A/N: Hi lovelies! For those who might think it is weird for me to actually emphasize such a scene more than vanilla ones, please, this is a twisted romance after all. Do not get mad at me. 🤧 Also, thank you for reading this book! Love y'all!
Chapter 73: The Young's DesireAs midnight arrived and Isabel awoke in the stillness of the hour, she found herself lying beside Lucian, who was in a deep sleep. His steady breathing filled the room, and his back was turned towards her, giving her the perfect chance to slip away unnoticed. Carefully, Isabel inched away from the bed while her movements were slow and deliberate to avoid making any noise.The cool air of the room prickled her skin as she stood up. She then scanned the floor, spotting her scattered clothes. One by one, she picked them up as her fingers trembled slightly. She took a deep breath, resolved herself to stay calm and quiet.With each garment she slipped into, memories of the evening replayed in her mind, but she pushed them aside, focusing on the task at hand. She fastened the last button of her dress, glancing once more at Lucian to ensure he hadn't stirred. But he remained motionless, his back still turned.Isabel tiptoed across the room, avoiding the creaky
Chapter 74: A Desperate EscapeBut while Isabel was under the young prince's comfort, Lucian suddenly bellowed. His voice reached the ends of the palace halls as it echoed through the corridors.“Isabel!” His tone was angry and desperate, thinking that Isabel had left him once again.His voice startled Isabel, and she instantly rose to her feet in fear. But Julian did not want to let go of her hand.“Where are you going?” he asked, as Isabel tried her best to take his little fingers off her own.“I... I have to go, your highness. Let me go!” she nervously spoke in a frantic whisper.And yet, the young prince's grip tightened, his eyes wide with confusion and concern. “But why? What happened?”Her heart pounded as the sound of Lucian’s approaching footsteps grew nearer. Her eyes darted towards the door, which stood ajar, letting in the distant echoes of the king’s anger.As Lucian’s footsteps drew nearer, Isabel’s fear intensified. She tugged at Julian’s small fingers, her desperation
Chapter 75: I would rather die“You cannot take anything from me,” she mumbled, her voice a strained whisper against the weight of her suffering. “I will fight you even to the last of my breath.”Her fingers grasped the reins weakly as she tried to mount the horse again, but the effort was futile. The horse which was spooked by her sudden collapse and the chaos of the chase, whinnied nervously, its hooves shifting uneasily.Isabel grit her teeth against the pain as she forced herself off the horse, her movements slow and labored. She stumbled onto the ground with her hands dragging across the cool, damp earth as she attempted to rise. Her strength was nearly spent, but the fire of defiance burned brightly in her heart.With a valiant effort, she took a few shaky steps toward the darkened forest, her eyes set on the shadows that promised concealment and, perhaps, a fleeting chance at freedom. Each step was a struggle, her legs trembling under the strain of her injury, but she pressed o
Chapter 76Tristan stared down at his own reflection in the flowing waters of the river. His body was still bruised and wounded from the relentless punishments he had endured in the dungeon. It has been three days and yet the pain and exhaustion remained so intense that Tristan couldn't recall the last time he had a moment of true rest.*Flashback*Tristan’s body tensed as the first lash struck his back, a searing pain slicing through him like fire. He bit down hard, refusing to cry out, even as the leather whip tore into his skin. The soldiers who were loyal to King Lucian, showed no mercy. Each strike was brutal and it cut through his skin as another lash came down, followed by another. Tristan’s body trembled under the relentless onslaught, but his resolve remained unbroken. He had protected Isabel, given her a chance at freedom away from the palace’s oppressive grip. For that, he would endure any punishment.The lashes continued, each one carving a path of agony across his back.
Chapter 77: Is the boy mine?~"When the time is right, I shall ascend to the throne, and you shall serve me, Sir Gayle. Should Isabel bear a child, be it a boy or a girl, it matters not. Your foremost duty is to protect the child at all costs. However, if the child should perish, you are to abort the mission." Princess Leticia’s voice was steady as Sir Gayle kept his head bowed, listening intently."I shall see to it that Isabel is freed from the dungeon, and you shall take her far from the palace. You must wed her before her condition becomes apparent. If possible, win her affections to ensure her past feelings for the king do not hinder our plans." She paused, taking a step closer to the knight. "You know well that Victoria was already with child before she set foot in our kingdom. I shall not permit her to claim the crown that rightfully belonged to my mother. She may have deceived my foolish brother, but she shall not deceive me. I will claim both the crown and the throne, and y
Chapter 78: It was the Queen"Speak, Victoria! Is Julian my son?!" Lucian roared, his voice echoing through the throne room. Victoria flinched in fear, her eyes wide with terror. The ministers were equally stunned, witnessing Lucian’s fury, and sensing the potential for violence.Victoria stammered, "Y-yes, Your Majesty. Julian is your son. How could he not be yours?" Her attempt to defend herself only revealed the tremor in her voice.Lucian’s gaze flickered to Head Minister Marlowe, catching a subtle exchange of glances. A cold realization settled over him as he understood the depths of the deceit surrounding him. His shoulders dropped, and his eyes grew icy. He could feel the betrayal from those closest to the crown."From now on," he declared, his voice low but deadly serious, "Prince Julian will have strict studies. He will not be allowed to play, nor leave his chambers. He will be moved to the southern wing of the palace. The Queen herself will not be allowed to see the child."
Chapter 79: Hope "Tell me everything you know," Lucian commanded.The man nodded, bowing his head. "Aye, sire," he replied, his voice steadying with effort."I was among the guards on duty that day, Your Majesty. You ordered us to escort the boy to his chambers, but as we were en route, the queen appeared unexpectedly."At the mention of the queen, Lucian's brow furrowed, his eyes darkening with disdain."She informed us that you, sire, had instructed her to fetch the boy to play with Prince Julian. We dared not question her authority, so we handed the boy over to her men. After that, we heard a woman wailing in the courtyard.""That was Isabel, crying and clutching the bloodied garments of my son," Lucian murmured, startling the guard."Your Majesty? Prince Julian was harmed?" the guard asked, his ignorance evident.Lucian's gaze was piercing. "That boy you held was the rightful heir to my crown. My firstborn."The king's words struck the guard like a blow. His breath shuddered as h
Chapter 80: DivulgenceLucian stood frozen as the guard's revelation echoed in his mind. His son might still be alive. Only one person could be responsible for his disappearance. Without another word, he bolted from the courtyard, his mind racing as he made his way to the palace dungeons."Where is that knight?!" Lucian's voice thundered through the dim corridors, startling the prison guards. They responded with confused looks, unsure of his intent."Sire?" one managed to stammer."Open the gates!" Lucian demanded, not pausing to explain. He charged down the rows of cells, his eyes scanning each one for Tristan.But cell after cell revealed nothing."Are these all the cells in here?" he demanded, turning to the guard trailing behind him."Yes, sire," the guard confirmed.Lucian took a deep breath as a sense of relief washed over him. He chuckled quietly, covering his mouth as the realization dawned on him. Suddenly, his quiet laughter erupted into a jubilant roar."My son is alive! Ha