Chapter 23
My breath catches in my throat. My heart stops and drops to my feet. Seriously? Is this why Cassandra asked me out? So that she can show me her relationship with Ethan using actions?
Well, I guess at least I’m right, it is easier to get information out from Cassandra than Ethan.
She sees me, and she immediately gives me a victorious and taunting smile. Just then, Ethan moves.
His back is to me, but his hands grasp firmer on Cassandra’s waist-
I swear if he dares to get any closer to her, I’m heading home tonight!
-In one swift movement, however, Ethan peels Cassandra off from him. She doesn’t want to let go, but isn’t strong enough to fight against Ethan. As a result, she almost loses her balance but manages to catch herself before she falls.
“Don’t do that again and now stand up straight! What happens to your posture?” he admonishes her. His tone isn’t angry, but there’s a hint of annoyance, like an adult chiding a child for engaging in some innocuous yet irksome
mischief.
I bite my lip to keep from smiling. That’s not how a fiancé usually acts with the one they love-at least, not by normal standards. But then, nothing about him seems normal.
Although it isn’t enough to clarify everything, it is enough for me to confirm that Cassandra seems to have one version of a story and Ethan has another.
“Ugh, fine,” Cassandra says, huffing as she dusts her dress off, not that she had actually fallen.
“Oh! Ariella, you’re here. Didn’t see you there!” She finally greets me, as if she had just seen me.
Ethan turns around. His eyes sweep over my form, and then he frowns but says nothing.
Cassandra pulls on Ethan. “Doesn’t Ariella look nice in that dress? Tell her.”
Ethan looks at me again.
“It doesn’t suit you,” he says stiffly.
I blink, and glance down at the dress again. What could be wrong with it? Is it the color?
He adds, “It’s too tight.”
“What are you talking about?” Cassandra rolls her eyes. “That’s my dress. If it’s good enough for me, it’s good enough for her.”
11:27 Tue, 23 Jul u o
Chapter 21
“You two don’t have the same styles,” he says to Cassandra and then turns to me, “Get some new clothing that fits
you.”
“What about me?” Cassandra asks, “I would like some tool”
“Don’t you have enough?” he asks her back. Before Cassandra can say anything else, Ethan continues, “I am leaving this morning and won’t be back for two days. You girls have fun. Cassandra, stay out of trouble.”
She pouts, “Not fair. I didn’t do anything!”
He ignores her complaint and turns to his heels.
“Safe travels, your Majesty,” I bow to him lightly before Cassandra links her arm in mine and starts to pull me away.
Before I know it, we are in the car, and then on the road arld then in a small town not far away from the royal palace.
The streets are bustling, alive with the hum of activity as shops of every kind line both sides. Artisans display their crafts with pride, while merchants hawk their wares loudly, each trying to outdo the other’s call.
The scents of fresh bread, spices, and leather mingles in the air. I can feel my already hungry stomach starts to rumble.
Before I was saved by my brothers, I had lived in this country for five years, however, I had never once seen a town so lively and beautiful.
Marcus’s territory is more rural. Even at the heart of the pack center on its busiest days, it has at most one tenth of the traffic compared to here.
Just by watching the smiles and seeing the energy from the people around, I can imagine myself living here, coming into town every Sunday for some hot coffee and fresh bakeries.
An upside if I accepted Ethan’s proposal.
“I’m glad you accepted my invitation,” Cassandra says after a long ride in silence. The car stops and the guards open the door for us.
“Mete
“Me too,” I say, and this time, my words are sincere. It feels like ages since I’ve ventured beyond the walls of royal palaces, both in Crystal River and in Everstone, allowing myself to simply relax and savor life like any ordinary citizen.
Gazing at the charming buildings ahead, draped in climbing vines and adorned with vibrant blooms, I can’t help but admire them. “This café is absolutely beautiful.”
