Catherine's grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, siblings, close friends, relatives, and other well-wishers present kept taking turns in congratulating her. Meanwhile, some family members of hers were struggling to reconcile their feelings of jealousy and resentment towards her. The fact that the unpopular Catherine of the Jones Family was now going to be the queen and it wasn’t them or their daughters/sisters who were chosen was a big blow. But, they put on a show of being happy for her, showering her with compliments and congratulations. However, Catherine could still sense the jealousy and envy in some of their faces, but she tried her best to ignore it and focus on the positive energy in the room. Even those who barely spoke to her or had previously shown disdain towards her in the past were now trying to butter up to her, hoping to get in her good books. They kept flattering Catherine and trying to make it appear to others that they had a close relationship with her. It made h
Liana was taken aback by Catherine's blunt response and how she smartly turned the tables in her favor by being sweet and gentle while also shunning her. That wasn’t the reaction she was expecting from Catherine at all, especially since they’d clashed more than thrice in the past. She was truly aggravated and disturbed by the strange turn of events. Her little plan with Evelyn failed after all.After Catherine gracefully extricated herself from the uncomfortable encounter with Liana she continued to greet the guests. As she made her way through the gathering, she couldn't help but notice the curious glances and whispers that followed her. It was clear that her interactions with Liana had not gone unnoticed by others. The gossip was already spreading so fast.“It seems our future queen is really smart and well-coordinated. Look how she handled that situation,” she heard someone saying as she passed by.Maintaining her poise, Catherine greeted her other family members and well-wishers,
As he sat in his luxurious office located at the center of the Parliament House in Sydney, he couldn't help but feel the weight of the world on his shoulders. It was a typical day for the king - meeting with cabinet members, attending diplomatic conferences, and signing off on various bills that were passed in the House of Representatives. The only different thing was that he couldn't stop thinking about Catherine.Shawn had never really been interested in relationships for years now after Rory happened. But now, he couldn't deny the way his heart raced every time he thought about Catherine's cute face, her blushing red cheeks, soft voice, and gentle smile. He couldn't stop replaying their conversations in his head, and it had become a constant distraction for him. He had been trying to ignore the way he felt and keep a tight lid on his feelings. However, he felt like her very lovely face was already imprinted on his mind.He sighed and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples.
"The kindred have been misunderstood and mistreated for far too long. Catherine's heritage does not define her worth or abilities. And I have every confidence that she is the perfect choice. Who do you think you are to question my authority like this?" Shawn thundered as anger flashed in his eyes.The duke leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "You are blind, Your Majesty. Blinded by infatuation and a misplaced sense of priorities. Your decisions are endangering the stability of our kingdom."A surge of anger coursed through Shawn's veins, his voice biting with sarcasm. "Endangering the stability? The noble houses have long enjoyed their power and privilege at the expense of the people. The people deserve a queen who will champion their rights and bring about progress,” he shot back furiously.As the argument raged on, Catherine's face lingered in Shawn's mind, her image serving as a reminder of the path he had chosen. He knew that he had to stay true to his convictions, even in the fac
Gerald was tempted to ask what was so intriguing in the Newspaper that he couldn't put it down for a second. However, the words failed to come out of his mouth. “If you say so. But I’ve got to warn you not to expect too much out of this. Everyone knows Dyson keeps his side of the street clean. It’s hard to find a single dirt on him,” Gerald replied honestly. It wasn’t the first time he would embark on a fruitless investigation of Duke Dyson’s activities. Apart from being Shawn’s best friend, he was also the King’s go-to man when it came to investigations of any kind, especially involving wealthy and political figures. Gerald’s family, “The Knights” were also among the top five most influential Kindred families in Australia. They specialized in security agencies and intelligence, and their loyalty to the crown was unquestionable.There was not a single information he couldn’t lay their hands on after thorough investigation but when it comes to a calculative man like Dyson, it was so
“Good Lord, I think she's already gotten you under her spell. I've never seen you react like this before." Gerald continued hysterically.Shawn's face continued to flush slightly, trying to hide his growing discomfort. "Don't be ridiculous, you Dumbass. We barely know each other. It's just like an arranged marriage, a political alliance. Nothing more."Gerald leaned back in his chair, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he kept studying the never seen before soft expressions on Shawn’s face. "Oh, really? That's not what your eyes are saying. I’ve never seen this look on you before. You're smitten, my friend."Shawn's cheeks turned even a shade redder as he grumbled without saying anything.Gerald's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wow! The mighty King Shawn, captivated by a woman? I never thought I'd live to see the day when you'll fall in love again. This is going to be interesting."Shawn shot Gerald a mock glare, shaking his head. "I guess you've been reading too many ro
