Duke Stark’s eyes teared up as he saw his daughter in her wedding gown. She looked exactly like her mother on their wedding day. He reveled in nostalgia. Isabella could see the pride in her father’s eyes, and she almost started crying too.
“He is lucky to have you, and so is the Netherlands…” “Oh, stop it, Dad,” Isabella blushed at her father’s compliment. “I mean every word, my beautiful daughter. You will make a great queen someday.” He kissed his daughter on her forehead. Tears started flowing from Isabella’s eyes, and her father quickly wiped them away with a brush of his finger. His daughter was now a grown woman—no longer his baby. It hurt him deeply to realize that fact today. The sweet father-and-daughter moment was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door. Isabella looked out and realized her brother was ready to take her to the church. “I’ll be right behind you too,” her father said as he walked away, and she frowned deeply. She knew her family was still close by, but she was going to miss living in her father’s house. “You look good,” her brother complimented. He was clearly dressed and ready to escort his sister to the church, as royal protocol demanded. She joined hands with her brother, and they walked out of the house. Just as they stepped outside, a vehicle suddenly arrived. From it emerged Prince Karl, the younger brother of her fiancé. Prince Karl was the most handsome man in the kingdom—more handsome than his brother—and rumors had it that he possessed even greater wealth, though his brother was the crown prince. He stepped out of the car, walked straight to her, and complimented her. Then, he leaned in and whispered into her ear, “You’re making a great mistake. Cancel the wedding. Don’t go ahead with it.” Without another word, he suddenly turned around and left. Isabella was struck with confusion. She had never liked Prince Karl—they had always fought since they were young. Why was he now telling her to cancel the wedding? She chose to ignore him as usual. Her brother, Fabian, noticed her reaction and asked, “Is there a problem?” She quickly replied, “No, nothing to worry about.” She wasn’t going to let anything spoil her day. Isabella was helped into her royal bridal vehicle, and the journey to the Royal Parish took 15 minutes. When they arrived, reporters and cameramen from all over the world were gathered outside the church, waiting for the royal wedding to begin. Prince Khalid arrived first. He stepped out of the car with a smile, flashing at the cameras. He waved at the guests and then stepped into the church to wait for his bride. Not long after, Isabella arrived in her vehicle. Her presence was announced, and all the guests eagerly waited for the royal bride to step out. At that moment, Prince Khalid set his eyes on the maid of honor—Aura—who stepped in first with his brother, Prince Carl. His countenance changed. He shifted anxiously as he stood at the altar. The news of Isabella’s arrival was announced, and everyone rose to their feet as the official wedding song began to play. Aura could feel the hot tears forming, and she blinked relentlessly to prevent them from falling and ruining her makeup. She couldn’t believe she was watching the wedding ceremony of her best friend and the prince. After three years of giving her body to the crown prince, she thought he would finally marry her. Well, she could only hope that her last plan would work—because after today, she would have everything to lose. The ceremony began, and after a brief speech from the priest, it was time to exchange vows. The crown prince spoke first, followed by Isabella, who recited her vows as well. Then, the priest declared, “If anyone is against this holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.” There was absolute silence—a sign of no objection. “In the absence of any objection, I hereby pronounce you husband and—” “Wait!” Prince Khalid suddenly spoke up. Everyone gasped in shock. “What is he doing?” his father, the king, asked, annoyance written all over his face. “What is going on?” “I’m sorry, but I cannot marry you, Isabella. The wedding is called off,” he blurted out. At that moment, Isabella felt her life flash before her eyes. Her mouth opened, but she couldn’t find the words. Tears flowed from her eyes like an ocean. “W-what? What are you doing, my prince? What is going on?” she stammered. “I’m sorry, Isabella. I cannot marry you. The wedding is over. I cannot live a lie!” he yelled. At that point, Fabian quickly rushed at the prince and punched him right in front of the crowd. “How dare you humiliate my sister this way, you despicable fool!” The commotion was so bizarre that many guests started to leave the church premises, while others stayed back to record everything happening. “This is a royal wedding! People all over the world are watching, and you choose to humiliate my sister on a global level?” Fabian hissed. “I will never let you get away with this,” he whispered into the prince’s ear as he grabbed his