Chapter 13: Thou shall not anger the KingAs dusk fell over the kingdom, the two sat by the well, the golden light of the setting sun casting long shadows on the cobblestone path. Rosalind squeezed the towel soaked in water from the well and carefully wiped the wound scratches on Amaris's palms."I heard them talking about you since yesterday," Rosalind said, her voice steady yet concerned. "They said you had nothing to do, but I told them you've been with me, cleaning and doing the tasks assigned to us."Amaris groaned at Rosalind's words, rolling her eyes dramatically. "I've been bullied all my life. This is nothing new to me! But seeing you get hurt? Ha! The audacity!" she grumbled, trying to act tough. She smacked her own fist into her palm, but the movement made her flinch as pain shot through her."Behave, Amaris. Your nose is still bleeding. Did you hit your head somewhere?" Rosalind asked, frowning as she cleaned the towel again."I think I did when they pushed me," Amaris mum
Chapter 14: Saved"Silence!" Alaric thundered again, his voice cutting through the stunned silence that had fallen over the execution grounds. His chest heaved with barely restrained fury as he cradled Amaris closer, her unconscious form resting heavily in his arms. The warmth of her body against his own only seemed to heighten the storm of emotions swirling within him."You will answer for your actions," he snarled, his voice dropping low but filled with deadly intent. "Every. Single. One. Of. You."For the first time, those present saw something in their king they had never expected-- desperation. Alaric, who had been groomed from childhood to be heartless, indifferent, and cruel, now stood disheveled and on the edge of losing control. His eyes, usually cold and calculating, now blazed with unrestrained anger, and his usually impeccable composure was nowhere to be found.The servants and guards, who had known him as a man of calculated ruthlessness, exchanged nervous glances, utterl
Chapter 15: Because of YouAmaris felt like she was floating in a fog, drifting between the edges of consciousness. Then, a soft, worried voice began to pierce through the haze."...Amaris... Amaris... please, wake up... the king..."The voice trembled with urgency, and even in her unconscious state, Amaris' mind began to spin, grasping at the words. The mention of the king sent a jolt of fear through her. The king? Did he do something to Rosalind?A sudden surge of adrenaline pushed her from the depths of her slumber. Her eyelids fluttered, her breath quickened as panic seized her heart. She forced herself awake, gasping as her eyes snapped open, searching wildly for Rosalind."Rosalind? Where is she? What has he done?" Amaris mumbled, her voice hoarse as she tried to sit up, her vision still blurred from the lingering exhaustion. Her body screamed in pain, but her concern for her friend overpowered it.As the room slowly came into focus, Amaris realized she was not in danger, and Ro
Chapter 16: The Demanding TyrantAmaris flinched at his words, her heart sinking under the weight of his anger. 'So all of this... is solely because of me?'The realization struck her like a thunderbolt, and without thinking, she dropped to the ground, bowing before him. "Your Majesty, my king! Have mercy!" she cried, her voice trembling as she clenched her bloodstained bandaged hands, fearing for the lives of those accused. Alaric flinched at her sudden submission, her plea stirring something deep within him."Let them go and get them out of my sight!" he ordered sharply, surprising her with the fervor in his voice.But Alaric wasn't finished yet. In a swift motion, he grabbed her by the arm and lifted her to her feet, frustration etched across his face. Amaris could see the internal struggle within him, and she knew exactly how to soothe his stormy demeanor.Sighing in exasperation, she met his gaze, her eyes steady. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, and well done..." However, h
Chapter 17: Mission AccomplishedAmaris shifted restlessly in the king's large bed, her mind tangled in the remnants of sleep. She was disoriented, feeling unusually warm and trapped beneath layers of clothing and blankets. "Ugh... it's hot, damn it... what's with these clothes...?" she mumbled, fumbling with the fabric of her dress, trying to pull it away from her body as if it were suffocating her.Her movements stirred Alaric, who had unknowingly drifted off to sleep beside her. He was now half-awake, groggily processing her frustrated mumbling. His eyes barely opened, but as he felt her squirming beside him, a sense of possessiveness flickered in his sleepy mind. Without thinking, he wrapped a strong arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him."Shh..." he hushed softly, his deep voice filled with a warmth and tenderness that he rarely showed. Still half-asleep, he instinctively leaned in, gently blowing a soft stream of air against the back of her neck, hoping to calm her dow
Chapter 18: Forever MineAmaris let go of his face, still smiling, her eyes twinkling with relief. She didn't offer any further explanation, and Alaric, still confused, couldn't help but smile back, intrigued by her sudden shift in mood. For the first time in a long while, he felt... happy. Truly happy.Suddenly, fueled by that happiness and a fluttering in his chest, Alaric's body moved on its own. In one swift motion, he found himself atop her, staring down at her wide eyes, which were filled with surprise. "What—" she began, her voice barely a whisper, but before she could protest, his weight settled against her as he leaned down, capturing her lips with his.The kiss was gentle, a soft exploration that sent a jolt of electricity through both of them. Alaric's lips moved against Amaris's with a tenderness that felt entirely unexpected yet wholly right. However, Amaris's mind dominated more than her body. She pushed him back just enough for him to pull away, leaving him hovering abo
