Oh, Daddy…” Aura’s voice broke as she stepped into the ICU, her eyes flooding with tears. Her heart clenched at the sight of her father, Duke Miles, lying still and pale on life support. Monitors beeped softly in the background, echoing the fragility of the once powerful man before her.He looked nothing like the robust figure she had always known. The Duke’s face was pale and gaunt, tubes and wires connecting him to machines that fought desperately to keep him alive. It was a brutal sight, one that shattered every ounce of pride Aura had left.According to the royal bodyguards outside the room, his car had veered off the road and fallen into a steep valley. But that didn’t sit well with her.“His driver has always been cautious,” Aura whispered through clenched teeth. “He never speeds, never takes unnecessary risks. What really happened? Was someone trying to kill my father… or was this just cruel fate?”Her voice, already hoarse from hours of weeping, cracked under the weight of des
It was dinnertime at the royal palace. The grand chandelier cast a golden glow over the long, polished mahogany dining table. Prince Karl was already seated with his father, Duke Stark, and his brother, Prince Khalid. The aroma of roasted lamb, truffle mashed potatoes, and herb-glazed carrots filled the room—but something was amiss.“Where is your wife?” the King asked, raising a brow as he reached for his wine.Prince Karl blinked, glancing toward the entrance. “She’s supposed to be here,” he replied, a faint crease forming on his forehead. He’d assumed she was just taking a stroll in the courtyard after his nap, but now—something felt off. He pushed the thought aside, not wanting to show concern.“I believe she’s fine,” he added, dismissively, trying to focus on the plated delicacies in front of him. Only now did he realize how hungry he actually was.“Trouble in paradise?” Prince Khalid smirked, biting into his bread roll with smug satisfaction.“You wish,” Karl snapped back, grabb
The next morning, Prince Karl awoke to find Isabella’s side of the bed empty.It was unusual—he was always the first to wake. A flicker of confusion passed through his sleepy mind. Where could she have gone this early? He glanced at the clock. It was just after dawn. With a tired yawn, he tossed the covers aside and walked into the bathroom.He stopped dead in his tracks.Isabella was standing before the mirror, wrapped in his robe. Her damp hair clung to her shoulders, beads of water trailing down her bare neck. She had just stepped out of the shower, and the scent of lavender lingered in the air.She turned slowly, fluttering her lashes at him, and something in Karl’s chest tightened. Her beauty was maddening. Soft. Raw. Intimate. She was radiant in the early morning light—and yet the ache in her eyes tugged at him more than her body ever could.For a moment, neither of them spoke.She looked at him like she was seeing someone she couldn’t have.He looked at her like he didn’t know
Upstairs, the bedroom door slammed shut. Isabella yanked her hand away the moment they entered. “What the hell was that downstairs?” she demanded, her voice sharp, shaking with fury. Karl didn’t answer immediately. He was pacing, fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tight like he was holding himself back from a volcanic explosion. “I didn’t ask for this either,” Isabella said, stepping into his path, her tone rising. “Do you think I wanted to be assigned to work with your brother?” Karl spun around to face her, his eyes wild. “And yet you said nothing. You just sat there like you were perfectly fine with it.” “What was I supposed to say? No? Disobey the king?” she snapped. “You know I don’t have that luxury, Karl. I don’t have the privilege of stomping away from the table like a spoiled prince.” He glared at her, stepping forward. “You always find a way to look like the innocent one, don’t you?” Her mouth dropped open in disbelief. “Excuse me?” “Don’t act like you’re
The next morning, Isabella woke to find Karl beside her, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. When did he come in? she wondered, groggy and disoriented. Her head pounded with a dull ache. I must have really drank a lot yesterday. Gently, she eased his arm off her body and slipped out of bed. The memories from the masked club came flooding back—the music, the kiss, the sudden revelation that the man was her husband. Her cheeks flushed with heat. She needed a shower. A long, cold one. By the time she stepped out of the bathroom, steam curling around her, wrapped in a silk robe and towel-drying her hair, there was a soft knock on the bedroom door. It was hesitant, almost like whoever was outside didn’t want to be heard. She frowned. “Yes, come in,” she called. Two palace guards entered, heads bowed, visibly nervous. One clutched a folded newspaper in both hands. “Your Highness…” he said with a tremble in his voice, “This morning’s edition of the Redington Royal Digest. Y
The royal clinic buzzed quietly with activity — hushed voices, the sterile scent of antiseptic, and the soft shuffle of nurses moving down polished marble floors. But inside one of the private consultation rooms, the fragile calm was being shattered by a low, heated argument that threatened to explode.“Aura, this isn’t the time for your games,” Khalid hissed, his voice low but laced with fury. His fists were clenched, his eyes sharp with accusation.Aura stood by the window, arms wrapped tightly across her chest as though holding herself together. Her face was pale, lips trembling with equal parts grief and anger. “You think I leaked that photo, don’t you?”Khalid didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. The silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.Aura scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. “Unbelievable. My father just died, Khalid. The only man who ever truly stood by me. And you’re standing here accusing me of destroying your precious royal family’s image?”She took a sha