“Just wait until you taste their almond cakes,” she giggles and loops her arm around mine, “One bite and you’ll
2/4
are being watched. The ones munte recognized Cassandra
shaway princess that King Ethan is watching over for two weeks.”
saving about
“”)
apparently” someone else whispers back heard she’s from Alpha Marcus’s Pack. I heard Alpha found her but the abandoned him. And now she’s trying to lay her hands on King Ethan?”
andhur says. “But die you think our princess is safe with her?”
bearing These people know nothing about me and are making such wid accusation
shether she heard
she heard all that or not, if she did, she doesn’t seem to care too
inger in my ears and mind and the fury almond cake is served
i
g. The cake to die for finish my last bite, still feeling a bit hungry. Pregnancy gives me a sweet
ere is just as delightful ve 1 Frequently find myself eyeing Cassandra’s cup of coffee with my. The aroma of the roasted beans is so enticing, and resisting it is so hard.
enging for the baby Don’t be tempted
by do you keep Dancing at me like that” she asks
my from her coffee and force myself to look at her eyes. “Um, um, I just want to thank you for asking outagen. This is quite fun-and delicious”
Sapo Ethan is right. Deep down, Cassandra isn’t a bad person. Just a bit spoiled. She is trying at least, and I’m
I
Be honest, it is more fun than i thought too. You can be a good companion, I guess,” she grins, sipping her cup. mes in the older Cafe in the capital. My mom used to bring me here before she-Cassandra pauses and Sirown, “beyway we should make this a regular thing a royal princesses weekly coffee date. What do you
tags we should. This has been &
app
words cation in my mouth. A sudden spell of dizziness overtakes me Could it be the baby again? No…this feels
Chapter 23
04, 23 JUI
“Ariella, are you okay?”
Cassandra quickly gets up and
rushes to my side.
+61%
“I don’t…know…I just feel light-headed…all of a sudden.”
“Come on, let’s get you outside for some fresh air. There’s a fountain at the back with some fresh spring water.”
I am in no position to resist her, so I allow her to lead me outside behind the cafe. The world around me begins to shift and shimmer as I am placed gently in front of a fountain of freezing water.
I splash my face and drink but it does nothing.
“Wait here,” Cassandra says, “I’ll go get help!”
“Cassandra,” I croak, something is wrong, “I think we should head back to the palace…”
But she’s already gone.
Suddenly, strong arms grab me and lift me into the air before I can finish. I panick and try to scream and kick but my body doesn’t obey me. Everything is numb. I can barely move my lips.
A black bag goes over my head and plunges my world into darkness.
And then…
Nothing.
Chapter 23
My breath catches in my throat. My heart stops and drops to my feet. Seriously? Is this why Cassandra asked me out? So that she can show me her relationship with Ethan using actions?
Well, I guess at least I’m right, it is easier to get information out from Cassandra than Ethan.
She sees me, and she immediately gives me a victorious and taunting smile. Just then, Ethan moves.
His back is to me, but his hands grasp firmer on Cassandra’s waist-
I swear if he dares to get any closer to her, I’m heading home tonight!
-In one swift movement, however, Ethan peels Cassandra off from him. She doesn’t want to let go, but isn’t strong enough to fight against Ethan. As a result, she almost loses her balance but manages to catch herself before she falls.
“Don’t do that again and now stand up straight! What happens to your posture?” he admonishes her. His tone isn’t angry, but there’s a hint of annoyance, like an adult chiding a child for engaging in some innocuous yet irksome
mischief.
I bite my lip to keep from smiling. That’s not how a fiancé usually acts with the one they love-at least, not by normal standards. But then, nothing about him seems normal.
Although it isn’t enough to clarify everything, it is enough for me to confirm that Cassandra seems to have one version of a story and Ethan has another.
“Ugh, fine,” Cassandra says, huffing as she dusts her dress off, not that she had actually fallen.
“Oh! Ariella, you’re here. Didn’t see you there!” She finally greets me, as if she had just seen me.
Ethan turns around. His eyes sweep over my form, and then he frowns but says nothing.
Cassandra pulls on Ethan. “Doesn’t Ariella look nice in that dress? Tell her.”
Ethan looks at me again.
“It doesn’t suit you,” he says stiffly.
I blink, and glance down at the dress again. What could be wrong with it? Is it the color?
He adds, “It’s too tight.”
“What are you talking about?” Cassandra rolls her eyes. “That’s my dress. If it’s good enough for me, it’s good enough for her.”
11:27 Tue, 23 Jul u o
Chapter 21
“You two don’t have the same styles,” he says to Cassandra and then turns to me, “Get some new clothing that fits
you.”
