The day had started peacefully, with Elona enjoying a rare break in the countryside. The sun was shining brightly, the air fresh with the scent of wildflowers, and the sound of hooves rhythmic against the earth. She rode alongside the other royal family ladies, engaging in light conversation, letting the worries of the day slip away as she enjoyed the tranquility of the moment.But the peaceful ride quickly turned chaotic. Her horse suddenly reared, its powerful hooves kicking the air as it startled. Elona tightened her grip on the reins, trying to regain control, but the animal seemed panicked and uncontrollable. The more she tried to calm it, the more it fought against her, bucking and spinning in distress.And then, without warning, the horse lost its footing. Elona was thrown violently from her saddle, her body crashing to the ground with an agonizing thud. Her world spun, and she felt a sharp pain explode through her leg, followed by a dizzying sensation in her head. She could fe
The email had come through as a whisper of dread in the midst of the storm of work. Alaric's mind had barely caught up with the contents before he reacted. His assistant, Jimmy, could only watch as his boss, usually so composed, stood frozen with shock. The firewalls at Royale Group had been breached, and the situation was spiraling out of control. But that wasn’t what had truly shaken Alaric.It was the sudden, urgent message from S country, informing him of Elona’s accident. His heart had skipped a beat as panic gripped him.Without a second thought, Alaric left the crisis in Jimmy's capable hands. He knew that he could always trust him with the business. His priority was now clear: Elona.The flight from M country to S country felt endless. Alaric’s mind was a whirlwind of worry, his thoughts torn between his company’s fate and his beloved wife. But the moment he set foot back in S country, nothing mattered more than reaching her side.When he arrived at the hospital, he was immed
Somewhere far from the noise of civilization, on a nameless island, a faint stir disrupted the stillness. The sun filtered through the cracks in a weathered, wooden cabin, casting long shadows over the room. A beautiful woman, her leg in a cast and head bandaged in gauze, lay on a modest cot, her chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. Her surroundings were unfamiliar, and the air smelled of salt and seaweed.She slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the dim light. The air felt thick and heavy around her, and confusion flooded her mind. The last thing she remembered was an accident, a fall, but the details eluded her, like a dream slipping away as she tried to hold on to it.Suddenly, a face came into view, breaking through the haze of her disorientation. A dark-skinned young man with well-defined features smiled warmly, his eyes filled with joy at seeing her awake. "You're awake! Thank the gods," he murmured, relief evident in his voice.Elona tried to speak, but her throat w
Back in country M, Maribel, now assuming the identity of Elona, reveled in the success of her elaborate deception. No one suspected a thing, and her careful manipulation had worked flawlessly. The triplets, Arlyle, Artie, and Allie, had all accepted her with open arms, just as she had anticipated. She had perfected her impersonation of Elona, mimicking her mannerisms, speech patterns, and the subtle nuances of her behavior.At first, Maribel had been unsure whether she could pull off such a daring feat. But as the days passed and she studied Elona’s every move, observing how she interacted with Alaric, the children, and even the staff, Maribel grew more confident. Every gesture, every word, she had memorized, ensuring that her performance was flawless. It didn’t hurt that Elona’s life had been well documented, from the way she handled herself in public to her private interactions."Maribel, you’re incredible," one of the servants whispered, noticing how naturally she blended into the
Aria sat on the wooden cot, absently tracing the rough fabric of the blanket draped over her shoulders. The gentle hum of waves crashing against the distant shore filled the air, but her mind was adrift in a sea of uncertainty. She had been here for weeks, yet every attempt to recall her past led to a painful void.Across from her, Kian sat sharpening his knife, his strong, dark hands steady as they worked. His presence was reassuring, a constant in this strange, unknown world. She had learned a lot about him in the past days, but tonight, something in his expression told her he was ready to share more.“You don’t belong here either, do you?” she asked softly. Kian paused, his golden eyes flickering with something unreadable before he set the knife down. “No,” he admitted. “I was never meant to be here.” Aria watched him carefully as he leaned back against the wooden wall, exhaling deeply.“My father is still alive,” he revealed. “A powerful king. I am his illegitimate son, born to on
The salty sea breeze carried the scent of freedom as Kian tightened the last rope on the small but sturdy boat he had crafted. Three months of relentless effort had finally paid off. He stepped back, wiping the sweat from his brow, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon where waves crashed against the distant reef. The time had come to leave this nameless island behind.Behind him, Aria sat on a rock, watching him with quiet admiration. Her long, dark hair fluttered in the breeze, and the golden hues of the setting sun cast a warm glow on her delicate features. She had grown accustomed to island life, but a part of her longed for something more, a connection to a past she couldn’t remember.Kian turned to her with a triumphant smirk. “It’s done. By tomorrow, we set sail.” Aria stood, brushing the sand off her dress. “Are you sure this will hold up against the waves?” He chuckled, crossing his arms. “I built it with my own hands. Trust me, it’s strong enough.”She smiled, but there was an
The air in the Royale estate was filled with tension. Master Fu, clad in his traditional dark robes, sat in the grand hall with an unreadable expression as he faced Alaric Royale. His sharp eyes flickered to the woman beside him, Maribel, still masquerading as Elona. The imposter wore a carefully neutral expression, but Master Fu knew better. He had seen through her deception long ago.Alaric leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. “You’re saying that Elona isn’t fit to run the Guild of Shadows anymore?” His voice was calm, but there was a hint of resistance in his tone.Master Fu folded his hands in his lap. “She has suffered selective amnesia. This is not just about the Guild, Alaric. It is about her children.” He turned his gaze toward the triplets, who sat quietly on a separate couch, their sharp, intelligent eyes watching everything unfold. “They must be taken to the Guild headquarters. Their mother’s absence means they need proper training, and the Guild is the safest pl
The rhythmic crash of waves against the cliffs of Velmorah filled the air as Aria stood by the villa’s expansive window, sipping a warm cup of herbal tea. She had begun to settle into this peaceful life, her pregnancy progressing smoothly under Kian’s watchful eye. Yet, an unease lingered, an ever-present void where her past should have been.Kian entered the room, carrying a tablet in one hand and a glass of fresh juice in the other. “You should stay hydrated,” he teased as he handed it to her. Aria took the juice with a smirk. “You’re worse than Dr. Sevara.”“Only because I care,” he said, sitting beside her. “Besides, we need you strong.” She raised a brow. “For what?” Instead of answering, Kian turned the tablet toward her, his expression unusually serious. Aria glanced at the screen and nearly dropped her glass.The news article’s headline read:"Mysterious Disappearance: The Wife of Country M’s Richest Man, Alaric Royale, Has Been Missing for six months."But it wasn’t the headli
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