With my heart racing, I threw myself into the midst of the enemy, my heart racing as my sword advanced without mercy. I only had one goal: to get to him. In the midst of that fight I found him, he was fighting for his life, and when I saw someone advancing towards him, I ran and threw myself in front of him, feeling the blade pierce my belly, it burned. My mouth filled with blood, but I didn't care, I would save him, even if I had to sacrifice my life.
Here I am, sitting, waiting for my long-awaited future husband, the Prince of the South. I am restless, swinging my leg awkwardly, a clear sign of my impatience. I carefully observe the hall as I literally wait for my charming prince.
I am a person with a strong personality, my parents know that well. In appearance, I am of medium height, 1.60 m, I have light brown, very curly hair, fair skin, and a pair of blue eyes that enchant those who look at me - at least that's what they say. I got that from my father. He is tall, 1.89 m, and despite his age, he is still strong; you can tell by his muscles. He has short brown hair, broad shoulders, and his face is always serious, but he can't resist when I make a joke for him. I love his smile.
My mother has brown eyes, black curly hair, fair skin, and is quite slim. She has an imposing posture, as a queen should, of course, and as she expected me to have.
***
Before the prince arrives...
"What do you think of this one?" my mother asks.
"Do I really have to do this?" I ask.
"Of course, Kiara! The prince is coming especially to meet you. You must look presentable as a true princess and heir to the kingdom of the North," she says, coming towards me with a beautiful blue dress. I have to admit, it's gorgeous and enhances the color of my eyes.
This whole marriage thing gave me chills. Anyone would want to live with the person before getting married, but not in my case, and that was frustrating.
The Kingdom of the North is beautiful, surrounded by mountains and valleys, with several rivers and forests. It's a land rich in hunting and fishing. Our castle is on a hillside, and I can see the sea in the distance. I know I'm very lucky to have this exuberant nature around me.
"Kiara! Kiara!!" I snap out of my daydreams with my mother calling me. She sits beside me on the bed, and I know a speech is coming.
"I know this isn't what you wanted, my dear. I also know you love your freedom, but it's for the good of the kingdom. We need allies, and when they are also family, the bonds are stronger."
I can't question what she said. I know she's right, but even so, I feel sad about this situation. It would be so good if people thought less about themselves and more about others.
"You might like him," she says, smiling. "I heard he's quite handsome," she adds, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
"Handsome! Sure!"
If he were really handsome, he wouldn't be single at 28. Around here, it's very common to arrange suitors for children when they are still young. Usually, this union happens as soon as both reach adulthood, but, thank God, my father didn't follow that ridiculous custom.
I finish getting dressed and head down to the throne room. I loved this room. It was very spacious, with large windows and golden decorations. The thrones were simple, but somehow conveyed great majesty.
Back to where we started.
"Dear, is everything all right?" my father asks, looking at me.
"Of course, Dad, just... let's say, apprehensive."
He gives me a small smile when he hears me. I'm sure he knows what I mean.
"Be careful, Kiara. You may fall into your own trap," he says with a sideways smile. Dad knew me like no one else. I dare say even more than my mother.
I look at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Dad. I'm waiting patiently, as Mom asked," I say, looking into his eyes. He was about to answer, but at that moment, a guard approaches to announce our guests.
"Your Majesty! I now announce the arrival of the heir prince of the South, His Royal Highness, Prince Lien."
As he finishes speaking, a man enters, whose face I can't see from a distance, and my curiosity consumes me. He approaches with smooth, unhurried steps, making my curiosity grow even more. As he gets closer, I can see that he is tall, about 1.90 m, with broad and strong shoulders. When he reaches the throne, he makes a small bow and says:
"Your Majesty, it is a pleasure to meet you," he says, raising his head and looking directly at my father. Then, I can finally see his face, which is breathtaking. He has black, straight hair. His face is masculine, with a well-sculpted jaw, dark brown eyes that seem almost black, thin lips with a certain charm, and his voice is powerful, strong, just like him. During all the time I was analyzing him, he did not take his eyes off my father.
"Imagine, Prince Lien. It is we who have the great pleasure of receiving you. Your presence was much anticipated," says my father.
"Thank you, King Elrick."
"Let me introduce you to my wife, Queen Ismenia," says my father, pointing to my mother, who gives a small bow.
"Your Majesty," says Lien, bowing.
"And this is my daughter, Princess Kiara, heir to the Kingdom of the North."
