Ronan"As you know, Ms. Mussolini and I were dating, and we were planning on settling down," I said, my voice steady despite the tension I felt rising in the room.General Yousef, however, wasn’t going to let it slide. "When you say 'were,' does that mean it is no longer so?" he asked, his sharp tone cutting through the air.I took a breath, forcing myself to stay composed. "What does my personal life have to do with this meeting, please?" I responded, choosing my words carefully. I didn’t want to give too much away, and it was clear that answering his question directly could lead us down a path I wasn’t willing to tread.The room fell silent. The weight of unspoken questions lingered between us. I could sense the shift in the air, a quiet contemplation settling over the group as they exchanged glances. The General and his officers then began speaking in their native tongue. They probably assumed Joseph and I wouldn’t understand, but part of our military training required us to learn t
Ronan“When the Marakatim raid a village, they do it to recruit new members,” the Colonel said, her tone heavy with the weight of the revelation. “That’s how Arya was recruited."I forced myself to act surprised, but inside, my mind was racing. I couldn’t believe Arya had been drawn into something this dark and dangerous. The Colonel’s eyes flicked toward me, as if gauging my reaction, then continued.“You were a target, Lieutenant General. We believe that there are Jorvikian and Kavistani military officials who are deeply embedded in this group. If they’re planning revenge, it’s very likely they are already infiltrating your country as we speak. The only reason Arya wasn’t detained when she entered Kavistan is because of her Jorvikian passport. Had she entered as a Kavistani national, she would have been arrested immediately.”The weight of her words settled over me. Arya’s newfound citizenship had protected her, but it also left the responsibility of her investigation in our hands.
Ronan “We were able to find this footage from six years ago,” General Yousef began, his voice heavy with the weight of what was to come. “A supermarket owner brought it to us a few weeks ago. He said he was going through his security footage archive, looking for the image of a thief who had robbed his store, when he stumbled upon this. There’s no audio, but the video is clear.” The General nodded to the Colonel, who moved to play the video on the screen. As the footage began, my breath caught in my throat. The image on the screen hit me like a punch to the gut. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst. There, dressed like a Kavistani soldier, holding a gun and forcing a man into a van, was someone I never expected to see. I couldn’t breathe. My mind refused to accept what my eyes were seeing. His face was unmistakable. It was him—there was no doubt. But how could this be possible? It was like the ground had been ripped out from under me. I looked over at Joseph, and his fac
RonanReturning to my room, I found it impossible to steady myself. My thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and grief. I knew I needed to keep it together, especially being in a foreign country where eyes and ears were always present, but it was hard to shake the weight of everything I had learned. Erin—alive but possibly lost to the other side—was a thought too painful to fully process."Come on, let's grab something to eat outside," Joseph suggested, his voice steady but low. I knew he wasn’t hungry. He just wanted to get us out of the building, somewhere we could talk without the looming presence of surveillance."I miss their cuisine here, and the scenery is great, too," I said aloud, playing along for the benefit of anyone who might be listening. It was true, though—they had excellent barbecue, rich and smoky. But I barely cared about the food right now.As we walked through the corridor, I couldn’t help but glance toward Arya’s room. Where was she? What was she thinking or pla
CamilaStaying at the Morosov estate was like living on the edge of a knife, a constant tension that weighed on my chest every second of the day.Every step I took felt wrong, as if any small misstep would shatter the fragile peace.The new rules General Sergey enforced at breakfast the day before haunted me—Madam Melania’s icy glare, the way her lips thinned in displeasure. I knew, deep down, she would never forgive what had happened.Even though General Sergey insisted I should join them for meals, telling me not to worry, I couldn't bring myself to do it.The idea of sitting across from Madam Melania, feeling her cold eyes on me, was unbearable.So, for every meal after breakfast yesterday, my mother took Katya to the dining room, I found a way to slip away, to make myself disappear. It was safer that way. I didn’t want to upset Madam Melania any more than I already had by just existing, and the staff—once indifferent—had grown sharp and hostile since the General had imposed his n
Camila"I do not want to upset you, Madam," I said quietly, telling her the truth. I knew, deep down, she was uncomfortable with me eating at their table, even if she wouldn't admit it."It doesn't bother me," she replied, her tone calm but cold. "As long as you're clear on your place, it won't bother me at all." She paused for a moment, as if weighing her next words. "Besides, Sergey thinks I've bullied you into avoiding meals with us. Please make sure you're there for dinner tonight."Her words were a command, thinly veiled in politeness, and I nodded silently. She then turned sharply to Mirabel, her eyes flashing with something darker."And as for you," she began, her voice icy, "the next time you report these people to me, I will see to it that you and your husband are thrown out on the streets. I can see your malice. Was it really necessary to lie?"She didn’t wait for Mirabel to respond before walking away, leaving her standing there, frozen and humiliated.It was clear that wha
