Chapter 265
Chapter 265
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“I knew about the arrangement,” she said. “I agreed to meet you because it made sense on paper. You’re respected. Influential. Close to Nolan. It was supposed to be… manageable p>
“And then?” he asked quietly.
“And then I started falling for you,” she said, voice breaking. “And that wasn’t part of the plan p>
The admission hung between them, raw and unguarded.
Lance felt the sting immediately-not because she cared for him, but because of what it meant she’d been carrying alone.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.
“Because that’s where it becomes a problem,” Isla said, finally looking up at him. Her eyes were bright, unshed tears trembling at the edges. “If I care about you- really care-then everything my family is asking of me becomes a betrayal p>
His stomach dropped.
“What are they asking?” he asked, though part of him already knew.
“They want me to move quickly,” she said. “To formalize things. To marry you as soon as possible, while the election is still unsettled p>
Lance’s fists curled slowly. “And p>
“And they want information,” Isla whispered. “About the packhouse. About Nolan. About internal divisions. Who’s wavering. Who’s loyal. What decisions are being made behind closed doors p>
The words tasted like poison in the air.
“They’re using you,” Lance said flatly.
“Yes,” she agreed. “And they think I’ll let them p>
He moved closer then, kneeling in front of her so they were eye level. “Have you p>
“No,” she said immediately. “Never. I haven’t told them anything. But the pressure keeps increasing. Every letter, every visit-it’s always the same. Reminders of duty. Of obligation. Of what I owe them p>
Her voice cracked fully now. “They say if I truly care about the future of the kingdom, I’ll help them p>
“And what do you want?” Lance asked.
She laughed weakly, “That’s the problem. I want you. And I don’t want to use you to get what they want. I don’t want to become someone who trades affection for leverage p>
The tears finally fell, silent and devastating,
“I thought if I pulled away,” she said, “If I created distance, I could protect you. Protect us. But it just made everything worse p>
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Chapter 265
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Lance reached out without thinking, cupping her face gently, thumbs brushing away the tears.
“You don’t get to protect me by shutting me out,” he said softly. “You protect me by trusting me p>
She leaned into his touch instinctively, then froze. “You should be angry p>
“I am,” he admitted. “At them. Not at you p>
Her breath hitched.
“I won’t pretend this doesn’t hurt,” he continued. “Knowing that people see me as a piece on a board. Knowing that you’ve been carrying this alone.” He rested his forehead against hers. “But I’d rather face that pain with you than be kept in the dark p>
She sobbed then, quietly, shoulders shaking as the weight finally spilled over. Lance held her without hesitation, anchoring her against him.
“I love you,” she whispered, the words tumbling out as if she’d been holding them back for too long. “And that terrifies me p>
Lance closed his eyes.
“I’m not afraid of that,” he said. “I’m afraid of what happens if you keep thinking you
have to choose between me and doing the right thing p>
She pulled back slightly. “What if being with you puts you at risk p>
“It already does,” he replied. “Everything does right now p>
He brushed his thumb along her cheek. “But you choosing honesty-that’s not a
threat. That’s the only way forward p>
She nodded slowly, breathing uneven.
“What do we do?” she asked.
“We take this one step at a time,” Lance said. “No rushing. No secret deals. And if your family keeps pushing-
“I’ll tell them no,” Isla said, firmer now. “I don’t care what they threaten me with p>
A flicker of pride warmed his chest.
“And if they ask for information?” he asked.
“I’ll refuse,” she said. “And if they don’t accept that… I’ll tell Nolan p>
Lance studied her face, searching for doubt. He found resolve instead.
He pulled her back into his arms. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “Not because of
politics. Not because of obligation. Because I choose you p>
She clutched his shirt, fingers curling into the fabric as if afraid he might vanish.
For the first time in days, the tension in her body eased.
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Outside the walls, the kingdom continued its quiet maneuvering. Elders whispered.
Lines shifted. Pressure mounted.
But in this small, sunlit room, two people chose something simpler.
Honesty.
And for now, that was enough.
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