Chapter 20: Stand on my groundVictoria watched closely as Lucian began eating the food she had brought. But to her dismay, he looked as though he had no appetite. He took small, unenthusiastic bites, his mind clearly elsewhere.The food, though delicious, seemed tasteless to Lucian. His thoughts were consumed by the memory of Isabel’s hands preparing it, her familiar touch on the food, and the ache in his heart knowing that she must have been thinking about him spending his time with Victoria and not her. Victoria watched with growing frustration as Lucian picked at his breakfast, barely making a dent in the meal she had worked so hard to prepare. She could see that his mind was far away, and it stung to realize that even in this intimate moment, he seemed distant and uninterested."Is the food not to your liking, Your Majesty?" she asked, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice.Lucian looked up, startled out of his thoughts. "No, it’s not that," he said quickly. "The fo
Chapter 21: Embroider me to your heartAfter the tense meeting in the throne room, King Lucian retired to his royal study, hoping to find peace alone. As he delved into the documents spread out before him, there came a hesitant knock on the door."Enter," Lucian called out. The door creaked open, revealing the imposing figure of Head Minister Marlowe. His expression was unreadable, but there was a glint in his eyes that sent a shiver down Lucian's spine."Your Majesty," Marlowe began, his tone deceptively calm. "We need to talk."Lucian's eyes became that of someone on alert. "What is it, head minister Marlowe?" Lucian asked, trying to keep his voice steady."It seems you underestimate the consequences of your defiance, Your Majesty," Marlowe's voice dripped with menace as each word carried the shadow of a looming storm. "If you persist in your obstinance, the kingdom will suffer. And so will you."Lucian's heart thundered in his chest and a cold dread settling in the pit of his sto
Chapter 22: His choice Isabel's POVAs the news of the king's marriage reached me, I immediately headed to see him urgently. I couldn't quite understand what I was feeling at the moment, but one thing was for sure —I could feel the coldness of the coming winter, and the feeling in my heart was even colder.I rushed through the palace with my mind in a whirl of confusion and heartache. I searched every place where the king could be, my desperation growing with each empty room. Finally, as I rounded a corner, I came face to face with Princess Victoria, who was humming happily as she walked through the corridors on the way to the library where Lucian had once shown me.Before I could bump into her, I immediately stopped in my urgent steps and curtsied. "Your Highness," I weakly spoke with my ragged breath."Ah. It's you," Victoria replied flatly, her eyes narrowing with a hint of disdain. "What is the matter? You seem distressed."My voice trembled as I tried to steady myself. "I need t
Chapter 23: Matrimonial PreparationsFor the next few days, preparations for Lucian and Victoria's royal wedding became the kingdom's priority. The palace buzzed with activity as maids, servants, and courtiers worked tirelessly to ensure every detail was perfect for the grand event. The excitement was evident, and the air was filled with anticipation.But for Isabel, there was no joy in these preparations. The happiness that seemed to envelop everyone else only deepened the cold emptiness inside her. While everyone wished for the king and future queen's good health, Isabel's body, on the other hand, began to feel weak and fragile. Her once-rosy cheeks were now pale as if the very life was draining out of her. Yet, no one noticed her deteriorating condition. Everyone was too consumed with their tasks, too absorbed in the upcoming celebration.Lucian, meanwhile, was consumed by his own struggle. It had been weeks since the last time he saw Isabel, ever since he had turned his back on h
Chapter 24: A vow to anotherFinally, the most awaited day had arrived. It was the day King Lucian and Princess Victoria would be united as one. Nobles from the east and the west, the north and the south, had gathered to witness the grand union. The entire kingdom of Montebello was filled with excitement. Tales of the king's love for the princess filled the air, and new songs were sung in the taverns and marketplaces. The people celebrated what they believed to be a love story for the ages. Little did they know that the truth was far from what they believed.In his private chambers, Lucian sat alone, staring at a small, neatly wrapped gift on his desk. It was the gift from Isabel, given to him the night before. He had wanted to open it immediately, but something held him back. Now, on the morning of his wedding day, the sight of it made his heart ache. What could Isabel have given him? What could it mean on this day of all days?His mind was in a turmoil. He felt a strong pull toward
Chapter 25: His little sisterIsabel watched as Lucian leaned in to kiss Victoria in front of the congregation. Her heart ached with every second that passed, but she forced a smile and clapped along with the crowd in congratulations. It had taken days—no, hours—of thinking, but she had finally come to a decision. She would be happy for Lucian. He deserved joy, and she didn't want to be a burden to him by showing too much of her emotions.As the newlywed king and queen turned to face everyone, Lucian's eyes met Isabel's. She smiled at him, a smile she hoped looked peaceful. Inside, she felt anything but. There was a storm raging within her, but she had made her choice. She would support him, no matter what. Lucian looked at her with an expression she couldn't quite place. It looked like a flicker of something deep and painful in his eyes. But in Lucian's head, he wished he was seeing her cry, rather than this mask of serenity she wore.As she noticed his intense gaze, she immediately
