- Giselle -The guards looked at me in uncertainty when I stood in front of Franklin's door."Princess, I am so sorry, but the Alpha is in meditation, and he has strongly ordered that no one be let in," One of the guards told me politely."Oh, that's fine. I will just come back later or..."Franklin called the guard from inside and he ran in. He returned shortly after."You can go in now," the guard told me and I smiled.Franklin was looking towards the door, and his face lit up immediately. I walked through it."Good morning Princess," he greeted as I walked towards him."Good morning," I couldn't help but smile back at him."I hope you are feeling much better now?" He asked and held out his hand to me."Yes, I am," I replied as I took his hand, and he squeezed it gently. I remembered."What happened to me last night?" I asked and he grinned at me."You was drunk," he told me and I narrowed my eyes."Drunk?" Then it seemed to dawn on me more now and my eyes widened. "Drunk?" I asked
- Giselle -Everyone was looking at me with accusations in their eyes. I did not even know where to start explaining. I had no idea how the emerald got into my room. I looked at Franklin, wondering what was going on through his mind."Father, you know I wouldn't do this, right?" I looked at my father for support but even if he would, he was held back by what the people would think."I'm so sorry everyone," Franklin finally spoke. "I just remember now that I had gifted this Emerald to the Princess the first day we arrived here.""If you did, how come both of you cannot remember the same jewellery?" Xavier threw in."I gave her so many gifts. It's not her fault that she cannot remember," Franklin said to my defence again."Well," Father sighed wearily. "Next time, please try to be sure because these kinds of things can be very delicate. I almost had a heart attack because this sort has never happened here before.""I apologise for this misunderstanding and for the inconveniences this mu
- Xavier -I could not get over what Kira told me. Giselle had a secret lover? That cannot be. I have not seen her with any man nor heard her speak about anyone, so why this?And that is why it is called a secret lover, my subconsciousness reminded me and I hissed with annoyance.If this is true then it cannot be good. What will happen to all my plans? I couldn't help but wonder who the princess was seeing as well.What did he have better than me that she chose him instead? Was that the reason why she acted as if she could not stand me?No, I cannot take this. This is an insult to my person. What will people say? Not after when her father had made me make moves towards our relationship. I would like to know if he knows about this too and I cannot allow itNow that Kira had given me the information, I wanted to find out more. I would be restless until I was sure the princess was doing otherwise.I decided to confront her and she had better have a reasonable explanation.- Giselle -My
- Giselle -The darkness that enveloped me was not as real as the feeling I got when I looked down and saw myself in the familiar tattered and faded gown I wore very often as I maid. I could not find any of those long flowing royal gowns anywhere."Don't stand there looking," someone called to me. "We have a lot of work to do. A large portion of the palace has not been cleaned."I don't understand...What's happening? Did I return to being a maid again? I remember this so well. My heart raced with fear.Just a while ago, I was a princess, and now this?"What's with you?" One of the maids shook me off my thoughts. "What are you thinking about.""I'm a maid?" I asked, unable to understand what had happened. The other maid looked at me quizzically."You have always been a maid," she replied. "Where is this question coming from?'I still did not understand. It can't be. Just now I was the Princess."When you finish mopping that, Princess Kira wants to see you. So make sure you are done on
- Giselle -"Princess," Kira bowed as she addressed me."Yes?" I raised a brow."The Alpha King would like to have a word with you," She told me, and I stopped what I was doing to look at her the moment she mentioned Franklin, and her eyes twitched suspiciously."Alpha Franklin?" I repeated before I could stop myself."Yes, Princess.""Oh..." I braced myself. "Tell him I will be on my way.""Alright."She replied and walked out of the room. I sighed, wondering what he wanted to have sent for me in the day. It should have waited till night when we usually meet.I walked to his room and my heart beat raced with expectation, not because I wanted to know what he would say, but because I wanted to see him.I tightened my hand to hold myself when he finally was standing before me."You sent for me," I said with my voice a little bit higher than usual because I was afraid it would break."Yes, pretty," he replied casually and I tried to hold the blush."We agreed to meet at night when people
- Franklin -I took a deep breath after Giselle walked out and paced back to my stool. I couldn't understand why she did not want me like I wanted her.I was on edge because I did not know what to think. I did say I wouldn't force anything on her and I will keep to my word.In as much as I loved her dearly, if she wants us to stay away, I have no choice but to respect her decision.I was serious about her giving me an heir. I wanted it to happen soon and fast so I wouldn't have to present Xavier to the Lords.I have meditated about him and I am most certain that he could not control the things I would have left in his hands.People only hold him in great accord because of me and not like he had done anything by himself. He will have to prove to me beyond reasonable doubt that he has substance and he has a very short time to do that.In the meantime, I have to prepare for a meeting with one of the princesses whom I had a business schedule with.I had asked her to meet me here instead w
