The sound of the door slamming echoed. Numerous rubber bullets pelted Jace's rifle. The trigger had already been pulled, and the bullets shot fast, piercing the headboard, just an inch from Serena's head. The scent of burning fabric and smoke lingered.Arlo stepped closer, firing more rubber bullets at Jace. It startled Jace, reducing the pressure on Serena. Taking advantage of the moment, Serena kicked Jace and rolled off the bed.In this moment, Serena felt embarrassed wearing the silly satin nightgown, so thin—Arlo would surely tease her. But that could be thought about later. Serena yanked the bedside lamp until it unplugged from the socket."I've suspected it, Jace," Arlo said. The young boy's eyes gleamed with anger. "I've been trailing you for the past year to find out what your motive is for getting close to her.""Oh, for heaven's sake, Arlo, this is not the right time to talk!" Serena hissed angrily. She lunged forward, smashing the bedside lamp at Jace. He dodged and caught

The clock on the wall struck two in the morning. Nearly twelve hours had passed since his biological mother's funeral. While everyone else surely slept, Dravon couldn't find rest. Lying on his side in bed, he glanced across the room to where Will lay peacefully in another bed. Will's slumber wasn't by choice; he had been struck with the flu and was reluctantly swallowing pills forced upon him by Anne.Dravon twirled the black ball in his hand. He knew he shouldn't have taken it from the billiard table, but he felt a need for it to remind himself of who he was and what his purpose was. He had come to this city to disrupt everything, not to attend his mother's funeral. After all, why should Dravon bother for a woman who didn't acknowledge him at all? A woman who allowed her daughter's envy to cast Dravon away to Umbravale. A woman who knew no sense of responsibility, neither in family nor in leading a kingdom."It's your fault, Mum," Dravon murmured. Never had he imagined that finally,

The palace dining hall buzzed with laughter as Kieran entered it alongside Lunabelle and Arlo. Thick curtains covering every window were neatly tied back, revealing a breathtaking view of snow-capped mountains in the distance and town settlements at the mountain's base. Frostwyn wasn't a sprawling city, but it was still far more advanced than Rainvale. Advanced, yet somehow more conservative and rigid. Furthermore, since the central palace relocated to this city, many high nobles had also moved here."My neck is really hurt," Arlo groaned, tilting his head upwards to the ceiling, then lowering it again to massage his neck. The young man grabbed two trays and asked Lunabelle, "Bella, would you prefer a ham sandwich or tuna pizza?""No tuna for Lunabelle, Arlo, she might itch if she eats that!" Kieran interjected, taking a tray for himself and pretending not to notice Lunabelle's pouting face. "She's allergic, remember? By the way, why is your neck hurting?""Well, but Lunabelle loves t

As their plane touched down in Remirer, their arrival was met by a throng of reporters and cameramen at the airport. Pushing, shouting, greeting them with irritating blitz lights. Arlo tried to maneuver comfortably among the knights protecting his family, but it was difficult."We've heard from the nobles that Duke Nyxshade has called off the engagement with Queen Seraphina. Is it true that it's because Queen Seraphina never loved you from the start, Your Grace?"It was truly strange to hear such questions being uttered in front of Seraphina herself, yet she seemed oblivious. Kieran too. Both of them remained silent, striding on towards their car, which felt miles away. They could have called the car directly to the runway where the plane landed, but the Queen's advisors insisted on this — being surrounded like this, to ensure the people of Varidianth knew every development in the coronation process.Infuriating."Arlo Nyxshade!" Someone called out his name, and unfortunately, Arlo ref

It took a while for Lunabelle to hear the rhythmic breathing of Arlo, her older brother, signaling that he had fallen asleep in the bed across from hers. She promptly got out of bed, feeling Cloud, her guide dog, calmly walking around her.Upon reaching outside the room and softly closing the door behind her, Lunabelle whispered to her dog, "Take me to Franz, Cloud." The dog acknowledged with a small whine before starting to lead her through the bustling and crowded corridors."Good day, Young Lady," greeted a cheerful servant as Lunabelle passed by. She quickly stood and faced the servant, trying to recall the woman's height from her limited view. "Do you need any assistance?""No, thank you," Lunabelle replied. "I'm fine.""In that case, we'll take our leave. May your day be good, Young Lady."Lunabelle nodded and continued walking. Cloud guided her, veering in a direction towards a fragrant garden filled with various types of flowers. Then, Lunabelle heard som