Chapter 9

ISABELLE’S POV

When we arrived at Rowan's house his guards gave me a curious look as I stepped out of the car.

My presence here was already a familiar sight to them from the days I used to wait around, eager to see Rowan.

They bowed with respect and turned prepared to notify Rowan of my arrival immediately. But there was a spark in my eyes as I announced, “I’m not here for Rowan. I came here to see Thane. Take me to him—now.”

The guards froze, murmurs echoing through them at the sudden change. Just then, the door opened, and Rowan himself stepped out, a surprised look on his face that he hid it with a polite smile.

But before he could approach us or say a word, I moved to Kael’s side, linking my arm through his.

Rowan's eyes flickered with surprise, his gaze fixed on the link between Karl's and my arm.

I pulled him closer, raising my voice cheerfully. “I’m so exhausted from the day’s events and would love a nice warm meal. Rowan, be a good host and prepare some food. Thane and his son should also join us.” I said with a dismissive wave and adding a dramatic sigh for theatrics, “Normally, I’d be in bed by this hour.”

Rowan raised his brows at my request, but he nodded, gesturing stiffly towards the door of his house.

I walked in, my arms still locked with Kael’s. Soon enough, we were seated in the dining room, and the servants laid out a spread of delicious steaming food.

The table was cast in tense silence and I tried my best to keep the mood light, talking animatedly and encouraging everyone to eat.

I picked a plate up and served Kael some food, my every gesture graceful and casual, though I could feel the stares from across the table.

Thane still seemed caught off guard by my presence and my interest in dining together.

Thane seemed set off and kept glancing between the two men, growing visibly uneasy. I could sense his discomfort but I didn't care, this was actually what I was hoping for tonight.

During the main course, I took my chance. Turning toward Thane’s son, my expression was playful but my eyes remained sharp. “Tell me, Casper, how does this food here compare to the club's?”

The question was so unexpected that Thane’s son sputtered, glancing nervously around the table till he met his father's eyes before blurting out, “Oh, it’s much better than the club’s, of course.”

He had barely let out the words when Thane’s face flushed a deep shade of crimson, clearly bristling with annoyance.

He opened his mouth, probably trying to defend his son, but I met his gaze with a piercing stare that shut him up immediately.

My unspoken command was clear—I didn't want any lies.

Casper seemed to sense the shift in the atmosphere, noticing his father's thunderous expression.

He quickly rose from his chair, nervously wrangling his hands in front of him as he stammered, “Princess… I… I.”

He started, but I cut him off. “Tell me the truth.” I snarled.

He glanced at his father, his eyes flooded with fear. “I promise I only went there to have fun. And the situation with Levi was all just a mere misunderstanding.”

“Is that so?” The tone was deceptively sweet, but my eyes were hard as steel. “Then explain it all to me, why did you bring Kael’s younger brother, Levi there? And then when the officials arrived, he was the only one left behind and caught when you both went there together?”

The boy took a huge gulp, his gaze darting to his father for help, but Thane sat frozen, clearly not prepared to make the situation worse than it already was.

Casper shifted on his feet uncomfortably, finally mumbling, “We didn’t do anything wrong. It was all set up. When the Ministry officials burst in, I… I panicked and ran. That’s why I wasn’t arrested.”

I watched his every move with interest, every twitch of his face, as he spoke. There was a hint of truth there, but I still wasn't sure the boy wasn't holding something back.

Leaning forward, I lowered my voice, my eyes glinting with suspicion. “So you are sure that's the entire truth?”

The boy stammered, “Yes Princess. I swear.”

From his tremors and the way his voice shook, I could see the pure fear expression.

I leaned back into my seat, that should be enough. From the boy’s story, it was clear that Levi was telling the truth.

He was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. But there was still one crucial question left to be answered: how had the accusations of treason against Kael’s family spread so quickly?

KAEL’S POV

I sat across from Isabelle in utter silence, my mind whirling. For all the rumours and stories I have heard about her as an idle, talentless princess, they all seemed like mere lies.

She was nothing like the rumours. She was showing cleverness and a subtle way of manipulating the conversation for her interest.

I was seeing her in a new light. She was not just simply digging for information—she was guiding the entire confession, and I couldn't stop myself from being both surprised and captivated.

And when she took my arm outside, without warning. The contact seemed so sudden, so bold, that a warmth crept through me.

I took an unconscious sniff of her intoxicating scent as my eyes kept darting back to her. She was simply a vision. Her long hair cascading down her back and her eye that seemed to draw me in. She was perfect, like a siren that called out to me and I couldn't ignore.

I could feel a strange sensation buzzing beneath my skin. I was suddenly aware of her every move, from the delicate way she lifted her fork to her crimson lips, to the way she led the conversation at the table

As she continued to serve me food, placing morsels on my plate with a smile, I just couldn’t help but feel drawn to her.

Staring at the softness in her gestures all balanced by the sharpness of her eyes. And, even though I fought within myself, I was beginning to feel my walls crumbling slowly.

As she wrapped up the interrogation and confirmed my brother's story, she leaned back with 3èa satisfied expression, shooting me a glance.

My cold expression broke for a genuine smile tugging at my lips. At that moment, there was no way to deny it— I was more than a bit captivated by her.