- Giselle -So I had to go to Kira's room, father following closely behind. Everything happening before me was very funny like I was watching a movie or something. The fact that Father was even behind me to confirm that I did take the file to Kira was more ridiculous.Anyway, we got there and I knocked impatiently at her door. Kira appeared with an innocent look on her face one wouldn't believe she lied about me coming to her."Is anything the matter?" She asked with feigned confusion."Kira, did you-" I started when Father cut me short."Can you let us in?" He said and she opened the door wider."Sure," she said. "Come in."We entered and she closed the door."Giselle, please repeat what you told me in my room," Father said, and I turned to her."Kira, before you headed for this meeting with Father, I came to you in your room and told you I needed to put you through before you left, and you said you did not need me to do that, yet you told Father otherwise?"She blinked her eyes rapi
- Giselle -I stopped to glare at her."What now? You don't want to go? Scared you have a skeleton in your cupboard?" She said mockingly."You know what? That's actually a good point. We should check my room then," I agreed to it and dashed out.I did not look back to check if they were following me, but they were, all three of them. I expected Father to have ended this here, to tell me there was no need for me to prove anything, but no, it seems he was more interested in the evidence than everyone else.Franklin was putting a few things in order when we walked in and he looked at us with a confused expression on his face."What's the matter?" He asked, looking at me."Father thinks I did not put Kira through for the meeting she went for and she told him that even when I did. I tried to let father know the truth but it's difficult. Now I have to prove the file is not with me, so he might believe I did take it to her," I explained."Why don't you check with her?" Franklin asked like a
I could have sworn the moon goddess was mocking me. Because an hour earlier, my biggest worry had been finishing my chores before the ceremony. Funny how fate loves to play with the hearts of the innocent."Giselle!" Kira yanked me up from the floor. "You have to see this! The crown prince is choosing his Luna today!"Her eyes sparkled with the same warmth they had when she'd first found me crying in the garden five years ago. She'd been my protector ever since, the crown princess who treated a lowly maid like a sister."Kira, no." I tried to pull away. "You know omegas aren't allowed at royal gatherings."She rolled her eyes, "You're with me. No one will dare say anything to the crown princess of the witch realm.""But I’m an orphan and …. ""Just stay close to me!" She dragged me deeper into the crowd, pushing past other nobles."Kira, please," I whispered. "I shouldn't be here."She wasn't listening, she dragged me further, making me miss my steps , and I lost my grip on her hand.
My whole world stopped at those words. Pregnant."Are you sure?" My voice came out as a whisper.The doctor nodded. "About two weeks along."I wrapped my arms around my stomach in fear. What was I going to do? An unmarried, omega, pregnant for the Prince. I'd be thrown out of the palace."I need some air," I said, pushing myself up from the bed."Giselle, wait!" Martha caught my arm. "You're still weak."But I couldn't wait. I had to tell Xavier. Maybe when I tell him about the baby, he'd remember what we shared and take responsibility.Though I was scared but I needed to do this. After several attempts of trying to speak with him privately. I finally found him in the training grounds. My hands shook as I approached."Your Highness," I called softly. "Please I want to speak with you privately?"He didn't even look at me. "Whatever you want to say, say it here."I swallowed hard. "Please, it's important."He finally turned, his eyes cold. "Make it quick. I have matters to attend to.
"Princess! Wake up!"My eyes snapped open. Sunlight streamed through silk curtains, and I was lying in... a massive bed?"Princess, you'll be late for breakfast. Your father is waiting."Father? I sat up slowly, my head spinning. The last thing I remembered was Xavier's sword, the burning pain, and then... darkness.But I wasn't dead. And this wasn't the servants' quarters.I looked around the luxurious chamber, my hands trembling as I touched the silk nightgown I was wearing. A large mirror across the room showed my reflection - the same red hair, violet eyes, and porcelain skin. But instead of a maid's uniform, I was dressed like... royalty?"Princess?" I turned toward the voice and nearly fell off the bed. There, wearing a maid's uniform and looking concerned, was Kira."Are you alright, Your Highness?" She asked, bowing slightly. "You look pale."I couldn't breathe. Kira, the woman who had helped murder me , was now my maid? What kind of twisted game was this?"I'm... fine," I ma
"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
- 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
- Giselle -I stopped to glare at her."What now? You don't want to go? Scared you have a skeleton in your cupboard?" She said mockingly."You know what? That's actually a good point. We should check my room then," I agreed to it and dashed out.I did not look back to check if they were following me, but they were, all three of them. I expected Father to have ended this here, to tell me there was no need for me to prove anything, but no, it seems he was more interested in the evidence than everyone else.Franklin was putting a few things in order when we walked in and he looked at us with a confused expression on his face."What's the matter?" He asked, looking at me."Father thinks I did not put Kira through for the meeting she went for and she told him that even when I did. I tried to let father know the truth but it's difficult. Now I have to prove the file is not with me, so he might believe I did take it to her," I explained."Why don't you check with her?" Franklin asked like a
- Giselle -So I had to go to Kira's room, father following closely behind. Everything happening before me was very funny like I was watching a movie or something. The fact that Father was even behind me to confirm that I did take the file to Kira was more ridiculous.Anyway, we got there and I knocked impatiently at her door. Kira appeared with an innocent look on her face one wouldn't believe she lied about me coming to her."Is anything the matter?" She asked with feigned confusion."Kira, did you-" I started when Father cut me short."Can you let us in?" He said and she opened the door wider."Sure," she said. "Come in."We entered and she closed the door."Giselle, please repeat what you told me in my room," Father said, and I turned to her."Kira, before you headed for this meeting with Father, I came to you in your room and told you I needed to put you through before you left, and you said you did not need me to do that, yet you told Father otherwise?"She blinked her eyes rapi
