ALICIA'S POVI put on a disguised black cloak covering my head and wore a mask. I inspected my disguise at the new mirror that had been replaced after I broke the original one.Perfect! No one would recognise that it was me. Tonight, I had to make preparations for tomorrow. According to my source, Crystal Thorne would be getting set to pay a visit to the famous Victoria Lake just a couple of miles away from the Royal Palace at dusk. And the good part was that Xavier wasn't coming with her. After giving myself one final look in the mirror, I exited my room in the dead of the night and crept through the hallways. I ducked and glanced over my shoulders occasionally, ensuring that no one was following me.I can't afford to allow anyone to get wind of my plans, or else I was done for even before it happened. Crystal Thorne must face the music. She had to be taught a lesson not to mess with the royals. It was about time I put her back in her place.After all the insults and embarrassmen
ALICIA'S POVAfter about nineteen seconds, the chubby guard brought Lucas out."Here you go, young lady." He announced as he closed the door behind him.Lucas shot him a curious look and then looked at me, eyeing me closely."Henry, who is this woman that wants to see me?" He asked the chubby guard. So his name is Henry, huh?Henry shrugged and gestured to me."Why don't you ask her yourself? She's right in front of you." I chuckled and then cleared my throat."Hi, Lucas. Can you spare me some minutes? I have a job for you." I said firmly.He arched his brows at me."Who may you be? How do you know my name?" I puffed out a deep sigh."Henry, can you give us some privacy?" I peered up at the chubby guard.He reluctantly nodded and disappeared into the quarters, shutting the door.Ensuring he was out of earshot, I turned to face the puzzled Lucas."I don't want anyone to know about this. Not a single soul should know that I'm the one ordering you to do this. Do you understand?" I whi
CRYSTAL'S POV I woke up more energetic than I was the previous day. I was very excited about the trip today! I've been dreaming of this day!Finally, the day has arrived; for the first time, I would be visiting the famous Victoria Lake. I glanced at the wall clock; It was just fifteen minutes past eleven. The visit was this evening, though, which meant I had most of the day to myself. Xavier woke up pretty early. He said he had an important meeting with Elder Ivan Hawkings, his uncle. Hence, his absence. It was unfortunate that Xavier wouldn't be coming along with me. It would have been great if both of us had gone together like a couple. That had been my dream even before I mentioned the trip to him.I was so excited and glad that he approved.I smacked my lips as I rubbed my sleepy face gently. Since Xavier had mentioned that I had the freedom to pretty much do whatever I wanted and go wherever I wanted, I thought this was the best time to pay a surprise visit to Emily, my bes
CRYSTAL'S POV He was pretty muscular, and he was clad in armour like he was preparing for battle."Miss Crystal Thorne, I believe?" He quizzed, eyeing me curiously from head to toe.I gulped. I was uncomfortable with the way he was seizing me up.Emily tugged my dress to get my attention and drew closer to whisper in my ears:"Why are the guards here?"It was not only the muscular guard. There were seven more men clad in armour, and they encircled us.I sucked in several deep breaths and puffed out a deep sigh. These must be the guards sent to escort me, but did they really have to go the extra mile getting all geared up like this? What's out there? Was it that dangerous? From what I heard, outside the walls of the well secured royal palace may be dangerous because of the presence of rogues loitering in the woods.But we weren't going too far off. The Victoria Lake was only a couple of miles away. Nevertheless, my safety was paramount. That's why Xavier had insisted that eight men
CRYSTAL'S POV Dear Moon goddess... is this the end for me? Would I die without Xavier in my arms, professing his love for me? Would I just die without experiencing true love?Well, at least he has been nice to me for the past few days. I could use that as a parting gift. Thank you, Xavier! What of my best friend, Emily? I couldn't afford to leave her in this dark world all alone.Okay, maybe I don't want to die after all!Please, save me. Xavier!!! Anyone!!My heart pounded relentlessly against my chest like a hailstorm underneath my ribcage as I clenched my eyes shut and shielded my head in fear.Was I really going to die? Before Lucas made it here, I would have already been dead because the speed at which the assailant was charging towards me was fueled with rage. I didn't make any enemies, I've never been outside the walls in all of my life, so why the hell would anyone want to make me their enemy? Or want me dead? Or were they mistaking me for Luna Rachael or Alicia? I have a
ALICIA'S POVMy plan was going very smoothly. One step at a time, and I will attain my goals in no time. So far, so good she accepted my peace offering, and now we are very good friends as I had described it. But alas, I hadn't the foggiest idea what being good friends was. Good friends? The words rolling out of my mouth nearly caused me to puke. I felt like spitting on her face, and my blood boiled as I touched her shoulders. I was simply trying to demonstrate my changed status. But oh boy, I tried to fight the tempting urge to bash her head in and pierce the dagger right into her heart. But that would be a total disaster, wouldn't it?As much as I wanted to speed things up and get rid of the girl, I should try as much as possible to exercise some patience or it would gravely cost me and I may end up losing Xavier forever and the throne as well.I might just have to try and put up with her for a while and see how it plays out."I think we should return to the royal palace, ma'am,
