Daniel stole glances between the two women as they conversed, while he lingered by the exit, sending Blake off.
The women walked down the main hallway toward the room where the Flamingo would now take residence.
Something stirred inside him as he watched his grandmother sweetly dote on that Flamingo.
Was it anger?
Surprise?
Disdain?
Or something else?
One thing was certain—he was deeply pissed by her presence. It would have been better if he could scheme against her from a distance. But now she was living under his roof, twenty-four seven. Executing his little plucking plan under his grandmother's watchful eye would be nearly impossible. And if he tried, he'd never hear the end of it.
It was already obvious what the old woman wanted, but Daniel wasn't going to let it happen so easily. The Flamingo would have to prove herself worthy of him, despite basking in his grandmother's affection and attention. She would still have to prove herself. And he was determined not to make it easy.
No.
Not at all.
"I guess that's the one you mentioned as the 'exception' earlier."
Blake's voice rang from behind him.
Daniel turned to face him.
"Do you think she's got what it takes?"
Daniel snorted.
"Psst... her? Please."
He turned back toward the retreating figures disappearing down the hallway.
"She's nothing but a puppet—just like everyone else. Sure, she's shown a little challenge, but she hasn't offered anything that makes her worthy of my world. She may look strong now, but I'm certain she'll chicken out like the bird she is once she gets a taste of my hell."
"Well... I believe she can," Blake muttered.
Daniel spun around, disbelief etched across his face.
"What did you just say?"
Blake shrugged.
"I think she might have the guts to face the storm. Believe me, I've seen her in action. I believe you'll be in for one heck of a doozy with her."
Daniel scoffed.
"Are you serious?"
Blake hummed, raising his shoulders in a maybe, maybe not gesture.
Daniel's eyes flared red.
"I think the poison must have damaged a nerve in your brain. Looks like it needs a little something to heal it in no time."
Blake immediately recognized the danger sign. He bolted to his car, yanked open the driver's seat, and jumped in.
"Thank you so much for the vacation, Sire! I'll see you in a week. Good luck with your bridal selection!" he shouted, peering his head out the window before skidding away as if chased by a ghost.
Daniel watched the car speed toward the palace gates. He shook his head in disbelief.
"Ah... that lucky bastard..."
Turning back, he walked inside the palace.
Just then, a royal guard with black wavy hair, dressed in a black suit and shades, came into Daniel's line of vision, approaching from the side.
He stopped a short distance away and saluted.
"My Prince."
Daniel nodded.
"Sam."
Sam stepped closer and stood at attention.
"Did you tell him?" Daniel asked.
"No, my Prince," Sam replied. "As per your orders, I did not inform Lord Blake about Lord Slovak's involvement in the attack. I kept it hidden from him."
Daniel exhaled slowly.
"Mmm... good." He then turned his gaze back to Blake's car disappearing down the driveway. "I don't want to create another problem. He's already been through enough." He sighed, then turned toward the palace. "Tell Jack he's my personal bodyguard for now while Blake recuperates. And he'd better get his ass to my side in less than five minutes—otherwise he's fired."
"Yes, Your Highness," Sam replied, immediately relaying the order through his intercom.
Moments later, a man in a black suit appeared from another hallway—short brown hair, flat nose, plush lips, an athletic frame, and shades. He fell into step behind Daniel at a respectful distance.
The heat was on. Daniel could feel it. Every stride meant business, and one mistake could mean the end of him.
And he was not planning to lose.
Not yet, he ain't.
...
Meanwhile
The servant escorting Ariel and the Queen Dowager opened the double doors to Ariel's new room in the palace.
The chamber was magnificent—vast and gleaming. Golden furniture adorned every corner: a grand chandelier, lampstands, a queen canopy bed, vanity, chairs, and sofas. A luxurious bathroom and a walk‑in closet overflowed with jewelry and accessories—tiaras, necklaces, earrings—treasures Ariel had never expected to find awaiting her.
She turned toward the Queen Dowager, her gaze questioning.
Alicia caught the look and smiled before addressing the servant.
"You may leave us now."
The servant bowed and quietly exited.
"I understand you have some questions," Alicia said, moving toward the bed and settling gracefully upon it.
Ariel cleared her throat.
"I suppose you're going to tell me."
Alicia's smile deepened.
"Blunt and straightforward. Mmm... I like you."
Ariel flushed, a shy smile tugging at her lips.
Alicia tapped the bed beside her, motioning for Ariel to sit.
Ariel walked slowly forward and settled at a slight distance.
"Don't be afraid, child. I am not a bad person. Believe me—if I wished you harm, you wouldn't be here in this room, speaking with me like this. Come. Come... closer."
Ariel shifted awkwardly, then moved nearer, though her smile betrayed hesitation.
Alicia studied her posture, wondering if the girl's unease was genuine—or merely a mask of pretense.
It would have been believable if she hadn't discovered who she was. But now that she did, she was very cautious, especially given what she discovered.
