All Chapters of The Crown Prince's Lost Beloved: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Meanwhile, in Northania, the harsh wind cut across faces like knives.When Arissa lifted the curtain of the carriage, she saw a vast stretch of snowy terrain before her.The accompanying Southbern envoy whispered, "Miss, the Northanian court lies ahead. King Lucian of Northania led his troops to greet you at the city gate."The carriage came to a slow halt.Arissa took a deep breath, put on her thick veil, and stepped out with the help of her female attendant.The wind and snow struck her face. She narrowed her eyes and saw a dark mass of figures standing at the city gate, one hundred paces away.The man at the front was tall and wore a black wolf fur coat. In the snow, he looked like a sharp‑edged sword ready to be drawn. That was King Lucian Vane of Northania. Rumors claimed he was extremely cruel and had once stripped the skin off a traitor and hung it on the city gate.Arissa straightened her back and walked forward.As the distance shortened, Lucian’s outline became cleare

Nicola led him toward the bed. "Your Highness, you have been exhausted for the whole day. Let me tend to your bath."Louis allowed her to undress him, yet in his mind, he saw Arissa bandaging his wound. At that time, her fingers had been slightly cold, and her movements had been gentle, afraid of hurting him."Your Highness?" Nicola bit his shoulder in displeasure. "What are you thinking about?"Louis came to his senses and pressed her down on the bed. "Nothing."He pulled open her dress roughly, yet he somehow called Arissa’s name when he entered her.Nicola froze. "Your Highness, what did you call me?"Louis realized he had misspoken and did not reply. He finished hastily, got up, and went to the study, ignoring Nicola’s pleas for him to stay.Under the candlelight, Louis took out a brocade box from inside his coat. Inside was a pearl hairpin with a small lily carved on the tip. It was Arissa’s favorite flower. He had planned to give it to her as soon as he returned."Tomorro

Nicola paced in the garden of the Crown Prince's residence, her face grim. She had carried the baby for five months, yet Louis refused to look at it."Wench! It was all because of that wench!" She grabbed the teacup on the table and smashed it on the ground. Shards scattered everywhere.The attendant beside her trembled and stuttered, "Your Ladyship, please calm down. Mind your health...""Go away!" Nicola slapped her across the face. The maid's face turned red and swollen. "I did not need your lecturing."The maid covered her face and fell to the ground, too scared to speak.Nicola grew angrier. She stood abruptly, slipped, and fell. Her belly slammed against the stone steps, and sharp pain washed over her."Baby... My baby..." Her face turned pale as she clutched her stomach. Blood seeped through her dress and stained the floor.The maids panicked and tried to help her, yet she pushed them away. "Go away! Summon the imperial physician! Go get His Highness!"When Louis arrived

"Your Majesty." Arissa grabbed his arm. "If you punish Althair because of me, it will only make the citizens of Northania more hostile toward me. How about letting me handle it myself?"Lucian gazed at her for a long moment before sweeping her into his arms. "You were always stubborn." He placed her on the bed and knelt on one knee as he removed her shoes and socks. "Let me see your feet."Several red, swollen spots marked Arissa's tender soles. She seemed to have practiced walking across the fire altar in secret.Lucian frowned and retrieved ointment. He applied it gently. "You did not have to force yourself so much.""I must prove that I am worthy to be queen of Northania." Arissa looked at his focused expression, and warmth spread through her. "Just like how I proved I was worthy of standing by the Crown Prince's side back then."Lucian paused at the mention of Louis. "Do you still think of him?"Arissa shook her head. "No. It was out of habit. I always try to prove something,

The next morning, the trade negotiations were held on the prairie outside the royal court. Arissa wore the regal attire of Northania’s queen, and her golden headpiece gleamed in the sunlight. She held Lucian's arm and walked toward the negotiation tent.Louis waited there already. His black silk outfit made him look slimmer. When he saw how close Arissa and Lucian were, agony flickered in his eyes, yet he regained composure quickly."Your Majesty." He nodded slightly, though his gaze stayed on Arissa. "Arissa... Your Majesty."Arissa remained calm. "Crown Prince Louis, you came all this way. You have been through a lot."The negotiation proceeded smoothly. Louis agreed to almost all of Lucian's conditions.At noon, everyone moved to the banquet area on the prairie for lunch."May I speak to you in private, Your Majesty?" Louis asked Arissa. His eyes showed a pleading look. "Consider it a farewell."Lucian frowned and prepared to decline, yet Arissa placed her hand gently on his.