LOGIN“What?” I blinked in surprise. I didn’t expect him to say that. “Are you insane? Or… Did you hit your head on the wall?”Hans chuckled and shook his head. “Why are you asking that? Have you reflected on your actions over the past months? You keep on visiting me.”“And you had already thought that I’m doing that because I’m obsessed with you?” My lips curved into a smirk. “Or maybe you’re right. I’m obsessed with seeing your downfall here.”When it comes to Hans, I don’t filter my words. I always make sure he’ll see or feel how angry I am with him.But this guy… He must be built differently.Of course, I could see the irritation, annoyance, and frustration in his eyes, even if he did his best to conceal it.He’s been staying in jail, a foreign country, for a year now. I also know that he was trying to pull some connection, and if he’s in America, he might have been able to succeed.That’s where he got everything wrong. He shouldn’t have messed with me in the first place.“I may have be
After the board meeting, I returned to my office, preparing to go to the jail where Hans was staying.“Melanie,” I called my secretary.“Yes, Your Highness?”“I don’t have any major schedule this afternoon, right?”Melanie looked at her tablet, checking the list of my schedules.“You have schedules to inspect some of the cities, but it’s something we can postpone or cancel. Other employees can inspect you instead of you,” she answered.I nodded. She’s right, though.The inspections are something a royalty like me should not do, but because I want to be hands-on with the development of the other cities, I chose to go to the different locations, even if it was time-consuming at times.I just don’t want to be idle, or else I’ll get drowned in my negative thoughts.“I see. Choose what I should delay or cancel entirely,” I commanded.“Affirmative, Your Highness.”Melanie is the best secretary I’ve ever had. The first time I worked with her, I immediately understood why she lasted in the ro
“Princess Seraphina,” the man called in a low tone as he smiled. “May I have a moment?”“Sure,” I accepted, then glanced at Melanie, indirectly telling her to step away for a while. “Adrian, isn’t it? Is there something you wanted to tell me?”“Yes.” He nodded. “I just wonder if… You’re interested in having a meal with me?”“A meal?” I frowned in confusion. “Why?”“It’s just that… I’m interested in you.” Adrian scratched his neck, acting shy. “I like how you’re handling France without being swayed by other people’s opinions. And to be honest? I think we’ll be suitable for each other.”He’s the prince of Belgium, so I wonder why he was acting like this.And not because our countries were allied means that we need to be involved with each other like this, too.“I’m sorry, but I need to decline,” I answered politely as I stood up, fixing my dress. “I know where this is going, so it’s better to stop it now.”I did my best not to be harsh. After all, we had just allied with countries. Asid
Months had passed after River’s funeral, and the world returned to normal again.But not for me.I already stopped counting the days as I continued my usual routine. I managed to be saved from Hans’ obsession, but in exchange, I lost the love of my life.I lost River.And now, as I walked on the Montgomery mansion’s hallway, I noticed it was too big, but when River was here before, it felt more than enough for me.Every corner of the place felt too big, too quiet, too full of memories that also hurt too much to hold onto.“Seraphina…” I heard him call from the back of my mind.His voice lingered in every hallway, and sometimes, I could see his presence in every corner.And yet, he wasn’t there.All of it was just an imagination.“Your Highness,” Melanie called as soon as she went in front of me. She was holding some papers in her hand. “Your meeting starts in 20 mins. Other officials from the nearby nations were already waiting.”I answered with authority, “Alright, let’s go there.”“
A few days had passed, and River's burial was almost at its end. Later on, it would be his funeral.I asked the employees to keep the coffin closed. I know I shouldn’t have requested that, but there’s no way I could look at him without breaking down.And if I look at him, everything will be real. It is real, though, but deep inside my heart, I don’t want to accept it.I don’t want to think that he’s already gone. That I couldn’t see him again after this.“Your Highness,” Melanie called in a low tone, the worry evident in her voice. “You should sit for a while. You’ve been standing for a few hours now.”I blinked, my eyes cold as I turned my head toward her.“Was it?” I asked, not even aware of the time.I looked at the other people at the burial, and saw them preparing for the funeral already. I didn’t even expect that a lot of time had passed… Because I was still stuck in the past.“Just a few minutes,” I told Melanie, my voice so low that I couldn’t even hear myself. “Give me enough
A guy like him doesn’t deserve mercy.“You see, Serenity?” he asked, his voice low as he stared at me, his gaze intent. “He couldn’t save you, after all—”“Shut up!” I shouted, not letting Hans finish his sentence.The police immediately shot him, causing Hans to let go of his gun and surrender in force. All of them rushed toward him, forcing him to the ground and restraining him.I looked away. Hans isn’t my priority, but the wounded man in front of me is. I ignored all the fear and pain I felt as I stared at him, tears streaming down my face.“River… River, stay with me,” I choked out, my voice broken, the same as my heart. “Please, don’t leave me… What will I do without you?”River didn’t answer immediately. Instead, his eyes found mine. Even if he was hurting, he still looked at me like I was the most precious gem in the world. At a time like this, his expressions were killing me.“You’re safe… That’s all that matters,” he whispered, his eyes fixated on me as he raised his hand,
I didn’t speak. I couldn’t.My mind and heart were having an exact opposite opinion about this.And even if I tried to fight it, the fear was already buried in my heart. It’s not something I could remove immediately just because I want to.“No.” Shaking my head, I removed my hand from his cheek wi
“And… Is that wrong?”“No. It’s not.” River shook his head. “As long as you’re not doing something wrong, or hurting other people, it will never be wrong to fight for your own happiness.”As long as I’m not doing something wrong…“But this is wrong,” I couldn’t help but mumble, feeling how River wa
“You… You’re kidding,” Hans muttered as if he was convincing himself. “You chose that punk over me?”“He’s not a punk. He’s my cousin,” I answered without hesitation, looking Hans in the eye. There wasn’t any hint of fear in it; only bravery.“And if you really wanted to marry me, then you should
Hans slightly tilted his head, not so obvious, but I got whatever he wanted to say.“Look at your parents. They’re glad to see that we’re getting along, although I know you’re not feeling the same way,” Hans added, making a sarcastic smile. “Are you really going to ruin that?”I blinked twice, my g







