As they walked, the silence grew more pronounced, like a thick fog enveloping their thoughts. Prince Alistair couldn't help but feel a twinge of awkwardness, unsure of what lay hidden behind Beta Kristen's enigmatic demeanor. His intentions of going to the garden was to have a time with him and discuss their difference but Beta Kristen seemed so oblivious and nonchalant. Finally reaching their destination, they found respite on a beautifully crafted white swing that swayed gently in the night breeze. They settled down, their gazes fixated on the awe-inspiring heavens littered with sparkling stars. The grandeur of the sky mirrored the intensity of their emotions, elevating the significance of this profound encounter. Minutes turned to eternity as silence weighed heavily upon them. Prince Alistair shifted uncomfortably, his mind fraught with uncertainty about the unspoken tension that hung between them. He wasn't here to stare at the sky but he didn't know how to start a c
As the morning sunlight bathed the chambers, the majestic figure of Melina sat perched on an elaborately carved chair, savoring the warmth of her coffee. Her regal countenance displayed a mixture of curiosity and anticipation as one of her maids discreetly entered the room. "Your Majesty, you have received a missive from the royal doctor," the maid announced, her voice laced with an air of deference. Melina's arched brows furrowed, betraying her intrigue. "Pray tell, what news does this correspondence bring?" she inquired, her voice a gentle ripple of curiosity. "I apologize, Your Majesty, but I am not at liberty to disclose the content of the letter," the maid replied in a respectful manner. "I understand," Melina acquiesced graciously, waving a hand dismissively. "Kindly place the letter on the table, and I shall peruse it at my leisure." With a graceful bow, the maid deposited the letter on the ornate table before briskly retreating from the room. As soon
I walked out of the doctor's office, my mind heavy with thoughts and worries. As I turned the corner, I was startled to come face to face with the King. His presence always commanded attention, and for a moment, I considered avoiding him and walking away. We hadn't been having normal conversation lately, all we just do is meet up in the sex chamber, do what we had to do and depart. I had accepted my fate and I didn't even know where I stand in the Kingdom anymore. But before I could make my escape, he caught hold of my hand, his touch firm yet gentle. A jolt of electricity coursed through me. "Why have you been avoiding me, Melina? You did the same last at night at the fountain, what has changed?" the King asked, his voice filled with a mixture of concern and curiosity. His piercing gaze searched mine, as if seeking an answer beyond my words. Startled by his directness, I stammered, "I-I'm not avoiding you, Your Majesty. I just don't think it's proper to have a discussion
As I made my way to the king's garden, the sun's golden rays cascaded through the branches of the towering trees, casting a kaleidoscope of dancing shadows upon the path ahead. A soft breeze whispered through the leaves, carrying with it the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers. I rejoiced in the tranquility of the moment, relishing every step closer to my destination. It was then that I noticed the figures of Prince Roderick and Prince Maximus in the distance, their regal demeanor unmistakable. I knew we hadn't been on good terms since I became the acting queen, but I never for once tried to disrespect them even though the deserved it. I noticed the relationship between them and the concubines but who cared? As long as I was the acting queen, there was nothing any of them could do to me. That was the spirit. They stood side by side, a mischievous glint in their eyes as they fixed their gazes upon me. A flicker of uncertainty stirred within me, causing me to quicken my pace.
