Lahat ng Kabanata ng The King’s Relentless Desire : Kabanata 61 - Kabanata 70

Chapter Sixty-OneLiana’s POVThe castle never slept on feast nights.The air shimmered with the scent of roasted fruit and burning candles, the sound of music drifting down the halls like silk. Servants moved in quiet lines, carrying trays of wine, and the nobles were already beginning to gather in their jewelled masks and embroidered gowns.I stood before the mirror as my attendant tied the ribbon of my mask.It was black and gold, the edges traced with glittering thread. My gown was soft crimson, flowing and light, the neckline daring enough to make me hesitate but only for a moment.He would be watching tonight.And if he wanted to play his game of control, then I would play it better.Maren stepped back, her eyes flicking up to mine through the reflection. “You look beautiful, my lady.”I smiled faintly. “Do I look dangerous?”She blinked. “Dangerous?”“That’s what matters here,” I said quietly. “Beauty only distracts. Power decides.”She didn’t answer. She didn’t need to. We bot

Chapter Sixty-ThreeLiana’s POVI didn’t sleep that night.The silence after he left felt heavier than his presence had. It filled every corner of the room, pressing down on me until my chest hurt. I stayed where I was, the fire dimming slowly, my body cold but my skin still burning where his gaze had lingered.He hadn’t touched me.And somehow that was worse.It was the kind of denial that felt like a wound, deep and quiet and impossible to soothe.By the time the first light of dawn slipped through the curtains, I was still awake, still tracing the ghost of his voice in my mind every word, every pause, every breath he didn’t take near enough to mine.I bathed slowly, trying to wash the tension from my body. The water was warm, but it did nothing to ease the ache beneath my ribs. When I stepped out, the mirror was fogged, and I could barely see my reflection. Maybe that was better.I dressed in a soft ivory gown, simple but clean, my hair falling loose over my shoulders. Maren had a

Chapter Sixty-FiveLiana’s POVThe hall was alive with gold and sound.The long tables shimmered beneath candlelight, their polished wood covered in silver platters and crystal goblets. The air smelled of roasted meat, honeyed wine, and warm bread. Laughter rippled across the room in soft waves, rising from nobles dressed in silks brighter than the jewels around their throats.And at the far end, on the raised dais, he sat.King Kael.His gaze found me the instant I entered.I felt it before I even looked up, like a touch across my skin that burned hotter than the torches lining the walls. My steps faltered for just a heartbeat, but I forced myself forward. Every sound around me seemed to fade until all that was left was the slow rhythm of his stare following me through the crowd.I wore the red gown he’d chosen.It clung to my body like liquid flame, the silk whispering against my legs as I walked. The neckline dipped lower than I would have dared before. My hair was pinned up with g

Chapter Sixty-SixLiana’s POVThe feast ended hours ago.The music had faded, the laughter gone. The candles had burned low, their flames trembling against the walls like they were afraid of the dark.I sat alone in my chambers, still wearing the red gown. The silk was wrinkled now, the hem stained faintly with wine where someone had brushed past me. My hair had fallen loose from its pins. My lips still felt dry from where I’d bitten them to keep from speaking.The silence was heavy.It filled every corner of the room, thick and sharp, pressing against my chest. I could still hear the echo of his voice the way he said my name before the court, the way he leaned close enough for only me to hear his words.He had done it again.Without touching me beyond what was seen, without a single threat, he had made me yield in front of them all.I hated how easily he did it. I hated that part of me that wanted him to.My reflection in the mirror looked like someone else someone I didn’t trust. My

Chapter Sixty-EightLiana’s POVThe hall was already full when I walked in.Every face turned toward me. Every whisper carried my name. The air was heavy with perfume and curiosity, the kind that stuck to skin like heat. My heart wouldn’t slow down, not even when I forced my chin up.Kael sat at the centre of the throne room, a dark figure on gold. His hand rested on the armrest, fingers still, eyes colder than stone.The moment his gaze found me, the noise in the room faded.I wanted to look away, but couldn’t.The silk of my gown felt too thin. The neckline is too deep. The jewels he made me wear caught the light with every step, drawing eyes to the curve of my chest. It was his doing. Every part of it.When I stopped before him, I lowered my head just enough to show respect. My voice came out soft, almost breaking.“My king.”His reply was quiet, but it carried across the room.“Lift your head.”I did.The tension between us was sharp enough to cut through the silence. I could feel