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Chapter 25
Last Updated:
2025-02-07 21:19:02
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Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 26
Chapter 26ALEJANDRO POV“Okay, first of all, rude. Secondly, he is scary as hell. Thirdly, why the hell does he pretend like he doesn’t know you?” Rayana exploded facing James who had his hands pushed into the pockets of his coat. He glanced back into the direction we came from and shook his head slightly.“I came with company.” He responded nonchalantly. His response sparked something inside of me. I don’t know if my paranoia was getting the best of me, but something told me James William Mountbatten wasn’t being completely honest with us. I have been in this line of work all my life; I knew a deceitful facade when I saw one. “But that is no excuse to treat us the way he did. That man was downright arrogant. Like he had some formula to life or something.” A hint of a smile landed on my face at her sudden outburst. Looking at her expression; she was mortified. I couldn’t help but find that cute. The little baby had no idea just how ugly my world could be; just how horrible things w
Last Updated : 2025-02-08Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 27
Chapter 27ALEJANDRO POVIt was about nine in the evening when I walked to the open foyer of a giant family dining room that overlooked the green, large lands stretching for acres and acres. A steaming cup of hot milk was grasped tightly in my hand, and I could not help but let out a tiny laugh as I took a small sip. It was the most ridiculous thing I have ever been forced to but Agatha- bless her pure heart- claimed that hot milk was good for digestion and that I needed to drink hot milk daily. I couldn’t refute with her. Something about her motherly act as she obsessed over the idea had me silently sitting there and nodding as she presented the cup to me. It was a luxury I could never afford, even with all the money and power I had to my name. Somehow money couldn’t buy all things in the world!I eyed it one more time before taking another sip, then let out a large puff of breath that steamed against the cold evening air. My mind ran rampant as I tried to break down the happenst
Last Updated : 2025-02-09Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 28
Chapter 28 RAYANA POV“So… What’s the deal with you and Mr. Pants?” Charlotte asked from where she was curled on my bed, causing my movements to halt mid-way. I glanced in the reflection of my vanity mirror to find her watching my reaction, then sighed before continuing with what I was doing. I finished securing the earring on my ear and then proceeded to the other one, then ruffled my hair before heaving out a sigh. “Those are adult things, Charlotte, and we do not speak adult things.” I reprimanded, not wanting to touch that topic with a five-meter-long broomstick. I was expecting some sassy remark such as ‘oh, since when?’, but then she went ahead and said:“I don’t blame you though. I wouldn’t know how to stomach the thought of another kissing me right in front of my family and family.” My eyes again flew to her, only to find her facing upwards at the ceiling. “First of all Alejandro did not kiss me, he was whispering something to me. And secondly, he is not just another man.
Last Updated : 2025-02-09Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 29
Chapter 28 ALEJANDRO POVThe Queen’s palace was crowded as always when we arrived, with parts of it opened to the public. Tourists milled with their cameras out, tour guides walking around with a bunch of people following closely behind them. All of that commotion… I wondered how the royal family survived it. “This is the only side open to the public,” Rayana said as though she could sense my worries. I spun my head to look at her. “We, as the Queen’s family, use the other wing, a totally different gate and everything. These people are just here to view history. Princess Diana’s wedding gown, the royal family tree, the throne, King Edward’s kink loveseat… the list goes on.” She explained briefly, and somehow her words calmed me down. I couldn’t even begin to imagine sitting down at a breakfast table having my morning cereal and a group of historians and students bombarded the room. Kaito swerved the car passed the people and rounded the big estate. We were about to peak to the o
Last Updated : 2025-02-11Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 30
Chapter 30RAYANA POVThe day of the inauguration drew closer as though it was summoned. The night before, nerves clawed at every end of my being and everyone around me. I found myself yelling and screaming at almost everything that had eyes, and a mouth to speak. Even none-speaking objects were the subject of my wrath. Charlotte found me huddled in the living room, curled in a ball on a couch as I watched the flames in the fireplace roaring. I needed some peace, a place where I would be alone with just my thoughts. “I was starting to think you ran away.” She said as she dropped beside me, then unwrapped my feet from where I had them tucked in a warm fleece. “I ran away really. From everyone and everything.” I responded with a loud sigh. She gave me an apologetic smile before she pulled my feet to her lap and started rubbing them. Her magical fingers started kneading the tension out of my calves and ankles, and I released a low moan of pleasure. I closed my eyes to relish the ple
Last Updated : 2025-02-11Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 31
Chapter 31ALEJANDRO POVI fucking hated crowds. I always had. I hated the idea of sharing one space with more than 3 people, I hated being in a place where there were loud chatters, and I hated that my mind somehow had to crumble and tumble whenever I was cramped up in a space buzzing with people. But the sound of HER laughter as she cackled over some silly joke her aunt just said made all of this worth it. Somehow bearable. I took a sip of my wine before refocusing on the conversation I was currently having with The Queen and Rayana. “So Mr. Rodriguez, what do you do for a living? I cannot even begin to imagine what it is you do that led you to associate with my brother. The man had his own caliber, his own boring bunch of old white-haired men he hung out with. And you are definitely not one of those.” She said as she regarded me fully. She was an old lady, way past her prime. But I knew damn well not to ignore that glint inside her eyes. I knew a witty one when I saw them, and