CamilaMadam Melania’s face turned even colder as she realized she was losing control. The tension between her and General Sergey seemed to tighten like a coiled spring, ready to snap at any moment.“Sergey,” she repeated, her voice sharp and unyielding. “I am coming with you. Whatever she has to say to you, she can say to me as well.” Her words were laced with entitlement as if she couldn’t fathom being left out of any conversation under her own roof. Her authority, her dominance, was being questioned, and she would not tolerate it.General Sergey turned slowly to face her, his expression hard and unforgiving. “Whatever she has to say to me is none of your business, Melania,” he said, his voice low but firm. “I warned you about the Semenovs, didn’t I? And yet, you went ahead and sent Camila to deliver pastries!” His voice, though steady, brimmed with anger, the kind that comes when a person’s patience has been tested one too many times.He took a step closer to her, his eyes piercing
Camila "Today, when I arrived at the Semenovs', they refused to take the pastry at the gate as Madam Melania had instructed," my mother began, her voice still shaking but steadier now. "Instead, they ushered me into the house. I wasn’t sure why, but I waited near the house bar, where I could hear voices from the other room." She paused, glancing at General Sergey, guilt flashing across her face. She knew what she had done—listening in on conversations that weren’t meant for her ears. But she couldn’t hold back now. "There were young officers there, some of whom have visited this house before," she continued, her voice quieter now, almost as if she feared being overheard even here. "I wasn’t spying… but they were speaking in hushed tones, and I listened." General Sergey’s face grew darker, but he remained silent, allowing her to continue. "They were reading out names, and yours was on the list," she said, her eyes locking with his. "They were tired, frustrated with the way things a
RonanThe rest of the day unfolded like a dream. The blending of cultures at the reception created an electric atmosphere, with traditional music, dancing, and customs from both Jorvik and Belvaria.People laughed, cheered, and toasted together, the joy in the air bringing everyone closer in a way I hadn’t seen before.The food was exquisite—lavish dishes from both sides, served alongside sweets that melted in your mouth. I glanced around, noticing a few of the usual snobbish Jorvikians clinging to old prejudices, but their aloofness felt like a remnant of a fading past. The world was changing, and today was proof that we were moving forward.As the day finally wound down, my heart quickened, knowing I’d soon take Camila home with me for the first time as my wife.My mother’s eyes were misty with tears as we prepared to leave. I knew the real reason she was so sentimental had little to do with the wedding itself.She’d gotten used to Camila and Glenda living at home, filling her table
RonanThese words were my truth, my heart’s deepest promises, and I meant to honour them, no matter what life might bring our way.The hall was filled with the soft sounds of sniffles and quiet sighs; I could feel the weight of emotion in the air. But in that moment, I was aware only of Camila. My vow, my promises, were for her and her alone.Camila took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts, and I could see the shy nerves flickering in her expression. She hesitated just a moment, and then began, her voice steady but filled with emotion.“Ronan,” she said softly, her voice warming as she spoke, “words can’t fully capture what I feel, but I’ll do my best.” A gentle chuckle rippled through the crowd, lightening the moment, and she smiled at me with a look that made my heart race.“You made me feel at home when I didn’t have a home,” she continued, her voice thick with sincerity. “Because of you, I’ve known joy, dignity, and freedom—even though society didn’t think I was worthy of those
RonanThe music began softly, and I stood at full attention, my heart pounding as I focused on the door where Camila would soon appear.I felt a mix of nerves and anticipation I hadn’t expected, my eyes lingering on that entrance, hoping each passing second would bring her closer. But first came the bridesmaids, one by one, entering gracefully.Olivia led the way, her figure heavily pregnant but glowing, followed by Stephanie, Ashley, and two Belvarian women who looked like relatives of Camila. Though I hadn’t met them before, their familial resemblance to Camila was subtle—a trace here, a gesture there.Then, my little Katya appeared, a tiny vision holding a small basket of flowers. My heart melted as she toddled down the aisle, her big eyes wide with wonder. For a one-year-old, she was doing exceptionally well, capturing the hearts of everyone as she made her way forward.But then, as her gaze found mine, she lit up and shouted, “Dada!” I couldn’t help but laugh, joy filling me as s