Chapter 26: In Hopes for his HappinessLeticia smiled as her eyes reflected the calmness of the setting. "I find this place very peaceful. It's a perfect spot for sharing stories, don't you think?"Isabel nodded respectfully. "Yes, Your Highness. It is indeed.""Please, call me Leticia," she reminded Isabel with a gentle smile. "I want us to speak as friends, not as a princess and a maid."Isabel hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright, Leticia."Leticia leaned back, her gaze drifting over the pond's surface. "My time overseas was both challenging and enlightening. I studied medicine in a bustling city far from here. It was a place where people from all walks of life came together, sharing their knowledge and experiences."Isabel listened intently, captivated by Leticia's words. "It must have been quite different from life here in the palace.""It was," Leticia agreed. "Back there, I was just another student, not a princess. I had to earn my place among my peers through hard w
Chapter 27: To Hurt HerThe day after the royal wedding, Lucian did everything he could to see Isabel and check on her. He wandered through the palace with urgency with his mind consumed of thoughts of her. But just as he found Isabel, Victoria appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, doing her best to keep the king away from Isabel. It was as if she knew right from the start what was going on between the two."My love, where are you going?" Victoria asked in a slightly loud voice that drew the attention of almost all the palace maids, including Isabel, who was busy cleaning up the grounds.Isabel turned to look, and Lucian's heart sank. He immediately tried to push Victoria away, but it was already too late. Isabel had already seen them so close together. But instead of seeing a pained expression on her face, Isabel only curtsied in respect, showing no emotion, not even a smile. She didn't even look him in the eye.Lucian was taken aback by what he saw. After Isabel curtsied and stood bac
Dear kind readers,I’m excited to share that The King’s Possession has finally reached its conclusion. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your patience, support, and love throughout this journey. I know the ending may feel a bit hanging, and some of you might still be longing for more of Isabel and Tristan’s story, but this is the way I always intended for their tale to end.Your enthusiasm and dedication have meant the world to me, and I’m incredibly grateful to have had such lovely readers who have stuck with this story until the very last page.Thank you for being part of this journey.With love and gratitude,Yñanana ~
Chapter 112: A Beautiful Second ChanceIsabel and Prince Raphael strolled through the tall maze garden as the greenery surrounded them like a living wall. The winding paths created an air of intimacy that Raphael seemed all too eager to exploit. Isabel’s arm was linked with Raphael’s as they walked, and he, ever the charming gentleman, leaned in closer with every step, his laughter echoing through the garden.Meanwhile, Tristan was not far behind and was hidden just enough to avoid being seen but close enough to watch the unfolding scene with growing irritation. He had followed them into the maze out of sheer stubbornness, unable to stomach the sight of Raphael’s overly friendly manner.As Raphael pointed out an intricately carved stone bench, suggesting they take a seat, Tristan rolled his eyes from his concealed vantage point. “A bench? Really? How original,” he muttered under his breath, his frustration bubbling over.Isabel, for her part, seemed oblivious to Raphael’s advances. Sh
Chapter 111: A child's pleaAnd so in the months that followed, Isabel remained true to her word. She had finally let Tristan go, though not completely, for she could not easily dismiss the deep feelings she had developed for the man who had saved her. Life continued to move forward, and with it, the fates of those around her began to shift.Lucian who was once a formidable force in the empire, was dethroned and reduced to the title of Viscount. The once-proud Montebello kingdom found itself under new leadership after the council deemed Leticia unfit to rule, her descent into violence and madness making her unworthy of the throne. The kingdom’s new ruler, handpicked for their wisdom and strength, sought to restore peace and stability to the fractured land.Victoria, who had suffered in the dark cells of the palace, was finally freed and was reunited with her son Julian only to face the consequences. But the West King, Leticia’s father, could not bear the thought of his daughter suffer