“What about me?” Cassandra asks, “I would like some tool”
“Don’t you have enough?” he asks her back. Before Cassandra can say anything else, Ethan continues, “I am leaving this morning and won’t be back for two days. You girls have fun. Cassandra, stay out of trouble.”
She pouts, “Not fair. I didn’t do anything!”
He ignores her complaint and turns to his heels.
“Safe travels, your Majesty,” I bow to him lightly before Cassandra links her arm in mine and starts to pull me away.
Before I know it, we are in the car, and then on the road arld then in a small town not far away from the royal palace.
The streets are bustling, alive with the hum of activity as shops of every kind line both sides. Artisans display their crafts with pride, while merchants hawk their wares loudly, each trying to outdo the other’s call.
The scents of fresh bread, spices, and leather mingles in the air. I can feel my already hungry stomach starts to rumble.
Before I was saved by my brothers, I had lived in this country for five years, however, I had never once seen a town so lively and beautiful.
Marcus’s territory is more rural. Even at the heart of the pack center on its busiest days, it has at most one tenth of the traffic compared to here.
Just by watching the smiles and seeing the energy from the people around, I can imagine myself living here, coming into town every Sunday for some hot coffee and fresh bakeries.
An upside if I accepted Ethan’s proposal.
“I’m glad you accepted my invitation,” Cassandra says after a long ride in silence. The car stops and the guards open the door for us.
“Mete
“Me too,” I say, and this time, my words are sincere. It feels like ages since I’ve ventured beyond the walls of royal palaces, both in Crystal River and in Everstone, allowing myself to simply relax and savor life like any ordinary citizen.
Gazing at the charming buildings ahead, draped in climbing vines and adorned with vibrant blooms, I can’t help but admire them. “This café is absolutely beautiful.”
“Just wait until you taste their almond cakes,” she giggles and loops her arm around mine, “One bite and you’ll
2/4
are being watched. The ones munte recognized Cassandra
shaway princess that King Ethan is watching over for two weeks.”
saving about
“”)
apparently” someone else whispers back heard she’s from Alpha Marcus’s Pack. I heard Alpha found her but the abandoned him. And now she’s trying to lay her hands on King Ethan?”
andhur says. “But die you think our princess is safe with her?”
bearing These people know nothing about me and are making such wid accusation
shether she heard
she heard all that or not, if she did, she doesn’t seem to care too
inger in my ears and mind and the fury almond cake is served
i
g. The cake to die for finish my last bite, still feeling a bit hungry. Pregnancy gives me a sweet
ere is just as delightful ve 1 Frequently find myself eyeing Cassandra’s cup of coffee with my. The aroma of the roasted beans is so enticing, and resisting it is so hard.
enging for the baby Don’t be tempted
by do you keep Dancing at me like that” she asks
my from her coffee and force myself to look at her eyes. “Um, um, I just want to thank you for asking outagen. This is quite fun-and delicious”
Sapo Ethan is right. Deep down, Cassandra isn’t a bad person. Just a bit spoiled. She is trying at least, and I’m
I
Be honest, it is more fun than i thought too. You can be a good companion, I guess,” she grins, sipping her cup. mes in the older Cafe in the capital. My mom used to bring me here before she-Cassandra pauses and Sirown, “beyway we should make this a regular thing a royal princesses weekly coffee date. What do you
tags we should. This has been &
app
words cation in my mouth. A sudden spell of dizziness overtakes me Could it be the baby again? No…this feels
Chapter 23
04, 23 JUI
“Ariella, are you okay?”
Cassandra quickly gets up and
rushes to my side.
+61%
“I don’t…know…I just feel light-headed…all of a sudden.”
“Come on, let’s get you outside for some fresh air. There’s a fountain at the back with some fresh spring water.”
I am in no position to resist her, so I allow her to lead me outside behind the cafe. The world around me begins to shift and shimmer as I am placed gently in front of a fountain of freezing water.
I splash my face and drink but it does nothing.
“Wait here,” Cassandra says, “I’ll go get help!”
“Cassandra,” I croak, something is wrong, “I think we should head back to the palace…”
But she’s already gone.
Suddenly, strong arms grab me and lift me into the air before I can finish. I panick and try to scream and kick but my body doesn’t obey me. Everything is numb. I can barely move my lips.
A black bag goes over my head and plunges my world into darkness.
And then…
Nothing.