Last Updated : 2025-02-12Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 32
Chapter 32RAYANA POVMy heart did a tiny flip-flop as I watched him step off the raised deck of the throne chair on sure strides. He beckoned Kaito with his finger before whispering something to him, then walked away. I expected him to be swallowed by the masses and the crowd, but he was a man of enigma and everyone glared at him like a mystery waiting to be solved. The crowds parted as he drew nigh, heads turned when he walked by, and I couldn’t help but wonder just how he did it. To command so much power without even saying a single word. He exited the ballroom, and I shook my head slightly before turning to face my aunt. She was watching me, closely so. With a knowing glint sparkling in her eye. I took a sip of my wine before murmuring a nervous “What?” The Queen let out a smooth chuckle before shaking her head, then looked ahead. Not at the people before us, but at a distant memory that caused a sad look to form on her face. “You know, Rayana, you should dread carefully wit
Last Updated : 2025-02-13Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 33
Chapter 33RAYANA POVBetrayal was thick and cloying as Alejandro swerved expertly between lanes on the highway, taking me further and far away from the Queen’s castle. He did say anything the entire time, just let me ride the emotions and be alone with my thoughts that were tormented by the images of my fucking best friend and my fiancee together. I was hurt. Anybody would fucking feel sad. I trusted those two with my life and the first thing they thought of doing was grasp a giant machete and stab me right in my back. Aubrey showed up to my inauguration dressed to the nines, looking as beautiful as ever. She hugged me and congratulated me, told me how proud she was of me and how she couldn’t wait for all of the adventure that came with having all the money in the world. Those were her exact words. And to think all of that time he was converting Lucas??“I feel like an idiot,” I called out after heaving out a loud, heavy sigh. I peeled my eyes open to find out we were parked on a
Last Updated : 2025-02-14
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Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 84
Chapter 84ALEJANDRO POVThe next stop was La Luna Rossa; but with what I had just discovered, all I wanted was to go back home and hug my woman to my chest while we dozed off to the sound of her calm breathing. My day was going so well, so well that I had not anticipated the idea of one of those measly cartels trying to deceive me. To think the Stridda thought I would not notice the difference between cocaine and white flour was insane, and I was here trying to think of the ways I could end them. We filed into the car and I tore out of the parking lot without looking back. Rayana’s hand landed on mine and she gave me a small squeeze. I looked at her face to find her plastered with that small smile that was full of promises and comfort all at the same time. I heaved out a loud sigh and brought her hands to my lips. “Talk to me.” I remained silent for a few minutes before spilling everything. “We have clients all over Europe. Clients that have a strict schedule on when they woul
Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 83
Chapter 83RAYANA POV The ride back to the base was filled with nothing but me caressing and assessing the two black stones that remained canoodled in their velvet cradle inside the big black box. My fingers continued tracing the sharp edges, careful not to slice myself with the preciousness and soil it with my blood. I mean, I was not in any way from a humble background. I had seen a fair share of luxury and knew it when I saw it. I owned an array of diamonds jewelry and other precious stones, but these… these were rather something else.They were warm under my touch, sparkling under the light around us. They felt like whole living, breathing aliens that could transform in an instant and swallow us into their never-ending obsidian and eternal darkness. And that only made me feel even more drawn to them.“They are warm,” I noted as the Pagani continued roaring and traveling down the Italian road at an unbelievable speed. “Black diamonds unlike others, swallow up the light. They don
Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 82
Chapter 82 ALEJANDRO POVHeat spread through me like debris from the molten lava as I watched her shimmy into black suit pants and a white silk blouse. The pants were so long that they pooled around her feet and swept the floor when she walked into the closet, and I had to chuckle at her petite frame and height. Everything about my wife was so perfect! So mine!She left the closet a heartbeat later standing on heels which made her slightly taller so that the pants didn’t have to sweep on the floor. She had a small gold clutch in her left hand, and big, round earrings dawning her ears. Black sunglasses covered her eyes, and I had to pinch myself to see whether I was dreaming. And nope! I was very much awake and my wife was in front of me doing a small twirl to show me her outfit for the day, with the brightest smile plastered on her face. “Is this perfect?” “More than perfect.” I stood from where I was sitting and took lazy strides in her direction. I realized that she somehow manag
Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 81
