My heart clenched a little in my chest before I felt a wave of warmth washing over me. “Umm…you should get some rest…” I suggested as I started to feel slightly shy. “I’m very sorry, Mila. I shouldn’t have left you alone like that. I didn’t think that the talk would take so long…” Prince Leonard suddenly apologized. I turned to him with what must have been a very blank look on my face because I didn’t expect an apology from him. That was also simply because I didn’t feel like there was anything that he needed to apologize for. In fact, I felt like I owed him such a big favor after all that he had said in my defense. “There’s no need for you to apologize for anything. I’m fine…” I quickly reassured him. “It’s my fault. I misjudged the situation and you had to pay the price for it,” he replied firmly. I had no idea what he was talking about or why it seemed to be such a big deal for him. It was true that many people in the dining room made me uncomfortable and Lucinda did put me o
“It’s not your fault at all, Mila. Plus, I didn’t just change the time,” the prince said before grinning a little my way. “I’m sorry but I’m not sure that I understand what you mean,” I murmured softly as I kept on staring at the prince. “We’re leaving this country,” he stated simply. “We’re leaving? I mean, what about the rest of the trip?” I asked while failing to hide my panic. The official visit wasn’t over. In fact, we had only spent one day in the country, but the prince seemed to have made up his mind to cancel the rest of the trip. My mouth hung open in shock as I wondered what was really going on. “That’s right. After you’re done with breakfast, we can leisurely make our way to the airport. Don’t worry, everyone that needs to know about this has been informed and everything has been taken care of,” Prince Leonard told me reassuringly. “But…is this really, ok?” I asked with evident worry. “Of course. Some of the key staff will be staying behind to complete the trip as p
“You’ll find out soon enough,” he replied without giving me any real answer.“Do you have some other work to do there?” I took a guess.“You could say that” he replied without giving anything away. “You’re always so full of secrets…” I mumbled softly to myself. “Doesn’t that just keep you feeling excited?” Prince Leonard said happily. “I don’t know. Sometimes it can be a little bit too much,” I replied honestly. The prince just laughed at my response as if he found it to be entertaining. Although I had no idea what was going on, I was content with the fact that Prince Leonard seemed to be in much better spirits than during the dinner last night. The flight was longer than the one before and I had to admit that it felt boring after a while. Even though I didn’t intend to, I ended up falling asleep and taking a nap just as the prince had suggested. By the time that I woke up, the plane was already descending. I looked out of the window to see that it was dark. As the plane continue
The mask covered more than half of my face from the top down. Only my lips and my chin were still exposed. It didn’t feel uncomfortable because the mask was light, and I could see quite clearly through the eyeholes of the mask. “It looks good on you, My Lady,” the maid complimented me with a smile. “Where am I going with this? Is there some kind of masquerade ball that I must attend?” I asked as I started to panic a little. The dance lessons that I had taken with Duchess Flavia came flooding back to me. For a moment, I was worried if I still remembered the steps and if I could actually dance when it finally came time for it. Just thinking about it made my legs feel weak. Attending a ball would also mean that I would be meeting so many people that I wasn’t used to. Suddenly, I felt scared, and I no longer looked forward to spending the evening with Prince Leonard. “I’m sorry, My lady. I have no idea what is planned for this evening,” the maid replied with clear regret in her voice.