“Why is this jerk suddenly calling me today?” Catherine said to herself as she struggled to keep her head straight enough for her make-up artist to work.She ignored the first call but he called her again almost immediately. Her hands trembled as she contemplated whether or not to answer. Regardless, she decided to overlook the phone call, once again, not wanting to be distracted or let her ex-boyfriend ruin her special day. She knew that Tristan had a way of stirring up old emotions, and she didn't want anything to tarnish her confidence or disrupt her composure on such an important day. However, when her phone rang for the third time, frustration bubbled up within her. With an annoyed sigh, Catherine answered the call without batting an eye or thinking twice."Why the fuck are you calling me, Tristan?" she snapped, contempt seeping into her voice. On the other end of the line, there was a brief pause, followed by a confused response. "Who is Tristan?" came the unfamiliar voice of
”No, it isn't your fault, My Lord. I alone, should be the one apologizing for the embarrassing mixup.” Catherine said, trying hard not to let her anxiety seep into her voice. She maintained a composed demeanor, hoping to convey sincerity and regret.Shawn’s gaze softened as he heard Catherine's genuine concern. He realized that his initial reaction may have been too harsh, fueled by his own insecurities and the mounting pressure of their impending marriage. Deep down, he understood that Catherine's misstep was an innocent oversight, not a deliberate act of disrespect. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke, his voice much softer this time."You need not apologize anymore, Catherine. We are all prone to mistakes," Shawn responded, his voice now tinged with a hint of remorse. A flicker of relief crossed Catherine's face, grateful for the king's understanding. She realized that their connection, despite its fragility, was built on a foundation of mutual respect and understanding. I
Lady Rory Williams slipped into a red suede gown, looking drop-dead gorgeous. Her ethereal beauty was shining ever so brightly, one can say even more than the sun. Today, she was a woman on a mission.....It was the second time she’d be visiting the palace walls as a royal delegate who had every right to be there. The first time, she’d only been introduced to the court as a new member. But this time, the royal seal would be holding a luncheon party to welcome her officially into the noble service.It wasn’t a necessary occasion to be held for newcomers of the court but, her uncle Damien had pulled some strings on her behalf as expected, making sure his “precious” niece got the best treatment.It wasn’t just an ordinary welcome party for Rory though. It was a great opportunity to execute her plans. Hopefully, her heartthrob, King Shawn, would be in attendance. It was his palace, after all, and it was mandatory that he attend or at least show face to every royal event held at the palace
Catherine was well aware of the strict royal system in Australia. The expectations placed upon nobles were too extreme, and any misstep could result in public ridicule and embarrassment. She couldn't help but imagine the whispers and laughter that would ensue if word got out about her day-long nap. It was going to be a big deal, and the media would eat it up. The thought of becoming a laughingstock in the kingdom made her stomach churn with anxiety. ‘Oh, my God. I’m fucked!’ There were a lot of eyes and ears in the palace, and if this gets out, she could as well step down as the King’s Fiancée. As a journalist and former newspaper editor, Catherine could already imagine the thousands of humiliating front-page headlines. “Lady Catherine Is Lazy And unfit to rule!” “Does Australia Needs A Lazy queen?” “The Jones Girl Is A Downgrade For A Queen.” “The Royal Sleep Scandal: Lady Catherine's Day-Long Nap Raises Eyebrows in the Kingdom! “The Future Queen Who Snoozed!” “Sleeping B
After watching her for quite some time, Shawn's hands moved with a delicate touch, helping her remove her clothes, shoes, and jewelry till she was left with just her inner, comfy wear. He let out a frustrating sigh as he gazed at Catherine's delicate figure, peacefully asleep. The way her body curved and the gentle rise and fall of her chest immediately stirred a desire within him that he couldn't ignore.The softness of her skin and the way her hair cascaded over her shoulders all added to her allure. Shawn's heart raced, his mind filled with a mixture of longing and desire. He couldn't tear his eyes away from her, his gaze tracing the contours of her body. Catherine’s absence during the past week had left a void in Shawn’s heart, and he had missed her presence more than he could have ever imagined. “She's like a dream, a fantasy come to life.”Her body was so soft and inviting that he couldn’t help but have dirty thoughts. But as much as he was captivated by Catherine's beauty,