collar. In the midst of the chaos, Isabella felt her legs weaken, and she blacked out.Isabella, wake up!” She could hear low whispers that made her roll over and grumble until she finally opened her eyes. Wide awake, she realized she was in a small hospital room, still in her wedding dress, with her family gathered around her. That was enough evidence that her nightmare was real. She started crying again, and Fabian stepped forward. It was going to be hard for him, but he knew he had to comfort his sister. “Little sis, don’t worry. I will make sure the prince pays for humiliating you like this.”Isabella looked at him, her eyes filled with pain. “I don’t ever want to set my eyes on that prince again! I don’t want to see him ever again!” While she was still speaking, Prince Karl entered the room, looked at her, and then declared in front of her family: “I want to marry you, Isabella. With your consent, we can get married first thing tomorrow morning.” Isabella looked at him in shock. “How dare you?! Do I look like a joke to you? Can someone please tell me what in
Immediately after Aura and Prince Khalid left the church, they went to a hotel room. Smiling slyly, Aura poured a bottle of champagne and made a toast, clinking her glass against Prince Khalid’s. She was finally the winner. He was with her in the hotel, and he wasn’t leaving anytime soon. He was no longer going to marry her best friend. She couldn’t believe that her plan had finally worked.Yesterday, she had been so frustrated, wondering why Isabella always had the best of everything. She thought about it—she was also from an extremely wealthy and influential family. They were both educated and beautiful. So why was Isabella the one chosen to become the Crown Princess? In desperation, she had called Prince Khalid. “I love him,” she had told herself bitterly. She had been sleeping with Prince Khalid for the past three years without her best friend knowing. Now, Isabella was about to marry him, and Aura had to act fast before she lost everything. “Is everything okay?” Prince Khalid
Duke Stark stood at the hospital door, contemplating whether to go in and see his daughter again or allow her some privacy. On second thought, he decided to leave for now. His heart ached, and his fists clenched as he stepped out of the hospital.He was suddenly bombarded by questions from reporters. He was taken aback, wondering how they had found out which hospital they were in. He was flooded with questions he wished he had the answers to—questions about why his daughter had been abandoned at the altar on her wedding day. The flashing cameras almost made him lose his mind.Thanks to the ever-efficient security team he had recently employed, a path was cleared for him to get into his car. “Where are we heading, sir?” his driver asked, sympathy in his eyes. “The Reddington Palace,” the duke replied, tears welling up.The driver nodded and drove off.The duke intended to give the royal family a piece of his mind.The moment they arrived at the palace, he stepped in and walked straig
“Isabel, it’s time for us to go home. The doctor said you are fine,” Fabian muttered as he tried to help his sister sit up. “Dad must be home waiting for us. Let’s leave, please. You will feel better at home. Madina said she made your favorite.” Fabian tried to make her feel better.Isabel looked at herself in the mirror and realized how horrible she looked. She had been crying for hours and hadn’t even noticed that it was already night. “Before we leave, I want to make a quick call,” she said. “Tell me it’s to Prince Karl,” Fabian asked with curiosity. “Wouldn’t you like to find out?” Isabella replied sarcastically.Fabian laughed. “I’m happy your sarcasm is back. That’s my sister right there.”Isabel picked up her phone and called Prince Karl.Prince Karl was in a park close to the hospital, dressed casually in shorts and a T-shirt, with dark glasses as a disguise, when his phone rang. “For a second, I thought you would never call,” he said. “I would like us to talk more about
Early the following morning, Prince Khalid rolled over in bed, refusing to wake up when his phone suddenly rang. Grumbling, he checked the screen—it was Aura calling. “Why are you calling me so early? Are you missing me already?” he teased. “Turn on your TV immediately.”Aura’s voice sounded tense, making the sleep in his eyes disappear instantly. He quickly turned on the TV, and to his dismay, he saw his brother, Prince Karl, exchanging vows with Isabella in a wedding ceremony at the royal parish. Media from all over the world were capturing and reposting the event. “Father! Father!” Prince Khalid screamed in confusion and frustration as he ran down the stairs, forgetting he was only wearing his night garment.When he stormed into the royal office, he found his father watching the ceremony. “Father, can you see what Karl is doing?” “Get out of my office this minute!” the king thundered. “You boys will not be the death of me!” “But, Father—” Khalid tried to object. “I said leav