RonanThe day I had dreamed of for so long had finally arrived—my wedding day. As tradition demanded, I couldn’t spend the night with my bride, so I stayed at my house with Marc, Joseph, Erin and Ashton. Lying awake that morning, memories flooded my mind, filling me with emotions I hadn’t felt in a long time. I remembered a different night, a night that haunted me and almost changed everything.That time, I’d been betrayed, drugged, and left in a haze by people I’d thought I could trust—people like Abel and Mira, whose influence had threatened to destroy my happiness. But not this time. This time, it was just my brother my soon-to-be-in-law and my true friends and me, laughing and drinking, reliving those simpler days with nothing sinister lurking around the corner.For the first time, I felt completely in control, safe. I was grateful for that disastrous night from the past, because without it, I would never have crossed paths with Camila. Everything I’d been through, all the pain an
CamilaTwo days before the wedding, Erin arrived with a heavily pregnant Olivia. I couldn't help but wonder how she managed to fly so far along in her pregnancy.Apparently, they had used a private jet, which explained the quick journey. My father had flown them all into Jorvik, bringing along his family, two lively ladies named Trisha and Lily, whom he said were our distant relatives. Along with them were Olivia’s friends, Stephanie and Ashely, who couldn't stop gushing about their excitement to see Marc and Joseph again. Clearly, those two men had left quite the impression on them.Olivia was radiant, her happiness infectious. It was clear she was free-spirited, a stark contrast to the life of servitude I had known.I was grateful she had never had to experience that harsh existence. Madam Melania was particularly taken with Olivia, unable to stop admiring her striking red hair and vibrant green eyes.I could see the wheels turning in Madam Melania’s mind as she tried to charm Olivi
CamilaMy father returned to the villa that the head of state had prepared for him and his entourage. The wedding was just two weeks away, and he planned to leave briefly, returning with my family to attend the ceremony. I was excited at the thought of meeting them, especially with how well my mother’s relationship with Dimitri was progressing. Their bond seemed solid, unhindered by the past, and I was genuinely happy for them both.Ronan suggested we return to his house after the celebration, but Madam Melania was determined to keep us there. She pulled out all kinds of tricks to persuade us to stay, even pleading with my mother not to leave.However, Dimitri was firm in his decision to take her to Nerania, where he also planned to buy a house in Jorvik for them to stay. I understood his reasoning; Madam Melania often seemed to forget that we were no longer slaves, and a little distance might help her realise the changes in our lives.She wasn’t malicious, but her subtle reminders—li
CamilaAs Erin and Ashton walked in alongside my father, I found myself standing up almost absently, my heart racing. Seeing him in person was a revelation; he looked so much better than he did on the screen.His eyes were soft and warm when they fell on me, as if he had just encountered an angel, and in that moment, I couldn’t believe he was my father. The weight of the moment pressed down on me, filling me with a mix of joy and disbelief.I didn’t want to waste any time; I was determined to avoid any awkwardness between us. With a surge of emotion, I rushed toward him and wrapped my arms around his waist, letting him know that there was no need for words. I felt him pause for just a heartbeat before he slowly wrapped his arms around me in a bear hug, holding on tightly as if he were afraid I might slip away.“My daughter, my daughter,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion. I could feel his pain radiating through his words, hear it tremble in the air between us. This moment was a
CamilaI was a bundle of nerves after the signing ceremony. My heart raced, each thump echoing in my ears like a drum. I knew Fredrick wouldn't waste any time seeking me out. Erin had mentioned how impatient he had been throughout the event, his excitement barely contained.As I thought about the man I was about to meet, I felt my stomach twist into knots. My mother appeared calm and composed, but I was anything but. Fredrick was my father, a man I had never seen before, someone I hadn’t even known existed until now. The realisation weighed heavily on me. This was all so overwhelming, yet I understood it was something I had to confront.Once the signing ceremony ended, I slipped out of the living room and headed up to Ronan's room. I needed a moment to gather my thoughts and calm my racing heart. I wasn't sure how I would react when I finally met Fredrick face-to-face or what I might say to him. I had only spoken to him once over the phone, which felt like a distant memory now. That w
RonanAs we celebrated, Ashton turned to Erin with a look of quiet amazement. “When my uncle told me the only way to achieve this was by working honestly with the Jorvikians, I didn’t believe him,” he admitted. “But I guess he was right all along.” Erin nodded, sharing the same sense of disbelief mixed with newfound hope. It truly felt like the dawn of a new era, and I was grateful beyond words to witness it, let alone be part of it.Just as we were toasting to freedom and the future, my father’s phone rang. He listened quietly, then looked over at me, his expression softening. “Gregory has agreed to waive the death penalty in exchange for Lucas’s cooperation. He’ll be dismissed from the military and serve three years in prison. After that, he’ll be a free man. This is the best deal we could secure for him.”I nodded, a feeling of respect and relief swelling up as I met my father’s gaze. “Thank you, Father,” I said, my voice low but sincere. He returned a small smile, nodding back. Al