Chapter 35: Crowned Parasite"Your wife is right, brother. Listen to her. I will take care of Isabel," Letecia smirked, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes, and turned away, leaving Lucian standing there, torn and conflicted.Lucian felt frustrated and helpless as he watched his sister walk away with such confidence. .Letecia left the pavilion and decided to head straight to the palace physician's clinic with the guard, maintaining a calm exterior. But as soon as she was finally out of sight from Lucian and Victoria, her sudden change in demeanor shocked the guard.Letecia lifted her heavy skirt and ran as if she did not care for the world. Her face was filled with worry. As she ran, her hair began to unravel, and the guard was amazed to see how Letecia was showing him her unroyal side. This was not the composed and regal princess he was accustomed to.When they finally arrived, Letecia did not take another moment. She burst through the door, her voice ringing out in urgency. "Where
Chapter 36: The UltimatumAs Letecia predicted, Lucian couldn't rest. The guilt and concern gnawed at him until he could no longer ignore it. In the dead of night, he silently slipped out of his chambers, moving through the palace with stealth. His thoughts were consumed by Isabel and the state he had left her in, desperate to see her and assure himself of her well-being.When he finally reached the clinic, Lucian approached the door anxiously. Just as he was about to push it open, two of the palace physician's apprentices stepped forward from the shadows, blocking his path."Your Majesty," one of them began, bowing deeply. "We must insist that you do not enter the clinic."Lucian frowned with his hand still poised on the door. "And why is that?" he demanded, his voice filled with frustration but with authority.The second apprentice, a young woman with a calm demeanor, spoke up. "Sire, the clinic is currently being disinfected. The recent illness that struck Lady Isabel has necessita
Chapter 37: The Scheming HarpyAfter Lucian's conversation with Victoria, days went by like the wind. Isabel finally recovered and had now begun serving Princess Letecia. However, one thing was incomprehensible to her—why had Lucian suddenly reassigned her under Princess Letecia? Was he completely avoiding her? During the days she was unconscious, Isabel had no idea what had been happening.But one thing was clear to her. Lucian no longer spared her a glance, and it hurt her deeply.Every time she walked out to the grounds, she always caught a glimpse of Lucian and Victoria, appearing as the loving couple they were. Each sight of their affection felt like a thousand stabs to her chest. What had gone wrong? she asked herself repeatedly.Lucian had promised her so much, even though all she wanted was to be with him. And yet now, he was nowhere beside her.Isabel was downhearted, or perhaps more than that, when she was broken out of her reverie by the sound of Letecia clearing her throat
Chapter 38: Leave, Isabel!Victoria approached Letecia and Isabel who were sitting on a bench. A devious smile curled on her lips."Ah, what a lovely scene," Victoria said loudly, her voice dripping with false sweetness.Letecia and Isabel turned, startled by her sudden presence. Letecia's eyes narrowed knowing there will be trouble when Victoria is around."Victoria," Letecia greeted coolly, standing up. "What brings you here?""Oh, just taking a walk and enjoying the fresh air," Victoria replied, her eyes fixed on Isabel. "I see you’ve found yourself some company."Isabel bowed her head, avoiding Victoria's gaze. "Your Majesty."Victoria stepped closer as her expression turned cold. "Isabel, you seem quite comfortable here, don’t you? Forgetting your place, perhaps?"Isabel looked up, confused and wary. "No, Your Majesty. I am just—""Just what? Enjoying privileges beyond your station?" Victoria interrupted with her voice sharp and criticizing.Letecia stepped in, speaking a firm to
Chapter 39: Lies and SchemesLucian stood on the balcony of the west hall, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The vibrant colors of the sunset painted the sky, but his thoughts were far from the beauty before him. His mind was a storm of questions and doubts.Why had he been so enraged at the mere thought of Isabel hurting Victoria? What had driven him to imprison the woman he loved? The memory of her tear-streaked face haunted him and her pleas echoed in his ears. Was it wrong for him to have acted so harshly, even if it was to protect the Isabel?The questions gnawed at him relentlessly. Had he been too cruel? Too quick to judge? The doubt unsettled him, breaking the confidence he usually carried as king. "No," he muttered to himself, trying to silence the uncertainty. "I did what I had to do."For him, his duty was clear and that is to produce an heir to secure the throne. That had been the deal with Head Minister Marlowe. After that, he could pursue his desires freely. At le
Chapter 40: Farewell, My KingIn the middle of the night, Letecia moved swiftly and silently through the shadowed corridors of the palace, her form hidden beneath a hooded robe. Her heart pounded in her chest as she made her way to the dungeons, driven by an urgent need to see Isabel.As she approached the entrance to the dungeons, she slowed her pace, calming her breath. The guard on duty straightened at her approach, his eyes narrowing with suspicion until she pulled back her hood and revealed her identity."Let me inside," Letecia commanded, her voice firm as she held up her royal seal. The guard's eyes widened in recognition, and he immediately stood at attention, bowing respectfully."Yes, Your Highness," he replied, quickly unlocking the heavy wooden door. The iron hinges creaked as it swung open, revealing the cold, dark corridor beyond.Letecia stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. The air was thick with the damp, musty smell of the underground, and the distant
Chapter 41: Sir GayleThe carriage rolled steadily through the dark, narrow streets. The wooden wheels clattered softly against the cobblestones. Inside, Isabel sat in silence while her hands rested on her lap. Hours passed, and the carriage gradually slowed to a stop. The coachman opened the door, and Isabel took a deep breath before stepping out onto the familiar streets of the slums where she had grown up. The cold air bit at her cheeks, but it was a welcome sensation, grounding her in the present.As her feet touched the ground, the first snowflakes of the season began to fall, drifting gently from the sky and settling on her shoulders and hair. Isabel paused noticing it as a gasp escaped her lips, realizing what was happening. Almost immediately, Isabel looked up, watching the delicate flakes swirl and dance in the air. The sight filled her with different emotions. Her eyes wandered around the streets, taking in the rundown houses and the narrow alleyways. She remembered playi
Chapter 42: Hand in Marriage"What do you mean?" Isabel asked, her voice trembling.Sir Gayle opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, the door suddenly swung open. Standing in the doorway was Teressa, her eyes wide with fear and confusion."Oh my God... Isabel?! It really is you! I thought I heard wrong. Wha- how- I..." Teressa stuttered, her words tumbling over each other in her shock.Isabel's breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of her mother. Teressa looked healthier than the last time Isabel had seen her, no longer pale and frail and that made her heart swell with relief."Ma..." Isabel began, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her cheeks. She could no longer contain her emotions and immediately leapt forward, wrapping her arms around her mother in a tight embrace.Teressa held her daughter close, her own tears falling freely. "Isabel, my sweet girl, you're home," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.They stood there for a long mome