"Your Majesty," Prince Roderick spoke earnestly, "I believe it would be more prudent to approach Melina's aunt first. Directly confronting Melina might muddy the waters and cloud the information we seek. Her aunt, on the other hand, is likely to be aware of her whereabouts. Even if she denies Melina's visit to her beloved, we may be able to discern the truth from her demeanor. There is no way that woman can tell us a lie and we wouldn't detect it. And even if she doesn't say anything, we could threaten her to talk and if she doesn't, we would throw her into the dungeon. This would make Melina so vulnerable and tell us every truth and.." He paused and took a deep breath. The hesitation in his voice betrayed the weight of his words. Prince Roderick took a deep breath again, aware of the gravitas of what he was about to say. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, for the bluntness of my words, but bestowing the title of acting queen upon Melina... it seems undeserved. It would have been more fitting
After the maids had served the sumptuous lunch meal, the gazebo became a haven for the King and Melina. The air was thick with anticipation as they both settled into their seats, positioned directly opposite each other. Meticulously arranged plates adorned the elegant table, emitting tantalizing aromas that hung in the air, promising flavors fit for royalty. The King's anticipation hung in the air as he eagerly awaited the first taste of the meal. Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, he finally spoke, his voice laced with excitement. "Tell me, Melina, how is the meal?" he inquired, his gaze fixed upon her. Suppressing a giggle, Melina's voice resonated through the garden, filled with delight and a subtle hint of musicality. "Your Majesty, this meal is an absolute masterpiece. The flavors dance upon my palate, whisking me away on a journey of culinary bliss. It is truly extraordinary. The maids have outdone themselves, I can't love it more." Satisfied with h
The king's voice was tinged with curiosity as he impatiently demanded, "Then, open the envelope. What could be written in there?" Melina's petite frame trembled with an evident unease as she stammered, "I... I am sorry, your royal Majesty, but I cannot open it." Confusion etched across the king's face as he struggled to comprehend the reason behind Melina's reluctance. Why would she withhold such crucial information? His voice grew more urgent as he sought answers, "What do you mean? Explain yourself!" Summoning all her courage, Melina managed to reply, her words delicate yet resolved, "I must beg your pardon, your Majesty, but I am unable to reveal the contents of the letter. I humbly request your permission to take my leave." With grace and respect, Melina gathered the folds of her elegant gown, executing a deep curtsy before gliding gracefully towards the exit. Her departure seemed almost ethereal, leaving the king, with his mounting curiosity, standing stupefied in her wake. T
Melina stepped into her chamber, her body slick with sweat, her heart pounding heavily within her chest. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins as she sank onto her bed, the envelope clutched tightly in her trembling hands. With an urgency borne out of curiosity and trepidation, she tore open the envelope, casting aside any semblance of composure. Her fingers gingerly removed the piece of paper nestled within the envelope, and she began to read the words written upon it. Each word seemed to etch itself upon her heart, causing her eyes to dilate and her breath to catch in her throat. It was a letter, a message from someone unknown, and its contents held a mysterious promise. "Hi Melina dear," the letter began, "I am writing to let you know that I have missed you so much, and I can't really wait for us to reunite again. I know you must have been missing me too. We shall meet soon, bye for now." Melina's mind reeled with questions. Who had written this letter? And mo
Cleo's eyelids fluttered open, her eyes momentarily struggling to adjust to the golden sunlight that bathed the world around her. As realization slowly settled in, she glanced at the sand glass hung in the castle, her eyes shot wide open with a surge of panic. They had slept for nearly an hour, and Cleo knew they couldn't afford to waste any more time. Turning her gaze towards her Melina, who was still rubbing the sleep from her face, Cleo leaned over and tapped her urgently. "Melina, wake up! We slept away, Melina. That's dangerous. We need to leave immediately. I have a feeling that the king's soldiers are closing in on us." Melina groggily blinked up at Cleo, her expression one of confusion and concern. "Daphne... Daphne... I... reckon... she must have added something to the water she gave us. A sedative, perhaps," Melina said, her voice laced with worry. Cleo nodded grimly, her mind racing with thoughts of their predicament. "You are so right about that. But why
In the dim light of dawn, Cleo urged the horse to push harder, its hooves resounding against the forest floor. The carriage glided through the woods like a shadow, propelled forward by Cleo's determination. Melina, seated in the passenger's seat of the carriage, felt the weariness of the ceaseless journey take its toll on her body. Beads of perspiration adorned her brow, evidence of the harrowing trek. She didn't want to complain because this was all his decision. Concern etched across her face, Cleo stole a glance at her niece through the window outside. "Are you alright, Melina?" she inquired, her voice laced with genuine worry. Melina managed a weak smile, her voice betraying her fatigue. "I'm fine, Aunt Cleo," she reassured her. Though her words were brave, her exhaustion painted a different truth. Cleo's gaze lingered on Melina for a moment longer, but she refrained from probing further. Determined to see their journey to its end, Cleo continued urging the hors
