"Father....,", I tried to speak, but he spoke. "Let the wedding procession begin," father's voice boomed from the front, and I could see the guts in his eyes. What was father even saying?. Was the wedding supposed to be carried out, without the groom? ********* In the kingdom of Astral, tradition is law, and loyalty is bound by blood. When the ruthless King of Bazil demands a bride from Astral's royal line, the duty to marry him falls upon one of the twin princesses, Kelilah or Loveth. But fate takes a wicked turn. Kelilah, betrothed to the love of her life, is spared, while Loveth, terrified of her destiny, is chosen to make the ultimate sacrifice. Yet on the eve of the union, Loveth vanishes into the night, leaving Kelilah with a terrible choice: step into her sister's place or risk everything. With one daring plan, Kelilah sets out to escape-but her world is thrown into chaos when she crosses paths with her runaway sister in a dimly lit clubhouse. Then, in a flash, the lights go out, and one princess disappears into the shadows, abducted by unknown forces. Who was taken, and who remains? In a web of secrets, betrayal, and a kingdom on the brink, the answer may unravel both sisters' destinies forever. In this dark, twisted tale of sacrifice and survival, can true loyalty survive when every move could be your last?
KELILAH'S POV
My day had started as one of the most exhausting I could recall. I had barely returned from work before collapsing onto my bed, every muscle in my body aching, and my mind clouded with fatigue. The house felt unnervingly silent, with Mom and Loveth still away. And Dad working late as usual. Cooking was the last thing on my mind; hunger could wait. Truth be told, I suck at cooking.
A sharp knock on my door jolted me from my haze.
"Kelilah?"
Groggily, I made my way to the door, but when I opened it, no one was there. A chill ran down my spine as I called out into the dimly lit hallway. "Dad?"
Silence.
I ventured to the living room, my heart pounding, only to find darkness. Just as my fingers touched the light switch, a sudden hand landed on it.
"Ahh!" I screamed, stumbling back.
"Kelilah, it's us!"
Mom and Loveth stood before me, faces lit with excitement.
"Mom? Loveth?" I gasped. Relief and joy flooded through me as they enveloped me in warm embraces.
"It's been four years now, Kelilah," Loveth added, her voice tinged with emotion. "Four years since we've all been together like this."
Tears welled up in my eyes as I pulled them both into another hug. Four years wasn't a short time.
Loveth had left to travel with Mom when she began her surgery in New York, and though we kept in touch, it was never the same.
"You look so different, Loveth," I said, holding her at arm's length to take her in. Her golden hair shone under the light, and her light brown eyes sparkled with mischief, just like always.
"And you look just the same, Spare," she teased,
Ah, yes, "Spare"-a nickname she'd given me, because, as she liked to say, I was her other half, her spare part. More like a spare tyre.
I rolled my eyes. "Don't start with that. Loveth"
As we moved to the couch at the living room, Loveth continued to tease me about the nickname, while Mom fussed over me.
Everything was going just fine, but then our joy was short-lived.
That night, Dad received a call. His serious expression as he read it stole the laughter from the room.
"What's wrong?" Mom asked, her voice laced with concern.
"The King has decided it's time for the bridal selection," Dad announced gravely. "Korvus is ready to claim a bride."
"What!!!", i gasped.
The air grew thick with tension, a weight settling on our shoulders.
*******
Morning came with an unsettling quietness that only seemed to amplify the tension lingering in our home. For as long as I could remember, our family had been fortunate enough to avoid this cursed ritual. But today, the dread was palpable, so heavy in the air like an unspoken omen.
I glanced at Loveth as we sat in the dining room, staring blankly at the untouched breakfast before us. Her face was pale, her fingers trembling slightly as she toyed with her spoon. Mother stood by the window, her hands clasped tightly, staring at the horizon as though she could will away the inevitable. Father was seated across from us, his expression calm but his gaze distant. Even Tyra, usually so nonchalant, sat stiffly, her gaze fixed on the table.
The letter had arrived at dawn. A royal messenger had delivered it, his face devoid of emotion as he handed it to Father. The letter bore the seal of the high priest with detailed instructions for the ritual: a private ceremony at the temple, where the princesses of age would undergo a mysterious test. No one knew what the test entailed; it was always a guarded secret, whispered about but never revealed.
"We should be leaving soon," Father finally said, his voice breaking the silence.
Loveth looked at him, her eyes wide with fear. "Do you think it will be us?" she asked softly.
Father didn't answer immediately. "We will face whatever comes with it" he said at last, though his tone lacked conviction.
I felt a pang of guilt. Loveth had just returned from a long and exhausting trip, only to be thrust into this nightmare. It's not even been up to 24hrs that she arrived. She didn't deserve this. Nobody did.
When the carriage finally arrived, it took us on the ride to the temple, a suffocating one. No one spoke, even the clatter of hooves seemed muted. The temple loomed ahead, its towering spires casting foreboding shadows.
