After discussing with and seeing Julio off, Leonardo Valtieri stood at the edge of his vast estate, overlooking rows upon rows of grapevines glistening under the morning sun. The vineyard was his pride and joy, a serene escape from the political intrigues and power struggles that had defined much of his earlier life. But it wasn’t the vineyard itself that brought him the most joy, it was the woman who inspired it.Years ago, when Leonardo had rescued Esmeralda from the car accident, she had been an empty shell of the vibrant, intelligent woman he had once admired from afar. Her once-glowing confidence had been replaced by confusion and fear. Yet even without her memories, certain things about her remained unchanged. Her love for nature, her fascination with wine, and her refined palate for the finest vintages.Determined to give her a semblance of happiness, Leonardo had converted half of his farm into a vineyard. He had spent years cultivating the land, learning about winemaking, an
The sun bathed the vineyards in a warm golden hue as Elona strolled through the open-air market with her children, Julio, and Master Fu. The day was meant to be a break from their whirlwind of revelations and confrontations. For Elona, it was a chance to bond with her children and enjoy a rare moment of peace.On the other side of the market, Esme walked through the bustling stalls, her senses alive with the aroma of fresh herbs and spices. She was running an errand for Leonardo, but as she moved through the crowd, a strange unease settled in her chest. It was a feeling she couldn’t quite place, as though something life-changing was just around the corner.Elona paused near a stall selling handmade jewelry. Allie tugged on her dress, insisting she come and see a delicate bracelet. As Elona turned to follow her daughter, she caught sight of a woman with striking silver-brown hair and a graceful demeanor. Something about her tugged at Elona’s heart.Esme, standing only a few stalls away
The grand hall of the royal palace in Country S was bathed in cold light, the air thick with an undercurrent of tension. The Queen Consort, Gwendolyn Mason, seated on an ornate throne carved from dark mahogany, exuded an aura of calculated malice. Her sharp features were etched with a frown as her spy relayed the latest information.“Princess Esmeralda is alive,” the man said, his voice trembling slightly under her piercing gaze. “She’s in Country F… with Julio and her daughter, Elona.”The Queen Consort’s fingers tightened around the golden armrest, her nails scraping against the polished surface. “So, the rumors were true. That stubborn woman escaped the accident I so carefully orchestrated.” Her voice was icy, yet a flicker of doubt crept into her tone.“She has allies now,” the spy continued. “Julio, Leonardo, and even Master Fu are protecting her. Her daughter appears to have inherited her brilliance and is growing increasingly influential.”The Queen Consort’s eyes darkened. “Ma
Nineteen years had passed since Gwendolyn Mason’s fateful deception during her honeymoon with Hesperus Mendez. Now Queen Consort of Country S, Gwen believed her secret was long buried, but fate had other plans.The University of Althea in Country S was hosting a grand event to celebrate an international student exchange program, with the Queen Consort herself delivering the keynote speech. Dressed in a regal blue gown that accentuated her commanding presence, Gwen exuded grace and poise as she addressed the audience. Among the sea of students, one face caught her attention, and the words froze on her lips.He was tall and striking, his posture regal despite the casual student attire. His dark hair framed a face that bore an uncanny resemblance to her husband, King Hesperus. But what truly shook Gwen were his eyes. He had vivid, piercing blue eyes, identical to those of the young girl she had paid off nineteen years ago.For a moment, Gwen’s polished composure cracked. She struggled t
The afternoon sun painted the vineyards with a golden glow as Esme led Elona, Julio, and the triplets toward the sprawling Valtieri estate. Despite her fractured memory, the pull she felt toward Elona and Julio was undeniable. Every glance at Elona stirred an ache in her heart, while Julio’s quiet reverence evoked emotions she couldn’t name.Leonardo stood on the porch, his posture relaxed yet vigilant. As they approached, his gaze lingered on Julio and Elona. The resemblance between Esme and her daughter was unmistakable, and he couldn’t help but feel a pang of bittersweet pride. His own secret, that he was Esme’s father, remained unspoken, but seeing her slowly reconnect with her past brought him both comfort and longing.Esme's eyes sparkled with a mix of emotions as she stood in the grand foyer of the Valtieri estate, surrounded by the people who had somehow become her lifeline. She took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly as she began the introductions."Leonardo, I'd lik
Esme's eyes sparkled with excitement as she turned to Leonardo in the grand foyer. "Leonardo, I have a favor to ask," she said, her voice filled with a newfound sense of purpose. Leonardo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it, Esme?" "I want to host a banquet," Esme announced, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I want to introduce my family to the people here, to show them that I'm not just the icy queen they think I am." Leonardo's face broke into a warm smile. "I think that's a wonderful idea, Esme. When would you like to host the banquet?" Esme's eyes shone with determination. "As soon as possible. I want to show my family that I'm committed to rebuilding our relationships and creating new memories together." Leonardo nodded, his mind already racing with the logistics of planning a banquet on short notice. "I'll make it happen, Esme. Let's get started right away." The grand hall of Leonardo's sprawling estate shimmered with the warm glow of crystal chandeliers, casting a g
Meanwhile, in Country S, the Queen Consort sat in her private chambers, the flickering candlelight casting ominous shadows on the walls. A glass of crimson wine trembled in her hand as her informant knelt before her, head bowed low, trembling as he delivered the news."The poison... it was intercepted, Your Majesty," he stammered, voice barely above a whisper. "The banquet proceeded without incident. Your plan... it failed."The wineglass shattered in her grip, the shards slicing into her palm. She barely noticed the pain, her piercing blue eyes narrowing into slits. "Failed?" she hissed, her voice dangerously calm. "How is that possible? Every detail was meticulously planned. Who thwarted me?"The informant flinched, his head lowering further. "It appears Leonardo and his allies were prepared. They discovered the spy before...""Enough!" Gwen's voice sliced through the air like a dagger, silencing him instantly. She rose from her chair, her gown swirling around her like a storm cloud
Maribel stood at the airport terminal, a boarding pass for Country F in her hand. She stared at the glowing departure board, her mind racing. The Royale Group’s influence stretched across continents, but its heart lay firmly in Country M. Alaric Royale might be on vacation in Country F, but she knew where his loyalty and attention truly belonged.Her lips curved into a sly smile as she ripped the boarding pass in half, turning on her heel. "Country M it is," she murmured. If Alaric wouldn’t come to her, she would create a reason for him to return.The next morning in Country M, Maribel sat in her rented office, surrounded by financial reports and market analysis of the Royale Group. She’d spent weeks studying their operations, identifying vulnerabilities, and crafting her plan. The Royale Group’s stocks were solid, but even the strongest empires had cracks.She made several discreet calls, leveraging her contacts in the black market and business world. Rumors began to swirl in financi
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