- Giselle -"Giselle? Darling?" I heard someone call my name in my sleep and a familiar scent hit my nose. "Honey wake up.""No please," I said sleepily, turning to the other side of the bed."It's morning. Remember you said you wanted to make breakfast for your father? Look the sun is already shining."And to that, I jumped up and looked around. Truly, the sun was shining outside already."Oh my goodness, why didn't you wake me up since?" I turned with accusing eyes to Franklin and he looked stunned."I tried several times but you just wouldn't get up. Even now, you do not want to. You should be thanking me."I rushed out of the room to prepare something for my father. I decided to because he looked exhausted from yesterday's meeting and I didn't want him to stress any much today.I hurried to his room with the light breakfast I could afford to prepare with time. He was already up and looked like he had freshened up.Oh, Giselle, why are you such a sleepyhead? I chided myself. Thankf
- Kira -I was up very early the next morning as Mother had instructed and dressed to meet King Markus, my father, just like we had planned.She walked into the room when I was almost done with a tray of hot food."Are you ready?" She asked and I nodded."Good. I'm done as well.""But mum, I am a bit sceptical," I told her. "Is this really a good plan? What if it doesn't turn out well?""Trust me it will. Just do as I say, sit back, relax and see how the drama unfolds.""I am just saying because I know how the King loves Giselle so much," I stated."The king is also your father. You should never forget that. Besides, can't you see how much he is trying to prove to you he loves you? He'd do anything to gain your love as well.""But where Giselle is concerned? I might not be able to compete with her," I complained. Mother frowned deeply."Why are you so pessimistic? You have to see yourself as important as well. It is the way you carry yourself that others will relate to you. And if you
- Markus -The ride back home was accompanied by silence, and I could understand why Kira would not want to say anything.Perhaps, she was buried in her thoughts as much as I was. I will have to make her understand that things happen for good and that she should not keep feeling bad because of the previous incident.Nobody became an important and respected figure in one day. They earned it. Even if one was already born into a royal home, they would still have to work to maintain it."Uhm, Dad?" She called after a long while in a small voice."Yes, sweetheart?" I looked at her."Are you upset with me?" She asked."Why?" I wondered aloud."I mean, because of what happened at the meeting. I am very sure you are very disappointed and upset. I did not mean for that to happen, really. I am so sorry.""Oh no darling," I smiled at her. "It's fine. Nothing is your fault and I do not regret taking you with me. If I had my way, I would take you everywhere I go.""Thank you so much, dad.""Listen
- Markus -While Sheka spoke to me, my mind was distracted because I was looking around for Kira. It's been a while since she stepped out and had not returned. I knew well she was not familiar with this environment, and if she wandered too far, she would be lost.The building is quite large, and it would be a double standard embarrassment to start looking for her after the first that happened during the meeting.I was worried she was sulking somewhere."So King Marcus, I am going to relay the next appointment and please, make sure to come along with Princess Giselle. We would have been over with this if only you did," Sheka said and I nodded."Of course, you said that already. I definitely will," I told him."Though we are acquaintances when it comes to my business, you know how professional I can be," he said. "Now that we are having a casual chat, why don't you tell me about this daughter of yours? I mean, all I have heard is rumors but now I have the opportunity to hear it from you
- Markus -While Sheka spoke to me, my mind was distracted because I was looking around for Kira. It's been a while since she stepped out and had not returned. I knew well she was not familiar with this environment, and if she wandered too far, she would be lost.The building is quite large, and it would be a double standard embarrassment to start looking for her after the first that happened during the meeting.I was worried she was sulking somewhere."So King Marcus, I am going to relay the next appointment and please, make sure to come along with Princess Giselle. We would have been over with this if only you did," Sheka said and I nodded."Of course, you said that already. I definitely will," I told him."Though we are acquaintances when it comes to my business, you know how professional I can be," he said. "Now that we are having a casual chat, why don't you tell me about this daughter of yours? I mean, all I have heard is rumors but now I have the opportunity to hear it from you
- Kira -I let out three deep breaths immediately, I got out of the huge building. The darkness had begun to set in and the lights around illuminated the building beautifully.But all these were none of my concern. It was the humiliation back in there that suffocated me more than the fresh air from all the trees here despite the wind blowing in every direction.I should have just stayed back home but no, I was happy to have replaced Giselle and now this. What can take this shame away? Absolutely nothing. I just came here to disgrace myself and I did.Everyone would mock me if they heard this, and Giselle would have a good laugh, of course."So? Princess?" I heard someone say and turned round to look. I was alarmed because I did not know anyone there. A young man was looking at me with a mischievous smile on his face."Who are you?""Prince Morgan," he replied with a feeling of importance. "And I am the team awarding your father this contract."I eyed him."Oh," I said shortly."You're
- Kira -It was the day for the meeting and contrary to the confidence I had felt before now, I became jittery.The ride was prepared and we set out with many guards. Now alone with King Marcus on the ride, I realised how lonely I was.We were going out of the pack. My subconsciousness had to remind me at a critical moment like this that even if I am no longer a maid, I am still a princess recognised only in my own pack and not beyond.I tried to shove off the negative thoughts. I will do fine, I assured myself."How are you holding up there?" King Marcus asked and I managed a smile."I'm doing just fine," I replied, glad my voice did not shake because I was shaking inside like I had a cold.The realisation just dawned on me now that this is more serious than I thought. The atmosphere, the carriage, the expensive attires, the scent of the air around me, everything.Gosh, I should have dropped whatever feeling and pride and listened to Giselle's lectures at least. I saw her look as we