ADESSA.

"We need to go, my lady," Danielle said the moment she was done rubbing off the oil on me.

"Okay," I replied, but my eyes were on Kael, who was biting his bottom lip but not saying anything.

"I will just turn around if you want to say goodbye to each other." Like she said, Danielle moved toward the door and turned to face it.

Kael went to me and cupped my face, kissing me briefly before talking. "I won't come back to the breakfast hall."

My eyes watered as I nodded my head.

"In case the King noticed we were both gone. I also have to leave the palace vicinity soon." He added as his knuckles brushed my cheeks.

"Be careful." I was struggling not to cry, but I wasn't successful. Just the thought of him being away from me was crushing my heart.

"I will. Please don't cry. You have to be strong without me. And use your heat to protect yourself." He whispered the last part in my ear before he kissed my cheek. "I will come back for you."

"Sir..." Danielle spoke, and our heads turned in her direction. She was still facing the door, but she continued speaking. "If you can memorize a number. 6-5-4-6-8-7-3-1-1-2."

"Say it again," Kael told her, and she repeated the same number.

"I can only check it at night. Send a message like they were meant for me."

I closed my eyes and fought new tears from falling, grateful that Danielle was the one sent to be my handmaid. I had so many things to thank her for.

"Thank you," Kael said, and my eyes snapped open. I wrapped my arms around him, and I hugged him tightly. "Butterfly. I call her butterfly." He added.

Danielle nodded. "We need to go, my princess."

I grabbed Kael's face and kissed him hard before letting him go.

"Adessa," Kael grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him, cupping my face one more time as he looked straight into my eyes. "I love you. Don't forget that. No matter what happens or what you hear. No matter what bad things they say about me, don't believe them. You and me, always."noveldrama

I nodded my head, biting my bottom lip to stop my lips from quivering.

"You're mine. I will come back for you."

He pecked my lips, and I hugged him again as I mumbled, I love you, back to him.

And then I let go. I didn't look at him anymore as I exited the restroom.

I kept reminding myself I shouldn't be complaining. I should be grateful I got time with him and confirmation from him that he would come back for me that he would join the Royal Games to win me.

Danielle handed me a candy that I slipped into my mouth without any questions before we left the restroom. We didn't talk more until we reached the breakfast hall, and the first thing I saw was my father speaking with Alpha Draco in one corner. Both of them were holding a cup of coffee, and they both looked relaxed. That was not a good sign.

My heart began thudding loudly. The fact that they appeared okay did not sit well with me. I should tell the King what role Draco played in my life before he could tell him more lies.

Before I could decide what to do next, my attention was drawn by someone pushing his chair back and creating a scraping sound against the marble floor. It was from someone I had never seen before, but based on where he was seated, which was at the table assigned to me and the King, I already had an inkling who he was.

One of the King's sons.

He stood up and smiled at me

before bowing his head. "I expect the

King to introduce you, but he's busy." He moved forward and stood in front of me, laying out his hand.

"Prince of Esriel of Absalom, Alpha of the Dark Hounds Pack." He spoke gallantly before flashing me a smug smirk.

The third son.

He laid out his hand, and I ended up staring at it.

"My lady, give him your hand and introduce yourself." I heard Danielle whispering behind me.

Of course, someone gave me a crash course this morning on what to do in case another Royal was introduced to me. I just blanked out.

I smiled at him but felt my cheeks burning in embarrassment. I gave him my hand and did a curtsy before speaking. "Princess Adessa of Absalom."

"A pleasure to finally meet you,

Princess," he said, kissing the back

of my palm before he leaned his

so

we

face closer and whispered so low that no one could hear us. "I advise you to cut the breakfast short can stop this play pretend. The corset under my coat is fucking tight. I can't breathe." And then he gave me a wink, and I ended up doing my best not to burst out

laughing.

"I'm glad you introduced yourself to your sister, Esriel," The King's voice came, and it made my heart thunder again.

I swallowed hard as I took my hand

from Esriel's and faced our father

while praying to Selene to make sure his keen sense of smell would not catch Kael's scent.

"You were busy, Father, and I couldn't wait to meet our princess."

"Understandable. Go back to the table and eat," he ordered him, and he did as he was told.

"Father," I spoke before he could say anything to me. "May I speak with you in private?"

"About what or who?" he asked.

My head was looking in his direction, but I could see Alpha Draco in my side peripherals, speaking with someone else. "Alpha Draco," I mumbled, just enough for him to hear.

"We can discuss that after the banquet."

"Yes, father. I shall go back to my seat now."

"No," he said, and my head snapped back to look at him. "You are an excuse for the rest of the banquet."

I swallowed. I already knew what would come next.

"Let your handmaid wash you off before you face me again." He turned around without waiting for my reaction.

Then he addressed the guests, letting them know that I would be leaving the banquet to attend to personal matters.

As much as I wanted to slump my shoulders, I remained standing straight, keeping my head high.

I knew what I did, and I didn't regret it. Kael was worth the consequences of my actions.

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