Chapter 004

"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.