Unbeknownst to anyone else, Alicia discovered about the heist that had taken place four nights ago.
She had seen the rubble near the wall yesterday when she found out the Sinclair records went missing. At first, panic struck—had her enemies found a way inside? She remembered the secret passages leading into the Royal Archives. Yet she had never known how to access them, nor where they began. The palace map revealed only a handful of hidden escape routes for the royal family, but none showed an entrance to the archives.
She feared scavengers had discovered a way in and stolen the records. Determined to uncover the truth, she was certain it wasn't the same faction who had demanded them in the first place. And she needed to find out who.
After speaking with Reginald, Alicia made her way to Daniel's new study in the West Wing, intending to tell him what she had found and ask for his help in locating the thieves when—
"Did you find her?"
Daniel's low voice carried from inside the room.
"No, my Liege. This woman is a ghost. And from the way she disguised herself as a man it means her identity is going to be very hard to track. But we will continue doing our best to locate her."
"Then find her. Find her before the Scorpion King's Stingers do. No one must know she was responsible for the attack three nights ago. And if they do, she will be under my protection—no one will dare oppose me."
Alicia froze. Something clicked inside her mind.
No one else knew the palace's deepest secrets—not even her. Except for one person, trusted above all.
Her.
Princess Felistus Anastasia Devonte.
Lord Archford's sister. The late King's sister.
Ariel... Anastasia Sinclair's grandmother.
Even though Felistus was not a Devonte by blood, she had been adopted. The late Grand King—her husband's father—had grown fond of her after she saved his life. From that moment, she became the most trusted figure in the royal family.
She was treated as though she were a true Devonte by blood, and no one ever knew the truth of her adoption. The late Grand King Gerald Devonte and Queen Samatha ensured the secret remained hidden. Even Lord Archford and Alicia's late husband believed Felistus was their sister by birth.
Only Alicia knew otherwise—because Felistus had confessed it to her.
Now, hearing Daniel's words, Alicia was certain: the woman who had risen from the dead was the culprit. And that certainty made her more confident in her plan. Ariel was the perfect match for Daniel.
She would make her Queen. Together, they would execute their revenge. Those venomous snakes had better beware.
The woman sitting beside her was no easy prey. She was a dragon disguised as a harmless bird—and that made her even more dangerous. More dangerous than Alicia herself.
So Alicia knew she had to be careful. Otherwise, she might be the one to get scorched.
Alicia cleared her throat.
"I'm sure your father must have told you that he and I were best friends before..."
Ariel nodded.
"Yes. He did. He told me you were very close until..."
"I got married... yes," Alicia replied. "Raymond was like a second brother to me, and I cherished him deeply. That's why I trust he raised you well—well enough to carry the weight of the Crown. That's why I'm doing you, and him, this favor of allowing you to participate in the royal bride selection season. Believe me, I've seen the other noble ladies competing, and none of them stand a chance. But you, my dear..."
She clasped Ariel's hands.
"I believe that when the Heavens grant us a second chance—such golden opportunities—we must harness them with wisdom, understanding, and strength. That is how we get exactly what we want."
Ariel raised a brow. 'Is she implying she knows who I am—and wants to help me get revenge? Or is she simply trying to find something she can use to bind me to her desires? Mmm... what are you up to...' She searched Alicia's eyes for any trace of mischief.
Alicia noticed the suspicious, discerning stare. The girl was clearly testing her, trying to see if she knew something—or intended something.
Alicia smiled inwardly. 'She is very discerning, very calculative. She cannot be fooled easily. I like it.'
"I'm sorry if my words startled you... or made you uncomfortable. The thing is..." Alicia paused, her expression shifting to concern. "Your father told me you were sick... bedridden for years. Almost at the brink of death—until you recovered."
Ariel immediately pulled her hands away, feigning surprise.
"Oh..." she whispered. "I didn't think he would tell anyone. I thought it was meant to remain a secret... between us." Her voice softened, her face arranged into hurtful surprise.
'Nice diversion', she thought. 'I know exactly what you were saying, but I'll play along with your pretense—for now. Let's see what game you're playing.'
Alicia immediately apologized.
"Oh... I am so sorry, my dear. I didn't mean to intrude on such a sensitive matter. My deepest apologies."
"It's okay, Your Majesty. You are my father's closest friend. I'm sure he would have told you about the ordeal I went through," Ariel replied. She paused, exhaling softly. "I honestly thought I wasn't going to make it—that all hope was lost. But the Heavens saw it fit to give me another chance. Another breath of life. Another opportunity to set things right. So yes, you're right. I will not waste this chance. I will do what I desire, even if the world turns against me or tries to crush me again. And I will make sure that this gift the Heavens gave me..."
She paused, her eyes narrowing, a fiery glint burning like black embers.
"...wasn't granted for nothing."
Her lips curled into a menacing smile—one that sent cold chills to the bone.
