Aira finally opened her mouth, and I fed her the first spoonful. After she swallowed, I offered her another, patiently feeding her until she had eaten everything on the tray.
When the last bite was gone, I set the spoon aside and wiped the corner of her lips with my thumb. Only then did I help her settle back against the pillows.
"Good girl," I murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Once I was certain she was comfortable, I rose from the bed.
Before I could take another step, a knock echoed through the room.
I turned towards the door, my expression hardening.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Jay, one of my guards, stepped inside. He bowed respectfully before approaching.
"prince " he said, "Princess Isa has arrived."
At the mention of her name, my gaze shifted briefly towards Aira.
Princess Isa was the only daughter of Fernandez and Zara. Her parents cherished her like a precious gem, giving her everything her heart desired. She had been raised as royalty in every sense of the word.
And I had always treated her like a princess.
If Isa wanted something, she received it.
Jay waited silently for my response, while the room settled into a tense quietness.
Alexander's POV đź–¤
The sound of my boots echoed through the enormous palace corridor as I walked towards the main hall.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The guards standing along the walls immediately bowed their heads as I passed.
My expression remained cold, my hands tucked into the pockets of my black trousers. There was something about the atmosphere today that felt different.
As I entered the hall, my eyes immediately fell on the familiar figures seated on the royal sofas.
My father, King Fernandez, sat with his usual royal composure, discussing something with one of the ministers.
Beside him sat my mother, Queen Zara, looking as elegant as ever.
And then—
I noticed Isa.
She was hugging my mother tightly, her arms wrapped around her waist as she rested her head against her shoulder like a little child who had finally found her favourite person.
Mother gently stroked Isa's hair, a warm smile on her face.
"My goodness, Isa," Mother chuckled. "Have you forgotten how to sit properly? You're a princess, darling."
Isa simply tightened her embrace.
"So what, Mother? Can't a princess hug her mother?"
Father laughed quietly at their little exchange.
I stopped near the entrance, watching them with an unreadable expression.
Unbelievable.
The entire palace was filled with people who feared my presence, yet this girl had no problem turning the royal hall into her personal playground.
I slowly raised an eyebrow.
"Should I come back later, or are we planning to hold a royal hugging ceremony today?"
All three of them turned towards me.
Isa immediately lifted her head.
"ALEXANDER!"
Before I could react, she released Mother and hurried towards me.
I barely had time to prepare myself before she threw her arms around me.
I stood frozen for a second.
Then I sighed.
"Isa."
She hugged me even tighter.
"I missed you!"
I looked towards my parents, who were watching us with amused smiles.
"Mother, Father," I said flatly, "your daughter seems to have forgotten that I have ribs."
Father burst into laughter.
Mother shook her head, smiling.
And Isa?
She simply looked up at me with the most innocent expression imaginable.
"You're so dramatic, Alexander!"
I stared at her.
This girl.
A faint smirk appeared on my lips as I gently tapped her forehead.
"And you're still annoying."
She gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart.
"Mother! Did you hear that? Your precious son is insulting me!"
I rolled my eyes.
"Here we go again."
But despite my words, I couldn't stop the small smile that appeared on my face.
For a brief moment, the royal hall was filled with laughter.
Yet, somewhere at the back of my mind, another face appeared.
A pair of rebellious eyes.
A stubborn little pout.
And a girl who had somehow managed to turn my perfectly ordered world upside down.
Aira…
My smile deepened ever so slightly.
I wonder what trouble you're planning now, my Camellia.
And for the first time that day, I found myself wanting to return to my room as quickly as possible.
Because, strangely enough…
The only person I truly wanted to see was the girl who had brought chaos into my life. đź–¤
**Isa's POV 🖤⚔️**
After spending some time with her parents and Alexander, I finally made my way towards my chambers.
The moment I entered my room, I closed the door behind me and walked towards my enormous bed.
I sat down on the edge before leaning back against the pillows, letting out a long sigh.
For a few moments, I remained silent.
Then my gaze shifted towards the object lying beside me.
My sword.
Slowly, I reached for it, my fingers wrapping around its familiar hilt.
I lifted the weapon and examined its polished blade, watching the sunlight from the windows dance across the metal.
My expression changed.
The cheerful smile I had worn in the royal hall disappeared, replaced by something far colder.
My fingers traced the intricate design on the hilt as memories began flooding my mind.
Damon.
Just the thought of his name made my jaw tighten.
My grip around the sword grew firmer.
A cruel smile slowly appeared on my face.
"**Damon…**"
I whispered his name, my voice barely audible.
"You have no idea what you've done."
I tilted the sword slightly, studying my reflection in its blade.
For everyone in the palace, I was Princess Isa—the beloved daughter of King Fernandez and Queen Zara, the playful girl who hugged her mother and annoyed her brother without a second thought.
But there was another side to me.
A side that nobody truly knew.
And Damon had awakened it.
My eyes darkened as I remembered everything that had happened between us.
"Did you really think you could get away with it?"
A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
My grip tightened around the sword as I stared at its sharp blade.
A cruel smile slowly spread across my face, and my eyes filled with cold hatred.
"**I will kill you, Damon. I WILL KILL YOU!**"
I raised the sword, my expression turning darker.
"You destroyed my peace, and I will never forgive you for that."
A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
"Enjoy your life while you still can, Damon. Because the next time we meet…"
I paused, staring at my reflection in the blade.
"**I will be the end of you.**"
The room fell silent.
I lowered the sword slightly, but the cold smile never left my face.
I was Princess Isa, the girl everyone believed they knew.
But nobody knew the storm brewing inside me.
And somewhere out there was the man I could neither forgive nor forget.
**Damon.**
This wasn't over.
Not even close.
To be continued… 🖤⚔️