All Chapters of Born of secrets, loved by a King: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

‎ ‎Albert POV ‎ ‎The Castle of Eldoria stood on a hill overlooking the capital, its silver-tipped towers visible from almost anywhere in the city. ‎ ‎From a distance, it looked like something from an old fairy tale. ‎ ‎Up close, it was impossible to ignore what it truly represented. ‎ ‎Power. ‎ ‎For generations, kings and queens had ruled from these halls. Every stone, every painting, every carefully preserved tradition served as a reminder of the Hayden family's legacy. ‎ ‎Inside, history blended seamlessly with modern luxury. Crystal chandeliers hung above polished marble floors. Priceless artwork shared wall space with cutting-edge technology. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked acres of royal gardens that stretched farther than the eye could see. ‎ ‎Most people found the palace breathtaking. ‎ ‎I stopped noticing years ago. ‎ ‎An attendant adjusted the sleeve of my jacket while another straightened my tie. ‎ ‎"Your Highness, the guests have begun arriving." ‎

Albert POV The grand ballroom of Eldoria Castle pulsed with noise. Crystal glasses clinked. Laughter drifted beneath the orchestra. Diamonds flashed beneath the chandeliers like scattered stars, competing with the gold woven into the walls themselves. Everywhere I looked, power moved in expensive fabric. Presidents and oil tycoons stood shoulder to shoulder with royal families. Men who had destroyed countries with signatures drank beside women worth more than entire governments. And every single one of them had come for one man. My grandfather. King Theodore. Some owed him favors. Others owed him their lives. A few probably owed him both. The hall itself was enormous, built to host thousands comfortably, yet even it struggled to contain the sea of wealth gathered beneath one roof. Eventually, the royal staff had no choice but to tighten restrictions. Only guests with assets worth a minimum of one billion dollars were permitted to remain inside the main hall.

Thankfully, the tension from earlier slowly faded as the royal banquet continued. The orchestra began to play once more, soft elegant music filling the grand ballroom. Laughter gradually returned, blending with the clinking of wine glasses and cheerful conversations. Servants moved gracefully through the hall carrying silver trays filled with roasted meats, sparkling drinks, sweet pastries, exotic fruits, and towering cakes decorated with gold details for the king's birthday celebration. Soon, the ballroom came alive again. Young noblemen invited ladies to dance while elegant gowns swirled beautifully across the polished marble floor. Crystal chandeliers reflected warm golden lights around the room, making everything feel almost magical. Even King Theodore eventually relaxed in his seat, though his sharp eyes still occasionally drifted toward Damien's table. Prince Albert remained calm beside him, politely speaking with ministers and foreign guests whenever approached. Desp

Albert remained motionless long after Erin left the room. The silence inside his chambers felt heavier than before. Slowly, I leaned back against his chair and loosened the collar of my shirt, exhaustion finally catching up to me as my gaze drifted toward the empty doorway where Erin had disappeared moments ago. Then unconsciously… my eyes moved toward the folded silk blanket resting at the edge of the bed. A memory surfaced instantly. A much younger me sat beneath a tree in the royal garden, no older than ten, while my mother adjusted my tiny crown with gentle fingers. "You know," the late queen said softly, "one day many people will love your title." Little Albert frowned. "Because I'll be king?" She smiled sadly. "Yes. But the right woman…" She tapped his chest gently. "Will love the man before the crown." The memory vanished as quickly as it came. I lowered my eyes quietly. For the first time since Erin mentioned the idea… I considered it seriously. T

At the far end of the corridor, Princess Erin walked gracefully toward the private chambers of the former queen. The soft rustle of her silk gown echoed gently behind her. The moment the palace staff noticed me approach, they immediately bowed their heads. "Your Highness." Two young court ladies hurried forward to open the towering double doors ahead of me while the royal announcer struck his golden staff firmly against the floor. "Her Royal Highness, Princess Erin of Eldoria!" The doors slowly opened. Warm sunlight poured into the hallway from the grand windows inside, carrying with it the delicate scent of jasmine tea and fresh roses. The chamber of queen mother Charlotte looked less like a room and more like a preserved piece of history. Ancient portraits of former rulers decorated the walls while expensive silk curtains swayed gently in the afternoon breeze. Several elderly court ladies sat nearby embroidering fabrics and whispering softly among themselves until