CHAPTER 91ERIC’S POV“Eric…” she whimpered as she took a shaky step back, eyes glittering in fear as they fell on my hands which were gripping the top of her arm tightly. “You’re hurting me…”Realizing my action had frightened her, I quickly snapped out of my raging state and let go of her, letting my hand down. I couldn’t believe I had done such a thing to her.I clutched the bridge of my nose, unable to meet her fearful gaze. Frustration and remorse gnawed at me like sharp talons as I apologized for how I reacted. “I’m sorry love, I didn’t mean to hurt you… It’s just that whenever I see you hurt or sad, I lose control…”I let out a sharp, overwhelming breath, trying to calm myself. But one thing was for sure, if I find out someone in this castle left those marks on her, I’ll tear their head from their body. I don’t care what happens. I don’t care that as the future king, I was meant to lead by example, display qualities worthy of emulation, and protect everyone, because right now,
CHAPTER 90ERIC’S POVEven though I tried to insist, my mother assigned me a guard. She made it clear that he was to be in charge of my safety from now on and should never leave my sight. His name was Liam. Liam was friendly and easygoing. He had served as a guard in the castle for quite a long time. He toured me around the castle, letting me know the rich history behind the stone walls that were now my home. He showed me the castle’s library—a vast, quiet hall lined with tall wooden shelves and old books and scrolls where I could draw more knowledge from what happened in the past and about the kingdom. It was important that I was deeply versed in the history of my land and people before taking up the crown. Several minutes into the tour, I became restless, pressed with the unquenchable need to see Adrianna. I had left early this morning to meet up with my mother. Because of that, I wasn’t able to see her and know how she was doing. It was already evening and I hadn’t seen her.“I’
CHAPTER 89REGINA’S POV“I'd rather not talk about it,” Eric said quietly, looking away. That one question had ruined his entire mood. His expression was grim and exasperated, like one holding onto a dark grudge he couldn’t accomplish or let die. This was enough to tell me he also dreaded her role in that castle as much as I did. If he did, then why was he still with her? Why did he have to bring her along to my castle? “Why?” I leaned forward as I asked, reaching out across the table to gently press the ball of his knee in an attempt to make him open up. “Did something bad happen? I’m your mother Eric… Even though we haven’t known each other for longer than 24 hours, you can still tell me anything…”“No, mum…” his tone was becoming irritable. “Nothing happened. I just don’t want to talk about it.”“Fine,” my lips curled to a faint smile and I backed off but inside I was burning with unrestrained fury and the sting of being shut out.After that, the silence that followed was heavy a
CHAPTER 88 REGINA’S POV I pulled forward, my expression solemn, though I debated within myself whether asking him this would be the right thing to do. “Eric…” I called out in hesitation. “There is something I have been meaning to ask you.” “What?…” The urgency in my tone caught his attention. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and cleared my throat. “The death of that Alpha king you worked for… please tell me you weren’t the one responsible…” “Of course not,” he grimaced intensely as he blurted out. “Why would you think that?” “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to accuse you. It’s just that your name and face were all over the tabloids and that picture…” “It was all a setup. Those psychos just wanted to punish me because I had betrayed them by escaping the castle, something no guard had ever dared before. I knew way too much to be left alive.” He explained, his jaw tight as a shadow of anger and frustration crossed his face. “Oh,” I muttered, relief flooding me. “I knew my c
CHAPTER 87 REGINA’S POV “Protect me?…” Those two words seemed to trigger a strong reaction in him. He scoffed in disbelief, staring down at me. “I was abandoned for a solid thirty years, and the only time you two bothered to look for me and miraculously find me was when the king was ailing and in need of someone to take over from him,” he leaned forward and pinned me with a fearless, challenging glare — but deep inside, I knew he was hurting badly. “That isn’t protecting, Mother, it’s convenience. A selfish move to save your kingdom, not your son.” “No…” I voiced, pulling forward. I almost slipped from my seat as I pleaded. “That’s not true… please… listen to me… give me a chance to explain…” He leaned back against his seat and turned his face away, sulking. His jaw was tight, and his brows were knitted in quiet anger. “The ball is in your court,” he turned to me coldly, his face devoid of emotions. “You’d better choose your words carefully, because whatever you say
CHAPTER 86REGINA’S POV (ERIC’S MOTHER)That girl. I hate her. With every bone in my body, I hate her.Now that I was thinking about it, I should have just let Edmund strangle her to death. That way, it would have been easier to get rid of her. I had a lot on my plate. I didn’t have the time to start thinking of a way to get rid of her.I didn’t know how on earth Eric ended up with someone like her. I nearly choked when he announced she was going to be his wife. That can’t happen. It would be an abomination.That girl — just looking at her, I can tell she’s a destitute, a poor wretch who has nothing to her name. She’s an Omega, and for as long as I have known, Omegas were the lowest ranks in the kingdom — dregs of society, the poorest of the poor.Alphas, on the other hand, are born of royal blood. They are the highest ranks in our realm — heirs of noble, wealthy families who hold the power and shape the future of the kingdom.For an Alpha to marry an Omega is beyond disgraceful; it i