"I don't want to talk about it," I said, turning away from Franklin's questioning gaze.
"As you wish." His voice was gentle. "But remember, Princess, not everything is as it seems in this palace." I couldn't sleep that night, his words echoing in my head. The next morning, Kira came in to do her morning duty, I watched her closely. Every time she bowed or called me "Princess," my skin crawled. "Kira," I called out as she was making my bed. "I need you to clean all the curtains in my wing. Today." "But Princess, that would take—" "Did I ask for your opinion?" She flinched at my tone. "No, Your Highness." Day after day, I gave her more impossible tasks. Clean every window in the east wing. Polish all the silver. Reorganize the entire library. "Princess," she finally broke like I expected , "have I offended you somehow?" I smiled coldly. "Why would you think that?" She bowed and continued what I instructed her to do. After about an hour, i was on my way to check if Kira had finished her tasks when I heard voices from the storage room. "We can't keep meeting like this." Kira's voice. My blood ran cold. I knew that tone, I could recognize it from afar. "Why not? You’re carrying my child, so why can’t we?" Xavier's laugh made my skin crawl. I pressed myself against the wall, my heart pounding. I peeked through the crack in the door. They were kissing, But this looks different, he seemed to genuinely care about her unlike my past. My hands clenched into fists. I stepped away from the door, anger burning in my chest. They were already together, just like my past but this looks like he wanted her. Back in my chambers, I was looking for ways to call off my engagement with Xavier. I went straight to my father to tell him what I found out. Within an hour, my father had reported my discover to King Franklin, and he immediately set up a meeting with us. "Giselle," my father said, "you claim to have evidence of... impropriety?" I kept my voice steady. "Yes. Prince Xavier and my maid Kira are having an affair and she’s pregnant." "That's a serious accusation," "Guards, bring my son and the maid here,” King Franklin said. While we waited, I could feel Franklin's eyes on me. Every time I looked up, he was watching me. The doors opened, and Xavier strode in with Kira trailing behind him. She kept her head down, but I could see her trembling. "Son," Franklin's voice was cold. "Princess Giselle claims you're having an affair with her maid. And that the maid is with child." Xavier's face remained calm. "And?" "And?" my father exploded. "You dare to say 'and' when you're betrothed to my daughter?" "I want to marry Kira," Xavier said, pulling her close. "I don't care about status anymore. She's carrying my child, and I want to take responsibility." Franklin rose slowly from his chair. "You want to reject the crown princess for a maid?" "Yes." Xavier lifted his chin. "I love her." My father turned red with anger. "This is an outrage! An insult to our realm!" But Franklin held up his hand. "No. This is more than that." His eyes found mine again. "This is about honor. My son has none." "Father!" Xavier protested. "Silence!" Franklin's voice shook the room. "You'll not marry this maid. You've disgraced our family name enough." "You can't stop me," Xavier challenged. "I can and I will." "You forget who holds the crown, son. Guards, take the maid to the servants' quarters. She's not to leave without my permission." As the guards led Kira away, she started crying. Xavier moved to follow her, but Franklin's command froze him in place. "Princess," Franklin turned to me. "I apologize for my son's behavior. But I assure you, this marriage will not happen." I watched Xavier's face twist with rage. This was different from my past life. Instead of denying everything, he'd chosen to fight for Kira. But Franklin's reaction... that was unexpected too. "The engagement is still over," I said firmly. My father nodded. "Of course it is. We cannot accept such dishonor.” I turned to leave, and my father stood up to accompany me. "King Marcus," Franklin's voice stopped us. "If I may have a moment with your daughter?" My father hesitated, then nodded. "Of course." As the door closed behind him, Franklin stepped closer to me. "Princess, I want to apologize again for my son's behavior." "It's not your fault," I said quietly. "Still..." He moved closer. "No one should experience such betrayal." Before I could step back, he pulled me into a hug. I stiffened at first, but then his scent hit me. My heart stopped. This scent... I knew this scent. In my past life, It was the same scent that had made my wolf stir, that had confused me before Xavier tricked me into thinking we were mates. I jerked away from Franklin, my hands shaking. "Princess?" His golden eyes filled with concern. "Are you alright?" "I... I need to go," I stammered, backing away. "Giselle, wait—" But I was already running.I didn’t understand what this was, but I knew I needed to run. I reached my chambers and slammed the door, pressing my back against it. My