The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

- KATALEYA ~

I place my spoon down, having enjoyed the delicious meal. I had returned to the new place an hour ago, showered, and gotten dressed before eating.

Originally, Jose told me Enrique was on his way to fetch me, but he had changed his mind, making the hope I had felt come crashing down. Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on NovelDrama.Org. Visit NovelDrama.Org to read the complete chapters for free. So Jose had brought me back to the home where we would be staying. I had placed the prosthetic aside, feeling like a failure. "Thank you for the meal, Hugo," I say politely to the old Escarra butler.

"Not at all, it is an honour to serve you," he says. I look up at him. Dad had mentioned him to me. They had stayed in touch for several years, but then he stopped responding and told Dad to back off.

I glance around. Enrique isn't around but... he somehow can sneak up on me too, but according to Jose, he had a lot to do.

I talked to Valentina early this morning, and I have organised a group call in about half an hour with those back home. I can't delay this any longer. I have to tell them of my assumption about me being the Asheton queen, no matter how hard that is to believe. I just don't want them to be worried, but I also can't keep it from them. When I go to the summit, I will tell them about being in the crypt too.

"May I ask a few questions?" I ask Hugo as he picks up the plates.

He pauses, before bowing his head. "Of course, Princess Kataleya."

"Then please join me for some tea," I say, standing up.

"Of course. What tea would you like?"

"I will make it." I smile, picking up the glass and water bottle and heading to the kitchen before he can protest. I get to making the tea as Hugo clears away. Is he the only staff here?

"Really princess, I can do it for you."

"I'll be alright, do you have sugar in your tea?" I ask him, adding a pinch of cinnamon.

He smiles, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Yes, thank you, Princess, although I feel dreadful having you make me tea."

"Not at all. You made me dinner, it's only fair. This kitchen is beautiful... can I cook here?" I ask.

"Of course! Just let me know what you wish to make, and I will bring you whatever you may need. It was short notice, so I wasn't able to get much... so I just got some of the things I know Alpha Enrique enjoys in his foods."

I look around. There are plenty of spices and necessities, but one thing is clear: his love for Enrique.

"He's lucky to have you..." I murmur. "Where... where did Alpha Enrique go?" I ask, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

"He did not say I'm afraid. Did Beta Jose not say?"

I shake my head, staring at the cups in front of me. His words from last night make my heart ache. He's hurting. He's hurting so deeply I just wish he would let me in... what can I do? Do I push until I manage to bring his walls down and get rid of all his insecurities? Once the tea is done, I place it on the small round table in the kitchen and Hugo takes a seat hesitantly.

"Is it alright to ask you a few questions?" I ask softly.

"Ask away. After all, I owe it to you for making such aromatic tea."

I smile as I look down at the steaming cups. "Forgive me in advance if I am wrong or step out of line, but you are the one who brought Alpha Enrique back to Puerto Rico, correct? Back then? The same Hugo that father remained in touch with?" I whisper, not sure if Enrique even knew this.

He sighs heavily and nods. "Indeed, I am."

"My father told me that after a few years, your reports became extremely brief, and you simply told him that Alpha Enrique was doing well and a few years ago you stopped contacting him completely and no longer responded to his emails."

"Well, Alpha Enrique found out, and he rightfully felt a little betrayed and dismissed me - commanding me not to contact Alpha Alejandro." He picks up his mug and I nod slowly.

"And the men my father sent to watch Alpha Enrique. What about them?"

"If you mean the two men he sent to settle here, Alpha Enrique banished them."

I frown. "Is that something he can do? I mean, they weren't on pack territory?"

"The island is fully the King's territory. There is no human on these islands more powerful than our king. I think you have only seen a very small portion of our alpha. He is a man who has great power over the political aspect of these islands and his influence stretches far. He might only be twenty-four, but he has accomplished what many cannot do in their lifetime. El Rey Carmesí was powerful without even accepting his full powers."

My heart skips a beat. The Crimson King...

That's what he meant: the Rossis were not the only powerful ones...

What he did to the Crawlers, no one has been able to!

