Chapter 11: Love knows no bounds Now, Isabel had been moved to a small, yet elegant chamber adjacent to the king’s own quarters. The room was modest, yet far more luxurious than anything she had ever known. It was adorned with soft linens, rich tapestries, and a window that overlooked the palace gardens. Though initially overwhelmed, Isabel quickly found comfort in her new surroundings, especially as her interactions with the king grew more frequent and intimate. Night after night, King Lucian would visit her chamber, often under the guise of seeking counsel or simply sharing the day's events. Their conversations were filled with laughter and shared secrets, gradually dissolving the barriers between monarch and maid. Lucian’s nightly visits became a sanctuary for both of them—a place where titles and formalities were set aside, replaced by genuine companionship. One evening, when Lucian entered Isabel’s chamber, his expression was softer than usual. "Isabel," he said with a voice t

Chapter 13: The Kingdom's Guest "How did your day fare, my love?" Lucian asked earnestly, causing Isabel to flinch. It was the very first time she had ever heard the king call her that way, and it made her heart flutter with happiness. "It was good. I received my wage today, and I felt overjoyed knowing I can finally help my mother." Isabel smiled genuinely as Lucian brushed his thumb against her lips. "And you, my king?" she asked. "Hm... I felt lonely. Court affairs are such a burden for me, and all I could think about was you." "Me? It is such an honor to have been in your thoughts, my king," Isabel responded, a warm blush spreading across her cheeks. Lucian's eyes softened as he looked at her. "You are more than just a fleeting thought, Isabel. You are my comfort amidst the chaos." She leaned into his touch, savoring the closeness. "I never imagined my life would lead me here, to you." He chuckled softly and the sound sent shivers down her spine. "Fate has a way of bringin

Chapter 15: Threat to the Ruler "Why did I not know about this?!" Lucian roared, throwing across the room the sealed paper informing him of the West Kingdom princess's impending visit. His face was flushed with fury, his eyes blazing. His minister, Lord Cedric Marlowe, stood calmly before him, secretly snickering in a sinister way before composing himself and speaking in a measured tone. "Your Majesty, as your head minister, I have the authority to give permission to such visits. After all, a visit directly initiated by the West Kingdom's princess? It could mean an alliance." Lucian glared at Lord Marlowe with his jaw clenched. "An alliance? Without consulting me? This is unacceptable! Our kingdom is strong by itself and it does not need another kingdom's service!" "Your Majesty," Marlowe continued smoothly, "consider the potential benefits. A marriage alliance with the West Kingdom could strengthen our position significantly. It was in the kingdom's best interest to expedite the

Chapter 17: To the Garden You Confessed As their meal came to a close, Victoria's eyes sparkled with excitement as she turned to Lucian. "Your Majesty, would you be so kind as to give me a tour of your magnificent palace? I am simply dying to see more of it." Before Lucian could even consider rejecting the request, Victoria was already on her feet with her hand wrapped around his arm, pulling him up with her. "Come now, Your Majesty, there's no time to waste. I simply must see everything!" Lucian tried to protest, but Victoria's determination was relentless as she led him out of the dining hall and into the grand corridors of the palace. Despite his best efforts to remain composed, Lucian couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of his stomach. Victoria's insistence on exploring every corner of the palace only served to exacerbate his discomfort, and he silently prayed for the tour to come to an end. But not until they wandered through the palace gardens wher

Chapter 19: The food she makes The next day, Princess Victoria woke early with her mind set on a particular mission. She wanted to surprise King Lucian with a breakfast she had prepared herself, hoping to impress him and solidify their budding relationship. She was dressed in a simple gown and determined to show her domestic side. She then made her way to the palace kitchen with a few attendants following her. As she entered, the kitchen was quiet and seemed empty. She smiled, pleased that she would have the space to herself. But then she heard a soft clinking sound, like that of a spoon against a pot. It made her frown as she decided to follow the noise to its source, walking quietly through the large, ornate kitchen. When she turned a corner, she was startled to see a palace maid with an apron on, standing at one of the stoves and carefully stirring a pot. The maid had golden hair and a serene, focused expression. It was Isabel. "Excuse me," Victoria said, trying to keep her vo