~ Daciana’s POVA wave of nausea washed over me as I regained consciousness. My entire body throbbed with a dull ache, a constant reminder of the brutal punishment. Slowly, I pushed myself up on my elbows, wincing at the sharp protest from my muscles.As my blurry vision cleared, the horrifying scene from before the blackout came flooding back – the guards being tied down, the agonizing blows, my own desperate screams. But something was different. I wasn't outside anymore. I was back in my bed, the familiar comfort of my own quarters surrounding me.A flicker of movement caught my eye. There, by the doorway, stood the two hefty guards who had delivered the punishment. My breath hitched as my eyes landed on the guards. The memory of their imposing figures during the punishment sent a fresh wave of fear through me. I flinched back instinctively, my sore muscles protesting the movement.Turning my head with a groan, I saw a maid bustling around my bedside, applying soothing salves to m
~ Rayel’s POVI was bursting with joy when I heard about Hazel's pregnancy. I practically bubbled all night at the party. I couldn’t hide my happiness and then I pulled her into the room. I grabbed Hazel for a quick chat. Her face practically glowed, and that just made my happiness overflow. I kept sneaking glances at her belly, still in disbelief that a tiny miracle was growing inside her. Leaning in, I wanted to feel some kind of connection with this little bean. But I was unable to feel anything. Not a flutter, not a nudge. Maybe, I thought, it's just way too early. After all, the pregnancy is probably just a speck of a thing at that moment.Gazing at her for a moment, my love overflowing, I leaned down and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. "Hazel," I murmured, "you have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you for making me a father." Her voice wobbled slightly, a hint of tears glistening in her eyes. "This is for both of us, Rayel. It's a dream come true, and I can't b
~ Elara’s POV Rufus and I were swamped with work, running around to meet his rich clients. Thankfully, they were all really pleasant to deal with, a breath of fresh air compared to Ashley. And speaking of Ashley, I was glad she hadn't caused any more trouble for either of us. What surprised me most, though, was listening to these wealthy clients. Despite all their money, they all seemed to have their own problems. Some struggled with family issues or personal challenges. It made me realize that money doesn't solve everything. Everyone has their own battles to fight, rich or poor.Rufus turned out to be an amazing teacher. He patiently showed me how to make all sorts of natural remedies. He even taught me some first aid basics, like CPR and how to bandage a wound. It was incredibly helpful stuff to know. The most incredible thing, though, was how his feelings for me never wavered, even though I didn't feel the same way romantically. He was a true friend, always there for me. As my
~ Elara’s POVTears streamed down my face as I clung to Rufus. I just kept saying thank you over and over again, my voice thick with emotion. The fear of losing my baby had been so strong, and now that Rufus' actions had somehow prevented it, the relief washed over me in a wave. Even though Rufus gently pulled back, I held onto him as if my dear life depended on him. The terror of almost losing my baby was still raw, and letting go felt like stepping off a cliff. Tears welled up again. I sniffled, "But Rufus, what you did..." My voice cracked. "I was so scared. I thought..." I couldn't even say the words out loud. Rufus must have seen the fear etched on my face because his smile softened further. "Hey," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. "It's alright to be scared. But you're strong, Elara. You're going to be okay, and so is the baby." He brushed a stray tear off my cheek with his thumb. He helped me lie down on the bed, tucking the covers gently around me. "You need to rest
~ Elara’s POVWas I being too demanding? Taking advantage of his good nature? I thought to myself while I was in Rufus’s back. But then I looked up at Rufus' face. His expression was pure joy, his eyes sparkling with mischief. He wasn't straining, he wasn't annoyed. He just seemed genuinely happy to be taking care of me. Maybe, I thought, letting myself relax completely against him, that was part of love too. Accepting that someone wants to take care of you, even when it feels a little strange. So I snuggled in a bit closer, a contented sigh escaping my lips, and enjoyed the ride.We finally reached home, laden with bags from our shopping trip. As I started unloading groceries, Rufus stopped me with a gentle hand. "Wait a sec," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye. He reached for another bag, the one he had mysteriously appeared with earlier. My heart thumped with a mix of excitement and curiosity. What could possibly be in that bag? He carefully handed it to me, and as I peeke
~ Rayel’s POVBoris was a ball of nervous energy, walking back and forth across the office like a caged lion. I tore my gaze away from him and refocused on Dr. Ralph. "Thanks a million for explaining everything, Ralph," I said, wanting to make sure I understood everything he had said. Dr. Ralph gave a short, polite bow to acknowledge my thanks. Feeling a little lighter, I turned back to him and asked, "So, am I good to go now?"Just as Dr. Ralph was about to answer my question, Boris barreled in, interrupting us. "Hold on a sec, Ralph," he said, his voice tight with worry. "Did you do all the tests you were supposed to? Every single one?" Dr. Ralph's brow furrowed slightly. He took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "Yes, Sir Boris," he said, emphasizing the title a touch more than necessary. "I performed a full battery of tests on His Majesty, and everything came back looking good, perfectly healthy. However, if you have any concerns about the results, you're certainly welcome to
~ Hazel’s POV Relief washed over me. I had managed to convince everyone, even Rayel, that I was pregnant. It was a complete lie, but a necessary one. When I heard Dolph lost the battle and surrendered, I knew I had to act. Dolph was reckless and power-hungry. Losing the war he started made him even more unpredictable. The last thing I wanted was to be tied to a loser. If he knew I wasn't pregnant, he might try to take me away by force and the worst would happen. The secret meetings we had before the war would be exposed. Feigning pregnancy was a perfect way to keep him away and protect my reputation. News of a royal pregnancy would travel fast, and I knew it wouldn't be long before Dolph heard about it.Elated with my successful performance in front of Rayel, I left his chambers and headed back to my room. As I walked down the hallway, every maid and guard I passed offered their congratulations. Their smiles seemed genuine, filled with joy for the upcoming royal baby. I thanked them
~ Hazel’s POVRose listened intently as I explained what I needed help finding. When I finished, there was a thoughtful look on her face. "I think I might have some ideas on where to look. It might take a little digging, but I'm happy to help,” she said. Relief and happiness flooded me. I wasn’t sure if anyone would understand me, let alone be willing to help. "That's amazing, Rose! I knew I could count on you," I said with a genuine smile.Rose grinned back. "No problem at all, your Majesty. In fact, why don't I take a few days off to really focus on finding this thing?,” I considered it for a moment. "That's a great idea,” Rose's smile widened and with a wave and a confident nod, she headed out. As I watched her go, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. It wasn't just about getting what I wanted, it was about having someone like Rose on my side. I knew that with Rose by my side, the search would be fun and successful, no matter the outcome.I decided to keep up my playful act an