Chapter 38: Leave, Isabel!Victoria approached Letecia and Isabel who were sitting on a bench. A devious smile curled on her lips."Ah, what a lovely scene," Victoria said loudly, her voice dripping with false sweetness.Letecia and Isabel turned, startled by her sudden presence. Letecia's eyes narrowed knowing there will be trouble when Victoria is around."Victoria," Letecia greeted coolly, standing up. "What brings you here?""Oh, just taking a walk and enjoying the fresh air," Victoria replied, her eyes fixed on Isabel. "I see you’ve found yourself some company."Isabel bowed her head, avoiding Victoria's gaze. "Your Majesty."Victoria stepped closer as her expression turned cold. "Isabel, you seem quite comfortable here, don’t you? Forgetting your place, perhaps?"Isabel looked up, confused and wary. "No, Your Majesty. I am just—""Just what? Enjoying privileges beyond your station?" Victoria interrupted with her voice sharp and criticizing.Letecia stepped in, speaking a firm to
Chapter 39: Lies and SchemesLucian stood on the balcony of the west hall, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The vibrant colors of the sunset painted the sky, but his thoughts were far from the beauty before him. His mind was a storm of questions and doubts.Why had he been so enraged at the mere thought of Isabel hurting Victoria? What had driven him to imprison the woman he loved? The memory of her tear-streaked face haunted him and her pleas echoed in his ears. Was it wrong for him to have acted so harshly, even if it was to protect the Isabel?The questions gnawed at him relentlessly. Had he been too cruel? Too quick to judge? The doubt unsettled him, breaking the confidence he usually carried as king. "No," he muttered to himself, trying to silence the uncertainty. "I did what I had to do."For him, his duty was clear and that is to produce an heir to secure the throne. That had been the deal with Head Minister Marlowe. After that, he could pursue his desires freely. At le
Chapter 40: Farewell, My KingIn the middle of the night, Letecia moved swiftly and silently through the shadowed corridors of the palace, her form hidden beneath a hooded robe. Her heart pounded in her chest as she made her way to the dungeons, driven by an urgent need to see Isabel.As she approached the entrance to the dungeons, she slowed her pace, calming her breath. The guard on duty straightened at her approach, his eyes narrowing with suspicion until she pulled back her hood and revealed her identity."Let me inside," Letecia commanded, her voice firm as she held up her royal seal. The guard's eyes widened in recognition, and he immediately stood at attention, bowing respectfully."Yes, Your Highness," he replied, quickly unlocking the heavy wooden door. The iron hinges creaked as it swung open, revealing the cold, dark corridor beyond.Letecia stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. The air was thick with the damp, musty smell of the underground, and the distant
Chapter 41: Sir GayleThe carriage rolled steadily through the dark, narrow streets. The wooden wheels clattered softly against the cobblestones. Inside, Isabel sat in silence while her hands rested on her lap. Hours passed, and the carriage gradually slowed to a stop. The coachman opened the door, and Isabel took a deep breath before stepping out onto the familiar streets of the slums where she had grown up. The cold air bit at her cheeks, but it was a welcome sensation, grounding her in the present.As her feet touched the ground, the first snowflakes of the season began to fall, drifting gently from the sky and settling on her shoulders and hair. Isabel paused noticing it as a gasp escaped her lips, realizing what was happening. Almost immediately, Isabel looked up, watching the delicate flakes swirl and dance in the air. The sight filled her with different emotions. Her eyes wandered around the streets, taking in the rundown houses and the narrow alleyways. She remembered playi
Chapter 42: Hand in Marriage"What do you mean?" Isabel asked, her voice trembling.Sir Gayle opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, the door suddenly swung open. Standing in the doorway was Teressa, her eyes wide with fear and confusion."Oh my God... Isabel?! It really is you! I thought I heard wrong. Wha- how- I..." Teressa stuttered, her words tumbling over each other in her shock.Isabel's breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of her mother. Teressa looked healthier than the last time Isabel had seen her, no longer pale and frail and that made her heart swell with relief."Ma..." Isabel began, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her cheeks. She could no longer contain her emotions and immediately leapt forward, wrapping her arms around her mother in a tight embrace.Teressa held her daughter close, her own tears falling freely. "Isabel, my sweet girl, you're home," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.They stood there for a long mome
Chapter 43: Morning VisitorThe next morning arrived with the sounds of crunching and pounding outside Teressa's home, that jolted her from sleep. Alarmed, she hastily wrapped her old shawl around herself and hurried to the door.But the sight that greeted her upon opening the door left her utterly shocked.There, in the middle of the cold of winter, stood Sir Gayle, shirtless, vigorously chopping wood."My goodness, young man! What are you doing? You'll catch your death out here!" Teressa exclaimed in genuine concern, rushing back inside to rouse Isabel from her sleep."Isabel! Wake up, dear!"Isabel's eyes fluttered open slowly while her mother's form was still blurry before her."Yes, mother?" she mumbled sleepily."Your... husband— I mean... that young man! The physician is outside chopping firewood in the snow!" Teressa relayed, her worry evident in her tone."Mother, let him be. He's accustomed to such tasks," Isabel replied groggily, the reality of her situation still sinking i
Chapter 44: Lovers' QuarrelAfter breakfast, Teressa took her bitter-tasting medicine, grimacing as it went down. She quickly drank a cup of water to chase the taste away and then began to dress for her day of work at the pub. Wrapping her old, warm shawl around her shoulders, she glanced out the window and saw a scene that made her pause.Outside, Tristan, her future son-in-law—was scolding Isabel, who was struggling to carry a heavy bucket of water from the nearby well."Isabel, what on earth are you doing? You shouldn't be carrying that!" Tristan exclaimed, his hands on his hips, looking every bit the concerned fiancé."Well, someone has to fetch the water, and you were busy chopping wood," Isabel shot back, her face flushed from both exertion and the argument."I could have fetched it after I finished! You need to take it easy," Tristan insisted, reaching out to take the bucket from her.Isabel pulled it away, determined. "I'm perfectly capable of carrying a bucket of water, Trist
Chapter 45: The InvitationWhen they reached the house, Isabel knocked on the door, which soon opened to reveal a pleasantly surprised Mrs. Hawthorne. "Isabel! Tristan! What brings you here?" she asked, stepping aside to let them in.Isabel smiled warmly. "I just wanted to talk to you about a few things, Mrs. Hawthorne. Thank you for seeing us on such short notice."Mrs. Hawthorne waved her hand dismissively. "Nonsense, dear. You’re always welcome here. Come in, both of you, and let’s sit by the fire."As they settled by the fire, Isabel took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "Mrs. Hawthorne, I wanted to thank you for taking such good care of my mother while I was gone. It means more to me than I can express."Mrs. Hawthorne reached out and patted Isabel’s hand. "Oh, Isabel, it was no trouble at all. Your mother is a dear friend, and I was happy to help. How is she faring now?""She’s doing much better, thanks to you. Your kindness has been a great comfort to her," Isabel replied
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