Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 91 - Chapitre 97

"Mom! You're back from your trip so soon?" Alice called as we all entered the palace after the banquet. Before Damien could finish shutting the door, his mother swept past him and Alice and made straight for me. She grabbed my hands warmly. "Ah, sweetie, you're back! I missed you so much!" Damien's mother—who once hated me—now treated me like a beloved princess. Was she alright? She gestured proudly at a mountain of bags piled on the table. "Come here. See these, I brought you all these gifts from abroad—see if you like them." I blinked. "These are all for me?" "Yes." Damien looked horrified. "Mom, you're spending too much." She snapped around and smacked his arm."Shut up! I spent my own money—can't I buy my daughter-in-law a few gifts?" Damien looked truly betrayed. "Mom! I'm your son." I tried not to laugh. Alice stepped forward sheepishly. "I'm sorry for before, Billie. Because of Elaine I did a lot of stupid and over-the-top things to you." It wasn't in my nature to

His Majesty and I were wandering the imperial garden— a sanctuary of moon-soaked jade tiles and night-blooming plum blossoms. The pale lantern light flickered against his black hair, softening the sharpness of his jaw. We strolled side by side, never touching, yet every inch between us felt charged. The cicadas sang, and the koi pond reflected us like a painting— two figures destined to cross paths, tangled in something delicate and terrifying. We had always been childhood friends. In the palace, that meant sword lessons, scrolls under willow trees, and stolen steamed buns in the kitchens when tutors weren't looking. But tonight felt different. His robes brushed mine—just barely—and the warmth lingered on my skin. He looked at me, truly looked, as though I were more precious than gold or jade or the throne itself. I wanted— so badly— to confess that I admired him beyond reason. That my heart had long chosen him, no matter the wars or duty waiting for me outside these walls. I pa

"Mr and Mrs Masterson, fancy meeting you here," Bosley said, smug as sin, his eyes lingering on Billie a moment too long. I felt Billie relax at my side. Her thoughts snapped: 'It's no coincidence. He's here to cause trouble along with Elaine.' Of course he was. "I heard your grandmother was sick. Shame there's some great items here tonight— I bet you'd want them a lot," Bosley said. "I'll make sure to snatch everything away." Billie crossed her arms, chin raised like she was about to declare war on him. "You think you can compete with my husband? How foolish. Compared to him you're just a firefly trying to outshine the moon." My brows rose. Am I that great in her eyes, huh? Damn my natural charm. She wasn't done. "You're barely worth mentioning," she hissed. "You—" Bosley sputtered. "You what? You're despicable," Billie snapped. "Back in the day I would have dragged you out and thrown you into an oven for punishment." Alice's eyes flew wide. Elaine quickly stepped forward

I walked back into the shared room defeated. My pride had packed its bags and left me a few minutes ago. "Weren't you sleeping in another room? Why're you back so soon?" Damien asked, eyes glued to his book like he wasn't the reason my peace fled the empire. I narrowed my eyes. "Did a thief break into the bedchambers?! Why did all the other beds in the palace disappear?" I huffed. He barely reacted. "Maybe grandma did that." Of course. That crafty old matriarch. She wanted heirs — tiny soldiers crawling around soon. But I never thought she would be this tactically ruthless. I truly underestimated the political warfare of this dynasty. I had no choice. My soldiers... my reinforcements... my spare bedding... slain. I wrapped myself aggressively in the quilt and laid at the very edge of the bed, fortifying my border. There'd be no invasion tonight. "We've slept together before. Is doing that really necessary?" Damien asked. "Turn off the lanterns. I want to sleep now," I ordered.