All Chapters of Forbidden To Love: A Royal Sin : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

I’ve been unnecessarily curious and tense all day, waiting to hear the result of Kian’s DNA test. I don’t involve myself in court matters, so I resist the urge to go to the courthouse.When the court session ends, I still don’t go to Gregory to ask. I don’t know how he’ll take it, and he’s been busy all day. He didn’t take my call earlier and hasn’t called me back either.So now I have two options; I’ll rather wait until Lina comes to my chambers or wait for the family dinner. I’m sure the topic will come up at the table.“It seems the test was positive,” Lina says as she helps me dress for dinner.My heart skips. “Are you sure?” I ask. “How do you know?”“The guards at the courthouse heard it being announced. He’s definitely of Halrion blood,” Lina confirms. “They said he walked out of the courtroom with a smile on his face… and looking proud.”I can’t help but worry.“He’s bad news,” I say quietly. “I’m sure he’s about to shake things around here.”“There’s nothing to worry about, m

Lina enters my patio quietly, balancing a tray with my tea. I’m lounging on a cushioned chair, my law books open but ignored. My mind keeps drifting, mostly to Kian’s smug smile and Gregory’s stolen touches.She places the tray down and leans closer. “My Princess... have you noticed something off about Princess Anna lately?”I raise an eyebrow. “Off? What do you mean?”Lina glances around cautiously, then lowers her voice. “She’s not fussing over Prince Gregory anymore. She spends most of her time in her quarters or taking walks alone.”I sit up. “Are you sure?”“I’ve been keeping watch, like you asked,” she says with a nod. “And that toy girl of hers? The one she used to cling to like a second skin? Neglected. I found the poor thing sulking.”I tilt my head thoughtfully. “That doesn’t sound like Anna. She thrives on attention.”“She hasn’t even been wearing her long gowns,” Lina adds with a sly smile. “Something’s up. Maybe the prince’s attention is shifting to someone else?” She giv

It’s barely sunrise when I drag myself out of bed. I’ve always known court sittings happened early, but nothing prepared me for how stiff and formal the entire routine is.I yawn into the mirror as Lina pins up my hair. “Remind me again why I’m doing this?”She smiles faintly. “Because your constitutional law professor assigned it.”“Right,” I grumble, adjusting the collar of my gown. “Attend a full court session and submit a two-page review on how the monarchy balances power.”“Sounds exciting,” Lina says with a teasing grin.I narrow my eyes at her. “You just like the idea of me sitting in a room full of old men arguing over laws and taxes.”“It’s not every day you get to observe the high lords in action.” She steps back and tilts her head. “There. You look just like a future queen.”My stomach tightens. I’ve never quite gotten used to that phrase. Future queen. Heir apparent. Duchess-turned-royalty. The words are weighty, even when whispered.I gather my notes and rise to my feet.

The garden is unusually quiet today. I had come here to clear my head and think, to breathe, but instead, I find him.Kian.He’s leaning against the fountain wall, tossing small stones into the water like he’s trying to measure the ripples. His jacket is off, sleeves rolled, and the sun catches the slight waves in his hair. For a second, I consider turning around before he sees me.Too late.“Princess,” he says, straightening. “Didn’t mean to steal your spot.”“You didn’t.” I try to keep my voice polite but distant. I walk toward a shaded bench.He doesn’t go away. Instead, he slowly follows and sits across from me.I open my book, pretending to read. He leans forward.“You’re studying law?”I glance up, surprised. “Yes.”“I thought so. That thick textbook isn’t exactly leisure reading.”I smile despite myself. “It’s for my upcoming paper. Constitutional law.”“Ah,” he says, nodding with interest. “So, what’s your opinion, should monarchs still have real power in modern society, or sh

couldn’t keep the worry to myself any longer.Something about the way Kian looked at me, how his words lingered just a little too long, how his smiles curved at the edge of something unspoken, kept playing over in my head. I knew I had to talk to Gregory at some point. But first, I needed to speak to someone who understood both the situation… and me.Lina.She was in my inner room that evening, helping me prepare for bed. She moved around quietly, laying out my nightwear and brushing out my hair the way she always did—gently, patiently, like she had all the time in the world. Lina wasn’t just a maid. She was the one person I trusted in the palace besides Gregory. She knew I wasn’t a true Halrion. And she knew what Gregory meant to me, even though I’d never fully explained it. She just knew.I waited until the room was quiet, then said softly, “Lina… something happened today.”She paused mid-brush. “What is it?”“Kian said something strange.”Her hands stilled. “Strange how?”I hesitat