Elona felt her anger flare, but she quickly tamped it down. Losing control wouldn’t help her find what she needed. "Do you have any stock left? Even scraps?" she asked the shopkeeper.The man hesitated, then leaned in closer. "I have a few dried remnants, but they won’t be enough for what you’re concocting. If you’re willing to pay..."Elona didn't wait for him to finish. She handed him a pouch of gold, her jaw tight. "I’ll take it. And if you hear of any other suppliers who can help, send word to this address." She scribbled her clinic's location on a scrap of parchment.The shopkeeper nodded, pocketing the gold. “Be careful, lady. If they’re buying these herbs in bulk, they’re up to no good. You might be stepping into something dangerous.”“I already have,” Elona muttered under her breath as she walked away, her cloak billowing behind her. Although she paid much more than she would on a normal day, Elona felt no loss. That's the rule of these underground markets. The only currency t
Elona’s fingers paused mid-motion as she arranged the herbs for Alaric’s next dose. Her sharp gaze cut through the flickering candlelight to where Master Fu sat, sipping tea with deliberate calm. The room’s silence was thick, broken only by the occasional groan from Alaric in the adjoining chamber.“You could cure him, couldn’t you?” Elona asked, her voice low but accusing. Fu set his teacup down, meeting her eyes with the unyielding calm of a seasoned mentor. “I could.”Her hands clenched into fists. “Then why drag this out? Why make me mix temporary antidotes when you have the skill to end this suffering now?”Fu leaned back, his expression unreadable. “Because suffering sharpens resolve. Alaric needs to endure this pain. It will awaken the fire he has long suppressed.”Elona’s anger simmered. “You’re withholding his treatment... to provoke him? He’s already half-dead! If you’re trying to teach him a lesson, this isn’t the way!”“Enough.” Fu’s voice carried the weight of years, sile
Elona sent a message to Edward Callahan telling her that something had come up and she would entrust Arlyle, Artie, and Allie to him. She would only return the next day. Edward Callahan immediately called her. The moment she answered Edward was a little too excited. He rambled on about meeting the famous artist from country S Julio and how they resembled each other like looking in the mirror. Julio had just come for the triplets' birthday as their grandfather. Elona was surprised and suddenly thought back to how people in the capital kept saying that Elona and Edward looked more like brother and sister than a couple. Could it be Julio had Edward with another woman, and they were half-siblings?Elona frowned as Edward’s voice bubbled with excitement through the receiver. "Elona, you won’t believe it," Edward gushed. "I just met the Julio! The artist from Country S. He came for the triplets’ birthday, can you believe it? And here’s the crazy part, we look like we’re cut from the same
Esmeralda sank into the armchair, her hands trembling as she recalled the harrowing days of her youth. The truth of what might have happened was dawning on her, and it left her breathless.“When I gave birth to Elona,” she began softly, her voice barely steady, “I was just a scared girl, exiled from my home, hiding from the Queen Consort’s spies. I didn’t have the luxury of a reputable hospital. The doctor who delivered Elona… he was someone I found in desperation.”Julio clenched his fists, his expression darkening with fury. “And you think that man.....”Esmeralda nodded, her eyes misty. “If I was carrying twins and didn’t know... it would have been easy for him to take one of the babies. I never suspected. I thought Elona was my only child.”Edward listened in stunned silence, his mind racing. Could it really be true? Could this woman, this elegant and regal figure, truly be his mother? And Elona, the woman he’d worked alongside for a while, his sister?Leonardo broke the silence,
The family reunion was heartwarming but Elona was not as happy as she should have been. Alaric was poisoned and she was scared. Master Fu did not want to get rid of the toxins in Alaric's body at once. He would rather take a roundabout way to treat him.Elona sighed and mentally chided herself for being too indecisive when it came to Alaric. She could only comfort herself by saying that she was only concerned because he was her children's father. Even she felt silly at her post excuse for her care. "Actually, I didn't know that I was adopted until recently." Elona was snapped out of her reverie when she heard Edward's statement. She perked up her ears and momentarily set aside her worries about Alaric. Master Fu was tending to him and she knew that he would not die. That was comforting enough for her."My cousins were the ones who started bringing out how much I didn't resemble either of my parents or anyone in the Callahan family when my father was critically ill. They wanted to ous