heart wouldn't stop racing. "What's happening to me?" I whispered to myself, sliding down to sit on the floor. A knock at my door made me jump. "Princess?" Someone called. "Are you alright? I saw you running..." "Leave me alone!" I shouted, wrapping my arms around myself. I closed my eyes for a moment, blocking the silly thoughts in my head, but they kept coming. “Princess, I heard them call me again, but this time it was my father. “Are you okay?” He asked, “ I came to check up on you. By the way, King Franklin has requested to extend his stay," he announced. "Given the circumstances with Prince Xavier, he wants to personally ensure our realms remain allied." I nearly choked on my sob. "He's staying?" I repeated, still processing Father's words. "Yes, in the east wing." Father studied my face. "Are you sure you're alright?" "I'm fine," I lied. "Just tired." After Father left, I tried to distract myself by reading, but my mind kept drifting to Franklin. A knock interrupted my thoughts. "Princess?" It was one of the guards. "King Franklin requests your presence." My heart skipped. "Now?" "Yes, Princess." I found him browsing through the shelves, his tall frame making the huge library feel smaller somehow. "You wanted to see me?" I tried to keep my voice steady. He turned, and his eyes lit up. "Princess." He moved closer, "I wanted to apologize again for my son's behavior." "You don't have to-" "I do." He stepped closer. "And I wanted to make sure you're truly alright." "I'm fine," I said automatically. His lips curved into a knowing smile. "Are you? Because your scent says otherwise." Heat crept up my neck. "My scent?" "Mmm." He leaned in slightly. I backed up until I hit a bookshelf. "I should go-" "Why do you run from me, little witch?" His voice was soft but intense. "I'm not running," I protested. "No?" He placed one hand on the shelf beside my head. "Then stay. Talk with me." I couldn't look away from his golden eyes. "About what?" "Everything." His other hand came up to brush a strand of hair from my face. "I want to know every thought in that pretty head of yours." My breath caught. This wasn't right. He was Xavier's father, the Alpha King... "Princess!" Kira's voice broke the moment. "Your father is looking for you." Franklin stepped back smoothly, but his eyes never left mine. "We'll continue this later." Over the next few days, I kept running into him everywhere. Each time, my heart would race, and my wolf would stir. It made no sense, i was supposed to be Xavier's mate. So why did Franklin's presence affect me so much? The full moon approached, and everyone was buzzing about the upcoming ceremony. It was tradition for mates to feel their strongest connection under the full moon. "Just think," one of the maids whispered excitedly, "you'll feel the mate bond with Prince Xavier tonight!" I forced a smile. That evening, we all gathered at the palace as the moon rose, Xavier And king Franklin stood in the gardens with my family. "The moon is almost at its peak," my father announced. "That's when the mate bond is strongest." I stood next to my father, trying to stay calm. Everyone was watching, waiting to see the mate pull between Xavier and me. But when the moonlight hit us, I felt nothing toward Xavier. Instead, I felt a strong pull in a different direction. I turned around, following the feeling. Franklin stood there, his golden eyes on me. My feet moved before I could think. I walked away from Xavier and toward Franklin. "What's happening?" I heard Xavier ask behind me. I didn't answer. I couldn't. All I knew was that I needed to get closer to Franklin. When I reached him, he touched my face gently. "My mate," he whispered, his eyes locked with mine.- Giselle -I paused in shock; a light gasp would have escaped my lips if it had not gotten stuck in my throat.Is Franklin, the father of my mate in the past now my mate? Now I am sure the Moon goddess is definitely playing games with me.This cannot be happening. I held Franklin's gaze, too shaken to look around the shocked faces of the people around to the reveal of my mate bond.I wanted to be away from here, and not behold their stares. I wished I could freeze them all so I could run away. Just as I thought of that, the word escaped my lips, and everyone froze.I blinked my eyes rapidly and looked around. Did everyone really freeze? Did I...?No time to ask questions. I quickly walked away. But whatever power it was, and whoever it came from, must not have lasted long because I heard their murmurings not long after I left the gathering.I walked faster. Somebody was coming after me."Giselle," I heard the unmistakable voice of Franklin behind me. Why the hell wouldn't he let me a