“It should be time soon,” the prince whispered from close to me.I glanced up at this face as I wondered what he meant. It sounded like he was waiting for something to happen or start and that piqued my interest. I couldn’t see his face because of the mask that he was wearing but I could sense his slight excitement. “Stay by my side,” the prince said with a slight warning in his tone. “Of course…” I replied obediently. It wasn’t like there was some place else that I would rather be. Plus, his presence felt like a very reassuring pillar that I could lean and depend on. I didn’t think that I could remain composed for long without him by my side. Slowly and steadily, the prince led me forward as we walked past many groups of people engaged in conversation. Some people broke out from the groups that they were standing in and also walked along with us. Everything happened so casually that at first that I didn’t realize what was happening. After a short while, we emerged into another pa
Although I tried to fight it, I couldn’t stop the horrid memories that came flooding back to me as I recalled and relived the moment when I was put up for auction. I felt so uncomfortable that it took all of my willpower for me to remain seated in my seat. Just a little longer, Mila…I told myself inside my mind as I tried my best to remain calm by taking in deep and slow breaths. I told myself that things had changed, and that the prince had saved me. Things were not the same as they were last time, and that this auction had nothing to do with me. I could feel everyone’s excitement as they waited for the next item to come up on stage to be auctioned off. Every single item that was brought onto the stage seemed rare and very valuable. At the signal given by the host that the bidding may commerce, many people put up their hands to raise the bidding price. I didn’t have enough knowledge of the arts, history, or anything related to the various items to appreciate their true worth. I wa
The girl was still very young. I wasn’t sure just how young she was, but she seemed to be in her early teens. Although I couldn’t see her face clearly from where I was sitting, I could sense her fear and confusion as if they were my own. My heart raced fast in my chest as a throbbing pain stung my temples. It didn’t matter how many times I blinked my eyes, the scene unfolding in front of me did not disappear. Unfortunately, it was real and not just a part of my haunting nightmares. “Prince…Leonard…” I whispered in shock as I failed to wrap my head around what was happening. “Thank you, Sir! Do I see another bid that way?” the host asked while continuing to facilitate the bidding process.Finally, I managed to tear my eyes from the poor girl locked up and chained inside her cage. Although I knew that no one should be sold off that way regardless of their age, it still felt extra bitter to see someone so young going through what I had been through. Many questions ran through my mind b
“Sold! Thank you very one for bidding on this sweet little lady here!” the host declared happily.His happiness did not surprise me given the amount that Prince Leonard had bid to finally win the auction and procure the girl. As for the reason why he wanted to purchase that girl so badly, I had no idea. “Let’s go. We’re done here,” he said calmly as he stood up from his seat.It was clear that he was done and had achieved what he had come here to do. I was still too shocked to say anything or even stand up from my seat. I let the prince’s gaze on me for a few seconds before he offered me his hand. When I hesitated to place my hand into his, he ended up yanking me up to my feet by pulling on my wrist.“Where are we going?” I asked the moment that I found my voice again. “Follow me this way,” the prince said as he tugged on my arm to make sure that I followed him.It wasn’t like I had anywhere else to go. I didn’t even know where we were but something about the place that we were in f
“Congratulations to us, you’re pregnant, Mila!” Prince Leonard announced excitedly.“I’m pregnant?” I asked more out of curiosity than out of surprise. Although I knew that the prince would never joke about something like this, I still found it hard to believe that I was suddenly pregnant.“That’s right, you’re pregnant, and that means we’re about to have another baby,” Prince Leonard said before breaking into another wide smile.“I’m…really pregnant?” I whispered as I struggled to wrap my head around the prince’s sudden announcement.“The doctor said that you might have been feeling tired because you’re in the early stages of pregnancy. I’m sorry that I hadn’t realized this sooner; otherwise, I would have kept all the ceremonies short so that you didn’t have to go through all of that when you’re feeling so tired,” the prince said apologetically as he took my hands into his. I kept staring at the prince as he buried the side of his face against the palm of my hand.“We’re about to hav
“Have you eaten anything? Actually, that’s a very stupid question. I know that you haven’t really eaten anything because you haven’t had the time, right?” the Duchess asked knowingly.Although I didn’t want to admit it because I didn’t want to be an inconvenience to anyone, the Duchess was spot on correct that I hadn’t had the time or the opportunity to eat anything. The day had been so busy from early in the morning up until the evening, and everything seemed more important than filling my own stomach.“It’s fine, I’ll make sure to eat something when this reception is over,” I told her reassuringly before offering her a smile. Duchess Flavia only gave me a disapproving glare before shaking her head from side to side.“You look like you’re about to faint. It’s like I can see your face go pale even with all the makeup,” she said as she brought her face closer to mine to get a closer look at me.“I’m feeling fine,” I told her while I tried to convince myself that I wasn’t feeling light-
"Your daughter looks like you," Prince Leonard commented."And I think that your son looks like you, and I'm sure that he will grow up into a great king," Regina said, and I could hear the confidence in her voice."Let me know if you ever need anything," the prince told her with a warm smile."You're always too kind. Please take good care of yourself and of Mila. Mila, please take care of our King," Regina said, turning to address me."I will," I replied shortly before finding myself smiling at her.Regina truly did look happier than the time when she lived in the palace. It felt like the shadow that had always been following her around and haunting her was no longer there. I could tell that she was no longer living under pressure, and it made her shine with happiness and freedom. It seemed that I didn't have to worry about her anymore.After some parting words, Regina led her daughter away from us so that we could converse with other guests. I had no idea how many conversations we ha
