All Chapters of The Heir's Secret Child: A Royal Scandal: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The kiss was wild, fueled by his drunkenness, yet filled with an urgency that sent shockwaves through her. This was Catherine’s first kiss, and when they pulled apart for air, she felt dizzy.He kissed her again, and as his tongue worked its way down her throat, his hand roamed her body, exploring her curves with an eagerness that left her breathless. Before long, they were both undressed.She should have pulled away. Should have said something, anything. But she had always hoped her first time would be special, and no better way to be disvirgined by the boy she really liked since they were kids.So, she responded to his kiss, losing herself in the heat of the moment and letting her longing take over.As their bodies moved together, she felt the tension build, a swirling mix of passion and uncertainty. She wanted to be close to him, to feel every inch of him. She moved her waist up, which only drove him crazy. He grabbed her hands and pinned it above her head. Then, in a slow, sensual

The next day, Catherine woke up tense. She could barely sleep last night. She remembered the note, and her throat tightened. The rumors were now venturing into threats.Elizabeth had asked what was in the envelope, but she had shrugged, lying that it was one of the maids playing a prank on her. She didn’t want her mother to feel more worried about her than she already was.Could it actually be a prank? She thought to herself as she entered the palace to start her shift. Every glance at her seemed loaded. Could it be her? Could it be him? Catherine was starting to become paranoid.The palace itself felt changed. There was a new curfew in place, posted quietly on the wooden notice boards along the hallway in the staff quarters. New schedules slipped into kitchen tables, instructions whispered by supervisors.Each message was the same: Staff were to avoid royal corridors after dark, keep interactions brief, and “hold themselves to the highest standards.” There had been no grand announcem

Catherine jolted awake, her heart pounding in the twilight stillness. She moved quietly, careful not to wake her mother, and slipped into the corridor where the first rays of dawn slipped through the frosted glass.She found Isla already preparing tea in the pantry, hands deft, but her eyes were swollen with lack of sleep. “Cathy, I thought you’d never come out.” Her voice was hushed, urgent. “Did you do what I said with the earring?”Catherine shivered, clutching her own arms. “It’s hidden for now. Isla, what if they search everyone? If they find it—”Isla pressed a reassuring hand over hers. “They won’t, Cathy. I’ll help you think this through. We keep our heads. No one knows but you, me… and whoever put it in your bag.”Catherine forced a tight nod. Then, Isla’s gaze drifted past her, to the kitchen’s far corner. Mr. Alden, the King's junior royal secretary, loitered there, charming a row of maids with clever smiles and low jokes. Catherine saw the glimmer in her friend’s eyes and

Just before sunrise the following day, Isla sat on her bed, holding the envelope that Alden had given her. She still hadn’t decided if she would accept it or not. Her fingers traced the wax seal as her mind swirled.Trust, discretion, opportunity. But what would she be giving up?As she kept pondering her next move, she watched as staff passed her window in twos and threes, listening to their chatter and laughter, each one getting ready for the day.A knock at her door startled her. She hurriedly slid the envelope into the drawer beside her bed just as Catherine poked her head in, her eyes tired. “Hey, Isla, are you up?”Isla nodded, motioning her in. “Sure. You’re up early,” she forced a smile.“I couldn’t sleep last night,” Catherine said, as she sat on the bed, her voice soft and fragile. “Can I talk to you?”“Of course. Is everything okay?”“I’m scared,” Catherine whispered. “I think people are starting to notice, you know, with the morning sickness and all.”Isla reached for her

Eldoria’s palace had always been grand, but with Princess Katarina’s diplomatic visit, it now seemed to hold its breath. The morning sun rays broke across the polished stone in the halls, sharpening every angle. Staff spoke in lower voices, their footsteps echoing more sharply.Catherine dressed with quiet precision, her hands unsteady as she fastened her uniform’s buttons. Her new assignment meant she floated through the day on a schedule set by her new supervisor. She could either be cleaning and tidying the royal suite or assisting in the Prince’s schedule for each day.She tied her apron and instinctively pressed her hand to her stomach, and whispered, “Let’s be quiet today, please.”As Catherine passed through the main hall, she nearly collided with Isla who was rounding the corner, breathless with a silver tray brimming with fruit.“Isla?” Catherine's eyes grew wide with surprise.Isla steadied her grip on the tray, glancing around before smiling. “Caught!”“W… what are you doin