(This chapter is dedicated to my favourite song "The ones we once loved" by Ben&Ben. It would be nice if you lovely readers would listen to it too ^^)Chapter 110: Goodbye to the one I once LovedSuddenly, Ilyana interrupted with a cheeky smile. “Says who?” she asked, raising an eyebrow playfully as she looked at Isabel and Liam.Isabel blinked in surprise, her confusion evident. “Mother...?”Without another word, Ilyana raised her hand, signaling the guards to open the grand doors. The heavy wooden doors creaked as they swung open, and the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall. Isabel’s eyes widened as a group of men dressed in full black warrior tunics, their faces obscured by hoods, marched into the room in a precise formation.Two of the men, armed with swords at their sides and bows and arrows strapped to their backs, led the procession. Behind them walked a man whose hands were tightly bound, his head slightly bowed, concealing his features. Following this captive were two
Chapter 109: Says Who?The throne room was heavy with the echoes of Teressa’s confession and each word lingered in the air like a ghost from the past. Ilyana sat frozen on the throne, her mind reeling as the truth unraveled before her. She had spent years nursing her bitterness, her anger directed at the man she once loved, believing him to be a betrayer. But now, faced with the painful reality, the walls she had built around her heart began to crumble.Ilyana’s gaze fell to the floor, her vision blurred with tears. The memories of Alistair flooded her mind—the way his eyes would light up when he saw her, the warmth of his embrace, and the quiet moments they had shared away from the burdens of royalty. She remembered how he would bring her fresh fruit each morning, smiling like a child proud of his small gift, and how he would fret if she stayed up late, worrying that she would exhaust herself with royal duties. His gentle nature, his kindness, his insecurities—they were all things sh
Chapter 108: The Farmer who loved an Empress"Your Majesty!" Teressa’s voice trembled as she bowed deeply, her fear palpable. She could barely raise her head to meet Ilyana's blazing eyes.Ilyana’s disdain was evident as she glared at the cowering woman. "The audacity of you to show yourself after what you have done!" she roared, her hand lifted in a threatening gesture, ready to strike. The air crackled with tension as her anger seemed almost tangible.Isabel with her heart pounding, leaped forward, positioning herself between Ilyana and Teressa. "Mother, no! Please don’t hurt her… Please..." Her voice quavered with desperation as she tried to shield Teressa while her eyes looked at her, pleading. "She took care of me and loved me even though I am not her own child!"Ilyana’s eyes narrowed, her anger unrelenting. "She was the one who took you away from me! She was your father's mistress!" The accusation flew from her lips like venom as each word dripped with betrayal and bitterness.
Chapter 107: At Last"Are you pushing me away again? Am I still not good enough for you? Were you scared to see that I have changed?" Isabel's voice wavered as her insecurities finally spilled out, no longer hidden behind the mask of a princess. The memory of the last time she had confessed her love to Tristan haunted her, the cold rejection that had shattered her heart. She feared reliving that pain, but she also knew she couldn’t let this moment slip away. She had to take the chance, no matter the risk.And so she gathered every ounce of courage and straightened herself. Isabel's gaze was stern yet filled with the affection she had always held for the man who had saved her years ago. Her royal demeanor returned, but the vulnerability in her eyes remained. "Marry me, Tristan. This is an order from your princess. As the victor of the Royal Entreaty, you are obliged to surrender yourself and wed the princess. Those are the rules."Tristan was stunned by her commanding words. He knew he
Chapter 106: The Princess and the Knight"Remove your scarf," Isabel demanded with her voice steady but laced with a tension that reverberated through the room. The command was sharp and unexpected and it drew gasps from the gathered nobles and a flicker of surprise from Empress Ilyana herself.For a moment, Tristan remained motionless, his hesitation clear. He knew that once the scarf was gone, there would be no turning back. His heart pounded as Isabel, with a determined look in her icy blue eyes, began to move toward him.Ilyana who noticed the resolve in her daughter’s eyes, smiled softly and stepped aside, allowing Isabel to approach. The Empress had not expected this sudden turn, but she understood the importance of the moment. It was a rare chance for Isabel to take control of her fate, and she would not stand in her way.Tristan’s breath hitched as Isabel stopped just a few steps away from him. Her gaze was unwavering, her command absolute. With a deep breath, he reached up wi
Chapter 105: IdentityShe pointed it directly at Lucian, her hands steady despite the storm raging within her. The cold steel was a mere breath away from his throat, the threat clear and unmistakable.Lucian flinched as Isabel raised the sword, his eyes wide with fear. He had faced many battles, but none compared to this moment. Seeing the woman he loves holding a weapon against him, made his knees feel weak and his heart pound furiously in his chest. His eyes widened in shock and fear as he stared at the sword's tip, the reality of his situation crashing down on him. The mighty king, who once commanded armies and instilled fear in his enemies, now stood defenseless before the woman he had wronged so gravely. His arrogance was stripped away, leaving only the raw terror of a man facing his doom.Isabel’s chest heaved with the force of her anger, her grip on the sword tightening. Every ounce of pain, every drop of sorrow she had endured because of Lucian, now fueled her desire for venge