LAH'

he room. I heard a gasp-min

but none dared to oppose father openly, not u

creamed, leapi

," she declared, standing from her seat. "I re

a bold challenge to the uns

, his voice echoing through the ha

ity leaders, a stout man with a graying beard,

ou're above the rest of us? Many daughters of ours have been sent before you, a

he pointed a firm finger at the

like a whip. "You have no right to speak to me like that! You may have been

d man's face reddened with indignation, but

seat, his face a mask of fury. In a speedy motion, he crossed

ed in surprise. Loveth stumbled back, clutching

ried, leaping

hielding her from further harm. My heart pounded in my ches

trembling with both rage and fear. "How dare

uld respond, Loveth pushed past me, her

n her face, but sh

lilah? Why am I the

aid, his voice cold. "She has a suitor, and this

yet! She can still go!"

I stood frozen, the weight of Lovet

completely silencing th

bsolutely over. The final dec

at, her voice breaki

I saw all of the venom in h

Do you truly believe that you are completely without fla

could reply, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the ha

anted to go and console her, but my feet felt rooted to

rmth, Fath

ting is a

and stormed right out of the hall, m

enly, I felt a mild touch brush my hair to my side, and

I whispere

come to my roo

night. I never meant any of it. I don't hate you a

rgiven you for everything you said", I

he cried and immediately

yes, you won't be getting

you want to take my

I'll find a way out for us",

asked with hopeful

ise" I

to make it work, but I was cer

office now?", she as

ed and jumped

y, because I wanted to d

d and we can go to

or you out fro

uick shower and wore a pink gown that ended just above m

mornin

rincess. So wher

er that, I will stop by Jackson's place. I h

Jackson for me and don't st

Mom" I

only grew as we pulled up to his grand duplex, complete with

into the couch, feeling comforta

rents say?" he reques

be going,"

speedy. My eyebrows furrowed, and I f

hat?" I requested sharp

action, his expr

s going instead of you," he defende

rm. "It's not better. My sister isn

prehend my words. "But you can't keep the bride of

isted. "But Loveth will not marry

realized the depth of my resol

ute. "I'm going to speak to the high priest

rk?" he asked, his voic

er, "then I'll go to Bazil myself and make King Korvu

ace twisted

life like that? It's not worth it!. Wh

on," I snapped. "Would you have allowed them

d, but I wasn't interest

your sister, then that's on you. Bu

nce more. "I'm sorry, lov

sister isn't worth it,"

my face in his hands. "I'm

s touch, even though he should have known be

rry," he murmured, pressing

mumbled, tryin

ng into the other room for a moment. When he re

?" I asked, eye

said, a hint of p

ond accessories that I'd been yearning for. As a princess, I had

led, throwing my arms around him

ou," he w

I replied, feeli

ause, he held out

I asked, a playful smi

ed, shrugging as he

ly. But as the dance continued, I felt heat rising within me. The air between

tion, he guided

ckson" I

sliding in easily. He pumped steadily, w

until our wedding night for the main act. I pulled away, gl

s was my pe

the office" I said, s

me. My eyes moved down his lower body and I could

illed with disappointment.

cing myself to resis

me soon. Besides, I didn't t

You could jus

ork like that

ed my dress and leaned in to ki

se?" h

omi

ded to leave the diamond box here-it was our future ho

stairs," I told him, he

ace. This would be our future bedroom. I walked over to the wardrobe, placing the box ins

up, not wanting Jackson to walk in on the mess. But then...

age cer

y on the document, but beside it was a woman's name-someone else. My mind went blank. My heart thundered, and I felt

d at the paper on the floor, and I watched as his expression crumbled. A tear slipped down my c

but a cheap mistre