The Carter estate was eerily silent when Helena entered Gus’s study, her lips pressed into a thin line. She found him slumped at his desk, a glass of whiskey in hand and a defeated look on his face.“You’re drinking again,” Helena said coldly, shutting the door behind her. Gus didn’t bother looking up. “What’s the point of pretending anymore? Esmeralda, Elona and the Royale family has us cornered. Every move we make, they’re already ten steps ahead.”Helena strode toward him, her heels clicking against the polished floor. “Stop wallowing in self-pity. You’re supposed to be the head of this family.”He let out a bitter laugh. “Am I? Because it seems like all I’ve done is clean up after you and Harley. This mess isn’t just my fault.”Helena’s eyes narrowed. “You think I wanted this? I’ve sacrificed everything for this family, for you. While you drown yourself in whiskey, I’m the one trying to salvage what’s left of our reputation.”Gus slammed the glass onto the desk, the sound echoing
The grand library of the Royale Estate was a place of quiet power, its high shelves lined with centuries of history and wealth. Esmeralda sat in a high-backed chair, a thick tome resting on the table before her. Her piercing gaze skimmed over the pages, but her mind was elsewhere, swirling with plans and memories.“Elona mentioned Leonardo Valtieri’s arrival tomorrow,” she murmured, her fingers brushing the edge of the page. A storm brewed in her chest, anticipation mixed with an unexplainable ache. Despite his pivotal role in aiding her recovery and supporting Elona, something about Leonardo unsettled her, a familiarity she couldn’t place.The soft click of footsteps brought her out of her thoughts. Alaric entered the room, his sharp suit immaculate as always, his expression neutral but his eyes keen. He moved with the quiet authority of a man who was used to being obeyed.“Mother,” he said, taking the seat across from her. “Leonardo’s visit might reveal more than just strategies to
The Royale Estate was a hub of intense activity. Elona paced the grand hall, her sharp heels clicking against the polished floors as she coordinated the next steps of their strategy. The discovery of Leonardo’s connection to her mother had only strengthened her resolve. Esmeralda was beside her, her commanding presence bolstered by the truth of her lineage and the support of her family.“Leonardo’s network will give us leverage, but we need someone who understands the queen consort’s hidden methods,” Elona said, her voice sharp.“Master Fu,” Esmeralda said with certainty. “If there’s anyone who despises dark magic enough to help us take down that witch, it’s him.”Alaric looked up from his tablet. “Master Fu won’t be an easy man to convince. He’s notoriously neutral, refusing to get involved in royal politics unless it breaches his guild’s ethical code.”Elona’s lips curved into a confident smirk. “Luckily, we have something he values, justice. Gwen Mason’s rejuvenation methods viola
The quiet of the Royale Estate’s library was interrupted by the sound of a box being placed on the table. Esmeralda stood before it, her hands trembling slightly as she opened the lid. Inside were relics of a painful past, letters, trinkets, and memories she had hidden for decades.“This box holds the truth,” Esmeralda said softly, her voice thick with emotion.Elona and Leonardo stood on either side of her, their expressions tense. Alaric, Edward, and Master Fu watched from the edges of the room, silent witnesses to a revelation that would reshape their understanding of the royal family of Country S.Leonardo picked up a letter, the handwriting unmistakably his own. “I wrote this to Garcia after I left her, believing I had betrayed her. I never knew Gwen orchestrated that entire night.”Esmeralda’s gaze darkened. “She wanted to ensure you would never rise to challenge her control over the royal family. She knew you were the king’s son and a threat to her schemes.”Leonardo’s jaw tigh
There was a terrifying energy as Elona, Alaric, and Leonardo confronted Zianara. The dark witch’s confidence radiated from her as she raised her hands, the room darkening further with swirling shadows.“Fools,” Zianara hissed, her voice echoing unnaturally. “You walk into my domain, thinking you can take me down? You don’t understand the power I wield.” Leonardo stepped forward, his tone calm but commanding. “And you underestimate what we bring to the table, Zianara.”Elona darted toward the dais, her twin daggers slicing through the shadowy tendrils Zianara hurled her way. Each step forward was met with resistance, dark energy coiling and snapping like living chains.From the sides, Alaric and Leonardo flanked the witch, forcing her to split her attention. “You dare divide my focus?” Zianara spat, summoning a wall of black flames to separate them. “I’ll deal with you one by one!”Leonardo smirked, unfazed. “Classic mistake, underestimating teamwork.” As Zianara prepared to strike, E
King Hesperus sat in his private study, his weathered hands gripping the edges of his ornate desk. The glow from his computer monitor illuminated his furrowed brow, but the unease weighing on him came from something far deeper than the documents scattered before him.The return of Esmeralda had disrupted the careful balance Queen Gwen had maintained for decades. The woman he had once banished was back, not just as a forgotten princess, but as a force threatening to unravel everything.And then there was the message from his security team. "Your Majesty, they have disarmed the witch." Zianara, Gwen’s enforcer, her most dangerous secret weapon, was gone. Before he could process the implications, the heavy doors to his study swung open.Leonardo Valtieri entered first, his powerful presence exuding authority. Flanking him were Elona and Alaric, their expressions unreadable. Behind them followed Edward, Esmeralda, and Julio. For a moment, Hesperus simply stared.Esmeralda’s return had bee
King Hesperus paced the royal study, his thoughts a whirlwind of disbelief, anger, and grief. The revelations of Gwen’s treachery had shaken the very foundation of his existence. Every memory, every tender moment they’d shared, now felt like a cruel mockery. But he was still a king. A king with the power to uncover the truth.He summoned his most trusted advisor, Lord Callan, a man who had served the throne loyally for decades and had a reputation for discretion. “Your Majesty, you called for me?” Callan entered, bowing low.“Yes, Callan.” Hesperus’s voice was firm, but the tremor of emotion was unmistakable. “I need you to prepare a royal decree, one that will summon every member of this court, including the queen, to attend a Truth Council. I want the kingdom to see the unveiling of this… this web of lies.”Callan’s eyes widened. “A Truth Council, sire? That has not been invoked in nearly a century.”“Then it is long overdue,” Hesperus snapped. “We will convene tomorrow morning in t
The grand hall of the royal palace stood in stunned silence, the air thick with emotions too overwhelming to name. At the heart of it all was King Hesperus, his once-imposing figure now seeming smaller, humbled not by force, but by the sheer weight of the truth.His golden eyes flickered toward Garcia, the woman he had despised for years, the woman he had believed had schemed to trap him. Yet now, faced with undeniable proof, the truth burned through him like an unrelenting flame.He had been wrong. He took a deep breath, his voice softer than any had ever heard from him. “Garcia.” She stiffened at the sound of her name from his lips. For decades, it had been spoken with disdain, with cold dismissal. Now, however, it was heavy with something foreign, regret.“I…” Hesperus hesitated, exhaling shakily. “I have spent years resenting you, hating you for a crime you never committed. I thought you had drugged me, that you had spent the night in my chambers with the intention of securing a p
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