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
As Catherine descended the huge staircase, all eyes turned toward her. Her entire family and close friends gathered at the bottom, their faces filled with delight. Gasps of astonishment and whispers of admiration echoed throughout the room. Catherine's heart swelled with pride and confidence as she gracefully made her way down slowly but steadily. She held the rails tightly with one hand, careful not to trip and fall."Wow, Catherine! You look absolutely stunning!" her best friend, Steven exclaimed with a feral screech. His eyes were wide with awe as he rushed towards her to lend his hand."My darling granddaughter, you are breathtakingly beautiful. I'm so proud of you," Matilda said, her voice filled with emotion while beaming with pride. “Thank you, everyone,” Catherine replied with a sweet smile playing across her lips, adding more allure to her beauty.The compliments continued to pour in as Catherine made her way through the crowd and toward the entrance of the mansion. Everyone