Chapter 9: The King's Demand Isabel's POV The banquet had finally ended, and while some maids were busy cleaning up after the festivities, I found myself in the kitchen, helping the royal chef prepare the king's breakfast. The aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon had me almost hungry as Chef Henri worked his magic at the stove. I watched intently, absorbing every detail as he showed me how to plate the food with precision and care. "Remember, presentation is just as important as taste," Chef Henri said, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "The king deserves nothing less than perfection." I nodded and carefully arranged the delicate pastries on the golden tray, making sure each item was placed just so. The thought of serving the king, even in this way, made my heart race, but I was determined to do my best. As I was finishing the final touches, Chef Henri turned to me with a thoughtful expression. "Isabel, I have a special task for you today." I looked up, sur
Chapter 10: Growing Desire The king watched as Isabel's eyes widened in shock at his decree. He had to stifle a smile as she stumbled over her words while her face paled with worry. In truth, King Lucian had no doubt about her loyalty. He was merely teasing her. There was something about her that roused a sense of delight within him, something he couldn't quite put into words. Lucian knew Isabel wasn't a spy. He had already had her background checked thoroughly after last night's encounter. Her story checked out—she was a simple young woman from the kingdom's slums, seeking work to support her ailing mother. But her presence intrigued him in a way he hadn't felt in a long time. The way her icy blue eyes sparkled under the moonlight at the banquet had left an indelible mark on him. She was different, and that difference was what drew him to her. As he continued to observe her, he noticed the slight tremble in her hands and the way she bit her lower lip, trying to maintain her compos
Chapter 11: Love knows no bounds Now, Isabel had been moved to a small, yet elegant chamber adjacent to the king’s own quarters. The room was modest, yet far more luxurious than anything she had ever known. It was adorned with soft linens, rich tapestries, and a window that overlooked the palace gardens. Though initially overwhelmed, Isabel quickly found comfort in her new surroundings, especially as her interactions with the king grew more frequent and intimate. Night after night, King Lucian would visit her chamber, often under the guise of seeking counsel or simply sharing the day's events. Their conversations were filled with laughter and shared secrets, gradually dissolving the barriers between monarch and maid. Lucian’s nightly visits became a sanctuary for both of them—a place where titles and formalities were set aside, replaced by genuine companionship. One evening, when Lucian entered Isabel’s chamber, his expression was softer than usual. "Isabel," he said with a voice t
Chapter 12: The King's lover Isabel stirred from her sleep as the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains and touched her skin. She found herself wrapped in the warmth of the king's embrace. With a soft sigh, she shifted slightly as the memories of the night before flooded back with a rush of warmth and desire. She carefully pulled the blanket upward and covered her unclothed body as she prepared to leave the king's bed. Her movements were slow and deliberate. Her every breath was quiet and gentle to avoid disturbing his rest. But just as she reached the edge of the bed, she felt a stir beside her. "Isabel?" Lucian's voice cut through the silence of the room. "Where are you going?" Isabel's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly composed herself, "I need to attend to some tasks," she replied softly as her voice was barely above a whisper. "There are tasks I must attend to." The king's brow furrowed in confusion as he reached out to gently grasp her hand. "But you've been
Chapter 13: The Kingdom's Guest "How did your day fare, my love?" Lucian asked earnestly, causing Isabel to flinch. It was the very first time she had ever heard the king call her that way, and it made her heart flutter with happiness. "It was good. I received my wage today, and I felt overjoyed knowing I can finally help my mother." Isabel smiled genuinely as Lucian brushed his thumb against her lips. "And you, my king?" she asked. "Hm... I felt lonely. Court affairs are such a burden for me, and all I could think about was you." "Me? It is such an honor to have been in your thoughts, my king," Isabel responded, a warm blush spreading across her cheeks. Lucian's eyes softened as he looked at her. "You are more than just a fleeting thought, Isabel. You are my comfort amidst the chaos." She leaned into his touch, savoring the closeness. "I never imagined my life would lead me here, to you." He chuckled softly and the sound sent shivers down her spine. "Fate has a way of bringin
Chapter 14: Keep Isabel Away Time seemed to fly by as the kitchen staff worked in harmony. Each person was contributing to the preparation. Isabel felt a sense of pride in being part of such an important event, knowing that her work would be enjoyed by the palace's esteemed guest. "Isabel, pass me that bowl of berries," one of the assistant chefs called out. Isabel quickly grabbed the bowl and handed it over, exchanging a brief smile with her colleague. "Thank you. You really have a knack for this," he said with a hint of admiration in his voice as he looked at Isabel's work. "Thank you... as well?" she replied, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. "I've learned from the best." Chef Henri overheared their exchange and gave a satisfied nod. "Indeed, she has. You've come a long way since you first joined us, Isabel." Isabel's smile widened. "I'm just grateful for the opportunity, Chef Henri. I never imagined I'd be here, working alongside all of you." "It's well-deserved," Chef H
Chapter 15: Threat to the Ruler "Why did I not know about this?!" Lucian roared, throwing across the room the sealed paper informing him of the West Kingdom princess's impending visit. His face was flushed with fury, his eyes blazing. His minister, Lord Cedric Marlowe, stood calmly before him, secretly snickering in a sinister way before composing himself and speaking in a measured tone. "Your Majesty, as your head minister, I have the authority to give permission to such visits. After all, a visit directly initiated by the West Kingdom's princess? It could mean an alliance." Lucian glared at Lord Marlowe with his jaw clenched. "An alliance? Without consulting me? This is unacceptable! Our kingdom is strong by itself and it does not need another kingdom's service!" "Your Majesty," Marlowe continued smoothly, "consider the potential benefits. A marriage alliance with the West Kingdom could strengthen our position significantly. It was in the kingdom's best interest to expedite the
Chapter 16: The Future Queen The distant sound of hooves clattering against the cobblestone path reached the ears of those within the palace walls. The princess of the Western Kingdom had finally arrived with her entourage that marked the beginning of a pivotal moment for King Lucian's realm. The majestic horses which were adorned in rich finery, pulled an ornate carriage towards the grand entrance of the palace. The crest of the Western Kingdom gleamed brightly on the carriage door. Nobles and servants alike gathered in anticipation with their faces evident of both curiosity and reverence. As the carriage came to a halt, footmen in resplendent livery swiftly moved to open the door. Princess Victoria Westford emerged, her regal bearing immediately commanding attention. She was dressed in a gown of deep emerald silk that accentuated her auburn hair and fair complexion. Every movement she made was a testament to her royal upbringing as King Lucian. King Lucian on the other hand, fl
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