Chapter 19: The ChaseAlaric woke at dawn to find the bed cold and empty on the other side. The warmth of Amaris's presence has already become a fading memory. A chuckle escaped his lips as he slowly sat up, the blanket slipping away to reveal a small mark of their union—bloodstains on the sheets, undeniable proof that he had been her first. A surge of satisfaction coursed through him as he breathed in deeply, the scent of her still lingering in the air.He rose from the bed, stretching and let the sunlight pour into the room. The light illuminated the remnants of their night together. With a new sense of motivation, he began preparing.Meanwhile, Amaris paced back and forth beside her bed, chewing nervously on the tip of her finger as her mind raced. Rosalind stirred from the bed next to hers, rubbing her eyes before blinking at her friend. "Amaris? Good morning. What's wrong? You seem troubled," she asked, her voice still thick with sleep.Amaris froze for a moment before quickly s
Chapter 20: The ActAnd so the game of hide and seek had begun for Amaris and Alaric. Every day, it ended with Amaris dutifully completing her tasks, only to have Alaric pop out of nowhere, kissing her cheek or lifting her off the ground as if she weighed no more than a feather. He would chase her through the halls, even playfully abducting her now and then, much to the amusement of those around them. Everyone, including Rosalind, had grown accustomed to their antics.But some things inevitably happen all over again.Alaric's lips pressed gently against Amaris's bare shoulder, trailing upward with deliberate tenderness until he reached her neck. Each kiss left her skin tingling, warmth spreading across her body like a slow burn. She tilted her head slightly, feeling the soft tickle of his breath against her skin, a rush of warmth and shyness overwhelming her as she instinctively pulled her dress up to cover herself.'Damn it... This man is messed up', she thought, biting her lip to st
Chapter 76: Rockabye BabySelene's eyes flew open, and she gasped for air. Her chest heaved as though she’d been drowning and had just broken through the surface. Pain surged through her lower body, sharp and unrelenting, pulling a scream from the depths of her soul.“AHHHH!”Her scream echoed through the room, raw and piercing.“Selene!” Alaric’s voice cracked as he pushed himself closer to her side, relief and terror flooding him at once. He had been whispering to her, begging her to come back to him, and now she was awake—but the agony in her expression filled him with dread.Mrs. Weaver, who had been meticulously arranging her tools moments earlier, allowed herself a brief sigh of relief when Selene stirred awake. But the fragile calm in the room was shattered by Selene’s anguished cry.“Please… save my baby girl… please!” Selene sobbed, her voice raw with desperation and panic. Her trembling hands clung to the bedsheets as if they were the only anchor in her storm of fear. Tears
Chapter 75: LunaSelene found herself standing in a garden unlike anything she'd ever seen. The air was warm and fragrant, filled with the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft hum of distant birdsong. Flowers of every color stretched as far as the eye could see. Their petals shimmering as though kissed by sunlight and dew. A large willow tree stood at the garden's heart, its branches swaying gently in a breeze that seemed to come from nowhere.She felt strangely light, as if the burdens of her reality had been momentarily lifted. Her bare feet pressed into the soft grass, and a sense of peace settled over her. Yet, there was something familiar and deeply personal about this place, though she couldn't quite place it."Mommy?"The voice, high and sweet, startled her. Selene turned quickly and froze. Standing a few feet away, beneath the shade of the willow, was a little girl. She couldn't have been more than five years old, her wavy hair the same deep shade as Alaric's, cascading down
Chapter 74: Too EarlyThe house was a storm of chaos as Alaric burst through the door. Selene was already limp in his arms with her blood staining both of them. "Help her!" he roared, his voice filled with desperation.Mrs. Callaghan, who had been folding laundry, dropped everything at the sight of them. "Oh, Lord have mercy!" she gasped, rushing forward to take charge.Noah who was startled by the commotion, appeared from the kitchen with eyes wide in panic seeing Selene unconscious. "What happened?!""She's bleeding!" Alaric shouted as he staggered toward the nearest couch, gently laying Selene down. "Do something! Someone, help her!""We need to get her to the hospital," Mrs. Callaghan said firmly. "She needs proper care, and we can't wait!""No!" Alaric's voice rang with panic as he snapped his head toward her. "The roads are blocked! It'll take hours to even clear a path, let alone get to my car. We don't have time for that!"Mrs. Callaghan faltered, realizing the truth in his wo