As the new couple left the king’s office and headed to their room, they were interrupted by the sudden arrival of Aura and Prince Khalid. Prince Karl squeezed Isabel’s hand, reassuring her that there was nothing to panic about. “Tell me this is some prank, Karl… are you for real, bro?” Prince Khalid exclaimed with increasing anger. Isabella was irritated by the audacity of her ex-fiancé and ex-best friend confronting her. She clenched her teeth in disgust. Sensing her rising emotions, Prince Karl held her firmly by the waist, making her feel protected and relaxed. However, seeing his younger brother with Isabel nearly drove Prince Khalid to madness. “You know I have better things to do with my time than involve myself in your games,” Prince Karl responded coldly. “Isabella is mine now, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.” Aura cringed at Prince Karl’s tone; truthfully, she had always been in love with him, but he had always been unreachable, never sparing her a second glance
Prince Karl went into the garden to get some fresh air. This was his place of solitude whenever he needed to plan or had something on his mind. As he poured himself another glass of whiskey, he heard footsteps behind him. When he looked back, he realized it was his brother, Prince Khalid. He rolled his eyes in disgust. “You seem to be craving my company of late, brother,” he mocked. “How may I help you?” he asked. “I think now that we are alone, you can come clean with me,” Prince Khalid said in desperation. “What’s your intention? Why did you marry Isabella?” “Oh, I see my wife is giving you sleepless nights.” “Stop calling her your wife,” Prince Khalid fought to keep his voice down so the staff would not hear the confrontation. “What’s your problem, Khalid?” Prince Karl asked in irritation. “Whatever games you and I are playing, you shouldn’t have involved Isabel. You know she is innocent; that’s my problem,” Khalid shot at him. “How do you know I am playing games with her? W
The maid dressed Isabel in silence, styling her hair into a bun. “You look beautiful, my princess,” she complimented. “Thanks, dear,” Isabel replied.The staff adored Isabel for her kindness, whereas they disliked Aura, who often spoke harshly to them. In hushed tones, they wished the crown prince would never marry Aura.Ten minutes later, Isabel entered with Prince Karl, his arm possessively around her waist. Seeing this, Prince Khalid was infuriated. They greeted the king and took their seats. Aura, seated next to Prince Khalid, felt a pang of jealousy as she observed the chemistry between the couple. “Good morning, Prince Karl,” she greeted, deliberately ignoring Isabel. Prince Karl, in response, acted as if she didn’t exist.Aura felt embarrassed. Why does Isabel always have the best of everything? She thought she had bested her, only to see her with the most handsome and wealthy man in the kingdom, who clearly adored her. Everyone knew Prince Karl’s net worth was higher than the
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
Morning sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the master bedroom. Isabella stirred beneath the silk sheets, her body sore in the most delicious way. The scent of passion still lingered in the air. Karl lay beside her, bare-chested, one arm slung possessively around her waist. For a fleeting moment, it felt like the world had melted away—quiet, still, and entirely theirs. But reality never stayed silent for long. A soft knock echoed at the door, followed by the careful voice of Madam Eunice. “My Lady… breakfast is ready. Prince Khalid and Lady Aura are already at the table.” Isabella exhaled slowly. Karl’s hand slid lazily up her thigh, his fingers grazing the sensitive skin just below her hip. “Don’t go,” he murmured, eyes still closed, voice gravelly with sleep. “Let them wait.” She smiled to herself, torn between temptation and pride. “As much as I’d love to, I won’t give them the satisfaction of thinking they’ve shaken me.” Karl opened his eyes, studying he
As soon as Madam Eunice ushered them into the guest room, Aura slammed the door shut behind her and threw her bag across the room. The sheer audacity of Isabella—gliding around like she owned the place, glowing like a goddess, while she, Aura, was being treated like some afterthought.She marched to the mirror, her eyes burning with rage. Without hesitation, she stripped off what was left of her tight-fitting dress, the fabric pooling at her feet.“She thinks she’s won,” she hissed under her breath, slipping into a thin, barely-there silk robe that clung to her curves like a lover’s touch. “But this is far from over.”Just then, she felt strong arms wrap around her waist. Prince Khalid pulled her against his chest, his hands smoothing along her hips as he tried to calm her with gentle kisses to her neck.But Aura wasn’t in the mood for tenderness. She jerked out of his hold, spinning around.“Why did you let your brother speak to you like that?” she snapped. “Why didn’t you put him in