- Giselle -I stretched on the bed tiredly and opened my eyes when the door creaked open and a maid walked in. I frowned at the disturbance and she lowered her gaze apologetically.I'd instructed them not to come in for a few hours because I wanted to take a rest."I'm so sorry my princess, but the King sent me to you. There's an important visitor in the palace and he wants you to be there to welcome-""No please," I cut in. There's no way I'm leaving my nap to welcome anyone. I feel so tired I can't even lift a limb. "Tell my father that I beg to pass now. I am so tired. I will see the visitors before they leave.""Alright, princess."She was about to leave when I had a second thought and out of curiosity, asked her."Who are the visitors?""It's actually the crowned princess of Moondream pack, my princess," she told me and my eyes popped open.That's one of the great packs around the region. I've only heard about the princess too from stories and of how great she is."Why will Fathe
- Franklin -"It's good to see you again, Zeba," I told the princess and she smiled."It's been like what? More than ten years and you are still looking as young and handsome as the last time I remembered," she replied."You are not looking bad yourself," it was the best response I could think of."Thank you," she smiled hard like I had said something significant. She took the glass of wine in front of her and sipped it slowly while her eyes hovered over it to maintain eye contact."We should talk about the business proposal you have," I went straight to the matter at hand because the atmosphere was suddenly getting awkward."Oh, what's the hurry?" She replied calmly, keeping the glass back on the table. "We should catch up on old times. It will make it easier. Besides, I will be here for a while because I want to oversee a few things with King Marcus and the neighbouring packs. As you know, I live very far.""That is more reason why you should get on with what you need to sort so you
- Giselle -"Bitch!" One of them swore at me then turned to the other. "She's got some powers.""Not holding back," the other replied. "She doesn't know how to control it."Not yet, you idiot, I muttered to myself. I tried again for the powers but nothing came. The men kept getting closer. Why does this shit happen to me all the time? I mean, what is the use of having powers when I cannot make use of it? But I kept trying."Who are you and what do you want?" I resolved to talk to the attackers in a bit to distract them and delay the attack."Who we are is not so important to you is it?" They said. "After all you are a princess. You must see yourself as more important. However, we are here to put a brake for you."Talking did no job of distracting them. They were on me already and pinned me to the ground."We don't want to hurt you unless you give us a reason to. We just want to give you something to work on. When the contract comes to you, don't sign it."It took me a few seconds to r
- Kira -I sat in front of my mirror after taking a bath and applied my lotion. I put it gently on my skin and rubbed it, catching a smile on my face.My thoughts? It was all about Jason. Nothing going on actually but just the way he looks, his subtle movements and his smiles.Now I was sad he did not ask about me when he came around the other day or could it be that he asked but Giselle did not bother to tell me?Why should I care that he asked for me anyway? My subconsciousness asked. Well, because we are at a level of relationship where he could ask, I told myself. Even if there was no encounter to have made us talk much, he could still ask just to check up on me.I sighed deeply. How did I find myself thinking so much about a total stranger? But Dad had said he was not just any man. He is a good man. The kind that every woman wants in her life. He looks like the kind of man who will cherish, love, respect and protect his woman with those strong arms.Oh...Someone cleared their th
- Giselle -He finally stopped laughing, trying to catch his breath."How's your sister?" He asked out of nowhere."What?""Your sister, Kira," he repeated. "How's she? Or you don't want to talk about her? You know, it's easy for you to say how some people don't have a high sense of reasoning, fascinating also that they are royalty, and it makes no exception to them. It made me remember your sister."And that was when I realized what he was trying to say."Don't drag my sister into this," I warned, not wanting to be involved in that kind of conversation."Or what?" He smirked. "You don't want us to talk about her and what a total disgrace she is? But you just pointed it out now. That being a royalty does not guarantee you to be sharp, and I did not argue with you. Yet when I point out the same applies to your sister, you cannot take it.""You and Kira are two different people, and it is pathetic that you try to compare yourself with her," I said. "Kira only became a part of the royal
