We reach what I believe to be a duplex in the middle of the forest. For some reason it looks familiar to me but I can’t pinpoint how. “Do not move, do not scream. Only do as I tell you.” Christian leaves the car and comes to my side and opens the car door for me. “Very chivalry of you.” I roll my eyes. “Just get out of the car.” I reluctantly do and we both move into the house but Christian is walking right behind me. I’m busy thinking of ways to escape but honestly there is no point because I have no idea where I even am. But knowing the amount of people that care about me will be worried sick gives me a sense of hope that I’ll be found. This is practically the second time Emaine is kidnapping me. Wonderful, At Least I remember one. We reach the entrance door and he knocks. The door opens but the person I see has me shook. “Leonard?” I say, befuddled. “You’ve done your work Christian. You may leave.” He says. Christian nods and leaves. He makes sure to close the door be
“There you are.” He smiles. He walks straight to me then bends his head to my ear. “I don’t want to continue noticing you oddling me from a surveillance camera. I’d prefer it if it was face to face. Goodnight my love, see you tomorrow.” He walks past me and enters his room and I’m left alone feeling like a complete idiot for not realizing that there would be surveillance cameras in this place. I huff and go back to my room. ~~~ I wake up to hearing knocking on my door. I sigh and stand up. I open it ignoring the mess on my head. Ofcourse leonard ks the first person I’ll see the moment I wake up. “Good Morning my lovely. How was your night?” He asks and leans his shoulder against the side of the door. “What do you want?” I say and walk back to my bed. I’m already annoyed and he didn’t even say anything bad. He’s dressed already. He’s wearing a casual shirt and joggers meaning he’s not planning on going anywhere today. “I’m just going to ignore how rude you are… I need you t
The moment the door closes I start to think about how long it’ll take before Michael notices I’m missing. I’m mostly scared for Luca because Michael had asked to go with me and he refused. He'll definitely blame Luca for my disappearance. I scan my surroundings and notice that there is zero to no escape. My hands are so tight I can’t move them. At Least my legs aren’t tied up but I still can't stand with the chair behind me. Come on, Aurelia , think. How the hell did a whole me manage to escape from this chair and why did Leonard kidnap me in the first place. I try to search for any memory but my brain is blank. This plan isn’t going to work. I look at the camera and wonder if I should shout red or not. I decide not to. I’m actually going to try and break out of here whether it triggers a memory or not. I look at my hands and notice that the chair I’m sitting on is made of wood but I don’t know whether it’s the kind of wood that can’t break or the one that’s weak enough to break
I immediately jolt myself up to get him off me but all it does is causes him to groan. Oh shit the way I thrusted myself up to get him off me just made my body brush his… oh my god I need him to get off of me now! “Oh my goodness are you alright!?” It’s Brian’s voice. I kick his legs and he slides to the other side of the bed and I immediately stand up. I try to remove the fact that I just felt him and it was huge and hard. “Get out of my room!” I all but shriek. He doesn’t say anything. He just stands up and leaves. He’s still pissed. Well I guess that makes both of us. “Oh dear, I’ll pack it up now.” Brina noticed the mess of the glass plate in the corner of the room. I just go straight to the bathroom to bathe. I’m already sweaty as we speak and I haven't gotten dressed properly since this morning. ~~~~ Michael The past few days have been a blur of action and strategy, but now it feels like the calm before the storm. I sit at the small, worn-out table in the broad
“Speak.” He says. “Hey,” I say, keeping my tone casual. “Just wanted to let you know I’m alright.” There’s a long pause. “Aurelia…Where are you? What’s going on?” “Nothing you need to worry about,” I say quickly, too quickly. “I’m fine, Kane. I just... I need you to promise me something.” “What?” His voice is sharper now, edged with suspicion. “Don’t come looking for me. Don’t send anyone after me. I’m handling things, and I need to do it alone. Okay?” “Aurelia, what the hell are you talking about? Where are you?” “I can’t tell you that,” I say. “Just trust me. I’ll be back when I can. But you have to promise me, Kane. No searching. No worries.” There’s silence on the other end, the kind that makes my heart ache. Finally, he speaks. “If you’re in trouble—” “I’m not,” I lie again, the words tasting bitter. “Just... promise me, Kane.” Another long pause, then a resigned sigh. “Fine. But you owe me an explanation when this is over.” “I will,” I promise, knowing it’s ano
The cell is as dark as it is cold, with stone walls pressing in on me like the weight of all my failures. The shackles around my wrists bite into my skin, a constant reminder that I walked into this willingly. I was convinced I could save her. Now, the only sounds that keep me company are the drip of water somewhere far off and the distant echoes of footsteps in the labyrinth of hallways above. Suddenly, the door to my cell creaks open, the sound of metal grating against stone sharp in the stillness. I sit up, muscles tense, as a figure steps into the dim light. It’s him. Leonard. He’s dressed as if he’s about to attend a royal banquet—regal and immaculate in his tailored suit. His face, usually so composed and unreadable, carries a twisted smirk that makes my blood boil. “Well, well, Kane,” Leonard drawls, his voice dripping with mockery. “I must admit, I expected you to last a bit longer before giving in to despair. But perhaps you’re not as strong as you think.” I grit my
