"Of course, I'm ready for anything, your grace," she said, her tone confident and determined."Good," Shawn repeated. "So why don't we start with you skipping the formalities? Please, call me by my first name. We are going to be husband and wife after all," he said with a teasing glint in his eyes.Catherine’s cheeks turned a shade redder and she quickly lowered her head looking down at her hands. "Shawn, then," she murmured, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. “Shawn," she repeated, testing the name on her lips once more. It felt strangely familiar as if she had known him for much longer than she actually had. They looked at each other in silence for a moment before he spoke.“Great, sounds so easy, doesn't it?””Ah yes, your grace.” She said softly as she stared back at him then quickly noticed his smile change into a small and playful frown. “I... I mean... Shawn,” she said with haste. “Don’t worry, I know it might take a while to get used to it,” he said with a reassuri
“Ehmm... let's go back to the ball and have that dance,” Catherine said sweetly, breaking the awkward silence.“Yes.” Shawn held her hand in his as they made their way back to the ballroom. As soon as they stepped in, all eyes turned to them as if they'd been waiting ages for the pair. The room fell silent, filled with anticipation. Catherine felt a mix of shyness and pride as they continued to make their way through the crowd with fingers interlocked. She couldn't help but blush at the attention they were receiving from everyone.She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as Shawn took her to the center of the enormous ballroom where the dance floor was located and pulled her gently into his arms. The onlookers couldn't believe their eyes. King Shawn had never stepped his feet on the dance floor of any royal occasion, talk more of dancing with anyone since he became king. He seldom participated in the grand festivities and even when he attended, he wore a bored face and leaves
Catherine was even more mesmerized as they entered King Shawn’s study, which was a total reflection of his love for knowledge and history. The dark-colored room was adorned with different shelves of books and artifacts from floor to ceiling. Each rack holds a collection of literature from various genres and eras. The aroma of leather-bound books lingered in the air, adding to the ambiance of the space. Catherine's eyes wandered around the study, taking in the grandeur of it all."This is a remarkable place, my lord. And you have such an impressive collection,” her voice was filled with awe.Shawn smiled, a hint of pride shining in his eyes. "Books have always been my solace, and this place is where I gather my thoughts amidst the chaos of ruling my kingdom."Catherine nodded, her curiosity piqued. "Do you have a favorite book, My Lord?"Shawn walked over to one of the shelves, his fingers grazing the spines of the books as he reminisced. "It's difficult to choose just one. But there
Finally, Shawn cleared his throat, breaking the spell. "Ahem," he began, regaining his composure. "Before you leave, Catherine, there's something I'd like to do. I want to introduce you to your newly appointed aides."Catherine’s brown eyes immediately lit up on hearing his words. She nodded, a curious smile playing on her lips. "Of course, Shawn. I'd love to meet them. Please lead the way."With a renewed sense of purpose, Shawn turned and gestured for Catherine to follow him. They left his study and walked down the corridor, the soft sound of their footsteps echoing in the silence. It was a moment of anticipation, both for Catherine and for Shawn, who couldn't shake off the mixed emotions swirling within him.As they approached a door, Shawn paused and turned to Catherine. "They're just inside," he said, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "I've handpicked these individuals based on their expertise and dedication. I'm confident they'll provide invaluable support to you."Catherine
Catherine's cheeks turned a shade of pink as she reminisced about the enchanting evening. The warmth in Shawn's eyes, the gentle touch of his hand on her back, and the way he had made her feel like the most important person in the room. Her heart fluttered at the thought of him. "He treated me like a queen," she replied, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and affection. "He was kind, attentive, and made sure I felt comfortable throughout the night. We even danced together. The King was simply a perfect gentleman.” Her friends exchanged knowing glances, a playful smirk tugging at their lips. Vanessa nudged Catherine playfully. "Ooh, looks like our girl is smitten.” Catherine's blush deepened, and she glanced away, unable to hide her growing infatuation. "Well, we did have a wonderful conversation, and he even invited me to stay the night at the palace. But I declined." Catherine replied aloud, unable to contain her smile. The room erupted in a chorus of surprised gasps a
These days, even her darling husband, Magnus, hasn't been paying attention to her like before. She had always been his favorite wife and never struggled to get his love and care like the others. But for the past week, it has been different.It was as if he was disappointed that non of their three daughters were able to be in Catherine’s position right now, even though he had paid more attention to them and neglected Catherine, his least favorite child through the years.As Elissa continued to stew in her bitterness and lost in dark thoughts, she couldn't help but notice Cecilia, one of her fellow daughters-in-law of the Jones family, approaching her with a smirk on her face.Cecilia was married to Edwin Jones, the dearest elder brother of Magnus, Elissa’s husband but the two women hated each other. They were like cats and rats who never saw eye to eye, despite their husbands being very close as brothers. Cecilia had always been critical of Elissa's treatment of Catherine over the year
King Shawn sat at the head of a long, polished mahogany table, surrounded by mayors, government officials, and advisors. The room was adorned with portraits of past rulers, their stoic faces staring down at the present assembly. As the meeting droned on, King Shawn's mind began to drift away from the matters at hand.He was almost bored to death and could only think of his beloved fiancée, Catherine, to keep his sanity. It's been a few days since he last saw her at the royal ball, and lord knows he was dying to see her again.A wearisome sigh escaped King Shawn's lips as he absentmindedly tapped his fingers on the table. The endless discussions and annoying presentations seemed to blur into an unnoticeable haze for him.His thoughts drifted back to the magical evening of the royal ball, where Catherine had dazzled him with her grace and beauty. He could still picture her twirling across the dance floor, her gown flowing gracefully around her. The way she looked up at him with adorati
After what seemed like an eternity to Catherine, the clock finally struck 7 pm. Before she could say, Jack, her cell phone started beeping. She was surprised to see that it was the King calling. ‘He didn't even wait a single second more!’ she thought.It made her feel a lot better that she might not have been the only one shamelessly praying for the clock to tick by quickly for the last few hours. Their date was finally here, and the anticipation had reached its peak. Catherine's hands trembled a little as she answered the call.“Hello, Your Grace,”“Hi, I’m outside the gate of your family estate,” his baritone voice sounded through the phone, filled with masculine charm. "I didn't want to keep you waiting, Catherine.”Catherine's heart skipped a beat at his considerate gesture. "Okay, I'll be right there in a sec," she responded, her voice betraying her excitement before hanging up.She went straight to the mirror to take one final glance at her appearance before heading out to meet
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