As the king's words faded into the air, the pack members dispersed, their focus shifting to more pressing matters. The carefully crafted plan for Melina's birthday surprise had crumbled into disappointment, leaving everyone disheartened. Daphne, keenly observant, couldn't help but notice the somber expressions that adorned everyone's faces. This unexpected turn of events puzzled her. She had always assumed that most of the pack despised Melina, making their melancholic demeanors all the more irritating. In an attempt to avoid arousing suspicion, Daphne discreetly slipped away from the crowd, navigating the hallway cautiously. The weight of a troubling conversation still clung to her, causing her heart to throb anxiously. Her thoughts were consumed by the state of Melina's wellbeing and the unborn child she carried. The notion that she might not be the monster she believed herself to be tugged at her conscience. Lost in contemplation, Daphne was startled by the sound of
The guard took a deep breath, steeling himself to explain further. "Your Majesty, they have departed our lands, making their escape in secret. They must have had assistance from someone within the kingdom, someone who helped them evade detection. Only few people know about the secret door and, I would say, only you possess the key. It is imperative that we act swiftly to bring them back, otherwise, they would be gone forever." Beta Kristen's shock morphed into deep concern, her mind racing through the potential consequences of such a sudden departure. Thoughts of Melina's well-being flooded her mind, overshadowing the grand announcement that had previously commanded her attention. Without uttering another word, the king sprang into action, his strides quickening as he headed straight for Melina's chamber. The guards, grudgingly acknowledging their monarch's urgency, followed closely behind, endeavoring to keep pace with their determined ruler. The labyrinthine corridors
The king strode purposefully out of his chamber, his regal presence imbued with an air of authority as the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon. He woke up happy and he just couldn't stop smiling. The morning dew clung to the blades of grass, giving the palace grounds a glistening sheen. It was a new day, ripe with possibilities, but the king's mind was preoccupied with a pressing matter. At least, that was exactly his major source of joy. The king's urgency was unmistakable as he beckoned a guard stationed at his entrance. His voice carried a weight that resonated through the corridors of the palace. "Summon Beta Kristen immediately," he commanded, his words laced with an undeniable sense of determination. The guard nodded, acknowledging his orders, and swiftly departed to convey the urgent message. Within a matter of moments, Beta Kristen arrived, bowing respectfully before the king. The regal figure gestured for him to enter, and together they walked into t
Daphne took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with trepidation. She walked further into the room, her eyes darting between the princes. Her voice quivered as she questioned their intrusion. "Why would you come to my room without my permission? When you saw that I wasn't present, you could have left. You almost scared me to death," Daphne said, her voice filled with a mixture of fear and annoyance. Prince Roderick arched an eyebrow, his voice laced with concern. "We apologize for startling you, Daphne. But you must understand that there is something of utmost importance that we must discuss. By the way, where were you coming from? It's just dawning for goodness sake? Tell me, where were you coming from?" Daphne's eyes narrowed, her mind racing as she tried to conjure a believable lie. She hesitated before finally speaking, her voice trembling and unsure. "Why are you even asking me such question? It's none of your business. I... I was in the garden, seeki
Eirene stood defiantly before the towering guard stationed at the forbidden back entrance of the castle. The weight of his distrustful gaze bore down on her, challenging her audacity to breach the boundaries of this restricted domain. Her decision to confront him head-on was met with an equal intensity, revealing a resolute resilience in the face of authority. Perplexed by the guard's recent appearance, Eirene's brows furrowed with annoyance. What could she possibly tell him that would convince him of her innocent intentions? If she were to exploit her privileged status, the guard would surely suspect her of participating in some nefarious scheme which she believed she genuinely wasn't. "I am asking you for the last time, what brings you to this forbidden place at such an hour, Lady Eirene? You know well that you should be in your chambers, and not even His Highness is allowed to venture here. So, you either tell me the truth, or I tell his Majesty that I saw you doing
As Melina, Cleo, and Daphne hurriedly made their way towards the back of the castle, their breaths came in ragged gasps. The weight of their escape bore heavily upon them, their hearts pounding in their chests. Their eyes darted anxiously, searching every nook and cranny for the lurking presence of guards or prying eyes. Melina, her voice trembling with urgency, turned to Daphne. "How much farther, Daphne? We have been running for what felt like decades now, I have never been to this side of the castle before," she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "And where is this hidden door you spoke of?" Daphne, her eyes scanning the surroundings, answered in a hushed voice, "We're almost there, Melina. Just a little farther. But we must hurry. Dawn is upon us, and the castle will soon awaken with guards and maids bustling about. You won't be able to leave once they start coming out." As they hurried on, their panic-stricken gazes caught sight of a solitary lamp in the distance. It cas
As Daphne gently opened the door, the hinges creaking softly in the stillness of the corridor, anticipation thrummed through her veins. She peered cautiously into the dimly lit hallway, her eyes scanning for any sign of guards or wandering maids. Satisfied that the coast was clear, she beckoned Cleo and Melina herself to join her, their pale figures emerging from the chamber like ghosts in the night. "Are you sure no body is going to see us? I have the feelings we are going to regret this Melina." Cleo said, her eyes scanning around while her heart thumped faster in her chest. "Can you just calm down and let's follow Daphne's lead? We are still in a very secured place... I reckon you need to save your fears for when we get outside of this corridor," Melina whispered, giving Cleo an unwanted reassuring gaze. The trio moved with utmost care, their footsteps barely audible on the cold stone floor. They stole glances over their shoulders, their eyes darting nervously, wa