Prince Leonard probably had no idea that it was the way his beautiful eyes looked at me and the way his alluring lips curved up into a smile that was responsible for making everything else fade away from my field of vision so that all I could do was focus on him."Thank you for making me your queen," I whispered softly and sweetly.The prince only nodded his head once before carefully placing the crown on the top of my head. When I was aware of the world surrounding us again, all I could hear was the thundering sound of applause that echoed in the royal hall...."Hang in there for just a little longer, Mila," the prince said before flashing me a teasing smile."I guess we're done with two out of the three parts of what we have planned for today," I mumbled before stifling a yawn. I had no idea why I felt so lethargic and sleepy, although it was only just early in the evening. So far, the prince and I operated as the perfect team to pull off two of our most important events of the day
His words touched me like never before, and I could feel it in my heart and soul that I reciprocated his feelings and thoughts. I had never understood the concept of fated mates until I experienced it myself along with the prince. Our bond felt stronger and firmer than any endearing words of promise."I love you. I’ll love you forever," I said the words that came naturally to my mind.**Back to the present**When it came my turn to say ‘I do’, I found myself managing to say it without any difficulty. It must have been partly because I truly meant it when I vowed to be with the prince in sickness and in health, through thick and thin; however, I was certain that everything felt easier because I knew that we had a bond that even the heavens could never break."I do," I said firmly when it was my turn.When we shared the kiss to seal our wedding vows, I knew that what we had was something that was going to last forever until the end of our lifetimes....Our wedding ceremony in the churc
I gave Logan's hand a slight squeeze before taking my first step forward into the church. I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I reminded myself to keep my head held high, curving my lips into one of my most beautiful smiles. Without any hesitation, I made my way forward down the aisle. The fact that each step forward brought me closer to the man waiting for me at the end of the aisle gave me the comfort and courage to continue on. I didn't even bother trying to identify faces that I might recognize in the crowd of guests present on both sides of me.It felt as if all my nervousness melted away completely when my eyes met Prince Leonard's. I’d always thought he looked amazingly attractive, but seeing the prince wearing an all-white tuxedo standing in front of the altar with such a loving smile on his face as he waited for me was out of this world. I felt my heart skip a beat in my chest, and it wasn't at all because of my nervousness. Everything and everyone around me slowly faded aw
It was clear that everything was too extravagant for my own taste to the point where it must have been pretty obvious to Prince Leonard that I had no hand in the selection and design of the proposed decorations. "I'm actually fine with anything. I think everything they've chosen is very beautiful, and their work is a lot more professional than anything I could have done by myself," I admitted to the prince honestly."If that's the case, then fine, but if there's anything that you don't like, just tell them to take it out," the prince said firmly."I just think it's easier to let them sort everything out. It's enough for me that we'll be getting married and that Logan will be there to witness our union," I said while trying to keep my tone cheerful. I was certain that if I picked out anything by myself or intervened with the guest list, I would be bringing unwarranted complications and troubles that I didn't want to deal with."If that's what you say," the prince said after finally gi
I should have known that the prince would never want to become the next king for his own personal gain. I found myself nodding my head naturally in agreement with his plan when I realized that I also had to play my part in contributing to the happiness of our son in the future.“I agree that that seems to be the easiest way. I guess if you become king, you can change the rules in whatever way you want,” I said while seeing more than a glimpse of hope.“It’s not going to be that easy. Many people on the committee are going to be against it, but this is our best shot. No matter what, we’re going to make this successful and change the rules of this country for the better,” the prince said, so motivatingly that I found myself feeling slightly excited.“I guess bringing change, especially big changes, isn’t going to be easy,” I said, but by then I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. In my mind, I had already envisioned such a bright future, and it gave me the greatest honor to be able to co
“What is it?” I asked, feeling a sense of worry stir in the pit of my stomach.“I’m concerned about Logan,” the prince confessed in a whisper.“Concerned? What is there for you to be concerned about? Is something wrong?” I bombarded him with questions, thinking there might be a threat to Logan’s safety. I had no idea why I felt that way, but I just had a very bad feeling.“Remember when you asked me why I changed my mind about taking over the throne? I’m sorry, but I haven’t been entirely honest with you,” the prince said with a regretful look on his face.“It’s fine. It must have been hard for you,” I said understandingly while wondering what had the prince feeling so concerned. “What is it about Logan?” I asked as I started to frown with worry.“Logan is getting a lot better at controlling his transformations now, but he’s still too young for us to be sure about what will happen in his future,” Prince Leonard said.It was true that our son had improved tremendously at controlling hi