As soon as Prince Karl left the clinic, he called his head of security.“Major Felix, I want to know who is behind the attack on my wife. Find out everything you can before the day runs out.”“Noted, Boss. I’m on it. In fact, I’ve already sent word out in the streets.”“Good.”“Who are you talking to?” Isabella asked curiously as she approached him.“Not something you should worry about, dear,” he replied.⸻Three hours later, in the shadowed security room of the Redington Royal Palace, Prince Karl stood with his arms folded, staring at a series of surveillance feeds. His jaw was tight, his eyes burning with a mixture of fury and determination.“She didn’t do it,” he said finally, breaking the silence. “Aura didn’t leak that photo.”Across from him, one of his most trusted royal guards, Commander Miles, nodded.“We’ve been going through the press tip-offs from the last twenty-four hours, Your Highness. The media house that first published the story — The Redington Royal Digest — claim
“What do we do now? Oh my God…”Tears started to stream down Isabella’s cheeks as she flopped onto the edge of the bed. Right now, all she wanted was to be with her father—cry in his arms until she fell asleep.All her life, she had dreamed of marrying into a royal family. Now that it was her reality, all she felt was constant pain and humiliation—from the media, from everyone in England. It was like they hated her.“Don’t cry, Princess,” Karl whispered, unable to stop himself from wrapping his arms around her, letting her cry as he stroked her hair softly.“I’m so sorry… I shouldn’t have gone to the masquerade club that night.”“It’s okay.”“No, it’s not okay,” she sniffled. “I shouldn’t have said the things I said to you. Please, forgive me.”“Please, can you stop?” Karl said gently.“No, Karl, I have every reason to be grateful. You literally married me—even though you hated me—just to cover for my shame. And you let me get revenge on your brother. As much as I hate all of this, my
“What do we do now? Oh my God…”Tears started to stream down Isabella’s cheeks as she flopped onto the edge of the bed. Right now, all she wanted was to be with her father—cry in his arms until she fell asleep.All her life, she had dreamed of marrying into a royal family. Now that it was her reality, all she felt was constant pain and humiliation—from the media, from everyone in England. It was like they hated her.“Don’t cry, Princess,” Karl whispered, unable to stop himself from wrapping his arms around her, letting her cry as he stroked her hair softly.“I’m so sorry… I shouldn’t have gone to the masquerade club that night.”“It’s okay.”“No, it’s not okay,” she sniffled. “I shouldn’t have said the things I said to you. Please, forgive me.”“Please, can you stop?” Karl said gently.“No, Karl, I have every reason to be grateful. You literally married me—even though you hated me—just to cover for my shame. And you let me get revenge on your brother. As much as I hate all of this, my
As soon as Prince Karl left the clinic, he called his head of security.“Major Felix, I want to know who is behind the attack on my wife. Find out everything you can before the day runs out.”“Noted, Boss. I’m on it. In fact, I’ve already sent word out in the streets.”“Good.”“Who are you talking to?” Isabella asked curiously as she approached him.“Not something you should worry about, dear,” he replied.⸻Three hours later, in the shadowed security room of the Redington Royal Palace, Prince Karl stood with his arms folded, staring at a series of surveillance feeds. His jaw was tight, his eyes burning with a mixture of fury and determination.“She didn’t do it,” he said finally, breaking the silence. “Aura didn’t leak that photo.”Across from him, one of his most trusted royal guards, Commander Miles, nodded.“We’ve been going through the press tip-offs from the last twenty-four hours, Your Highness. The media house that first published the story — The Redington Royal Digest — claim
The royal clinic buzzed quietly with activity — hushed voices, the sterile scent of antiseptic, and the soft shuffle of nurses moving down polished marble floors. But inside one of the private consultation rooms, the fragile calm was being shattered by a low, heated argument that threatened to explode.“Aura, this isn’t the time for your games,” Khalid hissed, his voice low but laced with fury. His fists were clenched, his eyes sharp with accusation.Aura stood by the window, arms wrapped tightly across her chest as though holding herself together. Her face was pale, lips trembling with equal parts grief and anger. “You think I leaked that photo, don’t you?”Khalid didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. The silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.Aura scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. “Unbelievable. My father just died, Khalid. The only man who ever truly stood by me. And you’re standing here accusing me of destroying your precious royal family’s image?”She took a sha
