We have to keep moving. Here, hold my hand." Caleb reached out and grabbed my hand tightly. We were moving gradually around the corners of the woods to get a better view of the area. I kept counting my steps in my head to keep up. If the dogs were getting close, that meant we were already running out of time. The guard dogs I've seen around the castle were vicious and relentless. The last thing you wanted to be chased by in a field. If we were even seen by one, that would just have to be our luck. My fate of being taken in was also consuming me. I imagined myself being brought into the castle in handcuffs, while my Aunt Celine laughed in the corner. Seeing both of my parents in disgust, wanting to reach for my throat and giving me away right on the spot. They wouldn't hesitate to cut off all access and put me in captivity on the moon. The Forbidden Princess is created by Lucia Monay, an eGlobal Creative Publishing author."
Three Rings.
All hanging from the balcony, near the first stairs leading into our living area. The amount of rings that are shown all have different meanings. This only meant one thing, and one thing only. None of this was going to end well. The last time all three rings were shown was when my sister died, ten years ago. I was only nine at the time, but still remember how it all went down.
Till this day, her body has never been found. I never managed to get my head around it, but had to force myself to let go and move on. Only thing left was the anonymous report that declared she had drowned in a nearby lake, that was an hour away from here.
Ever since she passed, I've been locked up in this hell hole. With limited access to accommodations only around the castle. I was never allowed back into the outer city for anything and eventually lost all touch with my own self. From going to school in the city to being homeschooled in a hollow castle. My parents never moved past it and continued to find ways to push the blame onto me.
"They're waiting for you in the chamber." Our assistant Kenneth came knocking on my door.
Kenneth was the same one who knocked on my door, ten years ago. At the exact time with the same words. I never forgot the feeling of my mind going into a spiral.
I had to wait till he left my door completely, so I could make my way out to the courtyard. When the coast was clear, I walked towards my own secret backroom. I made it to the courtyard and sat near the garden. This was my way of avoiding whatever was about to happen today. My mind was beginning to spiral and my hands were already sweaty. As I try to lay down and get my mind under control, I hear a voice calling for me.
"Paige!"
"Paige, do you hear me?!"
"You know I don't like doing this."
All I heard was echoing noises that bombarded my eardrums. I was able to pick out a big object coming towards me. As it got closer I recognized it more and more.
It was Kenneth.
"Didn't I tell you they're waiting for you, Paige?"
"Yes, I know. I just stumbled here and lost track of time." I replied.
"They have been waiting for almost an hour. Now get up and start heading inside right now." Kenneth walked off.
I quickly got up and brushed off the grass. There was no way I could've been out for a whole hour? I need to pull myself together and get through this.
I walked back towards my secret courtyard entrance, and went up to my room. I started going through my wardrobe. We had strict dress codes implemented for everything, and I mean everything.
I put on my chiffon-bell sleeve sheath gown, that was the lightest pink your eyes could come across. I slipped into my 190 carat diamond-encrusted heels, which is only one of ten in the entire world. And I wore my solid 24k gold necklace that was a vintage piece gifted to me by my grandma.
I made my way down the stairs that led to the first chamber. We had chambers randomly plastered all over the castle, but this chamber was specifically hidden. One wrong move and you could end up lost forever. They were designed to keep any intruders out or keep them from finding anything resourceful. That was one thing I admired about the details of the castle.
I made two steps into the chamber and immediately had all eyes on me. My father, who is Prince Mickael and my mother, Queen Saless. They both scorned at my arrival and looked away. There was my aunt and a few other relatives in the room as well.
"What caused you to be late?" My father asked with a hostile tone.
"I was just-"
"No need for all of the excuses, take a seat." My father interrupted.
I went up to the seat opposite of my parents and next to my aunt. I couldn't read faces to save my life. I was feeling all types of tension from every corner.
"As three rings are laid out over the balcony today, you all should know there is something serious at hand." My father spoke.
I caught my hands starting to sweat again. I pressed them down as I took deep breaths.
"We need you all to be aware that it isn't anything of a passing, but more so of position." My mother stood up.
Position of what? They put three rings out and called us in to tell us about a new position? My mind was close to spiraling again.
"I know this is going as a shock, but I am not doing so well in my condition." My mother continued speaking.
"Mother, what condition?" I broke out.
"Paige. I know this is new to you...but I haven't been doing so well health wise."
What is this about? My mother is one of the healthiest people I know. We went through one of the worst flu seasons a year ago, and she was one of two that made it out unaffected.
"Why wasn't I made aware and what is the illness mother?" I asked.
"No time for any blame, we have a much heavier task at hand." My father chimed in.
What heavier task would be bigger than this? I felt like the lone wolf in the room, and everyone knew more to the story than I did.
"Paige. Please listen carefully, you have to take this seriously." My mother looked directly at me. "With my health being affected long term, I am unaware of the side effects."
"Are you okay, mother?" I was in complete shock.
"It's nothing in terms of death, but I do need to be under rest and care going forward."
That was a relief. I didn't need another loss anytime soon, and was not up for another challenge.
"But this does mean I need to step down from the throne, permanently." My mother spoke.
Step down from the throne? This wasn't like my mother, she's a fighter not a quitter.
"Who-who's taking the throne, mother?" I questioned hesitantly.
My mother and father both looked at eachother, and looked at me sternly.
No.
I'm not taking the throne.
This wasn't for me and never will be.
"Listen to me, Paige. I know it seems like a lot of work, but we will train you through the whole process." My father stood up.
" You won't need to train or go through any proces...
I won't be taking the throne."
" Don't say anymore word than you already have, don't..." I stuck a finger out at him, sauntering away on my heels when a hand wrapped itself around my arm. Breathlessly he whispered, "You know that I do love you and...fine, what exactly was I supposed to do?" "Protect me and stand up for me. That is what you do for someone who you claim you love!" ************ Out to spite her ex-boyfriend after he had broken up with her on her birthday, Daphne slept with a stranger who turned out to be his uncle while trying to rebuff his words that she was unwanted by others. Was she ready for the wild chase that followed when he found out years later that she had been pregnant with his heirs and that she had been hiding the truth all this while? Faced with the ruthless CEO, known as the beast, who wasn't ready to back down, Daphne does everything possible to make sure her kids wouldn't be taken from her, but what happens when love gets in the mix of it all? Would she be able to conquer these weird feelings and give in her all amidst her scars? And with how deadly he turned out to be? And faced with her ex who still wants her back, what choice is she going to make?
Gabriella Adams is a normal teenager living her life, but obviously there has to be someone who is always in her way, irritating the hell out of her. Hayden King Her mortal enemy But all that is about to change in ways she didn’t expect. ****** "I hate you". He said. "Definitely not as much as I hate you," I countered back with a scoff, pissed. Who the hell does he think he is? "good ". He responded, causing my head to snap back towards him, and before I could put him in his place, I felt the softness of his lips against mine, knocking my breath away.
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
"It was just one night stand, and now I'm pregnant with triplets? Gosh!" Josephine Jade never thought that she would have to run away from her own family while pregnant. She was alone, without money, without connections, with three fetuses in her stomach. How can she survive? However, Josephine couldn't give up now, until she managed to reclaim her arbitrarily seized property and get back at everyone who tried to get rid of her. A sick child, a past crush that comes back, a mysterious eccentric man, and a family that hates her, will weave together the journey of Josephine Jade's new life. "You have no right to separate me from my children, you bastard! I will survive and you will submit to me. Just watch!"
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"