Giovanna

The Duke's pressure on me was relentless, like a dark shadow that insisted on haunting me. His looks of disdain and his sharp words hit me like daggers, hurting my already so overwhelmed heart. The humiliation he inflicted on me seemed like a punishment for the simple fact of loving Prince Alexander.

In every meeting with the Duke, I needed to face his arrogance and hostility. He made a point of making it clear that my presence was not welcome and that I was not worthy of being next to his royal family. His contempt hit me like an open wound, but I refused to give in to his cruelty.

Amid his threats and manipulations, I clung to the force I found in my love for Alexandre. It was this love that gave me the courage to face the Duke and all the adversities that arose in our way.

With a heavy heart, I tried not to give in to the fear and insecurity that the Duke tried to instill in me. I knew he was willing to use any artifice to separate us, but I wouldn't let him destroy what we had bui