Semua Bab HER DAUGHTER'S REJECTED MATE : Bab 61 - Bab 70

A LOVE THAT BURNS AND BRUISES Twilight seeped through the broken windows of the old gardener's cottage, painting the dust-smeared walls in shades of bruised gold. The structure had once been part of the royal estate's heart, where lilies bloomed and herbs danced in the breeze, but now it was forgotten. All Quiet. Perfect place to be Blythe stepped inside first, her cloak damp with evening mist. The wooden floor creaked beneath her boots, and the scent of lavender and soil clung faintly to the air. She crossed to the far wall, fingers brushing over a row of cracked flowerpots."You're late," she said softly."You're early," Xavier replied from the doorway, stepping in like a ghost. His hair was damp, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, and his hands held something wrapped in cloth.Blythe turned, eyes catching the glint of silver in the fading light. "What is that?"Xavier s

 THE MOONLIGHT DUEL The Royal Training Ring—MidnightClack.The sound of wooden blades meeting echoed under the stars.Blythe spun, her braid catching the wind, feet light on the sand of the ring. Sweat traced a line down her spine. Across from her, Xavier crouched low, shoulders taut, watching her every move.“You’re hesitating again,” she said.“I’m calculating,” he replied, eyes sharp. “Not all of us throw ourselves at death with the grace of a dancer.”She lunged.He dodged—barely. Her staff skimmed his shoulder.“That was the warning shot,” she teased.“I don’t need warnings,” Xavier said, coming in low. Their weapons clashed again—strike, block, twist—until he disarmed her with a flick and pinned her wrist behind her back.She let out a breathless laugh. “Show-off.”

XAVIER'S NIGHTMARE Fitful Sleep in the Omega Quarters. The omega quarters were buried deep in the east wing, far from the glitter of the court or the echo of commands. The walls were round and damp, shaped like the belly of a forgotten cave. A lantern hung from a ceiling hook, casting a sleepy amber light over the stone floor. Shadows stretched long and thin across the rows of cots. Someone coughed quietly in the corner. A snore rose, sharp and sudden, then fell back into silence. "Too quiet tonight," murmured a voice near the wall. Xavier said nothing.

A WHISPER IN THE GARDEN Ceres Walking Alone in the Royal Garden—Seeking Solace The garden was alive with soft breath. Dew clung to the petals like memory, and a faint wind danced through the willow branches, whispering secrets too old to name. Ceres wandered the paved path in her slippers, arms crossed tight over her chest. The marble benches were still cold from the night. The roses, untouched by hand or blade, bloomed in chaotic clusters. Somewhere above, a dove cooed from the greenhouse's rafters. Ceres paused by the ghost-bloom tree, fingers brushing its bark. "They think I don't see. That I don't know what they

THE HIDDEN POOL A Risky Escape into the Forest The moon rode high, veiled behind drifting clouds, casting silver slashes through the canopy as Xavier led Blythe through the dense, breathless woods. Their cloaks swayed with every step, boots barely whispering over moss and fallen pine needles. Each movement was calculated and silent, as if even the trees might betray them. "Should I be worried?" Blythe asked under her breath. Xavier glanced back, shadows flickering across his face. "Only if you can't keep up." A twitch of a smile tugged at her lips. "So this is where you take rebellious queens?"