AMELIALady Giselle's announcement hit me like a wave crashing against the shore. The final competition was indeed knitting, but not just any knitting—it was machine knitting. My heart sank, and a frown etched itself upon my face. All my practice and preparation seemed to crumble before my eyes."Machine knitting?" I muttered in disbelief, my voice filled with frustration. "Not even handmade knitting? This is not what I had anticipated."Constance, always my pillar of strength, gently placed a hand on my shoulder. "Amelia, my dear, I know it's not what you hoped for, but don't let it discourage you. You've come so far, and you can still give it your best."I sighed, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. "But Constance, I've practiced and honed my skills in traditional knitting. I have no experience with these machines. How can I possibly compete?"Constance's eyes sparkled with unwavering belief. "Amelia, remember that you are capable of learning and adapting. Even though it may be challen

AMELIA"Why does love have to come so hard to me," I sat there, my mind filled with worry and uncertainty, a memory from my past floated to the surface. I could see myself as a little girl, sitting on a stool while my mother gently combed my hair. She had a warm smile on her face as she looked at me lovingly."You are so beautiful, Amelia," she said softly, her voice filled with affection.I gazed up at her with wide eyes, filled with wonder and curiosity. "Will I become a queen one day, Mama?"My mother's embrace tightened around me, and she whispered, "Yes, my darling. You are destined for greatness. One day, you will be a queen, ruling over a whole kingdom."I remember feeling a mixture of excitement and doubt. A queen? Me? It seemed like such a grand and distant dream. But my mother's words filled me with a sense of possibility, as if anything was within my reach.As the memory played in my mind, I could almost hear my mother's voice again, reassuring me of my potential. It was a

LUCIA As I sat there, feeling humiliated and angry, I called for my handmaid to distract myself with a pedicure. "Can you believe the audacity of Amelia?" I lamented bitterly.The maid frowned, curious about what had happened. "What did she do, Your Grace?""She thinks she's so superior to everyone else," I said with a hint of venom in my voice. "I hate her so much."The maid hesitated for a moment before asking a daring question, "Why did you agree so easily to the crime they accused you of?"I sighed, feeling a mixture of frustration and determination. "I have my plans, my dear. I can't rush the whole process. At that moment, there was nothing I could do. Those two incompetent maids had already confessed, and the evidence against me was overwhelming. It was the only reasonable thing to do."The maid nodded, understanding my predicament. "You're wise, Your Grace. It was a strategic move."I smirked, feeling a sense of pride. "It has nothing to do with wisdom, my dear. It's about kno

CHAPTER 37ALARICAs I stood before the entire kingdom, my heart pounded with a mix of nervousness and excitement. This was the moment I had been waiting for—the moment to right the wrongs and reveal the truth about the competition.With a deep breath, I climbed onto the stage, facing the expectant crowd. The anticipation in their eyes was palpable, and I knew I had their full attention. This was my chance to be a leader, to show them the strength of justice and the power of truth."My fellow citizens," I began, my voice carrying across the square, "today, I stand before you to address a matter of great importance—a matter that has affected us all."I could feel their curiosity growing, and I took a moment to gather my thoughts before continuing. "During the recent competition, there was an unfortunate incident that led to confusion and doubt," I explained, my eyes scanning the crowd."But today, I am here to set things right," I declared, my voice strong and resolute. "I have come to

CHAPTER 39AMELIAThe morning of my wedding day arrived, and the excitement mixed with nerves consumed me. I confided in Constance, my loyal friend and bridesmaid, about my jittery feelings."Constance, I can't help but feel like something bad is about to happen," I admitted, fidgeting with the lace on my gown.She smiled reassuringly, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Amelia, it's natural to have a case of nerves before the big day. But don't let fear cloud this moment. You're about to marry the love of your life, Alaric, and it's going to be a beautiful day."I took a deep breath, trying to push away the foreboding sense lingering at the back of my mind. "You're right, Constance. I must focus on the happiness ahead."As the ceremony approached, my heart pounded louder with every passing minute. My father, looking dashing in his formal attire, came to take me to the aisle. "You look stunning, my dear," he said, his eyes shimmering with pride and love."Thank you, Father," I repl