All Chapters of The Knight's Claimed Bride : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Rebecca’s POV Gideon walked me to the Queen’s wing in silence. Well, mostly silence. His hand brushed mine once—absentminded, maybe. Or maybe not. We hadn’t said much since this morning. Not since everything shifted. Since the kisses—soft, stolen things that still echoed in the quiet between us. Since I’d woken tangled in his sheets, his arms wrapped tightly around me like he thought I’d vanish if he let go. I was the one who asked—just a whisper in the dark after everything cracked open between us. I’d said I didn’t want to be alone. And Gideon didn’t ask questions. Just pulled me into his chest and wrapped his arms around me like I was something precious and breakable. I don’t remember falling asleep. Just the way it felt to breathe beside him. The way his presence pushed back the dark. And I’d slept better than I had in weeks. And now, walking beside him down this endless corridor, I couldn’t stop thinking about how warm he’d been. How safe. And how none of that warmth wou

Rebecca’s POV The knock at the door came just after the tailors left. And then it opened. I turned—and there he was. Gideon. My breath caught before I could stop it. He’d changed too. Not in the way I had—he still looked like himself. The sharp, stoic Knight Commander in his ceremonial blacks, edged with silver. His armor had been replaced with a high-collared coat, perfectly tailored. Not the velvet he wore the night he drank the love potion. This was different. Black and silver. Cut sharp. Cold as command. His hair was combed back but still a little tousled, like he’d run a hand through it too many times. But it wasn’t his clothing that stopped me. It was the way he looked at me. Like I’d stolen the stars from the sky and dared to wear them. “You look…” His voice was low, almost reverent. Then he cleared his throat. “You look like a prayer someone whispered too many times—and the gods finally listened.” I blinked. “It’s just a dress.” “It’s not the dress,” Gideon said, an

Rebecca’s POV I woke to sunlight cutting through the window like it had something to prove. Gideon was nowhere to be seen—which wasn’t surprising, considering today was the day of our engagement ceremonies. Even if the formalities were scheduled for the evening, the real business had already started. Being the Knight Commander meant Gideon was probably tangled in meetings, orders, and palace politics before breakfast. But after last night, I couldn’t imagine him simply burying everything under duty’s weight. His words stayed with me—sharper than any blade or court whisper—and I found myself replaying that moment over and over. A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts. I sighed, “Come in.” The door cracked open. “Miss Rosewyn,” One of the guards said, standing stiff as a statue. “Your… guest has arrived.” My brain stalled. “My… what?” “She’s waiting in the east garden.” Who just shows up unannounced? I hadn’t invited anyone. Still, I forced myself to wash my face and change into s

Rebecca's POV The tension between us didn’t unravel the moment we stepped back into the hall. Gideon’s arm stayed firm around mine, but the warmth that had softened the night before was replaced by a sharpened edge—like a blade barely sheathed. The banquet hall buzzed with gold light and clipped conversations, a tide trying to wash away the quiet intimacy we’d just shared. The Queen’s gaze sliced through the crowd and landed on us with her usual calm, flawless as ever—like she was watching a game she knew she’d already won. Maddie appeared beside me, her smile polished but her eyes sharp. “Everything all right?” She whispered as she adjusted my sleeve. I gave her a dry smile. “Peachy,” which, between us, meant anything but. Maddie nodded once, subtle and steady, then melted back into the crowd. The rest of the evening stretched before me like a trial. Faces blurred, toasts clinked, laughter floated—polished, brittle, and sharp as shattered glass. Gideon stayed close at my side

Rebecca’s POV The courtyard slowly began to quiet as the children scattered, each carrying their prizes like treasure. Mrs. Barbara busied herself with Gideon’s men, tallying the supplies his funds had purchased and murmuring in approval over the crates of goods. I lingered near the steps, brushing stray strands of hair out of my face where the girls’ braids had loosened, watching Gideon from the corner of my eye. He was crouched near the wagon, speaking to one of the older boys—his tone low, his expression patient but focused. Even at rest, there was nothing careless about him. The way his hand rested on the boy’s shoulder, steady and grounding, looked… permanent. Mrs. Barbara finished counting the last of the crates, shooing one of Gideon's men toward the wagon with a playful swat of her ledger. When she spotted me lingering near the steps, she came over, wiping her hands on her apron. “Still the same courtyard you used to run through, hm?” Mrs. Barbara said with a knowing smil