ALICIA'S POV "See to it that she's well taken care of!" Xavier barked out orders to the nurses on standby. They nodded frantically and bowed their heads."Yes, sir!" They answered in unison.He drew close to Crystal and pulled her into his arms, kissing her hair again."You need to be taken care of in case of any internal bleeding or anything. " He whispered to her, loud enough for me to hear him.I scoffed and looked away, my blood spiking in annoyance and green with envy."I told you, Xavier, I'm fine. I'm unscathed. There's nothing to worry about." Crystal assured him.But he shook his head."I insist, Crystal. Please go with the nurses and let them attend to you. I'm right behind you if you need anything. Let's just be sure you're alright for health reasons, okay?" He rubbed her shoulders gently as he made her look into his eyes.She breathed in deeply, puffing out a deep sigh in resignation and nodded slowly in the affirmative."Okay, fine. I will go." She muttered."Now that's
CRYSTAL'S POV It's been a rough day for me. It started great; I was bubbling with excitement and anticipation about seeing Victoria Lake for the first time; Xavier was so sweet and obliged to my demands. Sadly, he couldn't come along because he had an important appointment with his uncle, Elder Ivan Hawkings. What seemed to be an amazing day suddenly morphed into something sinister and dangerous. My whole life flashed right before my eyes as one of the bad men charged towards me brandishing a dagger at me. My heart was literally in my throat as I was glued to the ground, unable to move. I had accepted my fate and bid my silent goodbyes to my best friend and Xavier. I wondered if I would be greatly missed if I had died. But why would I think of something like that? I should be grateful for the fact that I'm alive and nothing terrible has happened. Miraculously, I didn't sustain any injuries or scratches.Surprisingly, I was rescued by my worst enemy, Alicia Evans. I thought she
LEO'S POVOh shit! This wasn't good! Crystal was going to be kidnapped. What if I was already too late. I didn't exactly hear everything that they said. But I knew something was off, and I was already too late by the time I got to Xavier's chambers. I came just in time to see two men clad in black clothes and a mask covering their faces, carrying Crystal after drugging her. They put her in a horse-drawn carriage.I tried to follow the carriage as discreetly as I could until they stopped at a cavern beneath a high mountain.Damn it, but even if I wanted to rescue her , I was outnumbered.There was no way I could make it at this rare. I would just end up getting myself killed.Then what do I do at this rate? This was a matter of life and death. Crystal was in dire danger. My mother and crazy girlfriend had completely gone bonkers! I needed to get Crystal out of there as fast as possible before things got out of hand.I had no idea what exactly the two women wanted to do to Crystal. H
CRYSTAL'S POV It's has been a lonely evening....a lonely day, in fact. Xavier was hardly around. He had been very busy with having ceaseless meetings with his uncle, and tonight, he had mentioned earlier that he won't be available until later in the night or early in the morning so I shouldn't wait up for him.I puffed out a deep sigh. He had been very busy these past few weeks. I heard the coronation was drawing to a close. No wonder the discreet meetings with his uncle have risen. He had been working so hard with little time to rest. I hoped he was doing okay? I had insisted earlier that he took today's off, but he wouldn't listen.I slid out of bed and headed to the balcony for the view and to get some fresh air. Maybe that would help me relax and sleep better. Lately, I've been finding it somewhat hard to fall asleep easier.I also wonder if Martin was doing alright ever since he went exiled. At any rate, it was way better than remaining here. Alicia would have made life a livi
ALICIA'S POV Shit! Shit! Shit! As if things couldn't get any worse than it already was!Three days had passed, and I didn't hear a single word from Martin anymore. I had instructed Lucas to check on him in his quarters, but he was nowhere to be found. He didn't even report to work the following morning. So I had Lucas go to his bakcksmith shop discreetly to find out if he was there. But he wasn't....infact, until now we had no idea where he would have run off to.It's been a week and not a single word. What could have happened? If he had exposed my plans to Crystal or Xavier, I would have known by now. But something was strange. What did Martin do? He probably ran off somewhere. He was a spy, after all. It was easier for him to adapt.But damn it! I didn't expect my plans to be ruined. I invested so much into this, and yet I have nothing to show for it! What the hell was happening?! Did Crystal do or say to him? What really went down? I wouldn't be able to know when she tells me
