Forced bride ritual

Brock proposing a contract marriage in exchange for his help

Jess meeting Edmund who tried to have his way with her

Mia writing to Jess that their father had been arrested

Jess agreeing to Brock’s proposal

Brock moving the family to the capital

Brock’s forced date with Rose Bethmot

Melissa discovered her brother is in love with Jess

Mia accidentally meeting the crown prince

was lost in her thoughts when she heard the crown prince say something that rocked her world and made her open disinfecting her wound and

pulled her to him when the guards had left.

with trying to steady her breathing and knelt down to caress her the wound on the base of her neck.

Jess pulled back slightly wanting to maintain a safe distance as his touch sent shock waves to her body, her hair was disheveled and tiny oped that if she was not allowed entry , the horse her eyes scanned the nearby bushes to remember important landmarks so she could find her way back when she was done.

From a distance, she could hear the sounds of cricket and the birds flying in the sky could see a shadow following her from the wall and sprinted into a run to get to the military gate. She hoped that her efforts would not be in vain and that she would be allowed to see James.

The clear sky had given way to darkness

opening was was a detailed persothe tone thing not missed out on any items as there was little time left thing.

items that needed to be bought across Jess’s face as she had not removed her head from to see the man she bumped into. She knew it was her fault as she had been reading the list of ingredients to buy.

The two maids that went with her to market had left for sight-seeing r chest. Jess still had her head on his chest and

“Rose Bethmot is on her way with Melissa, both of you are to host the charity event for tomorrow night and you are expected to welcome her today and show her around the hospital in front of the press” my mom said not bothering to ask of my own opinion.

Mom, Walker can do it. Remember that no one knows of my true identity. If I welcome Rose in such a public fair, it will send the press into a frenzy and spark rumors that could lead to my identity being exposed” I said trying to reason with her.

“Well, it’s about time you stop your little charade and resume your responsibilities at the palace, your dad is not getting any younger” she replied not caring about my feelings or our initial agreement.

I wondered what changed, she was in full support of my decision and this is just 13 months that I have been away from the palace, I still have some time till the expiration of our agreement.

“But mom, this was not our agreement” I said groaning in frustration.

“Everything is set, don’t disappoint me son” she said and hung up the phone not bothering to hear me out.

I threw away the flower vase on my table out of anger.

“Are you okay sir?”

I heard her soft voice full of concern from the other side of the door which made me regain my composure quickly. I’m not one to allow my emotion get the best of me, it was one of the most important lessons I learnt as a soldier. When you can’t control your emotion and allow your enemies to know your weakness, they will capitalize on it to bring you down.

“Yes! I’m fine” I replied

“Oh my God she must think I have anger issues” I thought.

“Come in” I said wanting to see her face, to calm my already racing heart.

A seconds later she was standing before me fidgeting with her fingers.

“I hope I have not scarred her with my behaviour.” My mind was in a disorganized state, everything was finally going well in my direction but with the emergence of Rose Bethmot, everything has taken a very different turn.

“I made you tea and some snacks for you as you have a lot of appointments today including the press conference you have to attend in two hours” she said with a smile on her face.

I was impressed with her foresight and how she actually cared for me. I was always the giver and not the receiver. People always needed something from me be it money, status, fame you name it. People were willing to use me to achieve their end goals and not because they actually cared for me. But, she was the first apart from Daniella and this made me love her more.

“Thank you” I managed to say trying to reign in my emotion.

“Tell Daniel to take care of the press conference and the royal visit with the royals that are coming in today. I’ve a lot on my plate already. I instructed her as I know that Daniel is a better fit to welcome Rose as he is a royal and also one the ad-hoc executive director like me, at least Daniel can deflate the attention from me and buy me sometime.

“Sir, Daniel said I should inform you that he is going to visit his old sick parents and that he will not be able to make it to the press conference” she replied.

My eyes widen in disbelief at the lie Daniel told just to evade the press conference, there goes my alternative plan in flames

“Does this mean I can’t really escape this damn royal visit?” I asked feeling frustrated.

Jess looked at me and regarded me for a moment before a little smirk appeared on her face as if a brilliant idea just popped up in her head.

“Leave it to me sir to find you a way out if you do not want to welcome the Royals personally”

I raised my eyebrow at her, surprised”

“And how do you plan to do that?” I asked her

“Well…” she suddenly became nervous but eventually summoned the courage she needed.

“Promise me a salary advance of 4 months and I’ll help you out? She said looking nervous

“And what do you need a salary advance for when you’ve barely worked for a day,? I asked her

“Hmm…I need it for my father’s surgery” she rasped out in a low voice.
I saw the sadness on face and decided not to push it further.

“Deal” I told her and watched her face light up instantly like a child who has been promised her favorite candy

“I will give you the advance from my personal fund since it’s against hospital’s policy to do so when you are not yet confirmed but I have a simple request that I would like to make? I said while raising one of my little finger up to illustrate how small the favour actually is.

“I can’t sell my body for money no matter what” she stated while using both her hands to cover her chest.

“What? Of course I’d never ask you or anyone to ever do that. What kind of person do you take me for? I asked narrowing my eyes at her in annoyance but I was delighted on the inside for this small opportunity to chat and joke with her.

“Sorry sir” she apologized while bowing her head slightly but her face was showing that she was not one bit remorseful. Could it be that she’s enjoying having a conversation with me? I wondered to myself. This thought warmed my heart greatly.

“It’s okay…Escort me to a dinner as my plus one” I said while holding my breath.

“You see, there’s an event tomorrow and as the Director, I have been told that as a policy that I should bring a date and I don’t have anyone specific in mind. I was planning on skipping it but unfortunately I can’t” I was holding my breath praying to God for her not to say no.

“Deal” she said imitating my words.