- Gissele -I walked slowly into the building, taking details of the structures while I tried to take my mind off certain things. Like Franklin walking straight into my dreams. Those eyes bore into my skin knowingly."Princess," Someone called and I frowned immediately, recognising the voice. Xaxier walked up to me with a straight look and strong resolve on his face."Good morning to you," he said."Morning," I managed to answer. There was nothing good about him, nor in the morning he speaks of. Coming from such a despicable man, I will not take it."I realised we have not had a moment to ourselves ever since I have been here," he said and I couldn't help but scoff."What will you possibly need a moment for?" I wanted to know. He chuckled, tugging on his shirt with a feeling of importance and puffed up with pride."It might have escaped you, but you are betrothed to me," he announced as if I was just knowing for the first time. My eyes dilated in mock shock."Oh really? Yet you have a
- Xavier -I cannot understand why my father will act out of will where I am concerned. This is my life and I should be allowed to make a decision for myself. Princess or not, Kira was who I wanted. He had no right to dictate for me, and I told him so.He barely looked at me above his nose from his study table."Father, you are not saying anything," I said after waiting for a moment, and he still did not say anything."You are an ingrate," will be his words when he finally spoke. My mouth fell lightly."Why will you say such words to me?" I asked him, slightly annoyed."You think you are something because you are the crowned prince but you forget that I am first your father, the Alpha King. I have built up the pack to where it is today with all the power and authority we have, not you. So every respect and honour you get is because of me. But what did you do? Slap me in the face by choosing that lowly maid over the prestigious princess you are betrothed to. Have you thought for a seco
- Marcus -"King Marcus," Franklin called in his usual deep and calm voice. "You said you wanted to discuss something very important with me.""So did I," I affirmed, adjusting on my seat and he looked at me, his face serious and expectant. "It's about my daughter and your son. I know you don't need anyone to tell you what's happened between the two.""Of course, and once again, I apologise for that," he said and I waved it away."That's fine. Although your son did act out of place but considering my daughter's feelings, I still feel the marriage can work."I noticed Franklin's face fell when I said that but the expression did not last long on his face."May I ask why?" He asked. "Did...did the princess tell you that?"I observed him closely, wondering why he seemed unhappy that I wanted Giselle to get back with his son."My daughter doesn't have to tell me," I told him. "I know her well and even though she tries to act as if all is well, I know deep down she is sad. You will agree wi
- Giselle -My mind raced for a few seconds while Father waited for me to say something."That is so considerate of you father," I stated while struggling with the choice of words in my head. "And I appreciate that you want to make things work between me and Xavier. Let's see how it goes."I couldn't make him think I feel otherwise, lest he confirm that I do not want anything to do with Xavier and ask them away. So long as Franklin is still here, I will manage Xavier."That's my girl," my father beamed happily and opened his arms for an embrace. I will have to be tactical with this.- Franklin -I tried to convince myself that I was not upset about the recent development but I couldn't get my mind off it. I wanted to know badly if it was Giselle herself who consented to this. Doesn't she want me? I am sure she felt the bond between us as much as I did. But the little pretty witch keeps running away from me.Bethroted to my son or not, I cannot let her slip out of my hands unless she r
- Giselle -I had not noticed someone was sitting on a stool in the corner of my room."How did you get in here?" I asked, my hands falling to my sides. When his eyes met mine, cold shivers ran down my spine. His countenance was not as soft as before. Standing before him now, I felt just like I would in my life before."You did not tell me if you enjoyed your dinner?" Alpha Franklin asked again, unsmiling. I did not know what to say.He stood up and walked towards the door where I stood, I quickly shifted."Can you leave now?" I said quietly and his gaze softened, sadly."Are you sending me away?" He asked."No," I swallowed hard. "But you shouldn't be seen here.""Why?" While he spoke, he kept moving close to me and I tried moving away till I was against the wall."This is not right," It was a desperate appeal. He was closing in on me."What is not right?" His voice was dangerously low and... seductive!"What if someone finds you here?" I asked trying to say something, anything at al