CRYSTAL'S POVI was such a fool! How come I didn't realise that Alicia had been playing a trick on me all these while?! Xavier and Emily, my best friend, warned me, and yet I didn't listen because I wanted to give Alicia the benefit of the doubt for once. I had hoped that something good was going to come out of our friendship after she supposedly rescued me that day. Rescued? But come to think of it though...now that Martin had exposed the truth, what if Emily had been right that the whole idea about Alicia randomly showing up that day and most especially in the nick of time to save me, sounded so thought out and planned. What if Alicia also had a hand in that as well? She had insisted that Xavier get me a new bodyguard because she had been plotting to bring one here herself, which was Martin. How come I didn't see that coming?! I was so blinded to the fact that Alicia was turning a new leaf and wanted the best for me. What a fool I had been! Now, thanks to the moon goddess for swa
MARTIN'S POV A video?! Why does this sound so familiar. "What?! What did Leo do to you if you don't mind my asking? Did he-""No!" She blurted out before I could finish. I didn't want to complete that statement in the first place, silently hoping it wasn't true ."No, he didn't! I'm glad he didn't." She said shakily, and I couldn't help but feel the pain seared through my chest, watching how hurt she looked.She must have been through a lot. I wondered what really went down that day...Thankfully, Leo didn't rape her as I thought. She paused and sucked in several deep breaths before she continued:"He tried to have sex with me but I'm glad it didn't go through....so a video was made and I was threatened that the video would go public if I didn't do as I was told. I had no choice. Before I could gather my thoughts together, I ran out. I was mortified, broken, and scared to death. "She paused as she bit her bottom lip frantically before she continued again."I wanted to run away an
MARTIN'S POV I resumed work the following day as usual, but this time, it was different. The emotions writhing inside of me were relentless. What do I do? I was restless, and I couldn't even concentrate on my job.I think the moment of truth was finally here, and for the first time, I was going to follow my heart to hell with the consequences. I would rather voice out the truth that will set me free than bottling up all these lies and guilt nibbling at me steadily.As usual, we met for her morning run, and when we slowed down for a break, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to tell her the truth. At this rate, what was even the point of hiding the truth?! It was utterly useless because I quit! I wouldn't stand by, fold my hands, and watch as an innocent, young lady's life was torn apart, and I had a hand in her destruction. No! I wouldn't be able to live with myself after that. I would blame myself for as long as i lived! So instead, why didn't I try to make things right?G
MARTIN'S POV I sucked in a deep breath as I swallowed.She arched her brows diametrically at me as she peered up at me, eyeing me closely.I cleared my throat."What brings you to this crappy side of the royal palace. It was rare seeing you here at this hour. This place doesn't suit your fancy, my lady." I said, with a sly smile curling up at the corner of my lips with an intent to taut her.She rolled her eyes as she moaned in exasperation."Oh for fuck's sake, Xavier drop the stupid formalities and step aside!" My eyes widened slightly as curiosity creased my brows.Don't tell me she was planning to step inside my shithole of a room!"Um...what on earth are you planning to do, Alicia?" I dipped lower as I whispered fiercely, looking both ways to ensure that no one was within earshot and in sight.She waved me off and pushed past me as she entered my tiny room. But the good part was that she didn't have to duck her head like me.I puffed out a deep sigh of resignation. There was
MARTIN'S POV Days passed by like a blur and then weeks and before I realised what was happening, two months had gone by. And in all of those times, a day didn't pass without my mind being preoccupied by the thoughts of Crystal Thorne, the lady whom I served under. The lady I had sworn to protect with my life. And you know what? I would gladly lay down my life for her. No one deserved that, but Crystal Thorne! Where on earth has she been all these while?! If only I had been a little earlier, we could have ended up together. Hopefully..... Well, at least, she wouldn't have had the opportunity of even crossing paths with Alpha Xavier Fernández. If only I had come into her life earlier. Maybe she didn't have to suffer. We could have run off somewhere and started a new life as a couple who shared a somewhat similar past. But was it too late?Maybe it wasn't too late after all.... how else could the both of us have met anyway?! Crystal Thorne had been locked up within the four walls of t
MARTIN'S POV"I'm sorry once again, Crystal," I said again when we were outside alone and after we had jogged around the open fields of the royal palace.She shook her head frantically."It alright, Martin. It is fine. I understand that you're still trying to find your feet," she paused as she shot me a rueful smile."You know, I used to be like you when I first started my job. I was confused and scared. I wasn't sure about what to do. I was so clueless like a fawn parted from its mother."I smiled warmly at her as I listened to her.I couldn't help but admire her beauty. She was indeed breathtaking. On top of that, she was a strong young lady who had survived a lot. I owe her some respect for that!"Thank you for understanding, Crystal," I said gently, shooting her a wide grin.She was not only empathetic to my plight, she was gentle and nice towards me.I wish to know more about her, and it had been eating deep at me. The curiosity to know what lies in the deepest recess of her he