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Chapter 66

last update Last Updated: 2024-05-11 22:23:02

Hector was lying on his bed with his arms folded beneath his neck, gazing at the ceiling as he pondered Skye and Eithne in different ways.

On the one hand, Skye was the woman he loved with all his heart, but he began to doubt her true nature. On the other hand, Eithne was the girl he cared for like a little sister, and she was deeply hurt after offering herself to help.

With the arrival of dawn, he stirred from his bed and made his way toward the balcony door. As he approached, the darkness that had enveloped the outside world began to recede, making way for the faint light of the impending sunrise.

He didn't know what to do— or rather, he knew —and that was to talk to Skye.

Was it possible that he made a mistake with her?

Maybe her behavior was the result of what she had been through. That was the only excuse he could think of.

But that didn't justify hurting those who cared for her.

He let out a deep sigh, rubbing his forehead. His thoughts were jumbled, leaving him confused and dis
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  • By Order of the King   Chapter 67

    Hector's hand trembled against his temple, the weight of Skye's words reverberating mercilessly in the depths of his soul. "Annulment?" he echoed, the word foreign and jagged on his tongue, a stark contrast to the warmth and familiarity of their relationship.Had he heard right? Had Skye just asked him to call off their wedding? The wedding he had patiently waited for twelve years to make come true and was finally a reality? A dream that had finally come true, but with just one sentence, that dream was destroyed, leaving only ashes behind. Memories of all the good times they shared flashed past him rapidly, each a painful reminder of what was slipping away. He remembered all the kisses and caresses they had shared, each touch now a bitter memory. He felt his muscles freeze as her once warm and sweet gaze turned ice like a frozen landscape, replacing all the words of promise for a beautiful future with a chilling emptiness."What did you say?" he asked. His voice remained steady, but h

    Last Updated : 2024-05-15
  • By Order of the King   Chapter 68

    Talisha's eyes, brimming with unshed tears, met Hector's with a silent promise. "I'll support you," she whispered, her grip on his hands a lifeline in the storm of uncertainty."This is not what I expected. I'm truly sorry. I can't understand the king's reasoning, but I will help you. All I can think of is that he's holding on to hope. If you and Skye reconcile, you may not be able to get married again, at least not in the near future. It may not be possible to get married at all.""I see. Maybe he didn't tell me that so he wouldn't upset me. So what the king is trying to do is to protect whatever eventuality arises?"Talisha nodded. "I know what to do, don't worry. You have come to the right person. I am the only one who has access to Skye's chamber whenever I deem it necessary. And now it is of great importance. Don't worry, I'll handle it. She's not going to notice anything I do. And what can I say? I hope everything goes smoothly and gets resolved. Do you want me to talk to her as

    Last Updated : 2024-05-17
  • By Order of the King   Chapter 69

    The girl stood up, and Talisha took her hand. She took the empty basket, and they headed for the exit."I'll send another maid to collect your tray later," Talisha said. "Continue eating in peace. Enjoy your food, and have a great rest of the day."Talisha's words were a distant echo as the door shut, sealing her in solitude once more. The untouched tray of food lay forgotten as she drifted towards the window, her gaze lost in the relentless downpour.As she gazed at the torrential rain beating down on the lush foliage, she watched the tiny rivulets that had emerged on the earth, tracing their way through the landscape.Each droplet was a note in the symphony of her despair, the rivulets on the glass a map of her shattered expectations.She noticed the candlestick was still beside the wardrobe, burning the candles. Its flames danced with a warmth she couldn't feel; their flickering light starkly contrasted with the cold emptiness clutching her heart. Her breath hitched, poised to exti

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  • By Order of the King   Chapter 70 - Part 1

