I promised Victoria I'd get her the grands, and I would. I wasn't expecting her to make a scene outside Kyler's chambers. I lay on the bed while I watched Kyler sneak out of the chambers, trying so hard not to bump into anything or make noise. The lights are turned off, and he has bumped into his boots, stripping him and hitting the table by the door.Finally, he succeeded noisily and left the chambers. I waited a few more minutes with my eyes open. He was gone, and I was sure. I turned on the lights, stepped out of the thick duvets, and picked out a robe from the couch beside the bed. I knew where he kept the keys, the keys to the safe. I didn't ask Victoria what she needed the money for. It wasn't my business; I didn't even want to know, but I knew she was up to no good.I opened the drawer while I forced myself into a brown dress and put my hair in a clean ponytail.I rushed towards the door and then remembered Kyler's men outside. I sneakily opened the door and realised just one

After adjusting her hair, she cleaned up her face and straightened her dress and shoes. I open the door. Perry and Kesem look away the moment they spot us. My hands are locked in Isabelles.I stop, that's true, gold, "Perry?" I call, and he turns to me, head lowered. "The gold in the bag, deliver it to Victoria," I say.He finally looks at me. Isabelle grabs my arms tight, "Kyler?" "It's fine, it's a little gesture," I say, and turn to Perry, "You heard me," "Yes, Sire," He says, looks at Kesem and walks past us. Kesem rushes towards me."Lord Gale?" I ask. He shakes his head."He isn't there now, Your Majesty," he says."Change the location to the throne room," I say. "Yes, Your Highness," We arrive at the throne room, and the outside guards open the door. I look at Isabelle, and her jaw drops, staring at the throne prepared beside mine.Her shaky smile, and she looked at me, "Is that mine?" She asks with her brows shot up."Of course, be wherever I am," I say, "Except for wars,"

I let her meet with her ladies, and it's been a week since I saw Isabelle last. Didn't she miss me? I sat in my library, staring at the documents I had to sign. Kesem stands beside me while I force myself to reread the line I have read for the thousandth time."Your Majesty?" His deep voice interrupts, and I look at him."Oh, Kesem, what's wrong?" I question."You look distracted. I wanted to ask you the same question," his lips twitch, and he folds his hands behind him."No, why should there be?" I replied. Kesem blinks, almost like he didn't believe me. He wasn't supposed to, anyway."Her Highness seems to have cleared her schedule this afternoon before the ball," He said."Ahh, that's right," the ball, I was going to see her after all. I had forgotten about the evening ball I had arranged last week."Do you -" He paused, and my eyes shot wide, waiting for the following words. His lips opened and closed, and he sighed heavily. "Never mind, you're busy," he bowed and stepped backwards

"Five years ago, at Lakes... I had met a redhead, too, and coming here just confirmed my suspicion... Queen Isabelle, who knew from kneeling to me, you'd be a queen today," I blinked. His speech was uncomfortable because I knew where he was going. He was indeed bringing five years ago back. "Did you know that very day when you begged me ON YOUR KNEES to spare your life," his eyes shifted to Kyler, "Kyler was at the gathering. Was that when you met her? Did it spark things?" King Damien says.Out of the things I had expected, wasn't this or Kyler being at the gathering. I wanted to look at him, I wanted him to confirm with me, but I didn't care if he saw me."Should I tell you a little secret?" He continues. The people at the table seemed more interested than I was. His wife Ellen smiled graciously at her husband's behaviour, Damien was drunk, and while he talked, he staggered. Now I have a reason to leave. He opened his mouth to speak, and I got up."King Damien, you seem drunk, I bel

The night is cold but quiet. I can feel the harsh wind blowing against my skin. I open my eyes, looking around the room, when I find the window open, and the curtains flying as the wind forces itself in.Kyler's arms wrap around my body. He had slept off after a while, and I didn't bother to wake him up cause I purposely wasted a lot of time in the bath. I gently remove his hands to leave, but he squeezes me back, and his breath fans underneath my ear."Stay," Kyler says, "The window, I have to close it," I say, but he doesn't make an attempt to let go. Instead, he pushes himself forward."Come here, let me warm you," he whispers, burying his head between my neck, sending chills down my spine. I hold his hands, staring at the ceiling. I know he isn't sleeping, and he proves me right, sitting up."Something bothering you?" I reach for the bedside lamp and sit up, inhaling."Not exactly," I murmured, and he wrapped his hands even tighter. It felt thick, strong yet warm. "You have to b