Chapter 19: Chapter 18: A New Royal Family

Chapter 18: A New Royal Family

Back in the cozy living room of the cabin, Chloe and Youssef Trabelsi sat across from each other on comfortable sofas, the light of morning entering the room through the glass windows.

“Do you know what happened yesterday, at the inner castle?” Trabelsi asked, leaning back with a smirk.

Chloe, nodded, though her bandaged hands throbbed. “I’ve heard whispers,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “The king and queen are stronger than ever. The kingdom’s rallying behind them. Even the Four Admirals have pledged ‘support.’”

She glanced down at her bruised hands — a silent reminder of what this path demanded. “But it’s not all unity. There’s tension brewing. Each faction is watching, waiting for any sign of weakness.”

Trabelsi chuckled. “You talk like someone who snuck back into the castle during training.”

Chloe flushed but kept her composure. “No. Just careful listening,” she said, tapping her earpiece. “Part of my duties with the Secret Agency. We gather information — even while on break.”

“As we all saw,” Trabelsi replied, glancing toward the large screen across the room. “The broadcast was public. Princess Tahlia had her own special — styling her hair, talking dolls, giving little speeches. Lighthearted stuff, a good distraction from the politics.”

Chloe smiled faintly. “She’s a spark of innocence. We need that... something pure in all this darkness.”

Her smile faded as she flexed her fingers. “But distractions are dangerous. The king’s enemies are patient. They’ll use joy to blind us.”

She took a breath. “I’ll spend this week focusing on Animencor and healing. I need to be ready for whatever comes next. I have to protect my lo—” she coughed, catching herself. “The king. Even if my arms are broken.”

Trabelsi raised a brow. “The king’s fine. But you do need to train. Injured or not, we adapt. That’s the rule.”

“I know,” Chloe said, eyes gleaming with determination. “This mission depends on me. I won’t let the king down.”

“And I won’t let you down either,” Trabelsi replied. “Your next lesson won’t be physical. I’ll teach you Observation Animencor.”

Chloe’s exhaustion gave way to curiosity. “I’m ready. How does it work?”

Trabelsi narrowed his eyes. “You didn’t sleep last night, did you?”

“Sleep is a luxury,” Chloe quipped, though the dark circles under her eyes betrayed her. “I’ll rest when the kingdom’s safe.”

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

He didn’t smile. “You need to follow orders. At the masquerade, you almost compromised everything. The Doctors are just waiting for a mistake to dethrone the king.”

Chloe stiffened. “I know I messed up. But I’m not just some reckless girl. I was chosen for Operation Closer. Let me prove why.”

“You weren’t chosen to follow feelings,” Trabelsi said bluntly. “You were chosen to infiltrate. To become a butler. That’s the only legal path to get close to the king.”

Chloe bowed her head. “Then I’ll walk it. Step by step. But I need the tools. Teach me. Help me serve the kingdom from the shadows.”

Trabelsi studied her for a moment, then softened. “Fine. But today, you rest. You’re not becoming head butler tomorrow morning. Recover. You’ll need it.”

She nodded silently, retreating to her room.

Outside, Trabelsi stretched on his chair, cowboy hat tilted back. “Your choice was right, thorn princess,” he murmured , referring to Ms nightfall with her old name. “Too bad I’m a laid back teacher for a student like her.”

Inside, Chloe removed her bandages and examined her swollen knuckles. She winced, but the pain was familiar now — a badge of effort. She opened her diary and scribbled the day’s events. A photo of King Aldric slipped from between the pages.

“I can’t let emotions cloud my mission,” she whispered. “But I can’t deny them either. They make me stronger.”

She closed the book and finally allowed herself to sleep.

Meanwhile, in the inner chambers of the castle, morning light streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting warm colors across a table laid with fresh bread, exotic fruits, and rich coffee. King Aldric, Queen Seraphina, and little Princess Tahlia sat together, quiet butlers moving silently around them.

Tahlia looked up, eyes shining. “Papa, I like your matching outfit with my sister. You both look like a king and queen.”

Seraphina blushed. Aldric chuckled. “Thank you, my little star.”

Seraphina leaned in with a conspiratorial smile. “Remember, sweetheart — when you talk about me to your father, say ‘Mama.’ Being sisters is our little secret.”

Tahlia nodded, a warm trust forming. Seraphina was still her sister — but becoming something more.

Aldric gave a gentle smile. “Your mother and I are so happy you’re part of our family. If ‘sister’ feels right to you, that’s okay too.”

Tahlia tilted her head. “But why does it matter what I call you? Don’t families just use whatever names they want?”

Seraphina took her hand. “In our hearts, we’re already family. But to the kingdom, titles mean something. It’s part of keeping things in order. Still, with us... call me whatever feels right. I was your big sister before all this. Now it’s your choice.”

Tahlia’s voice dropped to a hopeful whisper. “I’ve always wanted a real mama. I’ll call you Mama, if that’s okay. Big sister was second mama — but I never had a first mama. Will you be my first mama?”

Seraphina’s eyes filled. She pulled Tahlia close. “Of course, my love. Always.”

Tahlia giggled, snuggling into the embrace. “Mama, can I have extra suprup on my pancakes?”

Seraphina wiped her eyes, laughing. “Of course, darling — you mean syrup, don’t you? But let’s ask the butler nicely.”

Tahlia looked at the waiting staff, whispered the word in her mouth, "sy-rup," then said, “Can I have some syp-rup, please?”

The room broke into soft laughter.

That night, once Tahlia had been tucked into bed — her nightgown perfectly pressed, her dolls arranged by silent butlers — Aldric and Seraphina stood by the tall window of their private chamber, watching the candlelit city below.

“She’s our daughter now,” Seraphina said, her voice calm but firm.

Aldric nodded slowly. “She is... she’s our only hope for the future.”

A pause stretched between them — not silence, but calculation, memory, and something unspoken.

they turned to each ather ,

“Together, we can forge our own future,” Aldric said softly.

They looked at each other in. understanding, then retreated to their private rooms, the night holding their guarded secrets .