- Kira -I was worried about everything that's happened. Xavier promised me he was going to stand by me and make sure I get married to him, but that doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon.I was tired of people pointing accusing fingers at me, and worse still, I had to serve Giselle, for I am her personal maid.I wanted to be relieved of my duties, but that can only happen when I am official with Xavier. I decided to take matters into my own hands. Xavier had promised to talk to his father but since he was not yielding, I might try getting to him myself.If only I could get Alpha Franklin to approve of me, I would not have to worry about anything anymore.I took my time and prepared a special meal for him. After carefully arranging it in a tray, I went to his room and the guards let me in.He seemed busy on his study table. I let out a deep shaky breath before I approached him."Greetings, alpha," I bowed lowly, noticing the tray shaking in my hands. He did not reply. "I prepared t
- King Marcus -I racked my head while I was seated with the emissaries, royal men from four different packs who had come to me with some matters at hand.I knew they held me with great esteem to have tabled the matter before me; therefore, I wanted to give a befitting answer but was finding it difficult to make a decision.King Franklin and his son were there as well, as my guest. Another reason these packs had come was because they had words Alpha Franklin was around."Greetings, Father," I heard Giselle's voice across the room and all heads turned to her. She was elegantly dressed. She walked in fully to the room and greeted everyone respectfully."The princess is so pretty," there were low murmurings in the hall when I introduced everyone to her, and they nodded their heads with approval."We've heard a lot about the princess," someone commented. "We did not expect any less and she meets it up.""Thank you," I said and returned to the main discussion after the brief distraction.-
- Jason -I instinctively placed a hand on my stomach, waiting to feel any slight pain."Did you poison me?" I asked him. The seriousness dropped off his face, and he laughed. Morgan laughed long and hard, doubling over. He hit his fist on the table while he laughed, and I watched him, dumbfounded.He finally struggled to control the laughter with a wheezing sound, tears in his eyes."Gosh, you need to see the look on your face," he said. "I did not poison you, silly."I let out a deep breath I had not realized that I was holding."Now, why will I want to kill you and choose to do it by poisoning your food?" He asked, taking a cup of water from the table. He gulped it down and shook his head at me. "You looked so shaken. Are you that scared of death? For someone like you, poisoning is a disgraceful way to die, for even if I wanted to kill you, not that way."He laughed again."Morgan, that was not funny," I had to say."You think? You looked like a wrung chicken. You looked like your
- Jason -I had just finished speaking with Alpha Sheka about very important matters of the pack and was about to leave when he called me back."That reminds me," he said. "I need to invite you to a banquet tonight. I was going to tell you earlier but I skipped. Also because of the matters at hand you know.""I understand alpha," I replied empathetically. "Where'd we get the invitation from now?""Oh it's not far," he said with a suspicious movement of his lips that could pass for a smile. "It's from my son.""Oh, that's interest...what!?" I was saying before my brain registered what I heard."Yes, my son, Morgan. He arranged the banquet specially made for me and you," he repeated and I still could not believe my ears."Did he say he wanted me at the banquet?" I still asked because I could not make sense out of it yet."He made a special request for you to be there. You are surprised, aren't you? Well, I am too. I hope you don't mind the banquet. I've always thought you two were...uh,
- Jason -It took me a few seconds after I returned to my room, to notice someone was there. I turned around with a displeased frown on my face."What are you doing here, Morgan?" I asked him."It's Prince Morgan but yeah, I think I can let that slide since it's you and also seeing that you'd always stress me with having to correct you all the time," he said with a grimace."What are you doing in my room?" I sighed."I'm here to talk," he replied with a shrug. "Can't I talk to you?""What are we talking about and why in my room? Official meetings are not held in the bedroom.""That's it," he snapped his fingers. "Because this is not an official business.""I cannot tell when we began to have an unofficial relationship," I stated and he laughed."Maybe if you were paying attention more, you'd remember that I did mention it.""I don't want to be acquainted with you, Morgan," I said to his face. "I am fine the way we are.""Come on Jason, don't make this hard," he said, relaxing his back
- Cleopatra -I eyed the greedy man and scoffed."What do you mean by this is not enough? Do you want four generations' wealth before you're okay?" I scowled at him."My lady, you know what it caused us to be able to cover up for you. And I have other people to settle and keep their mouths shut. You will have to remit more."I sighed tiredly."Okay fine. I am going to give you some more but that will be it. You must not complain nor ask me for anything after that. And you must not try to contact me because we can never be seen together. Do you understand?""Clearly," he replied."Good."I was able to handle him without anyone finding out about it, and I hoped it remained that way. Anna has promised to keep her mouth shut and only say what was agreed on if Giselle finds her, but I couldn't trust her.How could I hold her to her words? I looked into her eyes and saw the fear. Such a person can be easily l
