RHEA'S POV“How long are you guys going to keep this up?” King Estevan asked his sons over dinner. The brothers remained quiet, ignoring their father's question. The wedge between Estefan and Esteban was getting bigger by the minute. I tried talking to Estefan to settle things with his brother but he refused to do that until Esteban made a proper apology to me. Estefan also believed there was no point in settling things with his brother because it wouldn't change anything as long as he still believed that Estefan was trying to take his throne from him.“Anna, Rhea, what are guys doing about this?” He looked back and forth between us. I swallowed the food in my mouth and put my fork down. “I've been trying to talk to him but…”“You don't have to involve them in this,” Estefan said. “This is between us.” “It's because you two believe that you have to protect your wives from each other that's why you are fighting each other,” King Estevan raised his voice.Everyone fell into an awkw
ESTEFAN'S POVThe meeting at The Cortes Generales went smoother than I expected. My dad already filled me in on the alliance project that the King of Norway was coming for. After I gave him my opinions on the project, he decided to let me handle the negotiation with the king of Norway. My dad didn't say a word throughout the negotiation process and I was able to handle it with ease. They signed the agreement with the Prime Minister and shook hands. The King of Norway shook my hands and said, “The citizens of Spain are lucky to have you as their future king.” I opened my mouth to correct him but my dad shook my head at me, so I nodded with a smile on my face.The Prime Minister treated us to lunch where I was able to meet the other council members. They talked to me about some matters concerning state affairs and they were surprised at my response to their questions. I had learned all those things and researched them while helping Esteban out with his duties in the past. They event
LEAH'S POV“Why don't step aside and let me do the cooking?” Asher said when he saw how terrible I was at cutting the vegetables.“No, I can do this.” I refused as I cut the vegetables, trying not to cut myself in the process. Asher stepped back and continued to prepare the rest of our dinner. He was who insisted that we prepare dinner ourselves when I had opted to order some chicken. Since we were at his apartment, I decided to follow his decision. I could tell he was regretting telling me to help him out. If only he had asked Rhea before doing that, he would have made sure I never went near his kitchen. “So you are going to take the job for that price because he's your brother-in-law’s friend?” Asher asked. “Yes.” “Don't you think they are taking advantage of their relationship with you?” He continued.“Of course not.” I dropped the knife and turned to him. “Estefan offered to pay me the rest of the money but I refused.” “Why would you do that? You shouldn't mix personal relat
The rays of the rising sun peeked through my curtains, letting me know that it was morning. I had been awake since four, trying to complete another chapter of my book which was a daily routine for me because I get my best ideas and inspiration by that time of the day. I added a period to the last sentence of the chapter before saving it and shutting down my laptop. Falling back on the bed, I straightened my legs which had been in a crossed position ever since I woke up, and I massage my aching fingers that had been typing furiously on my laptop. Closing my eyes to sleep for a little while, I heard faint footsteps that grew louder as they approached my room. The footsteps stopped followed by a knock on my door. "Rhea, come downstairs. Breakfast is ready," my mom sweet voice said from outside before her footsteps drew farther away from my room. Standing up from my queen-sized bed, I pulled my curtains apart and sighed, enjoying the warmth from the ray of sun entering the window on my
ESTEFAN'S POVAfter two excruciating hours which felt like a lifetime, our plane descended to the ground and stopped moving. My father, King Estevan Borbon-Anjou of Spain, stood up from his seat and moved towards the exit as my younger sister, Princess Esmeralda and I followed behind him. A cold breeze greeted me as I stepped out of the plane and descended the stairs. Seven years ago, I swore to myself that I wouldn't come back to this city but here I was, stepping my feet on the soil of London. A red carpet lay on the ground from the bottom of the stairs to the entrance of the white Limousine waiting to pick us up. With my hands shoved deep into my pants pocket, I strode to the car behind my dad with Esmeralda beside me. "This place is beautiful." Esmeralda gasped as she looked out of the moving car. "Hmm," I replied as I stared out at the "beautiful city" that took everything away from me. The city didn't change a single bit, it was the same as how I left it seven years ago."Wh
RHEA'S POVEveryone was having breakfast except me because I had long forgotten food and focused all my attention on my phone. I was busy doing some research on the Joseon Dynasty. The book I was writing for my final project was titled Royal Deception and it was based on the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. At the end of the online class session, we were to submit our masterpiece which would be reviewed by some editors and they would pick a winner whose book would be published in paperback and the writer would be given recognition.My online school has been holding a writing contest every year and my book has come third or second since I joined two years ago. That year was my final year and my last chance to win the contest which was why I put all my effort into it this year."Rhea, I've told you about using your phone on the table. This is why you are using eye contact in the first place." My mom scolded."Just to be clear, I love my eye contact, and I'm almost done," I said with my eyes st
Sitting beside the Prince whose name I found out to be Estefan, was my sister who wouldn't stop talking about her newest contract with The Empire's Fashion house just to impress the prince and the family. The prince, on the other hand, looked like he would rather be anywhere else as he kept his face stoic and expressionless.I leaned closer to Princess Esmeralda who I know is younger than I was and whispered, "Does he ever smile or talk? Cos he hasn't said a word since he got here." "That's how he is, he doesn't talk unless it's necessary and for the smile, I have never seen him do that," she whispered back and I nodded."Why don't we move to the dining table for dinner?" My mom stood up and ushered our guest to the dining room.Leah clung to Estefan as she continued to brag about the endorsement deals she has signed that year while I walked quietly behind them."This dish is amazing." King Estevan said as he finished his food. "Mrs knight, you are a wonderful cook."Thank you, your
LEAH'S POV"That's beautiful, Leah. Now give me something cute," the cameraman yelled as I strike different poses, wearing a blue gown from the new fashion line that the Empire fashion house would be launching soon under the bright light of the studio as 7rings by Ariana Grande played in the background."Gorgeous. Now give me something sexy." He moved around to get the picture from different angles.Opening the slit of the blue gown I wore, I stuck my bare legs out and give him a seductive smile."Enchanting." He laughed as he kept taking more pictures.We were at it for three hours because I had to take more pictures in another five outfits. The job of a model can be stressful and time-taking but I wasn't complaining because I loved the fame and money that came with it."Okay, that's a wrap," the company's managing director said after I'd taken pictures with the last outfit. "Good job everyone, especially you Leah." "Thanks, Mr. Cedric." I smiled at him as I went back into the chang