All Chapters of Kiss Of The Scarlet Prince: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Chapter Eleven — An Unlikely HandBy the time I returned to my chambers, the air felt heavier, as though Kael’s presence still lingered in the space. I lit a candle to chase the shadows away, hoping it might push his memory back a little too.A knock came, soft and polite. Definitely not Kael.When I opened the door, a young woman stood there with her arms full of folded linen. She had pale-gold hair pulled into a neat braid and the faintest freckles across her nose. Her cheeks were pink from what I assumed was a brisk walk through the halls.“You’re Serenya?” she asked, her voice warm and unhurried.“I might be,” I said carefully. “Who’s asking?”She grinned like we were sharing a joke. “Maris. I’ve been assigned as your maid. Mostly to help you, though I suppose I’m meant to report back if you throw anyone out a window.”A laugh caught me off guard. “You’d be surprised how tempting that’s been.”Maris stepped inside and placed the linens neatly on the bed. “Well, if you do, at least

Chapter Thirteen — The Queen’s GameThe summons came with all the ceremony of a guillotine drop—swift, unquestionable, and with the faint promise of danger.Two guards escorted me through the palace’s east wing, their armor catching the lamplight in quick flashes. My thoughts were still tangled in the private chamber I’d just left, in Kael’s voice and the cold weight of that leather-bound book I shouldn’t have touched.The queen’s doors opened before I could prepare my face.The chamber was awash in gold light, the kind that made everything—walls, gowns, jewels—seem richer than it was. It smelled faintly of roses, but the undercurrent of something resinous and bitter clung to the air, as if beauty was always paired with something darker here.She sat in a high-backed chair that could have been a throne, upholstered in pale blue velvet. Her gown was the same shade, the silk catching the light when she shifted. Dark hair, sleek and deliberate, framed a face that seemed carved to withsta

Chapter 15 — The Woman in the PortraitIt had been a week since Serenya had stepped into Kael’s world — a week of candlelit dinners she barely tasted, fleeting glances that promised more than they ever gave, and mornings where she woke to find his side of the bed untouched.Kael had been distant. Not cruel, not cold — just elsewhere. His mind seemed always preoccupied, his replies clipped, as though he were guarding something.On the seventh day, with the rain drumming against the manor’s tall windows and the rest of the household preoccupied with preparations for that evening’s ball, Serenya found herself wandering deeper into its shadowed halls than she ever had before.A crooked door at the end of a dim corridor caught her attention. It was slightly ajar, as though inviting her.Inside, the air was heavy with the scent of dust and lavender long faded. Sunlight slipped through torn curtains, revealing a forgotten sitting room lined with shelves of books, their spines cracked and pal

Chapter 18 — The Dance of ShadowsThe music drifted softly through the grand hall, a haunting melody weaving itself around the flickering candlelight. I stood in the center of the polished floor, the scarlet silk of my gown catching every shimmer of flame. My heart wasn’t racing from the dance steps but from the weight of the presence beside me.Kael’s eyes bore into me—dark, unreadable, sharp. His usual coldness felt sharper now, as if every move we made was a test I couldn’t afford to fail.He held out his hand, a silent command and invitation all at once.I took it, and the warmth of his touch shot through me like electricity. When our fingers entwined, a current sparked—sharp, undeniable.“Remember,” he murmured low, almost a growl, “this dance is not just for show. It’s practice—precision, control, and power.”I nodded, trying to steady my breath. “I understand.”He placed his hand firmly on the small of my back, guiding me with unyielding control. I felt the tension beneath his

Chapter 21 — Waiting in ScarletI woke to the cold bite of iron around my ankle. The chain bit into my skin as I shifted, a stark reminder that I was still a prisoner in Kael’s world. The morning light filtered weakly through the heavy curtains, but no warmth reached me.Before panic could rise, the door creaked open quietly. Marvis stepped in, carrying a tray with a steaming cup of herbal tea and a bundle of dried herbs tied with a faded ribbon. Beneath the cloth, I spotted a small loaf of bread, its presence both a comfort and a quiet rebellion.She placed the tray gently on the bedside table and settled beside me. “I thought this might help soothe you,” she said softly, lifting the cup toward my lips.I accepted it gratefully, the warmth spreading slowly through my chilled limbs. Marvis glanced around cautiously before lowering her voice. “I managed to sneak in some bread. It’s not much, but you’ll need something more than water.”I smiled faintly, the small act of kindness a balm