Chapter: Chapter 22It was dinnertime at the royal palace. The grand chandelier cast a golden glow over the long, polished mahogany dining table. Prince Karl was already seated with his father, Duke Stark, and his brother, Prince Khalid. The aroma of roasted lamb, truffle mashed potatoes, and herb-glazed carrots filled the room—but something was amiss.“Where is your wife?” the King asked, raising a brow as he reached for his wine.Prince Karl blinked, glancing toward the entrance. “She’s supposed to be here,” he replied, a faint crease forming on his forehead. He’d assumed she was just taking a stroll in the courtyard after his nap, but now—something felt off. He pushed the thought aside, not wanting to show concern.“I believe she’s fine,” he added, dismissively, trying to focus on the plated delicacies in front of him. Only now did he realize how hungry he actually was.“Trouble in paradise?” Prince Khalid smirked, biting into his bread roll with smug satisfaction.“You wish,” Karl snapped back, grabb
Last Updated: 2025-04-20
Chapter: Chapter 21Oh, Daddy…” Aura’s voice broke as she stepped into the ICU, her eyes flooding with tears. Her heart clenched at the sight of her father, Duke Miles, lying still and pale on life support. Monitors beeped softly in the background, echoing the fragility of the once powerful man before her.He looked nothing like the robust figure she had always known. The Duke’s face was pale and gaunt, tubes and wires connecting him to machines that fought desperately to keep him alive. It was a brutal sight, one that shattered every ounce of pride Aura had left.According to the royal bodyguards outside the room, his car had veered off the road and fallen into a steep valley. But that didn’t sit well with her.“His driver has always been cautious,” Aura whispered through clenched teeth. “He never speeds, never takes unnecessary risks. What really happened? Was someone trying to kill my father… or was this just cruel fate?”Her voice, already hoarse from hours of weeping, cracked under the weight of des
Last Updated: 2025-04-19
Chapter: Chapter 20Prince Khalid was lost in thought, his expression unreadable as he stared out over the estate gardens. His mind kept circling the urgent phone call that had dragged Prince Karl away from the breakfast table. Something about the tone in Madam Eunice’s voice hadn’t sat right with him.Across the room, Aura fumed. She had watched him brood for long enough. Her patience was thinning by the second.“Let’s go swimming, my love,” she said, trying to lighten the mood, brushing her fingers across his shoulder in an attempt at seduction.“You go ahead,” he replied flatly, not even looking at her. “I need to think.”Aura’s hand dropped to her side. “What are you thinking about? Isabella?”His silence was damning.“You think I haven’t noticed how your eyes follow her around like a drone? What do you take me for?” she snapped, her voice rising in frustration.Khalid blinked and turned to her, his brows furrowed. “What are you ranting about?”“Oh, don’t you dare act clueless!” she seethed, storming
Last Updated: 2025-04-19
Chapter: Chapter 19Morning sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the master bedroom. Isabella stirred beneath the silk sheets, her body sore in the most delicious way. The scent of passion still lingered in the air. Karl lay beside her, bare-chested, one arm slung possessively around her waist. For a fleeting moment, it felt like the world had melted away—quiet, still, and entirely theirs. But reality never stayed silent for long. A soft knock echoed at the door, followed by the careful voice of Madam Eunice. “My Lady… breakfast is ready. Prince Khalid and Lady Aura are already at the table.” Isabella exhaled slowly. Karl’s hand slid lazily up her thigh, his fingers grazing the sensitive skin just below her hip. “Don’t go,” he murmured, eyes still closed, voice gravelly with sleep. “Let them wait.” She smiled to herself, torn between temptation and pride. “As much as I’d love to, I won’t give them the satisfaction of thinking they’ve shaken me.” Karl opened his eyes, studying he
Last Updated: 2025-04-19
Chapter: Chapter 18As soon as Madam Eunice ushered them into the guest room, Aura slammed the door shut behind her and threw her bag across the room. The sheer audacity of Isabella—gliding around like she owned the place, glowing like a goddess, while she, Aura, was being treated like some afterthought.She marched to the mirror, her eyes burning with rage. Without hesitation, she stripped off what was left of her tight-fitting dress, the fabric pooling at her feet.“She thinks she’s won,” she hissed under her breath, slipping into a thin, barely-there silk robe that clung to her curves like a lover’s touch. “But this is far from over.”Just then, she felt strong arms wrap around her waist. Prince Khalid pulled her against his chest, his hands smoothing along her hips as he tried to calm her with gentle kisses to her neck.But Aura wasn’t in the mood for tenderness. She jerked out of his hold, spinning around.“Why did you let your brother speak to you like that?” she snapped. “Why didn’t you put him in
Last Updated: 2025-04-18
Chapter: Chapter 17Father, you have to listen to me. I just want to check on my brother—it’s been a week, and we haven’t heard from him.”“Khalid, you’ve been far too distracted these days. I need you to focus on your duties here in the kingdom. Besides, we both know you’re only going after Isabella.”The King muttered this as he walked into his study, with Khalid tagging along behind him.“Isabella is no longer yours. You have to get over this. She belongs to your brother now—thanks to you—and it can’t be reversed. Just let it go.”But Khalid wasn’t ready to let it go. “I know, Father. I sincerely just want to check on my brother.”“Fine, you can go—but be warned. If I hear of any trouble, you will lose your title.” The King’s voice was stern. Khalid bowed, a sly smile tugging at the corner of his lips.⸻Meanwhile, Aura was in the royal treasury, admiring the beautiful jewelry and the crown once worn by the late Queen—the boys’ mother.“One day, I’ll be the one wearing this crown. Not Isabella,” she w
Last Updated: 2025-04-16