Chapter 1:The Intruder

"Oh my gosh... how could this stranger pin me against the wall like this? I could feel the hard bulge beneath his clothes pressing against me. I tried to push him away, but he was unbelievably strong. Every desperate attempt to free myself only drained what little strength I had left."

The night was unusually cold.

Heavy rain lashed against the palace windows as thunder echoed across the Kingdom of Aurelia.

The weather had a strange way of making the grand palace feel lonely, and despite the warmth of my chamber, sleep refused to come.

With a sigh, I slipped out of my room and made my way downstairs. I had always preferred preparing my own coffee whenever I couldn't sleep.

The maids had offered countless times, but making it myself somehow brought me peace.

As I descended the staircase, a few sleepy maids noticed me.

"Your Highness, do you need anything?" one of them asked politely.I smiled and shook my head.

"No. Go and get some rest. I'll be fine."

They hesitated before bowing and disappearing down the hallway.

The kitchen was unusually dark. Several lamps had gone out, leaving only a faint glow from the fireplace. I frowned but ignored it, reaching for a cup.

Just as I was about to pour hot water into it...

I froze.

A faint rustling sound drifted through the silence.

It sounded like someone hurriedly searching through papers.My heartbeat quickened.

The sound came from the storage room beside the kitchen—a room no one was allowed to enter without my father's permission. It was where King Richard kept confidential documents, important records, and valuable belongings.

Carefully, I placed the cup back on the table and walked toward the door.

The closer I got, the louder the sound became.

Who could possibly be inside?Taking a deep breath, I reached for the handle.

The door slowly creaked open.

Standing inside was a man dressed completely in black.

His back faced me as he searched through my father's leather bags and confidential files with astonishing speed.

"What are you doing?" I demanded.

The room fell silent.

The stranger stopped moving.

"Who are you?" I asked again, trying to sound braver than I felt.

Slowly...

He turned around.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, and powerfully built. Shadows concealed most of his face beneath the hood, making it impossible to recognize him.

One of my father's files rested tightly in his hand.

A chill crawled down my spine.Instinctively, I stepped backward, preparing to scream.

But before a single sound escaped my lips—

He moved.

In the blink of an eye, he crossed the room.

A strong hand clamped firmly over my mouth as he pulled me against his chest.

My entire body went numb.

Fear drained every ounce of strength from me.

I struggled desperately, but his grip only tightened.

"Oh my gosh... how could this stranger pin me against the wall like this? I could feel the hard bulge beneath his clothes pressing against me. I tried to push him away, but he was unbelievably strong. Every desperate attempt to free myself only drained what little strength I had left."

Then...

Footsteps.

Voices echoed from the corridor outside.

Maids.

Perhaps guards.

Hope flickered inside me.

I tried to fight harder, but the stranger held me still.For the first time, I caught a glimpse of his face beneath the hood.

A man.

Young.

Dangerously handsome...

...yet terrifyingly calm.

He leaned close enough for me to hear his steady whisper.

"I won't hurt you."

His voice was low and strangely reassuring."Just do exactly as I say... and don't scream."The footsteps drew nearer.

We slowly shifted behind the door, hidden from anyone passing outside.

After what felt like an eternity, the voices faded away.

The stranger released me.

Without another word—

He vanished.

It happened so quickly that my eyes could barely follow him.

He slipped through the doorway like a shadow disappearing into the night.

"Help!" I screamed."Someone stop him!"

The palace instantly erupted into chaos.

Guards rushed through the corridors while frightened maids scattered in every direction.

Several soldiers chased after the fleeing intruder, but he was unbelievably fast.

Within seconds...

He disappeared into the darkness beyond the palace walls.The entire palace stood frozen in disbelief.

Moments later, my father, King Neol of Aurelia, hurried downstairs, still fastening his royal robe.

"Lisa!" he called anxiously. "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head, struggling to catch my breath.

"No... but someone broke into the palace. He searched through your confidential files. I don't know how he got inside... or how he unlocked the room.

Father's expression darkened.

Without saying another word, he rushed into the storage room and examined every file himself.

When he emerged, his face had turned pale.

Something was missing.Something important.

He slowly turned toward the captain of the royal guards.

"Wake everyone."

His voice was calm...

Too calm.

"I don't care if they're asleep."

The captain straightened immediately."Your Majesty?"

My father's eyes narrowed as he stared into the storm outside.

"Gather every guard... every servant... every member of the royal family."He paused.

Then spoke the words that sent a chill through everyone present.

"Someone inside this palace helped that man get in."Silence swallowed the room.

No one dared to breathe.

Because if the King was right...

The real enemy wasn't outside the palace.

They were already living inside it.