Chapter 73: CrimsonHer words felt like a dagger to his heart. "Is that all I am to you now?" he asked with his voice barely above a whisper.But Selene didn't respond immediately. Instead, she turned her back to him, gathering the bloodied cloth and tools into a tray. "You should sleep," she said finally. "It's been a long night.""No, no, no, no, no. You're not turning your back on me. Talk to me!" Alaric suddenly burst out in anger making her stop."You should stop, Sir Damian," Selene replied coldly, her tone sharp with bitterness. She turned slightly, just enough to glance over her shoulder. Her gaze was distant and her emotions were carefully masked. "You're getting married. Shouldn't you be with Claudia?"Her words struck Alaric hard, like a blow he hadn't seen coming. For a moment, he stared at her, stunned by the icy wall she had built between them. But he had come too far, endured too much, to let her push him away. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to speak calmly des
Chapter 72: RestSelene tied off the last bandage with precision that belied the chaos inside her. Her hands were steady, but her mind was a storm. She glanced at Alaric's face one last time which was still pale but peaceful now in unconsciousness. A part of her wanted to stay and to keep watch over him, but the memories threatened to overwhelm her that pushed her to leave.Without a word, she rose abruptly and walked out of the room. Noah called after her, but she didn't stop, couldn't stop. She moved down the narrow hallway, through the kitchen, and straight to the sink.She turned the faucet open and plunged her hands under the stream of cold water. The blood swirled down the drain, red against the metal basin. She scrubbed at her fingers harder than necessary, as if trying to wash away not just the blood but the memories that clung to her like a second skin.Her mind betrayed her, pulling her back to another time, another world. She could see it clearly: Alaric, battered and bruis
Chapter 71: TerrifiedSelene hummed softly to herself as she smoothed out the sheets on her bed. The gentle rhythm of her hands helped to distract her from the lingering unease left by the storm. Though the rain had eased, the air still felt heavy, and the distant rumble of thunder made her glance toward the window nervously.As she fluffed the pillows, a sudden, frantic pounding on her door shattered the fragile calm."Selene! Open up!" Noah's voice called, urgent and strained.She froze, her heart leaping in her chest. "Noah?" she called back, hurrying to the door.The knocking didn't stop, and his voice grew more insistent. "Selene, it's important! Open the door now!"Fumbling with the lock, she swung the door open to find Noah standing there, his face pale and breathless from running. Mud splattered his boots and pants, and his hair was damp from the rain."Noah, what's wrong?" she asked, alarmed by his disheveled state."It's an emergency," he blurted out, his eyes darting past h
Chapter 70: RescueAs the hours passed, the raging storm finally began to quiet. The heavy rains softened into a gentle drizzle, and the angry roars of thunder faded into the distance. Lightning no longer flashed across the sky, and the darkened clouds slowly drifted away, leaving the early morning air cool and damp.Mrs. Callaghan stirred awake as her body was already accustomed to the dawn despite the restless night. She sat up, rubbing her eyes, and glanced toward the window. A faint glow of sunlight peeked through the curtains, casting a soft warmth against the storm-battered town.She shuffled to the window with her old slippers scuffing against the wooden floor, and peered outside. The streets were still wet, small puddles dotting the paths, and leaves scattered across the yards from the storm's wrath. She could see the dark clouds lingering far on the horizon but knew they wouldn't return.With a sigh of relief, Mrs. Callaghan turned toward the kitchen to start her morning tea,
Chapter 69: Fate Against UsThe storm was merciless. Sheets of rain hammered against the windshield of Alaric's car as he gripped the steering wheel tightly and his knuckles began turning white. The wipers fought a losing battle, barely clearing the water before another wave drowned the glass. The road ahead was a blur, swallowed by the tempest, but Alaric pressed on with his jaw clenched in determination.Selene was out there. He didn't know exactly where, but every instinct screamed that he had to reach her before everything is too late.Suddenly, a deafening crack split the air, and Alaric flinched as lightning illuminated the road for a brief second which revealed a fallen tree blocking his path. His heart dropped as he slammed on the brakes and the tires immediately skidded against the slick asphalt. The car screeched to a halt mere feet from the massive trunk."Damn it," Alaric muttered under his breath, slamming his palms against the steering wheel.He threw the car into park a
Chapter 68: The StormThe polished halls of the establishment echoed with footsteps as Alaric strode toward the main entrance. His long strides looked elegant while his tailored coat billowed slightly as he moved. Behind him was his secretary, Margaret, struggling to keep up, her heeled shoes clicking rapidly against the floor."Mr. Clarke, wait!" she called, clutching a tablet and a folder to her chest. Her voice was firm, though it carried a hint of exasperation.Alaric didn't break his pace while his sharp gaze remained fixed on the doors ahead. "Whatever it is, it can wait," he said tersely."But it can't!" Margaret insisted, finally catching up to him near the elevators. "The investors are arriving this afternoon. They've flown in specifically to meet with you. If you're not here—""I'm aware of their schedules," Alaric interrupted, his tone clipped. He jabbed the elevator button with more force than necessary, the light blinking in response. "But I have more pressing matters to