All Chapters of Royal Trouble: A Naughty Prince Meets His Match : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The morning sun spilled through the royal dining hall, casting warm light across the polished mahogany table. Queen Margarette sat at the head, fingers delicately cradling a porcelain teacup as steam curled into the air. Ariel sat opposite her, posture straight, her expression carefully neutral. But beside her, Vicky, Charlotte, and Becky were far less composed. They were busy stealing glances at one another, nudging elbows and whispering little jokes that kept their shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. Carl, as usual, was nowhere to be seen. He was still upstairs—likely pretending to be asleep, or brooding dramatically over something only he would consider important. Margarette cleared her throat. The sound carried that quiet but firm authority that could silence a room without raising her voice. “Ariel, darling, I spoke with your mother this morning,” she began smoothly. Ariel raised one brow, suspicion already prickling her chest. She knew this tone—it was the tone of

Steam fogged the bathroom mirror as Ariel ran her fingers through her damp hair. The shower had done little to calm the storm inside her chest. No matter how hard she tried to scrub away the memory, Carl’s smirk at dinner kept replaying in her mind, along with the sound of his laughter echoing across the candlelit table.She groaned softly, tugging at the towel around her shoulders. Why does he get under my skin like this? One second, she wanted to throw her fork at him, the next… her heart betrayed her with wild beats she couldn’t control.Downstairs, life moved on without her.---In the Sitting RoomKing Zubrel entered the sitting room where Carl was lounging comfortably on one of the velvet chairs. The older man’s steps were steady and regal, but his eyes softened when he saw the young prince waiting.“Oh, my boy,” Zubrel greeted warmly, lowering himself into the armchair opposite Carl. “What brings you here at this hour?”Carl straightened slightly, hiding the nervous energy thr

The palace hall glowed with golden light, its towering chandeliers dripping with crystal and reflecting on the polished marble floors. Laughter and chatter hummed through the air as nobles in shimmering gowns and velvet coats mingled with goblets of wine in hand. Tonight, Queen Isabella had organized a banquet for visiting dignitaries from Valoria and Bellcaster. Ariel stood stiffly by the staircase in her silver gown, clutching her fan like it was a weapon. Her chest felt tight under the weight of so many curious eyes. She wished she could vanish into the curtains. Carl, of course, was in his element—moving from guest to guest with practiced ease, his smile flashing, his laugh ringing too loudly, his charm filling the room like a storm he owned. He looked maddeningly comfortable, even as he stole glances at her every other moment. “Stop staring at him,” Vicky whispered, appearing at Ariel’s side like a mischievous spirit. She leaned close, her grin wicked. “Your eyes are practic

The palace was still bubbling inside that evening, its towering walls bathed in silver moonlight. Most of the servants are busy with the great ceremony that is happening, and only the faint sound of guards’ footsteps echoed along the corridors. And Adrian, freshly returned from years abroad, found himself pacing near the side gardens. His heart thudded faster than usual—tonight, he would see her.Charlotte.He had promised himself he would not risk it so soon after his return, but the longing inside him refused to wait. The moment he set foot in Valoria again, he knew he needed to see her—not as Ariels best friend that everyone knew, but as the woman who had held his heart in her hands long before he ever left.When the shadow of a cloaked figure slipped from one of the palace doors, Adrian’s lips curved into a smile. He didn’t need to see her face to know who it was.“Charlotte,” he whispered.She stopped, lowered her hood, and the moonlight revealed her bright, nervous eyes. “Adri

At Eldoria Palace, the day had come alive with colors, sounds, and joy. Bands played with booming drums that rattled the very marble floors, trumpets blared sharp notes into the sky, and dancers spun in perfect rhythm. The palace gates opened wide, and when Princess Ariel stepped out of the royal car in her glowing bridal attire, the cheers were deafening. The crowd erupted—men, women, children, nobles, even travelers who had sneaked in—all clapping and shouting her name. Flower petals rained down on her, carried by the wind, while camera flashes sparked like tiny stars in broad daylight. Ariel walked gracefully, her gown shimmering with every step. Gentle noise rose into thunder. “Long live Princess Ariel! Long live Prince Carl!” echoed from every corner. But inside the hall, not everyone was cheering. A man standing far too close to Carl sighed dramatically, muttering under his breath, “Ah, how I wish she were mine.” Carl turned slowly, his sharp jaw tightening, his gaze lik