LOGINBeatrice’s smile was so wide that she barely got any sleep, the overwhelming bliss from last night still bubbling inside her. Everything had gone perfectly, from Uriel’s confession to the moment they finally made their relationship official.She couldn’t wait to tell Princess Riela the good news.She quickly called her maidservant to help her get ready for the day. Once she was done and stepped outside, she was startled to see Uriel waiting by her door, leaning casually against the opposite wall.He straightened immediately when he saw her.A blush rose to her cheeks as she gave him her sweetest smile. He seemed momentarily taken aback, lips parting slightly as he stared at her.“Good morning. Don’t you have your royal court session with the king this morning?” she asked, doing her best to stay composed while quietly squealing inside.“It’s almost lunch… and I thought you might want to eat with me,” Uriel quickly replied.Beatrice had completely lost track of time and nearly forgot th
In the bedchamber where Kael was being kept, Elara, one of the royal healers who had recently become part of the special elite group formed by the King and Queen called the Spiritual Guards, had been assigned to personally watch over him.She had just finished praying for his recovery when she moved to sit at the edge of the bed to check on him again.His body was stable and unharmed, but he was still unconscious.“You should fight it,” she told him softly. “The battle inside your mind. Don’t be deceived by the darkness.”She couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. From what she had sensed earlier, she already had some idea of what had happened. She felt and smelled the dark entities trying to enter and take hold of Kael’s body. Spirits of envy, jealousy, and others connected to his lingering desire for the Queen.“There’s no point in letting yourself fall into total destruction,” she continued with a quiet sigh. “Be glad that the Queen is in good hands and is happy. You need to let go
The next day, Althea was having an early breakfast with Gavriel on their balcony.She would have loved to join Queen Mother Wilma, Princess Riela, and Lady Beatrice to ask about the masquerade ball last night and hear how everything went. But her sensitive pregnancy in the first trimester made it difficult.More often than not, her stomach would turn during breakfast or even after small meals. Because of that, she decided it was best to eat privately in their bedchamber instead. She didn’t want anyone else to lose their appetite because of her condition.Gavriel usually stayed with her during meals, unless he was away or attending important meetings. Even then, Melva often insisted on staying behind to keep her company.“What is it? Are you feeling sick?” Gavriel asked worriedly when her expression soured the moment she sipped the chicken soup during breakfast.“I don’t like it,” she murmured weakly.“But you liked this yesterday,” Gavriel reminded her.She shrugged and gently rested
Beatrice’s heart nearly stopped the moment Uriel pulled her closer and led her away from Lord Evan.What puzzled her even more was that he wasn’t guiding her back into the dance circle. Instead, he was leading her away from the center of the ballroom floor entirely.Unlike the other attendees, he wasn’t wearing a mask. She could clearly see the dark expression on his face.“Where are we going?” she asked in surprise. “There are still several gentlemen I’m supposed to dance with.”She had already danced with two, and there were still three more before the scheduled break. The masquerade ball had been carefully arranged so she and Riela would have time to speak with each gentleman during the dances. After that, they were expected to share drinks and light refreshments with another group of five candidates each. There were even games planned later in the evening to make the gathering more relaxed and enjoyable. The gentlemen’s names had all been listed in advance, assigned to each acti
Beatrice looked at herself in the full-length mirror. She looked magnificent in her gown for the masquerade ball.It had been days since she last saw Uriel, and she hoped he would attend the gathering tonight.Princess Riela had told her that Uriel had suddenly asked for leave for two days, and no one knew where he had gone.“Seriously… was it really that hard for him?” she muttered in annoyance as she stared at her reflection. “Why is the wall he built around himself so difficult to break?”At this rate, all the hope she once held was slowly beginning to crumble. She had thought everything would go smoothly according to her plan, but it seemed she had overestimated herself.She believed competing with a dead woman wouldn’t be so difficult. But she had been wrong.Uriel still seemed convinced that he didn’t deserve happiness… not when he believed he was the reason a woman lost her life and her future.Beatrice felt like she was only going in circles, especially after the way Uriel sim
“Take him down right now,” Althea cried to Gavriel. She could no longer bear watching Kael being poisoned and slowly consumed by the darkness.“Strike through his heart,” she added when she saw the black heart coiled around Kael’s own, pulsing like a parasite feeding on him.Gavriel did not hesitate.He moved instantly and drove his still-sheathed sword straight toward Kael’s chest.The moment the blade struck, a burst of white flame erupted from it and spread across Kael’s body in a swirling wave of holy light. Althea watched as Lionel’s power surged forward, crushing the black, beating heart wrapped around Kael’s own.Kael screamed.But the scream that followed was not entirely his.Another voice rose with it… sharp, furious, and filled with agony as the demonic spirit inside him was forced into the light.By the time Kael collapsed to the ground, Althea quickly ran to his side and knelt beside him, taking his hand tightly in hers.“Kael, renounce it,” she urged softly but firmly. “
The sun had yet to rise when Althea stirred on the bed. She slowly opened her eyes, only to realize she was tightly wrapped in Gavriel’s embrace. One of his arms was draped possessively around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest.
Beatrice groaned as her eyes fluttered open.“Ugh… my head,” she mumbled, pressing her palms against her temples and rubbing gently, hoping to soothe the pounding inside.&
Uriel could not believe his eyes when Riela summoned him over and he saw Beatrice sitting at their table, giggling to herself as if she were the only person in the entire pavilion.“What happened? Why did you call for me?” he asked his cousin with a frown, though his gaze never left Beatrice.He ha
The Time They Had Lost“I am sorry, dear,” the Queen Mother said softly. “Please forgive me for how I treated you before.”Althea felt the warmth of her embrace and gently returned it, her hand moving in a soothing motion along the older woman’s back as she felt her trembling.“I’m really sorry… I







