair. Then on the highest library shelf. She was moving so quickly, the two almost got dizzy.

'I never believed you were the Princess! Never!' said the Prince trying to stay calm. 'Eliza would have never asked me to wage a new war. Eliza was kind and helped anyone, noble or humble. Eliza put her soul in the open. Maybe she was reckless, but her eyes never lied. And mostly, Eliza loved animals, and the animals loved her. Her cat would have never scratched her as it did to you. Animals can feel a pure soul.'

Eliza couldn't believe her ears. Tears came in her eyes. Had the Prince forgiven her? When the guards finally entered the library, the witch disappeared, leaving behind a cloud of ash; and her words that melted into the air: 'It's not over yet!'

Eliza looked frightened at the Prince, 'And now?'

The Prince still had his back turned at her. 'Now I want you to disappear from my life, forever,' he whispered with a faint voice.

His words made her heart break. Was this what a broken heart felt like? Barely stopping her tears from falling, the Princess made a few steps towards the exit, but her feet felt like lead.

'Whatever you do, please don't let your wrath come down on Mara and Adrian,' she said. 'They really love each other... It's my entire fault.'

The Prince didn't answer.

'If I've ever told the truth, then what I feel for you is true...' she added before leaving the library.

Thank you for taking your time to read yet a new chapter of Eliza's story. If you liked it, please vote and comment and spread the word :) Many thanks!