    The door’s echo thundered in his ears as it slammed shut, sealing his fate. Hector, a statue of despair, stood there with his eyes closed, his hand clenched around the doorknob, his breath echoing in the silence. As he opened his eyes, tears cascaded down his face, each a silent witness to the tempest raging within. It was the end of everything he held dear. All he had left were shattered dreams and an unceasing love burning inside him. His head hung low, like a wilting flower, unable to escape the harsh reality of his hurtful words to Skye. He ached for the solace of delusion, for the sweet lie that this was but a nightmare, and when he woke up, none of this would have transpired, and Skye would be sleeping peacefully in his embrace.His grip on the doorknob tightened —a lifeline to the past he yearned to rewrite. To storm back, face Skye, and swallow his venomous words of anger, wounded pride, and broken heart.But pride still held him captive; he refused to grant her the victory

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  • By Order of the King   Chapter 70 - Part 2

    But their wish remained unfulfilled. The dawn broke a mirror of the previous day's gloom, the relentless rain a curtain of despair. Skye and Maysie faced the downpour with a mix of dismay and defiance."I don't care," Skye declared. "We will leave today, as planned.""Okay. Should I at least ask Talisha to lend us a castle carriage?"Skye crossed her arms and glared at her. "I refuse to let them track our path.""But we won't tell them to drive us to the bakery; instead, we'll ask them to leave us at the small square or somewhere nearby, and then we'll walk to the bakery."Skye's gaze lingered on the storm outside before nodding. "Fine," she conceded, and Maysie's joy was palpable, a squeal escaping her lips."I am going to find her now and beg her to grant us this concession," Maysie said."Okay," Skye said, "Meanwhile, I'll start packing.""Alright, and when I get back, if you're not done, I'll help you too. I've had mine ready since last night," Maysie said, leaving the chamber.Sk

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  • By Order of the King   Chapter 71

    "H-Hector?" Skye's voice faltered, her heart a drumbeat in her ears."Yes, it's me." his voice was steady, his eyes locked in hers, causing her heart rate to soar. A silent storm brewed in their depths.His changed gaze puzzled her, yet it elicited the same inner pleasant disturbance she felt when he looked at her before all that happened, which alienated them. It evoked memories of when his eyes were a haven of sweetness and light.She had forced her mind to erase the memory of the beauty of that look, and now it felt like the first time, both foreign and achingly familiar.What was unfolding with the man before her?When she saw him standing at her door, she thought he had come to mock her again or to say cruel words, poised on his tongue, ready to be hurled at her like daggers as a goodbye.Their history was a tapestry of misunderstandings and barbed exchanges, a pattern they seemed doomed to repeat.She had braced for mockery and bitter parting words hurled like stones, but the r

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  • By Order of the King   Chapter 72

    Just as she remembered, his lips felt soft, moist, and warm. His kiss was a whirlwind of sensations, and her skin tingled where he touched her.His kiss was gentle, probing.He sought acceptance that she wanted it, too, and craved it as much as he did.That she hadn't run away from him was a positive sign for him. It was the start, and it was the most crucial part.Her lips on his were a unique sensation—like magic, which, until recently, he could only feel in his dreams. Their softness caused a rush of blood through his veins, ending at a specific point on his body at a breathtaking speed.It was a function he couldn't control, and at this particular moment, he wished he could control it so he wouldn't scare Skye or embarrass her.He wanted to go slowly, but his body couldn't obey.His pent-up desire and longing exploded with just a gentle touch of her lips after so many days they were apart.He instinctively moved his lower body away from Skye to conceal his arousal.However, he did

    Last Updated : 2024-06-20
  • By Order of the King   Chapter 73

    Her heart raced as Hector removed his mask, revealing half of a face she had never seen.Her mouth hung open, her breath hitching as she wiped the tears from her eyes to ensure she could see correctly. She didn't see that coming. Hector, unmasked, stood before her. The shock of it —his vulnerability exposed —took her breath away.Not since that frantic night that he had burst into her chamber, saving her from Roisin's wrath. Maysie had told her later that Hector didn't wear his mask, but Skye hadn't dared to look up. Shame had kept her gaze lowered.At that moment, she couldn't tear her eyes away. His half-revealed face held her captive, and his eyes bore into hers. Curiosity danced there, mingling with her startled surprise. The lighting of her eyes, her lips parted —as if she were witnessing a rare celestial event —not from fear but from the sheer unexpectedness of it all. His jagged and raw scar drew her gaze like a moth to the flame.He followed her eyes as they examined his scar.