Catherine couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion as King Shawn's thumb continued to caress her cheek. She felt herself leaning into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment.She wanted to back away but couldn't find the will to. This man had a way of making her weak in the knees. She was unable to think straight.She had been extra anxious and apprehensive ever since she stepped into the grand palace, waiting for the worst to happen. All her thoughts were that he would end their relationship and maybe tell her he was getting back with his gorgeous blondie Ex.But now, the man said that he missed her. She didn't know what and how to reply to that at all. The fact that his fingers were also gently caressing her face while he stared deeply and lovingly into her eyes was also something she wasn’t expecting.“What's wrong?”“Uh?” Catherine asked with a puzzled expression on her face.“Your face… Are you sick?”“What's wrong with my face, Your Majesty?”“It’s extra flushe
“OMG, Bestie, go online asap! Check what’s trending at No. 1,” Steven cried out hysterically as soon as he walked into Catherine’s bedroom at the Jones Mansion.Catherine, sprawling on her elegantly adorned bed with her long brown hair cascading like a river of silk, raised an eyebrow at his urgency. She was used to her best friend's dramatic entrances, but this one seemed particularly intense.Even her pet, Zowie, who had been lazily lounging on her lap, jerked up at Steven's frantic entrance. His screams made her scared as she darted under the bed with a startled “meow.”"Steve, keep it down. Look how you scared Zowie away. What has got you so worked up?" Catherine inquired, setting aside her favorite Colleen Hoover book.Steven, with his phone, clutched tightly in his hand, was practically vibrating with anxiety.“Just go online, Babes. Hurry!”“Okay, Okay. I've heard you.” Catherine reached for her phone and quickly navigated to the top trending news online.Her eyes immediately w
The Royal Palace, Sydney.An incredibly gorgeous blond with emerald green eyes alighted from an exquisite car in front of the castle’s grand halls. Her tight-fitted white body suit hugged her hourglass figure perfectly. The bright smile radiating from her face made her look like a beauty goddess sent from above as she posed for the paparazzi stationed at the entrance.“God, I'm so nervous to see my Shawny. I feel like it's been ages already,” Rory muttered to herself as she followed the palace guards who led her through the enormous gardens and walkway.Memories of the last time she visited the palace flooded her mind. It was a painful experience she wished to forget – one that left her broken within. She had gone on her knees, cried bitterly, and begged him to give her another chance to prove her love.The chance to be his wife and rightful queen!Rory had been so hopeful and trusted in the love they shared in the past. She thought it was about time they rekindled those lovely feelin
King Shawn emerged, looking delighted as he saw Catherine leaning against the bookshelves. He closed the door to the study behind him and walked over to her, his gaze never leaving her pretty face. Catherine's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, and she couldn't help but smile despite the circumstances. She prayed that he wouldn't notice the change in her mood, so she spoke first. “What was the urgent situation about, My lord?” “Nothing serious, My dear. I already handled it,” Shawn explained, his deep voice filled with relief and exhaustion while his huge figure hovered over her. "I apologize for the interruption, my Dear." Catherine's disappointment melted away, replaced by a surge of understanding and empathy. "No need to apologize, Shawn. Duty comes first, after all." The King reached out, gently cupping her cheek with his hand. "Thank you for your understanding," he replied, his thumb caressing her skin. His gaze fell on her cute, plump lips, the desire to kiss her almo
Catherine's steps were light as she approached the ornate double doors to the King’s study. She wondered how long it would take for him to handle the sudden emergency. She couldn't wait for them to get back to their kiss and brewing romance right where they left off. She pushed the doors open gently, not wanting to disturb the sanctity of his space. The room seemed to radiate an air of sophistication and mystique that drew her in. It was dimly lit, with the soft glow of a chandelier casting intricate shadows across the mahogany furniture. As soon as she entered, her gaze settled on the large desk, where an assortment of papers and quills lay scattered, a testament to the countless hours he spent attending to his kingly duties. Catherine’s eyes wandered around, looking for something to keep her busy till he returned. She walked over to the shelves. It was lined with volumes of old books and various artifacts from different corners of the kingdom. Memories of their last visit to his
Time seemed to slow down as they locked eyes, both hesitant and eager to bridge the gap between them. They both leaned in, hearts pounding, ready to seal their lips with a tender kiss, just like the one they had before on the rooftop. But just before their lips could meet, a loud distant sound echoed through the hallways, interrupting their sweet moment. It was the unmistakable sound of urgent footsteps approaching. They pulled away, startled, and turned to see four palace guards rushing toward them. Shawn's hands slipped from her chin and the wall as he straightened, his expression quickly transforming from desire to resolve. Catherine took a step back, trying to regain her composure, her heart still racing from the nearness of his touch. Her cheeks were red from embarrassment at being caught in such an intimate moment. The guards skidded to a halt before the couple, their eyes widening as they took in the scene. Their surprised expressions were evident, as this was the first time