The Heir's Secret Child: A Royal Scandal

he's c

nd too clo

g me. He won't see

corridor of Eldoria Palace. One clutched her apron while another ducked be

h breathless anticipation t

de by with a few bodyguards behind him: tall, breathtakingly ha

But when his gaze landed on Catherine, the smile deepened, a small

o serve before she learned much else. Her mother taught her

er eyes down, pretending to adjust her apron, as George continued toward the t

as the afternoon light shone on them through the tall curtai

began almos

ou are the heir. A prince without a bride is a prince without stabili

d her husband. "Your father is right. The Kingdom of Eldoria loo

htened. "You rem

several years of training, she set out the porcelain with practiced grace

eyes, but she knew

ning around with no care in the world. They were always so close, but she reme

ued as soon as Cath

Arthur gestured towards the open window, the kingdom spreading beyond. "Anythi

ictated to, Father!" he snapped. "I serve Eldoria, but I

ng Arthur replied, voice low but deadly. "Includi

Omg, Father! Do you know what I think

s tightened. "G

any softness. He slammed his hand on

stormed out, leaving a

him at the Eldoria royal pub. When they arrived, se

to ease the tension from earlier. His three friends, loyal s

strangle someone," quipped Theo

ved," Marcus piped up, nudging George's sho

g me about marriage, legacy, and succession. Over breakfast, lunch, and ev

u ever think, maybe he's... well, not wrong? Maybe finding a

n' match is trading my happiness for allia

glanced up. "So, what about you then?

The question fel

me and not for my status or the fact that she'd be que

like your childhood friend at the palace. What

or me. She understands me better than anyone. I don't ev

now perfectly well that both of you can't happe

again. "I know that. But sometimes I wish I

still young, George. Don't let

moved on to other interesting topics, drin

, her hands moving by rote. Her mind replayed the day: the courtly tension,

sh creeping across her daughter's chee

zabeth murmured, arranging some linens. "Don't l

Isla appeared at the door, eyes twinkling with mischie

has been her only maid friend in the palace, mostly

re openly jealous, quick to point out her "special" treatment, as if her friendship with Prince George was a

atherine's apron, then they laughed about "clumsy favorites." But before Catherine could shrink away, Is

heir bond has on

thinking." Then, she turned to her mother, "M

e girls. "Okay, but do

Catherine a

ng her braid loose. "Ughh, today was the worst. I had to stand all day, d

errifying. I'm glad that my schedu

id. "What about you? Any d

had another round wi

it ended with 'George, when will yo

heard

y even wagered on the outcome: five silver says

ed. Then Isla n

in the kingdom has a chance to

possible, Isla. You know it. He

but you still smile when

stories of their week, the gossip, the

he shuffle of the butler, supporting a drunken

ore, almost didn't notice them until she loo

his own," The butler sighed. "May

George's shoulder. The journey up was slow

ve me, Cat?" His w

on him, and now, with the added stress of finding a suitable bride, it

e." She answ

e door, fumbled for her hand, his grip surprisingly

de her pause

bedside table. He'll definitely have a very bad hangover tomorrow morning.But as she turne

rine

.? She stammered, hear

loser, his warm breath against he

is he doing? Is

st hers before she cou