Alaric Royale sat in his dimly lit study, a heavy glass of whiskey untouched in his hand. One year. It had been a full year since the accident that took his wife's memories, since Elona had supposedly changed.But something was wrong. He had tried everything. He had tried touching her. Tried sleeping with her. Tried desiring her. Yet every time he reached for his wife, the woman who bore his triplets, his body failed him. Impotent. The word tasted like ash in his mouth.He had never struggled in this aspect before. And yet, with Elona, it was as if a wall had risen inside him, an impenetrable barrier that rejected her very existence. Or rather… rejected her touch.At first, he thought it was just stress. The accident. The changes in her personality. The way she no longer smelled like home. Then came the truth, cold, harsh, and undeniable.Master Fu, the divine doctor, had examined him. "Your condition is a sequela of the poison you consumed over a year ago," Master Fu had said with a
The private jet touched down on the tarmac of Velmorah, its engines whirring to a slow stop. The triplets, Arlyle, Artie, and Allie, peered through the windows, their sharp eyes taking in the vast, unfamiliar landscape before them.At six years old, they were no ordinary children. Raised under the tutelage of Master Fu, they were frighteningly intelligent, observant, and highly skilled for their age. But today was not about strategy. Today was about reunion.As soon as the jet's doors opened, the triplets were the first to rush down, their small feet pounding against the ground as they scanned the faces waiting for them. And then they saw her.Standing beside a tall, handsome man with striking silver hair and sharp blue eyes, she looked different. Her hair was slightly longer. Her posture was more regal, more confident. And her eyes, though filled with warmth, held no recognition."Mommy!" Allie was the first to shout, her voice filled with joy and longing. Arlyle and Artie followed,
The Vortigen Grand Villa was a masterpiece of elegance and history, its towering structure standing against the fading sunlight. As the convoy of sleek black cars pulled into the grand estate, the triplets, Arlyle, Artie, and Allie, bounced with excitement in the backseat, their six-year-old minds racing with anticipation."Do you think they’ll remember us?" Artie asked, his wide silver eyes filled with curiosity. "They’re babies, dummy," Allie scoffed, fixing her twin brother with a playful glare. "Of course they won’t remember us. But they will love us!"Arlyle, the eldest by minutes, smiled. "Mom said they look like us. Maybe they’ll recognize us in a way." The moment the doors swung open, the triplets bolted from the car, their little feet barely touching the ground as they rushed toward the grand entrance.Inside, the villa was warm and inviting, and in the center of the grand hall, nestled in a beautifully carved wooden cradle, were the tiny figures they had been dying to see. E
The study remained silent for a moment, the weight of their conversation settling into the air like mist before dawn. Master Fu, ever the tactician, tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of his chair, deep in thought."Before we move forward," he finally said, "we must acknowledge the real threat, the imposter posing as Elona Royale." The triplets exchanged looks, their youthful faces alight with curiosity and a touch of mischief."Who is she, really?" Allie asked, tilting her head. "More importantly," Artie added, "how did she fool everyone?" Arlyle’s brows furrowed. "And what happens when she finds out Mom’s alive?" At this, Master Fu's sharp gaze landed on Aria. "That’s exactly why we need to be careful."Aria exhaled slowly, tightening her grip on Kian’s hand. "I know she’s dangerous," she admitted. "Anyone who can manipulate an entire empire without being suspected for over a year isn’t just lucky, she’s skilled."Master Fu nodded. "We need to uncover her true identity, but m
The letter had been sent. Alaric paced the grand study of the Royale estate, his jaw clenched, his fingers twitching with restless energy. His heart pounded in his chest, an unfamiliar sensation clawing at his insides.Anxiety. For the first time in his life, he was afraid. What if she didn’t come back? No. That wasn’t an option. Elona, or Aria as she was now known was his wife, the mother of his children. He had wronged her, yes, but fate had given him a second chance. She would come back. She had to.A knock echoed through the room, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Come in," he ordered. The door opened, and his assistant stepped inside, his face carefully blank."Mr Royale, " the assistant said hesitantly. "The response has arrived." Alaric stilled. His throat tightened. His heart drummed against his ribs as he held out his hand.The assistant hesitated before passing him the letter. "You should prepare yourself, Chairman Royale." Alaric didn’t like the sound of that. His fingers
Maribel had always prided herself on her ability to read people. It was how she had survived this long, how she had secured the life of luxury that should have never been hers. But lately, something had shifted.Alaric had been watching her differently. Not with the same warmth or admiration. Not even with suspicion. No, this was something far more unsettling. He was studying her. Calculating.It made the hairs on the back of her neck prickle, but she couldn’t let it show. She had worked too hard to let paranoia ruin everything.Still, as she stepped into the dining hall that morning, she forced her best smile onto her face, eyes scanning Alaric carefully as he sipped his coffee.He looked relaxed, his posture at ease, too at ease. For a moment, she hesitated. Then, as if sensing her hesitation, he glanced up at her with a small smile. "Good morning, my love."Maribel’s stomach twisted, but she returned the smile effortlessly. "Good morning, darling," she purred, sliding into the seat
Forty-Eight Hours Later......Alaric Royale sat behind his massive oak desk, his fingers rhythmically tapping against the polished surface. The clock on the wall ticked steadily, but his mind was anything but calm.Forty-eight hours had passed. A whole two days since he had Maribel’s blood drawn under the guise of a routine check-up. Any minute now, he knew he'd be drawing closer to the truth.A soft ding echoed in the quiet office and his phone screen lit up with a message from Dr. Hastings: "The results are ready. You’ll need to see this in person."Alaric’s grip on his phone tightened. He rose from his chair, grabbing his coat with a sharp motion before striding out. Jimmy, who had been standing nearby, immediately fell in step beside him. “Sir?” Jimmy inquired, softly.“We’re going to Hastings’ clinic.” Alaric's response was clipped. Jimmy felt the suppressed rage and shuddered inwardly. Jimmy needed no further explanation. His sharp gaze darkened as he nodded. “Understood.”Dr. H
The Vortigen Grand Villa was silent, tension swirling around the whole place. Master Fu sat at the grand study’s desk, his fingers drumming lightly against the polished mahogany surface. The triplets sat on the plush couch with Kian and Aria, their small faces serious as they waited.In his hands, Master Fu held the DNA analysis results, sent directly from Alaric himself, who had unknowingly delivered the truth into their hands.The envelope was already opened, the paper slightly crumpled from his grip. He had read the contents twice, yet the the truth was a bittersweet revelation. Although he expected it, Aria had no recollection of her past. But it was also good for the triplets to know that they were right.Aria took a slow breath, her fingers entwined with Kian’s. Although she had braced herself, though she had always felt an inexplicable connection to the triplets, a part of her still feared, feared that this was all a cruel trick of fate.Master Fu exhaled sharply before looking
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