“Didn't I tell you? These people are bloody rich!” Klein exclaimed. “You've landed a good one, sister.”“I always knew you would elevate this family from the moment I pushed you out of me. Look at us now, you are indeed a blessing,” Duchess Elena praised.Mona sat proudly, feeling elevated as her family showered her with compliments. If only her useless husband was here to see her. She could imagine the wave of shame that would overwhelm him. He might even be pushed to take his life. “Do you know if he has a sister?” Joel asked. “Surely, in such a big kingdom, there must be a princess.” “You have a point. We should ask Ragi. If there is indeed a princess, we must do our best to woo. If she chooses one of us, it is a big win for the family too,” Klein agreed. In all of this, the Duke was silent. There was this feeling of uncertainty weighing heavily on him.He couldn't tell if it was the prospect of giving his daughter out or his instincts sensing something terrible coming.“Honey,
Ragi glanced at Styles. Was he really going to let this strange ill-mannered woman punish his people before him?Styles gave him a brief nod before rolling inside.“Get up, all of you,” Ragi ordered. Mona and her mother were flabbergasted. Did he just release the maids they were punishing after hearing everything they did?The maids got off the ground without hesitation.“Is that it? You are just going to let them go?” Mona asked him when he made to take his leave. “What else would you have me do? You said you want a satin dress, right? It will be delivered in less than an hour. If you don't mind, I have more important things to handle than your tantrums,” Ragi responded, walking out on them.“He's beginning to get on my nerves, mother. Who does he think he is? He is just a mere general and I am the Prince's bride. He should show me some respect!” Mona gritted. Elena put a hand on her daughter's shoulder to calm her down. “You will have to tolerate him until you are instated as Que
Mona stormed into the hall, surprising even her parents. “Mona!” Duchess Elena gasped. “That's not… that's not you?” “Of course not, mom! How could you not recognize your own daughter?!” Mona snapped. The Duke's family were confused. Sure they had noticed a slight change in the girl’s figure and mannerisms but they assumed it was their daughter trying to be perfect.After all, she denied everyone the opportunity to see her three days before the wedding. She also mentioned something about going on dieting so her wedding dress would fit so how did she expect them to tell the difference?To crown it all, the girl had a veil over her face. Were they supposed to strip her off it to check if it was their daughter or not?Even the Prince had a mask on his face so no one could tell. Mona ignored her parents and matched them to the altar. “Highness, as you can see, I am the real Mona, the woman you desperately wanted to wed. This woman here is an imposter!” Gasps filled the air. “She is
Her life was crashing before her very eyes. The once beautiful lady of Xori City was going to be a slave?Tears blurred her vision as she gazed at the guests. Many of them consisted of men who asked for her hand, friends whom she often looked down on, and people she trampled on. Now she was going to live a miserable and wretched life. How was she supposed to know that Styles was a prince? There was nothing princely about him then.He was simple, soft-spoken, always in the cheapest of clothes. How could he the heir to such a powerful empire endure all that humiliation from her?While the guests disbanded for the wedding reception, to get themselves entertained and stuffed with food, Mona was left with her family to mourn their loss.“This is all your fault! You courted a man for two years and somehow missed the fact that he was a prince?” Her mother was the first to cast a stone.“This is absolutely ridiculous, Mother! How could ugly crippled Styles turn prince overnight? There is so
When Cedric received the invitation to the council meeting, he did not expect they would be discussing his niece's coronation. With all five chiefs present in the council supporting the decision to coronate Prince Styles in three days, Cedric knew his opinions were likely going to be overlooked. “Three days sounds just appropriate. All that is kept is to assign duties and preparations begin,” Lord Orio said. Cedric looked at the man in disbelief, “Three days sounds appropriate? For a boy who ran away for four years? You are suddenly going to gift him the throne like it's nothing?” “Cedric, with all due respect, I ask that you watch the words you utter,” Lord Blane incepted. “What wrong have I done by pointing out this obvious mistake?” Cedric huffed. “You want to crown a boy who runs away at the first sight of danger? His father, the Emperor, God bless his soul, passed away. What did your prince do? He ran away. What do you think will happen when we are faced with a war?”The Lor
Mona stretched lazily and touched the side of the bed. A frown etched on her face as she felt the empty space. Where did he go? Did he sleep with her and abandon her without paying her?That would be asking for trouble. She got off the bed quickly and just then he stepped out of the bathroom. Relief washed through immediately. “I thought you were gone,” she said. “Why would I leave a beauty like you in bed? I just wanted to cool off some of the heat. Are you in a hurry?” He asked her. “I've been away for so long. I just return to my duty post before the Prince makes more trouble for my family,” Mona told him. Cedric immediately picked interest in what she said. It seemed like she was entangled with the Prince somehow. “You speak of him like you both had some kind of misunderstanding,” Cedric tried to get the truth out of her. “Yes, but it was mostly my fault. I don't blame him for hating me,” Mona said sullenly. “What did you do?” Mona's eyes flickered to him. She thought of
“You summoned me, your highness,” the maid bowed. “Liah, you know you are my most trusted aide, right?” Cedric straightened up. “Yes, Your Highness,” the girl bowed. “And your family promised that you would be there to fulfill whatever I desire of you, do you remember that?” He asked. “Yes, Your Highness.”“You remember that I am the only one who stood firmly with your family during their times of trial when they were unjustly sentenced by the previous Emperor,” he reminded.Liah couldn't help but look up this time. Why was he reminding her of that suddenly?“Yes, your highness,” she answered nonetheless., swallowing back the questions that arose within her. “Are you willing to do anything for me, no matter the cost?” He asked her. As much as she wanted to respond quickly, she couldn't. There were a lot of things involved in that statement that didn't sit well with her. Sure, she could do whatever he asked her to do but there were limits to it and she intended to make it clear.
“Disrespecting your queen?” Mona repeated, unable to believe he actually said the words. He called a lowly maid a queen in her presence!“Are you questioning me?” His eyes darkened, anger swimming in its depths. “But Styles…”“Your Highness!” He corrected coldly. “Address me without respect one last time and you will regret the day you were born.”Mona was visibly trembling. He had never spoken to her with so much contempt before. To think he was treating her like trash all because of a clumsy, useless maid.“What do I have to do to make you forgive me?” She asked sullenly. “How do I prove that I am truly sorry for everything? When will you deem it fit to take me back?” Styles was taken aback by the audacity. The woman was the most delusional person he had ever come across. “You believe I have plans of taking you back?” He snorted. “Your education was a waste if my wedding was not enough proof that I have moved on with my life. You have five minutes to clean this mess and head out