Veronica's POV: I sat and listened to Jason give me unsolicited advice. Honestly, I tried hard to not get mad but the least I could do was keep a fake smile on my face to avoid making the atmosphere awkward. The moment my eyes caught the image of Lucas, I jumped on my feet, withdrawing my hands from Jason's soft grip, and began walking toward Lucas. I had a lot of questions on my mind that were begging to be answered. First, I need to know if Lucas took the crown – even though I hoped that he'd be the one with it and I also wished he wasn't the one who stole it. Importantly, I wanted to ask what he was doing with Matilda last night and what her last statement meant. "Hey, Lucas," I said, walking up to him and closing the distance between us. He turned around to meet my gaze and I could see a glint of annoyance in his eyes, the boring expression clearly written over his face. "Veronica, how are you feeling now," Lucas' voice croaked as he stared at me in surprise. He gave the palace

Veronica's POV:My father's words hung in the air, a command that brooked no opposition. With a flicker of dread, I nodded in submission and rose from my seat. The eyes of the council members and the queen followed us as we made our way out of the grand dining hall, a silent procession to a private domain.The palace hallway, once bustling with activity, now seemed hushed and still as my father led the way. Each step I took felt heavy, laden with a mix of uncertainty and anticipation. The walls of the palace seemed to close in on me, an invisible pressure squeezing at my chest.We arrived at my father's chambers, a place that held both comfort and unease. The room, adorned with regal furnishings and shelves lined with books, enveloped me in a sense of familiarity. However, my father's stern expression reminded me of the seriousness of the situation at hand."Sit," my father commanded, gesturing towards a plush armchair in front of his intricately carved desk. I complied, taking my pla

Lucas POV:"Veronica deserves better than what you've been subjecting her to, Lucas," I said with a tone of finality as I stood in between Lucas and Veronica. Lucas was staring daggers at me but I cared less. I won't let him treat Veronica like a piece of trash anymore.A mixture of shock and uncertainty washed over Veronica's face. I knew she wasn't expecting me to suddenly defend her from Lucas' I'll treatment.Lucas scoffed, a bitter sneer playing on his lips. "And who are you to come barging in, thinking you can save the day?" he retorted, his voice dripping with arrogance.My eyes narrowed further, and my jaw clenched in restrained fury. "I may not have all the answers, but I won't stand by and watch you mistreat Veronica," I declared, my voice filled with a raw conviction. "You've let power and jealousy consume you, and it ends here."Lucas's gaze flickered between us, his anger warring with a flicker of uncertainty. His once-confident façade seemed to, his previous anger now re

Lucas' POV:The silence that followed was deafening. Time seemed to stand still as Jason's words reverberated through the crowd. I looked around, witnessing the shock and disbelief etched upon the faces of those present. The realization of the magnitude of Jason's confession began to sink in.Veronica's expression mirrored the collective astonishment. Her eyes widened, and her lips parted in surprise. She glanced at me, a question lingering in her gaze. I could see the turmoil within her as she tried to process this unexpected revelation.The king regarded Jason with a mix of curiosity and caution, his regal countenance revealing little of his thoughts. "Jason, your claim is bold," he stated, his voice carrying a hint of skepticism. "But such matters cannot be decided in haste. The bond between mates is a sacred one, and its validity must be thoroughly examined."Jason's determination remained unwavering as he locked eyes with the king. "I understand, Your Majesty. But I urge you to c

Veronica's POV:Tears welled up in my mom's eyes as she rushed to my side, her voice filled with a mother's love. "Veronica, my dear, you're awake. I've been so worried about you."Confusion engulfed me and questions swirled in my mind, threatening to overwhelm me."What... what am I doing here?" I managed to stammer, my voice betraying my bewilderment.My mom, her voice filled with tenderness, spoke up. "Veronica, my dear, there's so much we need to explain. But first, we're just grateful that you're awake and safe."Her words only fueled my curiosity, and my need for answers. "Safe? Why wouldn't I be safe? And why am I in the palace? Who are all these people?"But what caught my attention was the figure standing beside them—the regal man who exuded an air of authority and familiarity."B-but... you... you're the king?" I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.The man nodded, a mixture of pride and sadness in his eyes. "Yes, Veronica. I am your biological father, the king. I kno