เข้าสู่ระบบ🎀CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO🎀 Vatrish Palace woke before the sun. Cold air hung in the stone corridors as the men chosen to escort Prince Nil to Asher’s kingdom prepared themselves. Cloaks were shaken out, boots pulled on, armor buckled tight. The mood was light. “You’ll be crying for warmth before noon,” one man joked. “Speak for yourself,” another laughed. “I was born for the cold.” Then a voice cut through the noise. “My cloak is gone.” The laughter slowed. A few heads turned. “What do you mean, gone?” someone asked. Kael stood near the bench where his things were laid out, his hands searching again, faster this time. “I left it here.” "Sure you did,” someone snorted “Trying to get out of escort duty?” Another one laughed. “Pretty sure you're trying to escape the trip." “Afraid of Asher’s lands already?” More laughter followed, but Kael didn’t join in. His face darkened. “I said I kept it here,” he snapped. “Stop talking rubbish.” He lifted folded clothes,
🎀CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE🎀 The figure bent down. Zayla squeezed her eyes shut, her heart hammering so hard it hurt. She didn’t dare look down. If she did, she might actually pass out. Then a voice cut through the silence. “Come down,” he said calmly. “You have ten seconds.” Her blood turned cold. That voice. No. No, no, no. Asher. Why do I keep running into him? she screamed silently. Is this palace cursed or something? She took a shaky breath and tried to climb down. Slowly. Carefully. Her hands trembled as she searched for the branch beneath her foot. “Five seconds,” he said. “I’m trying,” she whispered under her breath. Her foot slipped. “Ahh—!” She fell. Straight into someone’s arms. Zayla blinked, stunned. For a second, everything felt unreal. Strong arms. Solid chest. The scent of clean water and something sharp. She didn’t need to see his face. She knew. Asher. Then, just as suddenly as he had caught her, he let go. She hit the ground har
🎀CHAPTER TWENTY🎀 The moon hung low in the sky, pale and quiet. Zayla stood outside the palace halls, hands loose at her sides, staring ahead without really seeing anything. She didn’t know where she was going. She only knew one thing—she had never been this bored in her life. “This place will kill me before anyone else does,” she muttered. She started walking, slow and careless, letting her feet decide the path. The palace felt too quiet at night. No voices. No trouble. No excitement. She turned a corner— And walked straight into someone. Her head hit his chest with a dull thud. “Ouch—” The book the man had been reading slipped from his hands and hit the floor. Zayla looked up, blinking. “I’m sorry.” “Oh—no, it’s fine, my lady,” he said quickly as he bent to pick it up. At the same time, she bent down too. Their heads knocked again. Zayla hissed under her breath, grabbing the book first. She rubbed her forehead, ready to hand it back—then stopped. Her
🎀CHAPTER NINETEEN🎀 Zayla swallowed hard, suddenly feeling her throat tight. Then, just like that, hiccups burst out of her. She couldn’t move. Her feet felt like they were stuck to the pool floor. She froze, staring at him. Asher didn’t move either. He just stood there, eyes locked on her, his gaze saying more than words ever could—“Explain yourself.” “I… I—I’m sorry!” she stammered, voice high and jittery. “It—it was a mistake. I didn’t know it was you…” She spun to leave, stepping backward toward the edge of the pool. “If you move an inch…” His voice cut through her panic like ice. Zayla froze again, her heart pounding. She couldn’t believe this was happening. She could feel her face heating up. What have I gotten myself into? she thought desperately, her mind racing. He swam toward her, water rippling around him. When he reached her, he gently lifted her chin. “Mistake, huh?” His eyes locked on hers. “First day here and already sneaking into places you sho
🎀CHAPTER EIGHTEEN🎀 Nil froze. He didn’t say a word at first. Then, finally, he spoke, his voice steady but careful. “Your Majesty… I don’t feel that way about her,” he said. “I’m… just worried, that’s all.” King Edric gave a slow nod, eyes narrowing slightly, as if he was already tired of talking. “Right,” he said, his tone flat, almost dismissive. “Do whatever you want. Let’s see how far you can go…" The king turned and walked away, his cloak swishing behind him. Nil remained where he stood, shoulders squared, eyes following the king for a long moment before finally turning and walking off himself. ************************* The carriage finally came to a stop at Asher’s palace. Zayla peered out through the small window, eyes wide. The palace… wow. She had fully woken by now, blinking as reality settled. How had she dozed off like that? She felt a little foolish. The doors opened, and she was gently ushered out. Her gaze followed Lord Asher, already striding
🎀 CHAPTER SEVENTEEN🎀 HARROW PALACE “Your Majesty?” Minister William stood before the throne, hands folded, waiting. King Edric didn’t respond. His eyes were fixed ahead, unfocused, his thoughts clearly somewhere else. “Your Majesty?” William tried again. Still nothing. “Your Majesty.” Edric blinked, finally pulled back to the room. “Hm? What were you saying?” William cleared his throat. “I was asking whether we should send soldiers to retrieve the princess.” If only this man knew. That he had given his daughter away. She wasn’t kidnapped. “There’s no need for that,” the king said firmly. The doors opened, and a guard stepped in. “The crown prince is here, Your Majesty.” Edric straightened at once. “Let him in.” Nil entered the throne room and bowed. Minister William excused himself quickly, and the guard followed him out, leaving both of them alone. “You shouldn’t have sent your soldiers yesterday,” Edric said, his voice sharp. “You caused unnecessary







