LOGIN"Legitimate?"I stared at the elderly council member, not understanding how a single word can make me feel as though I do not have any shred of dignity."The royal household cannot afford uncertainty concerning the parentage of a potential heir. Given the circumstances, a paternity test is a reasonable request." He said, folding his arm.A potential heir??That is all I have become to them. Not Briar Hensley. Not a woman carrying a child whose future already frightened her.I looked around the chamber. Some council members appeared uncomfortable, but none of them spoke in my defence. My face burns."Are you suggesting that I have been unfaithful?" I asked, my face burned with disappointment."I am suggesting that the matter should be settled beyond doubt." He said in a final tone.Rhys rises so abruptly that his chair scrapes against the floor."Then you should learn to make your requests without insulting the woman carrying my child." He said, trying to defend me."Your Highness, this is
Pov: BriarI was walking towards the dining room when two servants standing beside a window fell silent at the sight of me.One of them bows quickly and the other just looks away.I would have ignored them if I hadn't heard my name."That is her," the younger servant whispered."Keep your voice down." The other warned."I only said…" the younger servant wanted to continue.I stopped walking and at that, both servants turned pale."Good morning," I greeted, forcing a smile."Good morning, my lady," they answered together.I continued towards the dining room, but their words followed me.By the time I reached my chair, my appetite had disappeared.Rhys noticed immediately at my reactions and mood."You haven't touched your breakfast." He complained."I'm not hungry." I said, avoiding his gaze.He studied me. "You were hungry ten minutes ago.""Perhaps I've changed my mind.""Briar." He called me.He has learned that saying my name in that particular tone makes it almost impossible to lie."Wh
POV: BriarI should have known that peace would not last long in the royal palace. I wouldn't have relaxed or felt overly comfortable. For two days, Rhys has made a genuine effort to help me feel comfortable. He takes breakfast with me whenever he is less busy, walks with me through the gardens, and somehow manages to make me laugh even when mood swings set in.Yesterday, he brought me a book from the royal library because I mentioned that I enjoyed reading, it is one of my escape routes from reality.This morning, he appeared at my door carrying a plate of pastries. I stared at him. "Do princes normally serve breakfast?""Only to particularly special women."His eyes lingered on mine for sometime longer than necessary, and I felt butterflies in my stomach.I was beginning to understand how seductive his smile could be.Unfortunately, the palace had other plans for my happiness at that moment. I was sitting with Rhys in the garden when a servant approached and informed him that the Alpha
POV: BriarI am beginning to understand that the royal palace has two sides.There is the beautiful side, with its golden chandeliers, polished floors, and gardens that look as though they belong in a fairy tale.Then there is the other side where servants lower their voices when certain people pass, where nobles smile to your face while quietly deciding whether you deserve to stand beside them and where a single look can make you feel like an unwanted guest.Unfortunately, I seem to be discovering both sides rather quickly.Rhys walked beside me through a long hallway, his hands tucked into his pockets. He has been telling me a story about his childhood, and I am struggling to believe that the serious prince everyone fears was once a mischievous little boy."So you actually fell into the royal fountain?" I asked, laughing."I was pushed." He defended himself."By whom?"He looked at me innocently. "I have no idea.""Rhys!""All right, it was Kaius."I laughed harder. He's behaving like a
POV: Briar I am back in this palace I had always despised. I was standing in the middle of it, wondering what on earth I am doing here. Everything in the palace is still as it is: Beautiful, expensive and intimidating.Servants lowered their heads respectively as Rhys walked past them. Some greeted him with warm smiles, while others stepped aside immediately to clear his path but they never failed to notice me.They looked at my face, my clothes, and the bag I was clutching beside me. A few whispers here and there amongst themselves and also two women that were standing near a marble staircase exchanged a glance that made my stomach tightened.I pretended not to notice them. I’ve spent all my life being the subject of other people's conversations. I should be used to it by now.Yet somehow, being judged inside a royal palace still felt different.I twisted my fingers around the strap of my bag, trying to keep a neutral expression. Rhys understood my body language and without interrupting
POV: Briar "Because I love you."Rhys's words followed me even after we left the clinic.I sat beside him in the carriage, staring out of the window while he gave me the silence I desperately needed. His knee brushes mine whenever the carriage turns, and each time, my heart beats as though that small contact means something.It shouldn't. I don't want those butterfly feelings I'm having right away. A man didn't spend years loving someone without saying a word and suddenly becomes the answer to all her prayers, especially when that man is Rhys Thorne, the prince I have secretly admired for years and convinced myself I could never have."You haven't said anything since we left," he murmured."What would you like me to say?" I asked."The truth." He replied.I turned to him. "You want the truth?? Fine. The truth is that I don't believe you.""About what?" He asked with a changed expression."Your feelings. Your declaration of love. All of it.""Briar….""No, let me finish." I cut him







