- Kira -I let out three deep breaths immediately, I got out of the huge building. The darkness had begun to set in and the lights around illuminated the building beautifully.But all these were none of my concern. It was the humiliation back in there that suffocated me more than the fresh air from all the trees here despite the wind blowing in every direction.I should have just stayed back home but no, I was happy to have replaced Giselle and now this. What can take this shame away? Absolutely nothing. I just came here to disgrace myself and I did.Everyone would mock me if they heard this, and Giselle would have a good laugh, of course."So? Princess?" I heard someone say and turned round to look. I was alarmed because I did not know anyone there. A young man was looking at me with a mischievous smile on his face."Who are you?""Prince Morgan," he replied with a feeling of importance. "And I am the team awarding your father this contract."I eyed him."Oh," I said shortly."You're
- Kira - I looked over Morgan's shoulder to see a very tall and well-built man. I was caught in this glamour for a split second, not missing how handsome and charming he was even in the situation I found myself in. I ran to my saviour, definitely a prince in shining armour and stood behind his broad shoulders, feeling safe there. Morgan turned round with a deep frown on his face from the interruption. "Jason," He called the name of the other man between gritted teeth. "Prince Morgan," the other, whose name would be Jason, replied, unruffled. "How dare you throw yourself into an issue that does not concern you?" Morgan blurted. "You were harassing the young lady," Jason said. "And the young lady is not your fucking sister," he retorted. "You have no business here." "I am sorry but I will not let you with the young Lady. If she does not want you, you cannot force yourself on her as that would be assault." "I can never force myself on any woman and definitely not on this low cla
- Markus -While Sheka spoke to me, my mind was distracted because I was looking around for Kira. It's been a while since she stepped out and had not returned. I knew well she was not familiar with this environment, and if she wandered too far, she would be lost.The building is quite large, and it would be a double standard embarrassment to start looking for her after the first that happened during the meeting.I was worried she was sulking somewhere."So King Marcus, I am going to relay the next appointment and please, make sure to come along with Princess Giselle. We would have been over with this if only you did," Sheka said and I nodded."Of course, you said that already. I definitely will," I told him."Though we are acquaintances when it comes to my business, you know how professional I can be," he said. "Now that we are having a casual chat, why don't you tell me about this daughter of yours? I mean, all I have heard is rumors but now I have the opportunity to hear it from you
- Markus -The ride back home was accompanied by silence, and I could understand why Kira would not want to say anything.Perhaps, she was buried in her thoughts as much as I was. I will have to make her understand that things happen for good and that she should not keep feeling bad because of the previous incident.Nobody became an important and respected figure in one day. They earned it. Even if one was already born into a royal home, they would still have to work to maintain it."Uhm, Dad?" She called after a long while in a small voice."Yes, sweetheart?" I looked at her."Are you upset with me?" She asked."Why?" I wondered aloud."I mean, because of what happened at the meeting. I am very sure you are very disappointed and upset. I did not mean for that to happen, really. I am so sorry.""Oh no darling," I smiled at her. "It's fine. Nothing is your fault and I do not regret taking you with me. If I had my way, I would take you everywhere I go.""Thank you so much, dad.""Listen
- Kira -I was up very early the next morning as Mother had instructed and dressed to meet King Markus, my father, just like we had planned.She walked into the room when I was almost done with a tray of hot food."Are you ready?" She asked and I nodded."Good. I'm done as well.""But mum, I am a bit sceptical," I told her. "Is this really a good plan? What if it doesn't turn out well?""Trust me it will. Just do as I say, sit back, relax and see how the drama unfolds.""I am just saying because I know how the King loves Giselle so much," I stated."The king is also your father. You should never forget that. Besides, can't you see how much he is trying to prove to you he loves you? He'd do anything to gain your love as well.""But where Giselle is concerned? I might not be able to compete with her," I complained. Mother frowned deeply."Why are you so pessimistic? You have to see yourself as important as well. It is the way you carry yourself that others will relate to you. And if you
- Giselle -"Giselle? Darling?" I heard someone call my name in my sleep and a familiar scent hit my nose. "Honey wake up.""No please," I said sleepily, turning to the other side of the bed."It's morning. Remember you said you wanted to make breakfast for your father? Look the sun is already shining."And to that, I jumped up and looked around. Truly, the sun was shining outside already."Oh my goodness, why didn't you wake me up since?" I turned with accusing eyes to Franklin and he looked stunned."I tried several times but you just wouldn't get up. Even now, you do not want to. You should be thanking me."I rushed out of the room to prepare something for my father. I decided to because he looked exhausted from yesterday's meeting and I didn't want him to stress any much today.I hurried to his room with the light breakfast I could afford to prepare with time. He was already up and looked like he had freshened up.Oh, Giselle, why are you such a sleepyhead? I chided myself. Thankf
