The royal dining hall was nothing short of breathtaking.Crystal chandeliers shimmered overhead. A long polished table stretched across the room, adorned with silverware engraved with the royal crest of Brightskia. Portraits of past monarchs watched from the walls, their painted eyes heavy with history—and judgment.Carl entered a step behind Andrea, his posture relaxed but his senses razor-sharp.At the head of the table sat the King.His presence alone commanded silence.King Alistair of Brightskia did not need to raise his voice to be feared. His sharp features, streaks of silver in his dark hair, and calculating gaze were more than enough.Beside him sat Queen Helena—elegant, unreadable, her smile as delicate as porcelain.Two other figures were already seated: a young man in his late twenties with a composed expression, and a woman slightly older than Andrea, her eyes assessing everything with quiet interest.“Welcome back, Andrea,” the King said evenly.Andrea lowered her head s

Andrea stormed straight into her room and finally let everything she had been holding in spill out.The door had barely shut behind her before her composure shattered. She pressed her hands against her face, her shoulders shaking as the tears came—hot, furious, humiliated tears.She still couldn’t believe it.Not once—not even once—had her father shown the slightest hint of concern. No questions. No reassurance. No anger on her behalf. Instead, he had scolded her. Defended his wife. Chosen them.Over her.Andrea had only been eight years old when her biological mother died.It had happened so suddenly. One day her mother was merely tired. The next, she was weak. Then weaker still. The illness progressed without explanation, like a shadow slowly swallowing light. No diagnosis. No cause. Even the most brilliant doctors in Brightskia could not determine what was wrong. They tried everything.Nothing worked.And jus

An hour later, Andrea was reviewing the final page of the program when the door opened again.She glanced up—And blinked.Carl stepped inside.Gone was the half-open polo and faded pants. In their place was a tailored black suit that fit him almost suspiciously well. The crisp white shirt underneath highlighted the breadth of his shoulders, and his hair—previously falling carelessly over his forehead—had been styled neatly back. Even his shoes gleamed.He looked… dangerous.Polished. Controlled. Expensive.Andrea’s eyes widened before she quickly composed herself.Glenda stood behind him with her arms crossed, clearly proud of her work.“There,” she said. “Now he looks like someone worthy of standing beside the crown princess.”Carl adjusted his cufflinks, clearly uncomfortable. “I feel like I can’t breathe.”“That’s because you’re finally dressed properly,” Glenda replied dryly.Andrea circled him slowly, pretending to inspect him li

Andrea wiped her tears roughly and shot Cedric a venomous glare.“We don’t need you here, Cedric,” she said coldly.Cedric smirked, slipping his hands into his pockets as if he’d just walked into a casual gathering instead of a battlefield.“Come on, Andie,” he drawled. “I’m pretty sure you and Dad are discussing our wedding. So… I’m right where I belong.”Andrea rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn’t stay there. She looked at her father—at King Alistair—but he had already sat back down, retreating behind the safety of his desk.That hurt more than Cedric’s smirk.She shook her head slowly.“I can’t do this anymore.”And just like that, she walked out.The door closed harder than necessary.Cedric let out a low chuckle, clearly entertained.“Is she always this dramatic, Father?” he asked lightly.King Alistair exhaled deeply, rubbing his temples. “She doesn’t want

“I think we’re going to have a problem,” Cedric said.He and Queen Helena were in her private sitting room, the door shut tight. The music from the engagement celebration drifted faintly through the walls, but inside, the mood was colder.“Why?” Helena asked lightly.At the moment, “problem” was not a word she entertained. The announcement had been made. The nobles had applauded. The wheels were already turning.As far as she was concerned, the throne was practically within reach.Cedric exhaled and dropped onto the sofa, rubbing his temples.“I just came from Andrea’s room. She’s being stubborn.”Helena smirked. “When has she not been?”“This time is different,” Cedric muttered.Helena waved a dismissive hand. “Let her resist. No matter what she does, our plan is already in motion. You will become her husband. And once that happens…” Her eyes gleamed. “The throne will be ours again.”Cedric nodded slowly. “That part is certain.”He hesitated.“But I thought the original plan was simp