- Giselle -It was a done deal, I knew it already. Everyone knew, because after the meeting, they all gathered around me and Father and were congratulating us.I excused myself from the crowd and stood a few paces away from them with a glass of wine in my hand.Thank goodness I was able to pull through this. At some point, I was scared it might not work because of the emotional riot I had at home before coming to the meeting.I had stood in front of the mirror after dressing for a long time, a worried look on my face. Franklin walked towards me and held me gently."Take a deep breath," he said slowly, and I did. "You'll do just fine."I closed my eyes to the warmth of his body against mine and nodded to his reassurance."Thank you so much, Frank," I smiled. It was not because I thought I was not good enough. It was because of the tension between Kira, me and my father. It could affect me, but thankfully, I handled it well."Cheers to big things," someone said, interrupting my train of
- Giselle -The hall was extremely silent while I made my presentation with all eyes on me, but I was not shaken. If anything, I was confident, and the looks on their face, especially Sheka's, confirmed to me that they were very impressed.When I rounded up, there was a round of applause."Beautiful!" Alpha Sheka commented. "This is excellent. This is what I am talking about. Before I get too excited, is there anyone that have anything to say?"He looked around the table, and someone raised his hands."Yes, please, go ahead," Alpha granted him the floor."Everything the Princess has said is very innovative, and I am very impressed. They are all good ideas, but I would like to ask her to make some clarifications. She talked about involving other packs in this investment, and I would like to know how she wants to go about it."Alpha Sheka turned to look at me."Gisele, please?""Okay, to answer your question. If you recall correctly, you must have heard me mention the names of the pack
- Giselle - It was a good day, I could say, because nothing eventful had happened. And by that, I mean the usual hurdles with Kira and her mother. Ever since we found out she was Dad's daughter, I haven't had any peace.I was in the courtyard when a noble man approached me. I could not tell who it was from the distance so I watched until he came closer.It was Jason, Alpha Sheka's assistant. I straightened up to talk to him."Good tidings, my lady," he made a light bow when he got close."Good morning Jason," I greeted. "I was not expecting you."I looked him over, knowing well he did not come for just pleasantries and he mostly does not have the time for that. I could see the envelope in his hands and my guess was right."There is a reschedule for the meeting," he told me. "And I brought the invitation for you. The time and date are all there."He handed me the envelope and I took it."It seems very official," I commented more to myself but he heard."That's because the last time yo
- Giselle -I should talk to Dad at least. Since the heat of the incident should be reduced by now. I wasn't myself, I was not happy and I could not sleep.I knocked on his door and waited."Come in, Giselle," he said and I wondered how he knew I was the one at the door. I walked into the room slowly and he was seated on the bed as if he was expecting me."You're awake," I stated, more than asking since I could see that he was sleeping."And so are you," he replied with no emotion in his voice. I sighed as I sat on the edge of the bed beside him."I couldn't sleep and I decided I needed to talk to you," I said and he looked at me. "Dad, I am worried. I am worried sick because of what happened earlier. I was very sad because you did not trust me. I've never lied to you and you know how much I prioritise my business. I will not throw it away simply because I want Kira to be disgraced at the meeting. You know I know well that things are not done that way. That meeting was not for Kira al
- Kira -"What are you doing here?" I shot at her, feeling relieved that it was not someone else like The King or Alpha Franklin."Kira, how much more can you do to make things worse?" Giselle asked me and I grinned."There is only one way to find out," I replied."Why did you lie to father about the document?" She asked, her voice down. There was nothing else she could do but to ask and only if I wished to, would I give her an answer. I am not her maid anymore and I am not answerable to her."I did not lie to him," I shrugged casually. "The truth is I did not know anything in that file.""And that because you blatantly refused to let me tell you all you need to know about it!" She said empathetically and I raised a hand to her face."Hey!" I scowled at her. "Keep it down, miss. Don't raise your voice at me. I did not want you to tell me anything. I have a right to choose what to hear or not and I cannot stand you.""Kira what you did was very stupid and foolish," Giselle shook her he
- Giselle -I sucked in a deep breath in shock and covered my lips with my hands. I looked at the blank expression on Franklin's face and did not know how I was going to convince him that I was telling the truth."I don't know how this file is here," I told him simply. That was the truth and nothing else. I had no other words aside from that."You don't know how the file is here?" He repeated and I shook my head."I know this is difficult to believe since the file is right here in our room but that is the truth," I said earnestly.He did not say anything further but went ahead to drop the file on the table. I wanted to reassure him, to tell him that I wouldn't do such a thing and that Kira was only trying to set me up but I did not know what to say.He returned to what he was doing while I was just standing there, looking like a fool. Apparently, I was looking for evidence and here it is looking me right in the eye. What is going on?"Frank?" I called softly, walking towards him. "You