"And he came into power last night, correct?" I ask, remembering the words he had spoken.

Hugo nods and I take a deep breath.C0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.

There's so much more to him...

"Is there anything more you wish to ask me, Princess?" Hugo asks and I realise I was lost in my thoughts.

"Well... no, that's it, thank you."

Deciding against asking him anything further, I smile at him, and we finish drinking our tea. I don't want to ask things that perhaps he isn't aware of. After tea, I return to the bedroom I will be staying in. My things have been brought here, but I don't see anything of Enrique's. I wonder where he will sleep, not that I want to share a room with him, I was just wondering!

I do enjoy his arms around me, I even enjoy his tongue-stop!

My cheeks heat up and I feel guilty.

Bad Kat.

I shake my head, patting my burning cheeks lightly, trying to calm down just when my phone begins ringing.

The group video call. Taking a deep breath, I answer the call to see Dad and Mama, Leo, Raihana, and Uncle Liam. With Skyla and Rayhan pending to join.

"Hello there! You look gorgeous and look at that glow! I'm jealous!" Raihana says as she leans forward to get a better look. I smile at her, seeing her after a few months. I notice that she looks a little... thinner. My heart squeezes in pain. Raihana lost her mate two years ago and although she's remained strong, it has taken a toll on her.

No matter how strong you are, the loss of a mate affects you...

"I probably did get a tan," I smile. "The sun is always out here."

"And I hope you're being treated f*****g right," Dad remarks, smoking his cigarette.

"I am." I smile at him.

"She looks perfectly fine," Mama reassures him, just as Skyla and Royce join and a few seconds later, so does Rayhan. After we've greeted one another, I look at Leo. "Where is Azura?"

"With the kids." He says, lighting a cigarette.

I nod, "Well I'm sorry for calling you all but there's something I wanted to share, and I might be wrong, but just in case I'm not..." I look down at my hands, not knowing how to explain this. "What is it?" Uncle Liam asks, concerned.

"The Crawlers, I've had a run-in or two with them, ..." Dad's eyes flash but Mama signals him to not say anything and I'm grateful for that.

"Are you alright?" Skyla asks as Malevolent jumps onto her lap. I nod.

"I am.... but they said something that worries me."

"And what exactly did they fucking say?" Leo asks with a frown, and Dad nods his agreement.

"As they surrounded me, they began chanting; hmt nswt Ashetaan daru Azarakh."

There's a moment of silence before Rayhan looks up.

"Hmt nswt that's ancient Egyptian for 'king's wife' or-"

"Or queen." Leo and Skyla say together.

"And we can presume Ashetaan is Asheton," Royce adds.

"You could be the Asheton queen. You hold so much power." Skyla adds, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and Raihana and Mama nod.

"Hold that shit. Are you all f*****g deaf?"

"Na, but we might be if you keep f*****g shouting," Leo remarks, glaring coldly at Dad.

"Did you not hear the part where she said 'as they fucking surrounded me? 'Dad growls.

I pout. I think I'm only realising now how stressed men really get. "It's alright Dad, I'm fine. I wasn't hurt. I have... people here looking out for me." I feel my cheeks heat up and Dad c***s a brow. "Now I'm wondering if that's fucking good news or not. I don't like that expression on your face." Dad frowns.

"I think it's lovely," Mama says as Skyla smirks.

"I agree, and I'm sure whichever 'people' are looking out for you are doing so real f*****g good and hopefully looking after you in more ways than one," Skyla adds slyly, making Raihana laugh. The older three men don't find it amusing and are frowning.

"But this is serious," Rayhan says and Uncle Liam nods. "If you are the Asheton queen... then we can assume that they want your power or want you gone."

"I'd assume the first because I have my theories but nothing f*****g solid, so I will still go with they want your power," Leo says.

Royce nods, "And we don't know what daru Azarakh means," he muses. Raihana tilts her head. "I can try to find out."

Dad frowns, staring at me. "Yeah, do that. But if you are the Asheton Queen, Kataleya, you need to return home, where we can protect you."Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on NovelDrama.Org. Visit NovelDrama.Org to read the complete chapters for free.