Chapter 19

ISABELLE’S POV

I tilted my head, trying to hide my amusement, as Kael's face flushed crimson. “Why are you so concerned about me? Don’t tell me you’ve grown attached.” I asked.

Kael straightened, his voice stiff and formal. “I’m just worried about your safety, Princess. If anything dangerous were to happen to you, I know my entire family would bear the consequences.”

The corner of my mouth twitched with annoyance, the smile dropping from my face. This was always all about duty, nothing more. “You’re such a stubborn fool,” I snapped back, spinning on my heel and walking back to the car, my chest heaving with anger.

Kael scrambled after me, his footsteps heavy on the concrete sidewalk as he trailed me back to the car, slipping into the passenger seat with guilt clouding his features. “I'm sorry if I annoyed you, Princess, I apologise for my manners.” He said in a hushed whisper.

But I wasn’t going to let him off so easily. I turned to face him, my eyes narrowed into slits “You’re not just worried, Kael. Admit it—you’re actually moved.”

His face deepened to a furious shade of red, and for a split second, his lips parted as if he wanted to say something more, but he snapped his mouth shut, looking away from me.

I huffed, sinking into the seat's silence, closing in on us.

“Did you at least find any evidence at the club?” I cut in, refusing to look at him

From the corner of my eyes, I saw him nod, his expression instantly growing serious. “Yes I got some evidence inside, but it’s very urgent. I need to report it to the Alpha immediately.”

I raised an eyebrow, my face twisting into a deep frown. “And are you not going to tell me about this evidence you found?”

Kael shook his head, his tone firm and sharp. “It’s not that I don’t want to, Princess. The matter is classified. It’s too dangerous, and it would be best if you stayed out of it.”

I clenched her jaw, gritting my teeth as rage bubbled inside me. I understood what he was saying all too well. I was still the “useless” princess—the one everyone had to shield from serious matters especially those relating to life and death. The label stung, but I pushed the feeling aside, I knew my place.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to focus. “Fine,” I bit out coolly, with a dismissive wave of my hand. “Go to the palace, then. I’ll handle things on my own here.”

Kael hesitated, his gaze lingering on me longer than usual, but when I turned and shot him a sharp look, he finally relented and stepped out of the car, slamming the door shut behind him.

“Back to the villa,” I ordered the driver. As the car started moving, I gazed out the window at Kael's retreating figure, unreadable emotions swirling through me.

The car pulled up in the driveway of the villa and I stepped out, settling out a small sigh of relief to finally be back home.

I merely nodded at the maids that greeted me as I passed, stalking towards my room. Once the door was closed behind me, I took a deep breath, immediately peeling my clothes off my body.

They lay in a heap on the floor as I walked into the shower, wrapping a white towel around my chest.

I turned the tub knob and hot water gushed out. I sat by the edge of the tub, watching silently as it filled up.

When it was full, I dipped my hand in to test the water's temperature and nodded in approval.

I slowly rose, pushing the towel off my body and onto the ground. I stepped into the tub and sank into the water.

I hissed in satisfaction as the hot water cascaded over my tired body as I leaned against the edge of the tub, the last few days replaying in my mind.

After a long while, I rose from the water, parting my feet as I shrugged on a robe and collapsed into my bed.

Immediately I felt the soft sheets against my warm skin, exhaustion overtook me and my eyes fluttered shut pulling me into a dreamless sleep.

For the next three days, I heard nothing from Kael nor did I see him.

His absence loomed like a dark cloud and affected me more than I cared to admit.

I tried to shake off the unease, forcing myself to stop overthinking but I just couldn't stop the thoughts flooding my mind.

Yet, my wolf’s soothing voice kept echoing in my mind, not to worry about him.

The days dragged on slowly. I tried to busy myself with different tasks, but my mind kept wandering back to Kael.

And even the countdown on my head kept ticking as time flew by each second. I knew I should focus on my mission, but the silence from Kael was unnerving.

‘Don’t worry, Kael will take care of it.’ I wolf whispered in my mind to ease my worries.

But by the third day, my patience was already wearing thin. I was a mess of nerves, biting my lip as I stood at the window of my room gazing down as doubt started to creep into my mind.

A knock echoing in the room startled me and I flinched. I turned around, staring at the door as one of the maids appeared, a hesitant smile on her face.

“Your Highness,” the maid began, “ I wanted to inform you that General Kael’s brother has been released from prison.”

I froze mid-step, my heart skipping a beat. A wave of relief washed over me, and then a surge of excitement I couldn't contain.

“He’s free?” I asked, my voice more high-pitched than I intended.

The maid nodded. “Yes, my lady. The boy was released this morning.”

Unable to hide my joy, I clasped my hands together, letting out a loud laughter.

I caught the maid staring at me curiously, her brow raised. “Do you care about General Kael that much?” she asked, with genuine curiosity.

My laughter died and the excitement I felt dimmed slightly as the question sank in.

Did I really care?

“I…” I began ready to deny it, but the words refused to come out.

The maid didn't proceed any further, leaving the room without another word.

I sank onto my bed, staring out the window.

‘Did I really care?’ I wondered. The truth was bitter but I knew that I did.