- Giselle -I was very eager for the reports, but I was disappointed."There were no prints," the experts told me. "The old lady poisoned herself to death.""You're trying to tell me she took her own life?" I asked for clarity even though I heard them. I felt like asking them why, but knew they wouldn't have an answer to that.The midwife was well, according to the reports given to me hours before I went to see her, and then she poisoned herself?This doesn't make any sense to me."There has to be a reason why this happened," I said thoughtfully as I paced around the room. "Why did she take her life? What made her do it?"I lifted my head, and Franklin was barely paying any attention to me."What do you think about this?" I asked, and he looked at me."I don't know," he said with a shrug."You don't think she'd take her life for no reason, right? What must have made her do it? Did someone threa
- Giselle -"What?" I asked, my eyes following the direction of his hand. There was something at the edge of the bed, and I walked towards it.An old woman, obviously the midwife, was lying dead on the ground in the corner."Oh gracious heavens," I muttered, placing a hand on my chest. One of the guards moved close and picked up a bottle lying beside her."Looks like a poison," he said, lifting the bottle to his face and observing it. She had foam all over her mouth, and her body looked fresh like she could have died just a few minutes before we arrived.How did we not even notice all this while? And I looked all over the room. There were no signs of death anywhere.Gosh, I was this close to getting her, I lamented."Looks like murder," Another commented, what was going through my mind."What do we do now?" They asked me after moments of staring at the cold body beneath.
- Kira -"Well?" Mother asked as soon as I got into the room. "Have you been able to find out something?""Nothing yet," I told her with a sigh. "And there are no signs to show me exactly what is happening.""I am sure that lady is up to something," Mother said thoughtfully with a finger on her lip. "I can tell it. She came to me and asked some questions, and that's typical of someone who wants to go looking for answers."I turned to look at her properly with some suspicion."You are not sure what she is up to? I think you should know since she discussed something with you. You think it's related to that," I pointed out."She said she just wanted to know a few things about her mother and asked me because I was Meredith's maid. At a point, I thought she was just asking because she wanted to know what her mother was like, but now I think something else is triggering her.""So? Is that something that should worry you? Do yo
- Kira -I pushed his hands slowly off my body."There is no man but you, Xavier," I said quietly. "And yes, maybe I have a couple of male admirers, and I look at a few men, you've been the only one in my heart and the man I want to spend my life with. If only you had made moves to make me yours legally, maybe we wouldn't be here. Maybe I wouldn't even be looking at another man and admire him because I already have you.""Kira," he called softly, calming down. "Gosh, how can I be so insensitive? I'm so sorry, honey. I'm so sorry. I did not mean to make you feel this way.""Xavier, I have been asking you what you intend in this relationship. I have been the only one pushing, and it's not fair that you make me go through this, then think I am seeing someone.""You are right," he said. "I shouldn't have said that. I was just overwhelmed because you didn't sound trusting anymore, and most women sound like this when they have a man loving them somewhere, so I was worried. Look, I love you
- Cleopatra -"What do you mean?" Anna looked at me questioningly."You know me well, my dear. I always keep to my word unless it's almost a matter of life and death, and in this case it is," I said, and she leaned back on the chair, her eyes not leaving mine."If that's the case, I don't think I have so much to worry about. I'm already on the end road of life.""This doesn't concern you alone," I said with a frown, slightly annoyed with what she just said. "I am involved in this too, and if you're too excited for the journey of the afterlife, then I am not, and this is not the way I want to go.""Too bad for you then, and why are you telling me? What can I do for you?" She threw at me, and I took a deep breath, holding in my anger."If it had nothing to do with you, I wouldn't be here," I said. "Now, will you shut your mouth for a moment so I can speak? You don't even know what I am here for.""It's almost not hard to tell, but anyway, you can go ahead.""After all these years, Frank