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
Chapter 81: Lucian the RuthlessLucian Devereaux, firstborn of King Alaric Devereaux, had known from the earliest moments of his consciousness that his destiny was set. The kingdom’s tradition dictated that the firstborns would be sent to battle the moment they turned fifteen. For Lucian, this was not a distant fate but a reality that shaped his entire upbringing.From the tender age of five, Lucian was introduced to the world of combat. His father, King Alaric, had been a formidable warrior himself, and he ensured that his son was trained to surpass even his own legendary prowess. Lucian’s days were filled with relentless drills, swordsmanship lessons, and brutal sparring sessions. He learned to wield a sword before he could properly read, and his instructors were unyielding, pushing him to the brink of his endurance.By the time he reached fifteen, Lucian had become a fearsome figure, his body honed to perfection and his mind steeled against fear and hesitation. He had been trained
Chapter 82: RegretsThe sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the quiet fishing village. The gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore was suddenly broken by a frantic shout."Help! Someone, please help!" a young boy yelled, his voice high and urgent as he ran down the beach, pointing toward the shoreline. Villagers who heard the boy were initially startled and quickly turned their attention to where he was indicating.The villagers hesitated as they saw what the child was pointing at. A woman with light golden hair tangled with seaweed lay motionless on the sand with her body marked by wounds and bruises. They stopped in their tracks, eyes wide with shock and uncertainty."Who is she?" one of them murmured, breaking the uneasy silence."I don't know," another replied, glancing around nervously. "Should we help her?""She might be dead," someone else whispered, stepping back slightly. The crowd's reluctance grew, whispers and murmurs spreading a
Chapter 83: The Blue-Eyed EmpressTristan took a deep breath as he downed a shot of the strongest drink the pub had to offer. His eyes were bloodshot from drunkenness, and his movements were groggy and unsteady. He was a mess.His words slurred as he conversed with the other drunken men, their laughter and banter a dull roar in the background. As he stared into the transparent glass that held his drink, the image of Isabel reflected back at him. His breath hitched at the sight."Oh, Isabel... I miss you..." he muttered, gripping the shot glass tightly, as if trying to hide the reflection of the woman who had broken his heart.His hardened emotions began to crack as memories of Isabel flooded his mind. He remembered the times she had opened her heart to him, offering her love unconditionally. But he had coldheartedly rejected and dismissed her feelings, too consumed by his own fears and ambitions.Now, the weight of his regrets bore down on him, and the alcohol only intensified his sor
Chapter 84: Ilyana ArcherEmpress Ilyana was startled awake by a sudden crack of thunder that rattled the windows of the imperial palace. The storm outside mirrored the unrest brewing within her as she heard the cries of her newborn daughter. Groaning softly, she reached out for her husband, Alistair, only to find his side of the bed cold and empty. There was a sense of unease that was settling in her chest, but she pushed it aside, determined to tend to her child.With a sigh, she reached for the lamp on the bedside table, its soft glow illuminating her delicate features. She wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and stepped into the dimly lit corridor. The sound of rain lashing against the palace walls mingled with the cries of her baby, guiding her steps toward the nursery.As she approached the door to the nursing chamber, Ilyana felt a strange tension in the air. She hesitated for a moment, her hand hovering over the doorknob, before pushing it open. The scene before her made her
Chapter 85: DawnThe day Isabel's eyes fluttered open turned out to only be a mere reflex rather than true consciousness. For a few days, her body remained in a state of suspended animation, her mind drifting between the veil of unconsciousness and the haze of awakening. And so she remained in the healer's hut.Until the day finally came for her to awaken. Isabel's eyelids trembled and slowly opened.At first, her vision was a swirl of blurred colors and shapes. But then the grandeur of her surroundings gradually came into focus: walls adorned with rich tapestries, golden accents gleaming in the light, and intricate designs that spoke of wealth and power. As Isabel’s senses sharpened, a wave of panic swept over her. The realization of her unfamiliar surroundings hit her like a thunderclap.In her frantic state, she attempted to move, only to be seized by a sharp, searing pain. Her breath caught in her throat, and she clenched her teeth against the discomfort as a low groan escaped her
Chapter 86: To Gain One's HeartTime, ever the silent companion, passed as days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Isabel's recovery was slow but steady and it was marked by moments of pain and progress. Under the care of the Empress Ilyana and the palace's skilled healers, her wounds healed, and her strength was finally returned. The once frail and wounded woman began to regain her vitality as her spirit was slowly rekindling.Throughout this time, Isabel and Ilyana grew closer. The Empress, with her gentle demeanor and warm presence, never imposed her imperial status upon Isabel. She treated her not as a subject or a stranger, but as someone precious and dear. And in the palace where the walls echoed with the burden of history and power, Ilyana chose to be humbled. She wore modest clothes foregoing the regal gowns and crowns that symbolized her sovereignty. She wanted Isabel to feel like she was not the Empress of a vast empire but a kind woman with a welcoming smile, a mothe
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