**A few hours later**The prime minister turned up to his daughter’s palace to have dinner with her while expecting to receive great news. It was the day after the night of the full moon, and he deemed it the perfect time to visit his only daughter. Political tension had escalated once again with his term as prime minister coming to an end in less than six months. Although this country was governed by a democratic system, it was partially just for show. The real power still remained with the king and the royal family that was favored and loved by all the people alike. What that ultimately meant for politicians in this country was that the one favored by the king would be elected and then reelected. It was just that simple. “Where is Regina?” he asked the maid that greeted him at the door. “She’s waiting for you in the dining room, Sir. Please head this way…” the maid said humbly before showing him the way. After making his way into the dining room, he took his seat at the table opp
By the time Darius returned back to his bedroom after delivering Mila to his brother’s bedroom, his lover for the night had already left. It was unfortunate that he couldn’t bid her a proper goodbye, but he knew that it was better this way. After taking a short nap, Darius was eager to greet a new dawn. This time, he had pleasing news to report to his father. Callum was there to greet the prince when he arrived at the royal assembly hall where the king was waiting to see him. The elder man bowed slightly to show his respect before giving the prince a briefing on the current situation.“Prince Darius, I have submitted my report of all the princes’ activities during last night to the king. The king has gone through all the reports and has requested for a meeting with you,” Callum summarized smoothly. “Did the king ask for Leonard?” Darius asked.“No, Your Highness. At least, not yet…” Callum replied before gesturing for the prince to enter the hall. Callum opened the large double doo
“There’s no point in speculating. We can keep on guessing for days without reaching an answer. As I said, the simplest way is to ask them. Plus, I want to see this girl that seemed to have captured the interest of not one but both of my sons,” the king said with an amused smile. “Excuse me, father?” Darius asked with confusion. “Come on now, don’t tell me that you’re not the least bit interested in her,” the king said with a knowing smile. He would have preferred for Leonard to pay more attention to Regina since she has the perfect breeding and has made herself readily available; however, time was of the essence, and he had learnt not to be picky or else he may not get anything that he wants at all. It was unfortunate that after moving to live in the palace, Regina had failed to attract much if any of Leonard’s attention. However, that was a problem that her father, the prime minister had to deal with, as for the king, he would place his bets on any other woman to diversify his ris
“How can you be thankful for such things when it is what we deserve? I am no less his wife than the last queen. I slept with him and gave him a son even before his queen did! I should be thankful that he made me a duchess. Me? Why should I be thankful when he should have made me his queen?!” Isabella yelled loudly. “Mother. Stop it and please control yourself. We will get in trouble if anyone overhears us,” Darius stated dryly. “My son who was born first didn’t get the title of the first prince. What kind of bullshit is that?! Thankfully, that arrogant queen is dead and gone now. It is my turn, and I will make sure that you sit on the throne where you belong!” Isabella yelled loudly. Her eyes glared at her son as she pointed at his face with her index finger. Darius could see that his mother was on the verge of tears. She always got emotional whenever they discussed the issue of succession. The fact that she had given birth to an ultimate alpha pup before the previous queen made he
I had no idea why Sophie suddenly abandoned me or why the Lady no longer gave me any orders. At my words, all the maids turned towards me with a clear look of disdain. Their cold attitude told me that I wouldn’t get to help them with anything no matter how desperate they were to get an extra pair of hands.“I…can help you clean…if you want…” I suggested hesitantly. “No need. Please stay out of our way,” the most senior maid of the group replied.I stood glued to the spot as she walked right past me with her cleaning equipment before the rest of the maids followed silently after her. This wasn’t the first time that something like this had happened to me, so I wasn’t exactly shocked or surprised. However, that didn’t mean that I understood the sudden change in their attitude toward me. When the workday was coming to an end, I stood in the garden alone as I stared up to admire the mix of orange and pink in the sky above as the sun began to set. It was a very beautiful and calming sight
“For your outstanding service, I believe that it is only fair that you receive a reward. They say that being given opportunities to shine will help you further progress and I think that I have the perfect opportunity for you,” the lady said with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes. It sounded like she was ready to hand down my punishment and that was probably what it really was. “Thank you, My Lady,” I repeated again. “A long time ago, a certain noble family discovered a natural spring within the grounds of the palace. They then built a large and luxurious bathhouse for members of the royal family and other nobles to enjoy the healing properties of the water. I don’t think you have seen it, but the luxurious bathhouse still exists today, and it is still highly regarded as one of the best recreational facilities in the palace,” Lady Regina started to explain.I already sort of figured where this was going so all I could do was nod my head slightly. “Since its construction was
I turned towards the direction of the sound just in time to see a figure emerging from the water of the bath. The last rays of the sun shining in from above seemed to highlight the figure like a spotlight from the heavens. A topless man emerged from the water as if he had just stood up. The side view of his face as the light hit it made him look like a god as he tilted his head back and ran his fingers through his wet hair. He's so beautiful…I couldn’t stop staring at him and it wasn’t just because I was shocked at his sudden appearance. My entire body froze in place as if captured under an unbreakable spell. As if he could sense my presence, the man’s eyes glanced over in my direction and met mine. Red hair that shone in the rays of the setting sun. Eyes as green as emeralds…‘They say that the third prince is like an angel sent from the heavens above to mess with the hearts of women on earth. His red hair shines like rays of the setting sun and his green eyes sparkle like the mos
“You’re quite cute now that I can see you up close…” the prince commented as he stared right into my face. His green gaze captured mine and it felt like I was the one sinking deep into the water of the bath although I was just kneeling on the side. His beautiful hand slowly approached my face and then I felt the warmth and dampness of his finger as it gently stroked the side of my face. His touch was so light as if he was handling a precious piece of fragile porcelain. “Please don’t…” I murmured as I tried to turn my face away from his hand. “Don’t…what?” he asked alluringly, and my chest felt so tight. “Please don’t…touch me…” I pleaded in a small voice. “Hmm? Then, what about you touch me?” Prince Florian suggested after a moment of thought.The way his green eyes seemed to gleam as his lips curved up into a naughty smile made my heart race even faster even though I knew that he was just toying with me. “Huh?” I whispered in confusion.What kind of suggestion was that? He’s d
“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