“What did you just say, Boss? You’re marrying the princess?!” Red’s voice practically exploded from the other end of the line.Carl had to pull the phone slightly away from his ear.“Are you deaf?” he replied flatly.“It’s not that, Boss! But you were sent there to guard her—not marry her! And now this?”Carl nearly rolled his eyes.“I’m doing this to help her. That’s it. She needs someone she can trust.”“And you decided that someone is you?”“She did.”There was a brief silence on the line.Then Red hesitated.“But… what about Ms. Carson? Aren’t you engaged?”Carl froze.For a second, he didn’t say anything.Then reality hit him like a slap.He cursed under his breath and abruptly ended the call.“Why did I forget about her?” he muttered.He ran a hand over his face.“Damn it. I’m dead.”With everything happening—the assassination, the syndicate, the palace politics—he had completely forgotten about Sophia.He quickly grabbed his other phone and checked it.As expected, there were d

The third explosion shattered the stained-glass windows.Screams tore through the grand hall as shards rained down like deadly confetti. Smoke began to creep along the marble floors, swallowing silk hems and polished shoes.“Move!” Carl barked.Royal guards rushed to form a protective barrier around Andrea, but the masked men were faster.Steel flashed.The first clash rang like a bell of war.Guests scattered. Nobles who had once whispered behind jeweled fans now ran for their lives.Helena did not move.She stood at the center of chaos as though she had orchestrated every second.“Arrest them!” Andrea commanded.But half the guards hesitated.And in that hesitation—The Black Disciple Society struck.Carl drew his weapon and intercepted the first attacker. The impact of blade against blade sent a jolt up his arm. He twisted, disarmed the man, and drove him back with brutal precision.Another came from his blind side.Carl pivoted, striking hard, fast—trained, efficient, lethal.Acro

Andrea woke the next morning feeling unusually heavy.It was as if she had spent the entire night at a reckless celebration—dancing, drinking, exhausting herself—only for her body to demand repayment now.She tried to sit up.The moment she did, dizziness slammed into her.She grabbed the edge of the bed.“What is wrong with me?” she whispered.The room tilted.Her stomach twisted violently.Suddenly, she clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes widening in alarm. The nausea rose so fast she barely had time to stand before she rushed toward the bathroom.She collapsed in front of the sink and retched.Nothing came out.Only dry heaves.When it finally stopped, she slid weakly to the floor, her back against the cold marble wall. The entire world felt like it was spinning.“Your Highness?” Glenda’s voice called from the chamber.Andrea forced herself to make a sound, knocking lightly against the bathroom door to alert her.A moment later, the door creaked open.“Queen Andrea!” Glenda gasped.

Andrea stood by the tall window of her chamber, staring at the vast skyline of Gold City.It still felt unreal.Pregnant.According to the scan, she was already eleven weeks along—almost three months.Three months.So much had happened in that short span of time—her father’s death, the coup, the coronation, the war against the syndicate—that she hadn’t even realized she was carrying a life inside her.And the part that hurt the most—Her father would never meet his grandchild.She gently placed a hand over her stomach.“We can do this, Baby,” she whispered softly. “I promise you… you’ll grow up strong. And one day, you’ll rule Brightskia.”A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.She turned toward the door.Moments later, it opened and Glenda stepped inside, bowing respectfully as she approached.Andrea returned to her desk and sat down.“The King Consort has left the palace, My Queen,” Glenda reported. “He’s on his way to meet the General.”Andrea nodded once.“Good.”Glenda hesitated

After securing the CCTV footage, Carl decided to proceed with his original plan.He went to the club disguised as an ordinary civilian.The moment he stepped inside, loud music pounded against his ears. The lights were dim, flashing in erratic colors, and the place was crowded with guests. Most of them filled the center of the dance floor—bodies moving wildly, as if trying to forget something.Carl scanned the room once.He immediately spotted Jade from across the club.Jade was lounging at a table, drinking and smoking while chatting with a woman beside him. When he noticed Carl, he casually raised a hand.Carl walked over and took a seat.“Boss,” Jade greeted with a grin. “So, how’s royal life treating you?”Carl narrowed his eyes. “Looks like you’re the one enjoying life.”Jade chuckled. “Sorry.”He gestured for the woman to leave. She didn’t argue and quickly walked away.“Red already showed me the CCTV footage from this place,” Jade continued, leaning forward slightly. “Your cous