- Giselle -So I had to go to Kira's room, father following closely behind. Everything happening before me was very funny like I was watching a movie or something. The fact that Father was even behind me to confirm that I did take the file to Kira was more ridiculous.Anyway, we got there and I knocked impatiently at her door. Kira appeared with an innocent look on her face one wouldn't believe she lied about me coming to her."Is anything the matter?" She asked with feigned confusion."Kira, did you-" I started when Father cut me short."Can you let us in?" He said and she opened the door wider."Sure," she said. "Come in."We entered and she closed the door."Giselle, please repeat what you told me in my room," Father said, and I turned to her."Kira, before you headed for this meeting with Father, I came to you in your room and told you I needed to put you through before you left, and you said you did not need me to do that, yet you told Father otherwise?"She blinked her eyes rapi
- Giselle -I stopped to glare at her."What now? You don't want to go? Scared you have a skeleton in your cupboard?" She said mockingly."You know what? That's actually a good point. We should check my room then," I agreed to it and dashed out.I did not look back to check if they were following me, but they were, all three of them. I expected Father to have ended this here, to tell me there was no need for me to prove anything, but no, it seems he was more interested in the evidence than everyone else.Franklin was putting a few things in order when we walked in and he looked at us with a confused expression on his face."What's the matter?" He asked, looking at me."Father thinks I did not put Kira through for the meeting she went for and she told him that even when I did. I tried to let father know the truth but it's difficult. Now I have to prove the file is not with me, so he might believe I did take it to her," I explained."Why don't you check with her?" Franklin asked like a
- Kira -I followed father around, trying to keep up with his pace. He was very excited about Giselle's delivery and was so busy sending out invitations for the celebration party and I had to help him."I feel very fulfilled," he told me and I had to force a smile. "I am now a grandpa after all these years. Giselle sure knows how to make me a happy man after her mother."He must have realized I might be upset with that when he added."All my children make me happy," and looked at me. "Like the day I found out you were my long-lost daughter after searching for you for years."I was glad when he did not say anything again for the next few minutes. It would have been my head blowing off if he did. I was already tired and fed up with talks about Giselle and the babies. So much for thinking she might not survive this one and she did.I have always wondered if there was something different about her. The aura that gives on a main character in a movie or something.She was always getting awa
- Giselle -I walked out of the bathroom and the first thing I saw was Franklin crouched over our babies, looking at them with so much tenderness in his eyes.I smiled and leaned on the wall, watching him watch them.I was already recovering and felt very much better even though I recalled so well that I was at the point of death.I was already giving up then a scent I knew so well enveloped me. I could not see him but I knew he was there. I did not know what he did but somehow I gained strength from it.I became charmed over again. Marrying Franklin was the best decision I have ever made in my life. He was my soulmate and the best thing that ever happened to me.His love was overwhelming. It was so strong it protected me from the hands of death. My heart melted towards him over again and I felt like a teenager who had just met her first love.I walked towards him and wrapped my arms around his neck. I closed my eyes and hugged him tightly.He was taken aback, not expecting the hug bu
- Franklin -"Where is my wife?" I asked the question I dreaded."Oh, she is fine," the doctor said. "She and the babies are fine.""Thank goodne..." I let out a deep breath and sucked it back in almost immediately as his words registered in my head. "What did you just say?"He smiled."She had twins," he told me. "A boy and a girl."I couldn't believe my ears and did not know how to react to the news either."You mean, I'm having two babies at once?" I asked, holding out two fingers.I don't know why that sounded funny to the doctor but he chuckled and nodded."In fact, you already have them," he said. I brushed him out of the way into the room and found them. My two gems and lovely wife are on the bed.Words failed me. And for the first time in a very long while, tears gathered in my eyes."Oh my goodness, oh my goodness," I muttered as I moved slowly towards them. Giselle was awake but looked weak. In spite of that, she managed a small smile.I held her hand hands gently and kissed