    Last Updated : 2024-06-30

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  • By Order of the King   Chapter 81

    "I'm sorry I'm late," Iona said, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "With those clouds hiding the sun, I couldn't tell if it was noon yet. I decided to come and wait for you anyway."Anise's eyes sparkled with excitement as she gestured for Iona to take a seat. "We have so much to discuss," she said eagerly. "Let's begin with why you decided to move to the town, I never expected you to leave the castle," Anise asked.Iona's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "There's a plan," she revealed, raising Anise's eyebrows."Plan? What plan?" Anise leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper."I want to make Hector fall in love with me and leave Skye. I want to be a princess in her place."Anise's eyes widened. "That would be amazing. But how?""I'll seduce him somehow. I'll have to find his soft spots first and use them to my advantage," Iona replied, determination gleaming in her eyes.Anise's eyes lit up. "And that means Skye will be out of the castle," she said."And out of o

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    Maysie knocked on the door."Come in, Maysie," Skye called from inside. Maysie entered and found Skye pacing anxiously.The room was warm, the fire crackling in the hearth, contrasting sharply with the cold outside.Skye's face lit up with relief as she hurriedly approached and hugged Maysie. "You're finally here." Maysie's eyes widened in surprise; Skye wasn't usually this emotional."Mary told me that you need me. Are you okay?" Maysie asked, feeling Skye's fragile, trembling body. "You are trembling. Are you cold?""No. I'm scared." Skye whispered, her voice barely audible.Maysie looked at her, concern etched on her face. "Did something happen between you and Hector?""Not yet, but I'm afraid it will," Skye admitted, her eyes darting nervously."I don't understand, Skye." Maysie said, her brow furrowing."I will explain to you as we drink our tea," she said, gently guiding her toward the small living room. A large tray with tea and side dishes waited on a small table. Skye's hands

  • By Order of the King   Chapter 79

    "Wait, Toren," Malcolm called, but Toren continued without looking back.Fiona leaned out the carriage window, her eyes narrowing. "What should we do now?" she asked her husband, her voice tinged with frustration."Moving on alone is our only option," Malcolm said, pressing his lips together thoughtfully."Let's move on, then. The noise here is dizzying," she said, squeezing her temples with a pained expression.Around them, the square buzzed with activity. Merchants hawking their goods, horses clattering on cobblestones, and the distant melody of a street musician's lute created a cacophony. The air was thick with freshly baked bread, mingling with the earthy aroma of vegetables and the tang of salted fish.Several moments passed without the carriage moving. Fiona glanced at Iona, her jaw clenched. "What is your father doing?" she asked, her voice tight."I don't know," Iona shrugged, her eyes wide with uncertainty."Stay here. I'll see what's happening," Fiona said, pushing the carr

  • By Order of the King   Chapter 78

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  • By Order of the King   Chapter 77

    Castle Eilean Donan: The UnexpectedThe day started with bleak gray clouds obscuring the sky. As winter approached, the sun had become a rare sight, and the chill in the air grew increasingly biting. Fiona held Iona by the shoulders, tightening her grip as Malcolm rode through the castle courtyard door. The echoing of the horse's hooves on the hard ground slowly faded. "Be careful," Fiona whispered. Tears welled as she watched him cross the narrow bridge connecting the castle to the mainland. They stood there until his figure disappeared behind the trees. "Let's go inside, mother. I'm frozen," Iona complained, clutching her cape tightly to protect herself from the cold wind."Yes, let's go," Fiona agreed. They headed towards the large wooden door, which was wide open, waiting for them. Fiona shut the heavy door and wiped the tears from her eyes. What would she do without Malcolm? He was left alone, unaccompanied. If he was attacked on the street, he could hardly get through on his o

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