Nathan, the high priest, greeted us at the entrance, but his calm demeanor did little to ease my nerves. "Only the princesses may enter the inner sanctum," he said firmly.
My heart sank as Loveth and I followed the hooded acolytes into the dimly lit temple, the scent of incense thick in the air. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes of past selections, each one harrowing than the last.
We were led to a circular chamber where four other princesses awaited, their faces pale with dread. At the center stood a pedestal holding a faintly glowing crystal orb.
Just then, Nathan appeared and addressed us solemnly. "Each of you will place your hand on the orb. It will judge your suitability."
One by one, the princesses stepped forward, each passing the test without incident.
When it was Loveth's turn, she hesitated, glancing at me for reassurance. I nodded, my own nerves fraying. She placed her hand on the orb, and its light pulsed rhythmically. Nathan's furrowed brow betrayed his unease as he kept his gase on her, but said nothing.
Finally, it was my turn. My legs felt like lead as I approached the pedestal. I didn't want to touch it, but I had to. As soon as my hand touched the orb, it flared to life, bathing the chamber in brilliant light.
Gasps echoed around me.
My breath got caught in my throat. It shouldn't be me. It just can't be me.
Nathan's voice cut through the tension. "It is decided. The Anderson family will provide the king's bride"
The weight of his words crushed me as loveth and I exchanged horrified glances.
It's was over now. We were doomed.
The ride home was silent, each of us lost in our thoughts. For the first time in years, I truly understood the weight of this tradition. It wasn't just a ritual; it was a sacrifice of Happiness. And now, our family was at the center of it.
Back at home, the weight of the decision pressed down on all of us like a heavy blanket. Mother sobbed in silence, her face a mask of emotions, too raw to show. Father had retreated to his room, no doubt to avoid confronting the inevitable. And Tyra, well, she was nowhere to be found.
I couldn't sit in my room any longer. I had to check on Loveth. Yes I was pained, but I was way stronger than Loveth– emotionally.
Opening her door, I found her wiping her eyes hastily.
"Loveth?, have you been crying?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.
"No... of course not," she stuttered, her voice shaky as she tried wiping off her tears for the second time.
I sighed, walking over to sit beside her on the bed.
"Don't lie to me, Loveth. I can see the tears."
She stiffened. "I told you, it's nothing."
"You're upset. I can tell. I'm sorry, it's all my fault," I persisted, trying to reach out to her, but her walls were firmly in place.
"Kelilah, stop it" Her voice broke, and I could feel the tension in the air growing thicker. "It's not your fault. None of this is your fault."
It was clear that speaking to her right now wasn't a good idea, so quietly, I plopped In her bed. But she still remained seated with her back facing me. It was just like her to hide her tears away from me.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you", she apologized.
"No need to apologize, Loveth. I'm not even offended",
"Still. I shouldn't have. It's not like it's your fault", she said.
"What do you think is going to happen now?" I asked her instead, waving off the topic.
"We are the only daughters of king Anderson, so it has to be one of us", she said.
"But, I think something can be done about this. Maybe we can speak to Nathan and make him change his mind about it, maybe he can re-host the selection , and probably choose another family", I said and she scoffed.
"It doesn't work like that Kelilah", she said.
"But if...", I tried persisting, when she snapped at me again.
"Stop it Kelilah?!!!" she said angrily and sat up this time.
"Do you think the other families want to send their daughters too. You think any of the princesses will be willing to exchange places with us", she asked harshly.
"We..We'll never know if we don't try" I tried to reason with her, but it only made her angrier.
"Nothing can change our fate now. So It's better If you wake up from your silly dreams and face the reality. This is something bigger than any of us", she yelled.
She was breathing harshly when she finally finished talking, making me to feel really hurt.
Her words cut deep. Loveth had never spoken to me like this before, and the sting of it brought tears to my eyes. I rose from the bed, hiding my face from her, and without another word, I began walking out of her room.
"Spare, I.." she tried speaking, but I was hearing none of it as I made my way out of the door.
In the solitude of my own room, the tears I had been holding back spilled freely.
How did it come to this? Why did she snap at me? All I wanted was to make things better, to find a way out. But instead, she shut me down. It felt like everything was falling apart.
"I can't let Natasha down.". Those words...those words were the beginning of my downfall. First, I discovered that the parents I had grown up with all these years were just my adoptive parents. Then, after finally returning to my biological family, I ended up in a drunken one-night stand at a party with a complete stranger. Someone who's identity I'm yet to know. I thought I was healing from the trauma, trying to piece my life back together, but then-BOOM!-pregnancy happened. Just when I thought I'd found my truth, it ended up being the beginning of my nightmare. Drugged, deceived, and left heartbroken, I lost everything - including my unborn child. Now, I'm back for revenge. Seeking to claim back everything that was once mone. But fate has other plans. A marriage of convenience to a the Luciano's heir, a stepson to care for, and secrets that threaten to destroy me all over again. Can I trust myself to take back what's mine, or will I lose myself in the process?
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
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.
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"