Alicia liked it. She liked it a lot.
She couldn't wait to help turn those embers into a raging inferno, to watch their enemies burn down to ash.
She returned the smile.
"Then I suppose we'd better not let the opportunity go to waste."
The women nodded, their smiles widening.
To an outsider, they might have looked like acquaintances sharing a warm moment. In truth, those smiles were sharp swords clashing together in unity—swords so sharp they could cut simply by being seen.
Those venomous snakes had better beware.
The heat was on.
And it had never felt so great.
...
A while later...
"Let me leave you to settle in, darling. I also have to prepare for the Introduction Ball tomorrow," Alicia said as she rose to leave.
"It's okay, Your Majesty," Ariel replied, standing and curtseying.
"Well then... I shall see you at dinner tonight."
Ariel blinked.
"Wait—dinner?"
"Yes, dinner," Alicia confirmed, catching the flicker of panic in Ariel's eyes.
"Don't worry. It will be a private dinner with me. The rest of the royal family won't be involved."
'Except for one, of course', she thought mischievously.
Ariel released a small breath of relief.
"Okay. I will see you then."
"Alright, my dear. See you then," Alicia said warmly.
Ariel nodded, ushered her to the door, bade her farewell, and closed it softly behind her.
She exhaled loudly, leaning her head against the door, the weight of the moment pressing down on her.
She was relieved that dinner would be only with her father and the Queen Dowager. No one else.
The thought of meeting that jerkass prince was far too unsettling—especially after realizing she had attacked him with Heaven‑knows‑what.
She was certain she hadn't carried explosives that night.
And she couldn't even ask RT, because Raymond had literally grounded her. A twenty‑three‑year‑old grown woman, grounded for reckless behavior. He had taken her phones, her credit cards, and even banned her from social media, promising she'd get them back only if she passed the first stage of the selection.
So unfair.
Anyway—what the heck.
As long as she stayed far away from that jerk today, just for today, maybe her sour mood would fade. Maybe she could enjoy one day of freedom without having to face him. Every. Single. Day.
The thought alone sent goosebumps down her skin.
She shrugged and turned toward the walk‑in closet where her suitcase waited, smiling faintly.
Nothing should ruin this small taste of freedom. Nothing.
But as she reached for the door—
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
Ariel froze.
At first, she shook her head, thinking it was her imagination playing tricks on her.
But then she felt it—the shift in the atmosphere, the undeniable presence behind her.
She turned slowly, and her short‑lived happiness deflated completely as her eyes landed on the figure sprawled lazily across her bed, staring at her with those monstrous red eyes she had grown to hate. Eyes that haunted her nightmares more than once.
He wore a black shirt and slacks, lying with one leg bent and the other stretched out. The posture flexed his muscles, the fabric of his shirt tracing them perfectly. His short, silky black hair spilled carelessly down his back, a few strands falling across his face.
He looked handsome. Achingly, annoyingly handsome.
Ariel swallowed, her eyes widening in disbelief. Her mind whirled with one question: 'How did he...'
A small gust of wind brushed her face. She turned to see the balcony door open.
'Of course', she thought disdainfully, before shifting her gaze back to him. He lounged on her bed, head propped up by one hand, watching her intently.
Then, with infuriating ease, he dropped his usual cliché line:
"You're in some serious trouble."
Ariel growled inwardly.
'Oh Heavens, help me.'
Just her blimey luck.
************************************************
Spoiler alert
The room was silent as the question hung in the air like a small storm cloud that suffocated the room. Ready to unleash it's torrent any time soon.
Ariel could not be believe what he just said.
Her falling for a barbaric maniac and a royal jerkass like him.
This assumption was beyond believable. It was truly unacceptable and outrageous.
Maybe if she was her old naive self she would have fallen blindly.
But since life taught her how love can betray you in most painful way. She refuses to fall victim to it again. Never will she be bound again in its trap. Never.
She looked at Daniel directly in the eyes and said, "No. I never. And I will never fall for you, Your Highness. That is a dream that will never come true. So don't expect anything from me. And I will not expect anything from you either. Excuse me."
And she took a step away from him and turned her back.
However, Daniel yanked her back to him without warning with strong momentum.
And the two lost their balance and fell onto the bed.
"Mwaaa..."
Ariel's eyes widened and she landed on top of Daniel and their lips touching.
The breeze from the balcony door swept the curtains filling the room. Turning it into a romantic scene.
Bodies pressed together.
Lips touching.
Their gazes looked.
And something that felt wrong...
Something poked her hand and she subconsciously squeezed to confirm what it was.
Receiving a low growl and darker crimson eyes glowing dangerously at her.
Her eyes widened even more after realising what it was and where her hand was.
And what she just squeezed.
A very, very, forbidden, sacred treasure.
Her heart hammered in her chest and she didn't dare look down.
And as if things couldn't get any worse.
The door opened....
Guess who saw the scene.
Ready for more?