When my father introduces me, I see his gaze shift toward me, and I give a small bow. When I raise my head, I notice that he's looking at me intensely, until my father catches his attention.
"I believe the prince would like to rest after this tiring journey. My trusted servant will show you to your quarters. I know those accompanying you must be tired as well."
"Indeed, King Elrick, I appreciate your hospitality."
At that moment, Vitor signals for the prince to follow him. He turns and leaves our presence, accompanied by other members of his entourage.
Finally free, I couldn't wait to take off this dress and return to my secret activities. I get up and start leaving until my mother stops me.
"Wait, Kiara," she says, coming towards me. I stop and turn to face her, already imagining the lecture she would give me.
"I've already done what I needed to, Mom. Now I plan to take a walk."
"You should stay here; after all, the prince may ask for your presence," she says, looking at me seriously.
"Sorry, Mom, but I won't stay. The prince has my father to keep him company, and, besides, I bet I wouldn't enjoy their conversation. Isn't that right, Dad?" I say, looking at my father, who is watching our conversation.
"That depends, dear, but we need to have that conversation sooner or later," he says, approaching.
"I'd rather it be later," I say sarcastically.
"All right, just don't go too far, and don't be late. I want you at the table for dinner," says my father, kissing my forehead.
"I'll be here on time. Thanks, Dad," I say, smiling, and head toward my room. It's time for a little action in my life.
I enter my room, go to the wardrobe, take out the small hidden bag, pick a simple dress, and leave in a hurry.
"Where are you going in such a rush, girl?" says the cook. I pass by and kiss her.
"I'm going for freedom, Nana! Freedom!"
I rush out, grabbing an apple from the table. I head to the stable to get Lightning. He's a beautiful black horse, as fast as lightning.
"Hey, boy, did you miss me?" I say, stroking Lightning. "How about a ride?"
He neighs as if approving the idea. Quickly, I put on his saddle, mount up, and we dash off. Along the way, I meet several people working at the castle who greet me. I've always been the type of person who likes to be among the crowd. After all, how can I help them if I don't know their reality? The burden of being royalty has always been on my shoulders, and my father always taught me that the people who live here are my people, and I must do everything I can to give them a dignified life.
I enter the forest, looking for a place to change. For what I'm about to do, I can't be in a dress. I find a secluded spot, quickly change clothes: pants, a blouse, and a vest, swapping my slippers for boots, and finally a hood that only leaves my eyes visible. This has been my journey for years, and I never tire of it. I mount Lightning again and ride a little further, dismounting when I reach my destination: the soldiers' training field. Yes, I did some crazy things sometimes, and training with the soldiers was one of them.
I tie Lightning to a tree a safe distance from the training area and walk briskly toward it.
A sudden twist of fate connected Helena to a prominent and influential person. To onlookers, she appeared as a naive bimbo. In truth, she was a top-tier specialist, shrouded in layers of hidden identities. Charlie declared, “She’s quite delicate and easily hurt. Cross her, and you’re crossing me.” The elite families, outwitted by Helena's prowess, kept these truths from him. Helena eventually broke free from Charlie, sending him on a frenzied worldwide hunt. To him, she was a bird with dazzling wings, and his goal was to help her reach new heights.
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?
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Marriage was a bed of thorns for Stella. She lived like an overworked and unhappy slave for six years in her matrimonial home. One day, her uncaring husband, Waylon said to her, "Ayla will be back soon. You have to move out tomorrow." "I want a divorce," responded Stella. She left without shedding a tear or trying to change Waylon's stone-cold heart. Days after their divorce, they met again. Stella was in the arms of another man. Waylon's blood boiled at the sight of her looking so happy. "So, you couldn't even wait a while before jumping into another man's arms?" he queried distastefully. "And who are you to question my decision? It's my life, so I call the shots. Stay out of my business!" Stella fired at him before turning to look at her new man with shiny eyes. Waylon immediately lost it.
I'm a Luna. After three years of marriage to Alpha Nathaniel Blackwood, I'm finally pregnant with his pup. But he's unclaimed me for his first love. I'm leaving the pack with this secret, praying he never finds out. Nathaniel Blackwood is a handsome, powerful Alpha. In a world where humans and werewolves coexist, he has it all: a billion-dollar empire, untold power, a massive pack, and, most importantly, the perfect Luna. But the return of his first love shattered our marriage. When he finds out the secret I've been hiding, will he regret rejecting me? Will I ever be able to forgive him? Dive into this gripping serialized novel to find out more-Enjoy the ride!
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.