Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

On the other side of the pond, Orla had made her way to Beaconsfield and was ushered into the grand halls of Premier Palace.

She took out a small bottle of pills and placed it on the coffee table. Only King was in the room; Brielle was outside, keeping Isaac entertained.

Orla looked at King, her voice laced with concern. "Take one a day, and by the time this bottle's empty, the effects of the drug will be completely neutralized. But think it over, because you're an alter ego. Strengthening his psyche means you'll fade away." King's fingers twitched as he reached for the bottle, his resolve evident despite his shudder. "I know."

Orla sighed softly. "I've done what you asked of me. The castle requires its steward, and I must return. Don't bother seeing me off; I know you're wrestling with your own anxieties."

"Auntie, thank you," King managed, gratitude softening his voice.

Orla's lips curled up gently. "Have you picked out a plot for Simone? I'd like to pay my respects before I leave. Her remains were brought back from Africa and laid to rest in a more dignified grave." King nodded, taking the wheel himself to drive her to the cemetery.

Walking down the path, Orla felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. Love, she thought, is such a perilous thing, especially for women. Fall for the wrong man, and it could ruin your life.

Standing before the grave, Orla remained silent, engulfed in her thoughts.

This once proud and fierce woman couldn't even protect the ones closest to her. In hindsight, perhaps it was all her fault for sheltering her sister too much, leaving her naive and unprepared for the harsh realities of love.

Orla gently caressed the headstone, her sigh the only testament to her feelings.

King, standing beside her, thought about how he had only given Fisher a few bullets and felt it was too kind a punishment. Some beasts deserved far worse.

After an hour of shared silence, Orla

announced her departure on an afternoon flight, leaving King with one last piece of advice: "When making decisions, consider whether you'll regret them later."

King, his gaze lowered, felt a sense of peace with his choices. Brielle's

love had been real, albeit hidden behind her fears and his own obliviousness, leading to their eventual separation. He had learned to cherish the smallest tokens of her affection, knowing it was greedy to ask for more.

"Auntie, don't worry. I know what I'm doing," he assured her as she left without looking back.

Returning to Premier Palace, King placed the bottle of pills in his bedside drawer, committing to a nightly ritual unbeknownst to Brielle.

She was oblivious to his turmoil, busy training Noir in the garden. The dog had grown lazy and overweight, his belly jiggling as he ran.

Laughing, Brielle suggested to Isaac, "Let's head to the store and pick up some new training gear."

Isaac, ever so eager, grabbed her

hand, and they set off for the pet

store. Amid the aisles filled with toys

and gadgets, Isaac's eyes were

drawn to an oversized cat teaser. novelbin

"Alright, we'll take it," Brielle agreed, smiling at his enthusiasm.

Picking out a few more toys, they were about to leave when a sudden force yanked Isaac back. Turning around, they were met with the cold glint of a knife.

"The son of a wretch! Time to die!" the assailant hissed, shattering the peaceful day.