The thoughts of last night have me wondering if Leonard actually fell for my act or not. I’m presently in the living room downstairs watching a show called his into her, it’s a kdrama. I’m not really into them but that’s the only thing Leonard is allowing me to watch for some reason. There’s no logic behind it. “There’s another experience I want you to Reenact.” Leonard says from behind me. I didn’t even notice anyone coming downstairs. I grab the remote and increase the volume completely ignoring him. He comes and he stands in front of the tv. I sigh. “What do you want?” “I just told you what I want.” He grins. “I'm not doing another one. I don’t want to and you can’t force me.” I say. I stand to leave but he grabs my waist and pulls me back in front of him. “What happened to the changed you from yesterday?” He smirks. “Let go of me Leonard.” I say. His breath fans my face and his other hand grabs the other side of my waist. “I knew it was all a ploy. What? Did you really
Once we get back into the car Luca doesn’t start driving. Instead he just stares at me. “Do you want me to drive?” I ask. He shakes his head so I raise my brow. “What did she mean by Aurelia is her step sister?” “Oh um… don’t worry about that, she's just babbling nonsense.” I say. “No. There’s no way she’d just say that for nothing. Please tell me.” He says. I sigh. “I had an affair with the former king's father.” I say. “By that you also mean the present kings father cause-” “Yeah, yeah I know!” I say “So..?” He asks, still confused. “We had Michael and since Michaels Aurelia’s half brother and also Isabel’s that makes Aurelia her step sister but not literally. She just likes saying it.” I say. “Wow… um- that’s-” “Insane? Trust me I know, just drive.” He finally listens to me and steps on it. ~~~ We go back to the station and Michael literally grabs my hand, his grip firm but urgent. "You need to see this," he says, dragging me towards the small TV set in th
My eyes have been shut this whole time that when I open them I realize none of this makes sense but I don’t even care. I get off him and kiss him so hard I’m sure I left a bruise somewhere. I finally allow us to breathe. “I’m so sorry baby.” I whisper whilst hugging him. “Shh..” he says and rubs my back. I step away and he wipes my tears. “I know you have many questions.” He says whilst holding my waist. I nod with snot probably coming out of my nose. “Ask.” He says. He’s trying to distract me. “How are you here.. the letter! Your silence on the phone? London?” I speak without thinking . “Michale called yesterday. He told me he didn’t want to tell me about your wedding but I told him we already met and you told me about it. He then told me it’s happening today but I still didn’t want to bother. I had concluded that I’d kill myslef the day you get married. So I was prepared until he told me the kind of danger you might be in and I immediately got on the plane. The only
“I’m so sorry Leo.” I say but he ignores me and I can see his heart shattering. I know how much he loved his sister even though he loved to pretend otherwise. I then look at Luca who seems to be staring at Isabel like he’s in a trance. He’s not even crying. There’s not even tears. He’s just staring at her. I sit flat on the floor between the two dead bodies whilst the war outside is still happening so it’s not like I can go anywhere. Elena suddenly calls my name but I’m too shocked to look at her. She shows up in front of me and hands me the same envelope that mom gave her. I take it from her and open it. I look down first because I want to see who it’s from, this is not the time. I see the name Kane there and I immediately start to get the most painful headache ever. I close my eyes and I could swear I’m in a trance where all I’m seeing are memories. They're all coming back. Rune was my stepbrother. Leonard killed him. I loved Kane alot and I also loved Rune a lot. Emaine
I sigh when I realize Michael and I have walked past half of the aisle and look up. I finally have eye contact with Leonard and the way he looks at me makes me want to drop my gaze back down. He looks amazing in his black suit. His hair is slicked back as well and he’s carved his beard. He’s staring at me like I’m the best thing he’s ever seen and that makes me smile. We finally reach the small stairs and Michael untangles his hand from mine. I see him glare at Leonard before he lets me go and I walk up the stairs. I stand right in front of Leonard. He's on the right side whilst I’m on the left. The priest is in the middle. My girls are behind me and vice versa with Leonard’s men. I so badly want to ask Shannon where Emaine is but I don’t think it’s appropriate. I hear some whispers whilst I’m up here but I can’t hear what their saying. Everyone sits down and I finally hear someone say that it’s not right for my mom to be here but the king's mother isn't. I snort and Leonard rai