Chapter 81Hours bled into days, and with each passing day, I got lost in the beauty of Italy. This whole entire place was like something I had never seen. Yes, I used to come visit Rome with my dad on his diplomatic missions back in the days; but being cooped up inside heavily guarded hotels restricted me from exploring the space and falling in love with it. What we got back there was just the tip of the iceberg. Or maybe it was just Sicily that seemed to be carved out of a fairytale book, but I didn’t remember Rome being as any good! The intricate architectural designs, the culture, the damn food my sister and I stuffed our faces with… Everything was a die for. Our days were filled with exploring every nook and every corner of this place, and with every place we set foot on, I couldn’t help but balloon with pride at the idea of my man underhandedly ruling all of this!Heck! To think I was the Queen? HIS QUEEN?When he was out on business with the rest of the guys, he would leave
Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 80
Chapter 80ALEJANDRO POVI was hard as fuck when I climbed into the back of a black Mercedes amg cls, Lorenzo on my side while Kaito took the passenger seat. One of the soldiers was on duty to drive us around the city as we took care of businesses, but all I could think of as we slipped out of the property was how I wanted to hold my woman in my arms as I fucked her so hard she’d shatter in pieces in my hold, then scream my name before kissing me with everything she had inside of her.“Block your cock a little, boss. We will be back in no time and you will have all the time to make love to your wife.” Viper called out on a soft snicker, probably fed up with my grunting like I was some type of a dog in heat. Maybe I was. Maybe this thing I was feeling was the exact thing any other normal man felt when he remembered they had a newly wedded wife waiting for them in the bedroom of their house; and that she would welcome him with a smile and a hug when he got off work after a long tiring
Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 79
Chapter 79RAYANA POVFirst bits and pieces of awarenss found me laying on my back. A soft groan slipped past my lips as I stirred on the soft surface of the mattress, my body itching to turn to the side. I did just that, my right hand searching for something, for warmth and the entity I know should have been right there when I reached out. But all I touched was coldness and nothingness that sent panic unfurling in the core of my belly. My eyes flew open to take in the foreign surroundings, and slowly, memories from last night pieced together to form a clear picture in my brain. A smile formed on my lips as my eyes once again swept around the place. The whole setting was eye catching under the dim lights… But with sun streaking across the room? It was something I have never seen before. I peeled myself from the warmth of the blankets and the bed and padded across the place. Taking in every single detail of the room which was now going to be my cradle. The accents were a mixture o
Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 78
Chapter 78RAYANA POVWhen Alejandro said ‘base’ I expected something along the lines of a big space literally in the middle of nowhere, probably in the woods. Some tents, camping tents, and a whole lot of camping material. A shooting arena of course, and some of the boxing stuff I saw back at the Vetro apartments. I sure as hell not prepared for a whole estate, with what one could simply regard the buildings as apartment buildings. There were a solid five of them, stretching about five floors from the ground. But the beauty of them all, the style, everything seemed to have come straight out of the history books with their caramel tones and everything. The minute we rolled through the black iron gates, I figured we were lost, probably took a detour, or stopped somewhere to ask Aunt Betty for a pack of her homemade cookies. I did not expect a whole neighborhood, a modern, suburban neighborhood to be a base. A small “wow” slipped out of my mouth when we came to the main house. I fi
Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 77
Chapter 77ALEJANDRO POVMy ears clogged on ascending. Luckily I had a little good human to keep my mind occupied. Viper had made it a deal to call us into the small office at the back of the jet, between the lounge space and the bedroom space, to fill us in with the happenstances that had occurred in my absence. Some of the things he hinted was that maybe, just maybe, we have been hunting for the traitor from the wrong huddle. His words haunted me even an hour later as I lay in the lounger with Rayana’s body on top of mine, her head snuggled in the crook of my neck and her breaths coming out in small pants. Everything about her was just so perfect. So natural. Even the way she casually touched my cheek here and there while looking into the small device in my hand, all made me believe my little notion that she was indeed the rib of my ribs!“Check this out.” I drawled in a small raspy voice. Her attention flew to the tablet in my hand. I scrolled a few before clicking onto the link
Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 76
Chapter 76RAYANA POVI woke up curled into Alejandro’s side, his whole being wrapped around me like a warm comforter. I let my eyes take him in fully, let them wander on every single nook and crook of his face. I printed each detail to memory, and for the umpteenth time, I was awed by the beauty of this man. Long lashes, thick eyebrows that only models could get from terrible laser operations, lips so full and lush that the V dipped so down low. He had these beads of sweat on his forehead that I just wanted to lick with my tongue because that’s how much I loved him. When sleeping, he looked so beautiful. No angry grunts, no heavy sighs, no tiredness that weighed so heavily on him that it was all evident in his simple glance… Just peace. His scent was the soothing elixir I never knew I needed. I was never really a big fan of scents and personal odors, but Alejandro made me find out things about myself I never really knew I had in me. If it were a few months ago I would cringed at t
