Bianca “Is that true, Bianca?” my father asked, looking at me suspiciously. His shocked response echoed in the room, mingling with the tension that hung thick in the air. He knew me well enough to know that I would never have such thoughts about the prince. I was sure he was going to support me. “Will I be lying to you, Peter?” my mother said, holding his hand. I stared at her. She was trying to manipulate him into believing something that wasn’t true. “Your daughter told me that she fancies the prince. You’re the king’s childhood friend. If you tell him about how your daughter feels, I am sure he will accept it.” She lifted her hand and caressed my father’s cheek. I could hear him purr. It was over. She already had a hold on him. “I am sure the queen will be glad to have her as her daughter-in-law.” I stayed silent, burdened by my mother’s lies that weighed on me like a suffocating blanket. I wanted to speak up, to reveal the truth about my feelings and the suffering I had endure

Bianca.“You’re here to see me. So, let’s go inside,” she insisted, pulling me along.“Mom, Dad, look who’s here,” she announced, ushering me in. “It’s Bianca.”“Bianca,” her mother called, rising to her feet. She rushed toward me and enveloped me in a motherly hug. “It’s so good to see you again, dear.” I melted into her embrace.“How are you doing, ma’am?” I asked, as she smoothed my hair, showing genuine affection, unlike my own mother, who often faked it.“I’m fine, darling,” she replied, holding my hand and leading me to the sofa, where she gestured for me to sit. She caressed my hand. “We all miss you, darling.”“Especially me,” her husband cut in. “I miss you so much.” My heart skipped a beat. They showered me with love. Apart from my brother and father, who genuinely loved me, they were the next closest.“I miss you too. If it weren’t for my mother, I would be coming here every day,” I admitted, and the room fell silent. What was going on? Did Sophia tell her parents what she

Bianca“Good morning, my lady.” Amber’s voice greeted me. I blinked, opening my eyes to meet her gaze.“Good morning, Amber,” I answered, pulling the blanket around me as I sat up. “What brings you here so early?”“My lady, I am here to inform you that your brother has returned,” she announced. Shock coursed through me at her words.My heart skipped a beat. The news I had been dreading had finally arrived. I had waited yesterday for Daniel to return, as Mother said, but he hadn’t arrived. And now he was home. How would I face him?“Where is he?” I asked, taken aback.“He is with your mother. They are having a discussion,” Amber informed me. Glancing at the clock in my room, I realized it was already 9 a.m. How had I slept in so late? Whatever Mother was discussing with him couldn’t be good. It must be about the marriage to the prince.I rose from the bed. “I need to shower, Amber. You can go back.”“Of course, my lady,” she responded before leaving the room. I hurried into the bathroo

BiancaHis fingers curled angrily around my neck, making it nearly impossible for me to breathe. My vision blurred, and fear gripped me as I struggled for air. Suddenly, the door to the study flung open, and a guard rushed in.“My Prince, the—” he stopped abruptly, his eyes widening in shock as he took in the scene before him. This was not the demeanor expected of the prince. “My Prince!”Despite the guard’s attempts to pull him away, the prince tightened his grip on my neck, his eyes filled with pure hatred. The guard moved closer, trying to restrain him, but his indifference to his efforts only heightened their concern.“Listen to me, Bianca...” His voice was laced with pure hatred. The guards, sensing the urgency, tried to hold the prince back, probably hoping to bring him back to his kind and loving self, but the indifference in his actions sent fear coursing through their faces.“I don’t want you around me. Not as a mate or even as a friend. So whatever this is, stop it before I