I reached for Jessie’s hand and held it as we sat side by side outside the clinic while we waited for news about Selena's condition. I wasn't sure if her hand was trembling in mine or if my hand was the one that was trembling. We sat together in silence as time seemed to crawl by.In the end, Jessie and I were informed by one of the nurses that we were not allowed to visit Selena. When I asked her about Selena's condition, all the nurse would say was that she needed time to rest to recover. I returned to Prince Leonard's palace with a heavy heart and spent a sleepless night worrying about Selena.“You should eat some food or else you're going to be joining your friend at the clinic,” Prince Leonard said quite sternly as he stared directly at me from across the dining table. He must have realized how I haven't touched any of the food since our meal started. It felt wrong for me to eat when I knew that Selena was going through such a tough time. On top of that, I had completely lost al
Selena cried and wailed loudly as she hugged me tightly in her arms. Her body shook and trembled from her intense emotions and sobs as I patted and stroked her back while thinking that it was probably for the best for her to let it all out. I had never experienced a loss like hers before, so I couldn't say that I fully understood her sorrow.Despite that, her emotions seemed to reach me, and I began crying as well as I shared a bit of her sadness. It didn't take long for the sadness and pain inside of me to transform into anger. I wasn't sure who I should direct my anger at because it seemed too useless to blame everything on fate alone.It took quite a long while before Selena managed to calm down again. Although she was still sobbing and clearly in distress, it seemed that the worst was over, at least for this round of her emotional breakdown. I was certain that it would take Selena a long time before she could completely get over the loss of her child, that is if it was even possi
It seemed that I could no longer hold in the anger that was burning deep inside of me, and I had to speak up for my friend. Clearly Selena was too scared to speak up for herself or to do anything that would further anger Prince Darius; however, I just couldn't let this slide. The way he acted was too insensitive and uncaring and it also made me feel like he was trying to put the blame on Selena. “Pregnancies like these come with risks of their own and that is why it isn't unbelievable or completely unexpected that she might lose the child due to incompatibility issues and other complications,” Prince Darius replied matter-of-factly. I knew that his answer wasn't strictly incorrect but it wasn't the answer that I was looking for. “Please don't say things like that, can't you see how much Selena is suffering already?” I asked accusingly. “I can see that she is sad, but I also know that she will get over it with time,” Prince Darius replied smoothly before he turned to look down at S
“What about you? What are you planning to do with Selena?” I repeated my question again without allowing for his escape. Even if according to the official process, the committee would have the final say in what would happen to Selena after this, I wanted to know what Prince Darius had in mind for her. After all, he was her lover and not the committee. Prince Darius seemed to ponder my words for a few seconds before he settled on an answer.“Well, it's obvious now that her body can't handle carrying a mixed breed fetus to full term so there is no point in mating with her anymore,” he stated quite factually.“How...can you say something like that?” I asked before letting out a gasp of shock. I had thought that by that time he would have considered more of Selena's feelings.“It's the truth. This will be better for everyone including Salena herself,” Prince Darius confirmed his decision firmly.“I see…”I murmured as I realized that I was at a complete loss as to what to do or say. “If
“But what about…” I began asking before Prince Leonard shook his head slightly as if to brush off my concerns. “Don't worry about anything and just leave this in my hands. I'll make sure to talk to Darius about this. As I told you before, I'm sure that he is worried about Selena in his own way and also wishes her for the best even though he doesn't think that they should be together. If I tell him that this is what she has always wanted to do, I'm sure that we can both find a way to ensure that she can pursue her dreams,” Prince Leonard said with conviction. His confidence gave me hope and I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel for Selena and her future. “That would mean the world to me,” I told him honestly. “And it would mean the world to me if you could just go to sleep and stop worrying now,” Prince Leonard said before he leaned in to place a soft kiss on the tip of my nose. It felt like his gentle loving gesture contained magic because I could feel all of my
“Don't act so sad, it's not like we'll never see her again. Let's go visit her sometime after she's settled down and maybe I can invite her here to visit us in the palace as well,” I said as I tried to maintain a positive attitude. “I guess you're right. Maybe I can even go and sleep over with her when I can take my leave,” Jessie said with a wistful look in her eyes. I stared down the road where Selena had departed, while silently praying for better things to come her way....“Let’s have dinner together when I get back or do you want to go out for dinner somewhere else?” Prince Leonard asked before he left for work. Apparently the prince had official matters to attend to since early in the morning and would only be back in the palace at the end of the day. “Maybe we should just have a simple dinner here, you might be tired by the time that you get back,” I replied while thinking of the prince’s wellbeing. If he went to work outside for the entire day, I was certain that he would
Deep and dark emotions welled up in my chest and then my temple started to throb in pain. I didn't want to believe that something like this was about to happen to me and the prince. Most of all, it hurt me so much to be reminded that I was responsible for all the pressure that Prince Leonard was facing. Since the prince had always been by my side and had helped me with virtually everything, even offering Selena a second chance at life, I felt even more devastated when I realized that there wasn't anything that I could do for him. Even that one thing that I was supposed to be able to do, I had failed so miserably and so publicly. I could feel everyone's eyes on me and I knew that they were looking down at me. They didn't just doubt my ability to conceive, they were certain that there was no way that I could become pregnant within three months. Although they had framed it as giving me one last chance, I knew that it wasn't a chance at all. If anything, it was a chance for them to pin t
At that moment, I told myself that I shouldn't get any greedier than this and I should feel lucky that I could still converse with him casually like this while I could also look forward to our future date. It should be enough for me that I could see him smile....**A week later**A week had passed and I had grown even more anxious because of how naturally our relationship was progressing. It felt like I had been waiting for Prince Leonard to bring up that topic after hearing the verdict from the committee as if I was waiting for lightning to strike. Despite the fact that a week had passed, the prince had not said anything to me regarding that topic. We spent our days exactly as we did before, and if anything, it seems like I had more time now to spend with the prince. Every time the prince started a conversation with me, my chest would tighten as I waited to see if he would mention anything about the 3-month deadline. I was certain that Prince Leonard must have heard from the commun
“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