In Emerald Hill, Harley paced her luxurious bedroom, her face twisted in frustration. She had received news that Elona and her children were back in Alaric’s life. How dare she? Harley thought. After all these years, she still thinks she has a claim on him?Her anger boiled over as she scrolled through social media, where Maribel’s calculated posts flaunting her connection to Alaric had gained traction. Harley knew she couldn’t remain silent. She had waited too long for this moment to let another woman steal what she believed was hers.Determined, she called in favors and paid an influential media outlet to release the photos and videos she had kept in reserve. The images showed her and Alaric in a jewelry store, him slipping an engagement ring on her finger, and his public announcement of their engagement. The media platform spun the narrative to her advantage: “Alaric Royale’s True Fiancee Revealed: Harley Carter Takes a Stand!”The internet exploded. Harley painted herself as the s
Arlyle leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes scanning the files on their mother’s encrypted server. "We’re not done yet," he said firmly, his voice filled with determination. Allie frowned, a hint of worry on her face. “Arlyle, this is serious. If Mommy finds out, she’ll be really mad this time.”Artie, the youngest of the trio, crossed his arms. “Mommy always says the truth is the strongest weapon. We’re just using it to protect her and Daddy.” Arlyle nodded. “Exactly. If we don’t do it, who will? Those witches will just keep hurting Mommy and lying about Daddy.”Using their hacking skills, the triplets had uncovered the first of many shocking truths about Maribel. Though the world saw her as the Queen Consort’s loyal personal aide, the triplets discovered her deeper ties to the royal family of Country S. A dig through confidential adoption records revealed that Maribel had been picked up from an orphanage and raised as the Queen Consort’s goddaughter, her entire life carefully e
Alaric sat quietly in the corner of the apothecary, the faint scent of herbs and incense filling the air. The soft rustling of Elona’s movements in the adjacent room was the only sound, a quiet reminder of her presence. For the first time in years, Alaric felt an unfamiliar peace in his heart. It wasn’t the kind that came from success or wealth, but a calm born from simply being near the woman he had wronged so deeply.He leaned his head back against the wall, closing his eyes, but the memories of his failures refused to let him rest. His chest tightened as he thought of Elona, who had faced the world alone because of his poor judgmentWhy did I let myself believe those women? he thought bitterly. Maribel, Harley... all their lies, all their schemes. And I fell for them like a fool. Each time, I pushed Elona further away.He remembered the last time he had seen her before their reunion. She had been standing in the rain, holding their triplets, her shoulders squared despite the whisp
Five Years Later… The Royale Estate had never been more alive. Lush gardens stretched as far as the eye could see, the scent of blooming roses mingling with the crisp afternoon air. The laughter of children echoed across the grounds, filling the estate with warmth and joy. Elona stood on the grand balcony, watching the scene below unfold with a soft smile on her lips. She leaned against Alaric, his strong arm wrapped protectively around her waist. "Look at them," she murmured, pride evident in her voice. Down in the courtyard, the Terrific Trio, Arlyle, Artie, and Allie, were engrossed in an intense discussion, their expressions far too serious for eleven-year-olds. But then again, they weren’t just any eleven-year-olds. They were national geniuses, their intelligence unmatched by any child their age. Their names graced international forums, scientific journals, an
The grand ballroom of the Royale Estate was transformed into a breathtaking vision of elegance. Cascading chandeliers bathed the space in golden light, while delicate floral arrangements lined the aisle, each petal whispering a tale of love, redemption, and new beginnings. Alaric Royale stood at the altar, dressed in a custom-tailored black tuxedo, his stance confident yet solemn. His heart pounded with anticipation as he awaited the arrival of the woman who had become his world, the woman he had almost lost but fought to reclaim. The billboards across Country M broadcasted the event live, capturing every moment in stunning detail. The entire nation bore witness to the redemption of a man who had once taken love for granted but now vowed to cherish it with his entire being. When Elona finally appeared at the entrance, time seemed to stand still.Dressed in an exquisite white gown
Alaric Royale had always been a man who thrived under pressure. Business deals, billion-dollar investments, and ruthless negotiations had been his expertise for years. But now, he was navigating an entirely different battlefield, one that involved diaper changes, bedtime stories, and earning the love of the family he had once taken for granted. And he was determined not to fail. For him, this was the dawn of a new routine, and one he fully embraced with sincerity. The sun had barely risen when Elona stirred awake, expecting to hear the usual fussing of the twins. But instead, the room was quiet. Too quiet. She sat up, her heart thudding. Had she overslept? Where were the babies?Slipping on her robe, she made her way downstairs, only to pause at the sight before her. Alaric was in the living room, still in his sleepwear, holding one of the twins in his arms while feeding the othe