One week later I’ve been thinking about Kane and I’s conversation all day and my heart feels like it's exploding every time. I don’t know whether it’s the memories of my past that have been coming back lately but they are affecting the way I feel about this entire situation. Leonard decided to rush our wedding because he felt like something bad would happen in between. Apparently the rebels are angry at me for betraying them. they’ve started to riot again. I didn’t betray them but it sure as hell looks like I am now that I’m getting married to one of the revolution's enemies. They must be feeling the same way Michael feels. I would definitely try to find who is commanding them now that me, Michael and Luca are no longer there just so that I could talk to them and try to find a reasonable understanding or come to an agreement between one another to stop the violence and just let the wicked leaders lead. The people will handle it during the elections when they are choosing their own l
I lean back in the seat, tracing the edge of the invitation card in my lap. It’s still strange, seeing my name next to Leonard’s in elegant, golden script. I went to see them today, to invite Michael, Elena, Shannon, and the others to the wedding. A part of me hoped they’d all be there, that maybe they’d want to share this with me. But every single one of them declined. Their rejections feel like tiny, sharp pinpricks, pressing deeper the more I think about it. As we slow at a red light, I glance out the window, watching people hurry across the street, faces blending into each other. Then I freeze. In the car beside me, a familiar face leans against the window, lost in thought—Kane. My heart skips. Without thinking, I lean forward and tap the driver’s shoulder. “Please, pull over. Right here.” He raises his eyebrows at me through the rearview mirror but nods, steering us to the curb. I roll down my window, sticking my hand out to catch Kane’s attention. “Kane!” I call softly, hop
Everyone keeps congratulating me but for some reason I don’t even feel like this is real. Leonard told me he doesn’t want to waste much time on our wedding and I agreed so we’re getting married in a week. I decided to go to kanes place to tell Michael and the others. For some reason I can’t get Kane out of my mind….ever since he helped me that day by getting me away from that weird ass man in the library stuck with me and I haven't been able to thank him. I didn’t even thank him for trying to get to me the time that Leonard had kidnapped me. Leonard invited his hateful relatives for our engagement. Apparently the tradition is that they have to all come and dine with me, I refused to do so.. they came regardless but I wasn’t there to see them. Leonard had understood that I needed to leave so he let me go to kanes place which is where I’m heading now. He insisted that I take some of his guards so I did. I don’t know how Shannon, Michael, Elena, Luca and even Kane will take this news…
Hearing that Aurelia was in love with Leonard was one thing but seeing it in her eyes did something to me. The moment we got home I didn’t speak to anyone no matter how much they tried to get me to speak. There’s no use for me to stay in Rome if the reason I’m here is clearly gone… I don’t want to give up but as long as she doesn’t have her memory back I have to leave. I decided to write her a letter, I hope that when she gets to read this her memory will be back. I’m presently packing. I'm going back to London. I don’t plan on getting talked out of this so I’m planning on going when everyone’s asleep besides Shannon, I'm going to give her the letter personally because I know she’ll deliver my message. I step out of my room silently and knock on her door a few times. She opens it whilst brushing her eyes with her hands. She looks like she hasn’t been sleeping… but she does look very tired. “Kane?” she asks, voice hushed. "What are you doing here? And...with a suitcase?" I st
I sit in my room, the dim light casting shadows on the walls. My heart still races from the commotion downstairs. I expected my mother, Shannon, to leave with the rest of them, but she didn’t. She’s here. I hear her soft footsteps approaching before there’s a light knock on the door. “Aurelia, may I come in?” she asks, her voice gentle but firm, like always. “Yeah,” I whisper, unsure of what to expect. My fingers fidget in my lap as she steps in and closes the door behind her. She sits beside me on the bed, the mattress dipping slightly under her weight. There’s a brief silence as she studies me, her eyes soft but observant, the way a mother’s should be. I look away, my throat tight, already feeling the emotions bubbling up. I know what this is about. “I didn’t leave with the others because I needed to talk to you,” Shannon says, her voice soft but serious. She reaches out, taking my hand. Her touch is warm, familiar, and it instantly begins to break down the walls I’ve tried to
I sit on the edge of the couch, my eyes scanning the room. Kane leans against the wall, arms crossed, his face unreadable. Shannon and Luca sit across from each other, both looking deep in thought. Elena is quiet, but I can feel her eyes on me, waiting. Emaine sits off to the side, her posture stiff, clearly uncomfortable. I clear my throat, trying to break the silence. "The revolution has been regrouping. We don’t know who their new leader is, but I have reason to believe they’re planning to take action soon." Kane uncrosses his arms, his lips curling into a grim smirk. “Let them. If their first plan is to kill Leonard, I’d be more than happy to let them.” Before I can respond, Shannon jumps in. "That’s not a good idea, Kane. Especially if Aurelia isn’t leading them anymore. They see her as a traitor. If they try to kill Leonard, they’ll go after her too." Her words hang in the air, and I can feel the tension rising. Luca’s phone suddenly rings, cutting through the weight of the