The next morning, Isabella woke to find Karl beside her, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. When did he come in? she wondered, groggy and disoriented. Her head pounded with a dull ache. I must have really drank a lot yesterday. Gently, she eased his arm off her body and slipped out of bed. The memories from the masked club came flooding back—the music, the kiss, the sudden revelation that the man was her husband. Her cheeks flushed with heat. She needed a shower. A long, cold one. By the time she stepped out of the bathroom, steam curling around her, wrapped in a silk robe and towel-drying her hair, there was a soft knock on the bedroom door. It was hesitant, almost like whoever was outside didn’t want to be heard. She frowned. “Yes, come in,” she called. Two palace guards entered, heads bowed, visibly nervous. One clutched a folded newspaper in both hands. “Your Highness…” he said with a tremble in his voice, “This morning’s edition of the Redington Royal Digest. Y
Upstairs, the bedroom door slammed shut. Isabella yanked her hand away the moment they entered. “What the hell was that downstairs?” she demanded, her voice sharp, shaking with fury. Karl didn’t answer immediately. He was pacing, fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tight like he was holding himself back from a volcanic explosion. “I didn’t ask for this either,” Isabella said, stepping into his path, her tone rising. “Do you think I wanted to be assigned to work with your brother?” Karl spun around to face her, his eyes wild. “And yet you said nothing. You just sat there like you were perfectly fine with it.” “What was I supposed to say? No? Disobey the king?” she snapped. “You know I don’t have that luxury, Karl. I don’t have the privilege of stomping away from the table like a spoiled prince.” He glared at her, stepping forward. “You always find a way to look like the innocent one, don’t you?” Her mouth dropped open in disbelief. “Excuse me?” “Don’t act like you’re
The next morning, Prince Karl awoke to find Isabella’s side of the bed empty.It was unusual—he was always the first to wake. A flicker of confusion passed through his sleepy mind. Where could she have gone this early? He glanced at the clock. It was just after dawn. With a tired yawn, he tossed the covers aside and walked into the bathroom.He stopped dead in his tracks.Isabella was standing before the mirror, wrapped in his robe. Her damp hair clung to her shoulders, beads of water trailing down her bare neck. She had just stepped out of the shower, and the scent of lavender lingered in the air.She turned slowly, fluttering her lashes at him, and something in Karl’s chest tightened. Her beauty was maddening. Soft. Raw. Intimate. She was radiant in the early morning light—and yet the ache in her eyes tugged at him more than her body ever could.For a moment, neither of them spoke.She looked at him like she was seeing someone she couldn’t have.He looked at her like he didn’t know
It was dinnertime at the royal palace. The grand chandelier cast a golden glow over the long, polished mahogany dining table. Prince Karl was already seated with his father, Duke Stark, and his brother, Prince Khalid. The aroma of roasted lamb, truffle mashed potatoes, and herb-glazed carrots filled the room—but something was amiss.“Where is your wife?” the King asked, raising a brow as he reached for his wine.Prince Karl blinked, glancing toward the entrance. “She’s supposed to be here,” he replied, a faint crease forming on his forehead. He’d assumed she was just taking a stroll in the courtyard after his nap, but now—something felt off. He pushed the thought aside, not wanting to show concern.“I believe she’s fine,” he added, dismissively, trying to focus on the plated delicacies in front of him. Only now did he realize how hungry he actually was.“Trouble in paradise?” Prince Khalid smirked, biting into his bread roll with smug satisfaction.“You wish,” Karl snapped back, grabb
Oh, Daddy…” Aura’s voice broke as she stepped into the ICU, her eyes flooding with tears. Her heart clenched at the sight of her father, Duke Miles, lying still and pale on life support. Monitors beeped softly in the background, echoing the fragility of the once powerful man before her.He looked nothing like the robust figure she had always known. The Duke’s face was pale and gaunt, tubes and wires connecting him to machines that fought desperately to keep him alive. It was a brutal sight, one that shattered every ounce of pride Aura had left.According to the royal bodyguards outside the room, his car had veered off the road and fallen into a steep valley. But that didn’t sit well with her.“His driver has always been cautious,” Aura whispered through clenched teeth. “He never speeds, never takes unnecessary risks. What really happened? Was someone trying to kill my father… or was this just cruel fate?”Her voice, already hoarse from hours of weeping, cracked under the weight of des
Prince Khalid was lost in thought, his expression unreadable as he stared out over the estate gardens. His mind kept circling the urgent phone call that had dragged Prince Karl away from the breakfast table. Something about the tone in Madam Eunice’s voice hadn’t sat right with him.Across the room, Aura fumed. She had watched him brood for long enough. Her patience was thinning by the second.“Let’s go swimming, my love,” she said, trying to lighten the mood, brushing her fingers across his shoulder in an attempt at seduction.“You go ahead,” he replied flatly, not even looking at her. “I need to think.”Aura’s hand dropped to her side. “What are you thinking about? Isabella?”His silence was damning.“You think I haven’t noticed how your eyes follow her around like a drone? What do you take me for?” she snapped, her voice rising in frustration.Khalid blinked and turned to her, his brows furrowed. “What are you ranting about?”“Oh, don’t you dare act clueless!” she seethed, storming