Chapter 12

HANNAH POV

There wasn’t a single moment where I woke up and decided to trust them, or a sudden realization that everything had changed. They slipped in through the cracks of my defenses when I wasn’t paying attention.

Some days, the triplets barely spoke. Other days, they seemed determined to keep me busy, like one time they didn't allow me to go to my room after breakfast, and canceled all their meetings just to spend time with me. I was happy about the progress, but I was also scared about how things were changing, especially my feelings.

We also took a walk through the east wing one afternoon when the sun poured in through tall stained windows, painting the marble floors in warm colors. Kael explained the history behind the carvings along the walls, his voice calm and steady. The legacy of this palace still kept me in an awe state.

Riven showed me the training grounds another day, laughing when I flinched at the sound of clashing steel. He demonstrated moves slowly, deliberately, making sure I wasn’t scared, his usual sharpness softened by something almost playful.

“I could teach you how to fight, you know.” I looked at him, interested in what he was saying.

“Then teach me.” He laughed at my comment.

“Slow down your horse, baby. I’ll be more than glad to teach you how to fight, but we don’t want you practicing with our dicks now.” He said while giving me a flirty smile. I was already used to Riven sex talks and I didn’t seem to care. I just laughed, and he continued showing me round the training grounds.

Lucien took me to the gardens at dusk, when the palace felt quieter and the air smelled like earth and night-blooming flowers. He spoke less than the others, but when he did, it mattered. He told me which plants were used for healing, which were dangerous, which ones were forbidden to touch.

“You learn to respect things that can hurt you,” he said quietly.

I didn’t miss the weight behind his words. I sat on the grass, and tapped the space beside me, telling him to come over. He looked hesitant at first but still came and sat beside me.

“You know sometimes I always imagined life without my mother. And how things would have been for me if my father never left me. Even with my mum sickness, and all the pain she’s going through, the selfish part of me doesn’t want her to leave me alone in this world.” I said while laying my head on his shoulder.

“You’re a strong girl Hannah, and we’re all proud of you. I know our actions of the past can’t be justified, but we just want the best for you. “ His reply shocked me and I just smiled. We were there for some time before he decided we should head back inside for dinner.

During dinner, kael asked me about what I used as an escape from the real world back at home.

I didn’t think before answering.

“Books.” They all turned to me.

“I used to read all the time,” I said, suddenly shy. “It was an escape. Somewhere I could disappear when things got hard.”

After dinner, we would take you to the library. Anytime you’re bored or we’re not available, you can go there. You’re more than welcome there.” Kael replied and I smiled.

The rest of dinner was quiet and quick. After dinner, the triplets led me to the left side of the east wing. We stood at the front of a door.

“ Okay Hannah, get ready to get your mind blown and your pussy wet.” Riven said. And I couldn’t hide the blush on my face. Why the fuck was I actually blushing.

The palace library was nothing like I imagined.The room was huge and luxurious.

Shelves stretched impossibly high, ladders carved from dark wood resting against them. The scent of old pages and ink wrapped around me the moment I stepped inside, and my breath caught in my throat.

Lucien watched me with an unreadable expression. “You belong here.” The words settled deep in my chest, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

They didn’t rush me. They let me wander, let me talk about stories I loved, listened as I rambled about characters who felt more real than people ever had. Riven teased me gently. Kael asked thoughtful questions. Lucien silently pulled books from shelves and placed them in my arms like offerings.

For the first time since arriving at the palace, I felt seen and understood.

“We would love to take you out for dinner Hannah, that's if you don’t mind.” Kael said and I looked dumbfounded.

“Yeah we don’t want to rush you into anything you’re not ready for. We just want you to feel life outside the palace.” Riven chipped him, and seeing him blush made me laugh.

“It’s fine guys, I can't even wait for dinner tomorrow. I'd love to go out tomorrow, but I don’t have anything presentable to wear.”

“Leave that to us. Before evening tomorrow, you’ll receive your dress and other necessities and we will assign Tianna to your room, to get you ready my love.” Kael replied, making blush creep onto my face.

Throughout the evening, we just sat at the library, and just got to know ourselves more. I enjoyed their company more than I wished to. When it was time for me to go to bed, I didn’t want to leave them.

Get the hang of yourself Hannah, you're not actually falling for them. I couldn’t stop talking to myself and debating with my inner mind.

By the time I got to my room, I was already exhausted and crashed immediately.

By the time I woke up in the morning, Tianna was already in my room.

“Fuck Tianna you scared me. I was so exhausted yesterday I forgot to lock my room door. “ I said, rubbing my eyes, I still felt tired, but I needed to get ready for breakfast.

“Hannah, let's get you ready, and you have a lot to tell me. Rumors have it that the alphas have won your heart, and I’m very sure I have a lot of catching up to do.” Tianna said, and dragged my lazy ass off the bed and we went to the bathroom.

While getting ready for breakfast, I told her about the triplets, and how close we’ve become. She even told me about how the alphas gave her a day off today to get me prepared for dinner. I couldn’t wait to spend the whole day with Tianna. She was always busy, and I was always with the triplets but we finally had a whole day to ourselves and I couldn’t be more than glad.

I went down for breakfast, and the triplets were already seated. From the look of their clothes, it was so obvious they just finished training, and their abs couldn’t be more sexier with the sweat dripping on it. God damn they could have At Least worn a tank top than coming to the dining table with only their joggers.

“You can take a picture and you wouldn’t need to stare too much.” Riven said with a smirk on his face, I realized I had been staring at their body. I blushed in embarrassment and sat down.

“Where’s selene, she has stopped coming for breakfast and dinner.” I was concerned about selene. Even though we weren’t talking, she was still a person.

“She’s okay, she just came down with a cold, but the servants ensure food is taken to her room.” Kael replied, and I nodded my head.

Once breakfast was over, I went to my room to rest. My dress would be here soon, and Tianna would soon come to my room to get me prepared.

I slept off, and didn’t take long before Tianna barged into my room and started getting me ready. I never treated her as my maid, and I’m glad she warmed up to me.

We spoke about a lot of things, while she did my makeup and prepared my hair. By the time she was done, I couldn’t imagine I was the one in the mirror. She had transformed me into a princess.

“Gosh Tianna you’re so good. I look like a fucking princess all thanks to you.”

I was so happy about the dinner, Tianna was more than happy to be the one to prepare me for the dinner.

By 7pm, I was dressed up and ready to go downstairs.

I looked at myself in the mirror one last time, and I couldn’t be more happier with my look. The red gown hugged my body and brought out my curves. The back was open to the waist, with a spaghetti strap that formed an X. The slit of the gown stopped at my thigh. The stone on the dress made it more astonishing. The gold heels brought out the colour of the dress and matched with my jewellery and bag.

My night was going to get better, and I couldn’t wait for what the night had installed for me.