Elona studied him, searching for any trace of deception, but all she saw was sincerity, painful, soul-deep sincerity. “I don’t know if I can ever fully forgive you,” she admitted quietly. “But… I want to try.” Alaric’s head snapped up, eyes widening slightly. “You do?” Elona sighed. “The truth is, despite everything, a part of me never stopped wanting you. And maybe that’s my own weakness. But I can’t ignore that you’re their father, that we’re still married, and that...” she hesitated, “...that I once loved you.” The admission hung in the air between them, fragile and uncertain. Alaric leaned forward slightly, his voice a gentle plea. “Then let me earn it. Let me show you that I can be the man you deserve. I don’t expect you to trust me overnight, but I’ll spend every day proving it to you.” Elona exhaled. “We’ll take it one step at a time.” A spark of hope ignited in Alaric’s g
“I missed both of your pregnancies. I wasn’t there when you needed me most. I let others dictate my life, let my pride get in the way.” His jaw clenched. “And because of that, I lost the woman who should have been my priority from the beginning.” Elona crossed her arms, her eyes filled with lingering pain. “You don’t just get to regret things now and expect everything to be okay. You should know that by now." “I know,” he admitted. “And I don’t expect forgiveness overnight. But I need you to know, Elona, that I regret it every single day. Every time I look at our children, I think about what I missed. I think about how you went through it all alone because I was too blind to see what truly mattered.” Elona bit her lip, fighting against the emotions rising inside her. It was rare to see Alaric this open, this vulnerable. But bitterness still lingered in her heart. “You always put business first, believed
The battle was won. The threats to Elona were gone. But for Alaric Royale, the war was far from over. As the chaos of the past weeks settled, silence became his enemy. It was in that silence that the heavy burden of his failures pressed down on him. He had conquered enemies, crushed empires, and outmaneuvered some of the most ruthless minds in the world. Yet, when it came to the one thing that truly mattered, his family, he had failed spectacularly. Alaric sat alone in his office, a crystal glass of whiskey untouched on his desk. The city skyline stretched before him, bright and alive, yet he felt nothing but emptiness. His fingers hovered over his phone. He had Elona’s number memorized, yet every time he thought of calling her, he hesitated. What could he say? I’m sorry? I regret everything? Please come back to me? None of it felt enough. He hadn’t just missed a few anniversaries or forgotten a birthday.
After the banquet’s revelations had settled, Alaric, Elona, and Master Fu gathered in the Guild’s war room, a dimly lit chamber filled with ancient scrolls, maps, and strategic plans. The room was filled with the scent of aged parchment and burning incense, a signature of Master Fu’s personal quarters.Seated at the head of the table, Master Fu steepled his fingers, his piercing eyes scanning the duo before him. “We need to discuss Gwen Mason.”Elona exhaled sharply, her expression darkening at the mention of the former queen consort of Country S. “She got away too easily,” she muttered.Alaric leaned back in his chair, his face unreadable but his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. “Even after the ICC took over, the Mason family pulled their strings, and now she walks free on ‘bail.’ It’s a mockery of justice.”Master Fu nodded gravely. “The ICC was never going to hold her accountable. The Mason family has deep connections, and the former king… well, let’s just say he w
Kian stood at the wide-open balcony of his guest bedroom at the Guild headquarters, his fingers curled tightly around the ornate railing. The cool night air did little to ease the storm raging inside him. He had spent his life running, from the truth, from himself, from the consequences of his choices. But tonight, he could no longer hide.Behind him, the grand doors creaked open, and light footsteps approached. Elona. He knew her presence before he even turned. “You wanted to see me?” she asked, her voice calm but distant.Kian inhaled deeply, steeling himself before facing her. She looked as poised as ever, her striking features illuminated by the moonlight, but there was something else, something he had put there. A wound, not of steel or poison, but of betrayal.“Elona…” he hesitated, his throat tightening. “There’s something I need to say. Something I should have said a long time ago.” She crossed her arms, waiting. “I’m listening.”His fingers clenched at his sides before he for
The following evening, the banquet hall of the Guild of Shadows was alive with activity. The grand space had been transformed into an elegant but fortified venue. Guards were positioned at key points, watching for any sign of trouble. Elite members of the guild mingled with the esteemed guests, their presence a reminder that tonight was not just a celebration, it was a test. And Elona was at the center of it all. At the head table sat Master Fu, his keen eyes observing the room, knowing that tonight was not just about celebration, it was about revelation. Elona sat beside him, her face calm and composed, but a storm brewed within. The triplets were at a smaller table nearby, excitedly whispering to one another, while Kian sat to her other side, his expression unreadable.Then, Alaric walked in. Dressed in a sharp black suit, exuding dominance, his icy blue eyes swept the hall before landing on Elona. For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still between them. But before he could tak