- Cleopatra -I turned round abruptly, surprised to see him."Franklin?" I called as if I was not sure of his existence in flesh and blood. "What are you doing here? I thought we agreed you were going to wait in your chambers so the doctors can work this out?""I changed my mind," he said. "I will stay here till the end of it.""No you will not," I said hastily before I could stop myself then sighed. "I mean, you shouldn't. We've discussed this already. It's not nice for you to go through this. I will stand in for you. You will only be agitated waiting here.""Don't worry about that, sister," he said with a straight face. "I am strong enough to wait. It is cowardice to leave my wife in this condition and stay in my room. Let me worry about her. That might not even be the problem. I am staying strong where her strength fails her.""But it's not even the issue of staying strong or not," I chuckled. "It's making an environment where these guys can work freely and save her. If you stand o
- Franklin -There was a strange look on the doctor's face, not exactly strange because I could already tell what he was going to tell me was not a good news."Her pregnancy was induced," he told me. "We'd have to take out the baby to save her life.""Her life?" I was able to pick. "And what of the child?"The doctor went mute and looked away. I held his shoulder and shook him."Tell me," I half yelled."I'm afraid we might lose it," he said slowly. I let him go, my heart shredding to pieces. I cannot lose my child. No. Not after all these years. Not again."And my wife? What is the probability of her being saved?" I asked, and again, I feared his response."If I'm to be sincere with you, it's a fifty," he said. "But, I will assure you that we will do our best."I ran my hand through my hair and took deep breaths in a bit to calm myself. I was not thinking straight and I felt extremely cold.King Markus was there with me, looking and watching. There wasn't one amongst us who could com
- Jason -I instinctively placed a hand on my stomach, waiting to feel any slight pain."Did you poison me?" I asked him. The seriousness dropped off his face, and he laughed. Morgan laughed long and hard, doubling over. He hit his fist on the table while he laughed, and I watched him, dumbfounded.He finally struggled to control the laughter with a wheezing sound, tears in his eyes."Gosh, you need to see the look on your face," he said. "I did not poison you, silly."I let out a deep breath I had not realized that I was holding."Now, why will I want to kill you and choose to do it by poisoning your food?" He asked, taking a cup of water from the table. He gulped it down and shook his head at me. "You looked so shaken. Are you that scared of death? For someone like you, poisoning is a disgraceful way to die, for even if I wanted to kill you, not that way."He laughed again."Morgan, that was not funny," I had to say."You think? You looked like a wrung chicken. You looked like your
- Jason -I had just finished speaking with Alpha Sheka about very important matters of the pack and was about to leave when he called me back."That reminds me," he said. "I need to invite you to a banquet tonight. I was going to tell you earlier but I skipped. Also because of the matters at hand you know.""I understand alpha," I replied empathetically. "Where'd we get the invitation from now?""Oh it's not far," he said with a suspicious movement of his lips that could pass for a smile. "It's from my son.""Oh, that's interest...what!?" I was saying before my brain registered what I heard."Yes, my son, Morgan. He arranged the banquet specially made for me and you," he repeated and I still could not believe my ears."Did he say he wanted me at the banquet?" I still asked because I could not make sense out of it yet."He made a special request for you to be there. You are surprised, aren't you? Well, I am too. I hope you don't mind the banquet. I've always thought you two were...uh,
- Jason -It took me a few seconds after I returned to my room, to notice someone was there. I turned around with a displeased frown on my face."What are you doing here, Morgan?" I asked him."It's Prince Morgan but yeah, I think I can let that slide since it's you and also seeing that you'd always stress me with having to correct you all the time," he said with a grimace."What are you doing in my room?" I sighed."I'm here to talk," he replied with a shrug. "Can't I talk to you?""What are we talking about and why in my room? Official meetings are not held in the bedroom.""That's it," he snapped his fingers. "Because this is not an official business.""I cannot tell when we began to have an unofficial relationship," I stated and he laughed."Maybe if you were paying attention more, you'd remember that I did mention it.""I don't want to be acquainted with you, Morgan," I said to his face. "I am fine the way we are.""Come on Jason, don't make this hard," he said, relaxing his back
- Cleopatra -I eyed the greedy man and scoffed."What do you mean by this is not enough? Do you want four generations' wealth before you're okay?" I scowled at him."My lady, you know what it caused us to be able to cover up for you. And I have other people to settle and keep their mouths shut. You will have to remit more."I sighed tiredly."Okay fine. I am going to give you some more but that will be it. You must not complain nor ask me for anything after that. And you must not try to contact me because we can never be seen together. Do you understand?""Clearly," he replied."Good."I was able to handle him without anyone finding out about it, and I hoped it remained that way. Anna has promised to keep her mouth shut and only say what was agreed on if Giselle finds her, but I couldn't trust her.How could I hold her to her words? I looked into her eyes and saw the fear. Such a person can be easily l