Chapter 104: Chapter 104
Ivy’s Point of View
"The calcification has completely dissolved, Riven," I said, setting down my acupuncture rods and pulling off my gloves
I reached into my kit and prepared the final health tools for him, aligning the support braces and the specialized heating tonics.
"At this exact point, your spinal meridians are fully reconnected. The numbness is gone, which means your legs finally have feeling again, and you can officially start practicing how to walk."
Prince Riven sat on the edge of the examination table, his chest heaving with deep emotion as he stared down at his bare feet. He slowly wiggled his toes, a look of profound, silent awe breaking across his face.
"I can feel the coldness of the stone floor, Ivy," he spoke out, his voice shaking with emotion. "Months of dead darkness... and I can finally feel the earth again."
Just as he reached out to grip the bars to take his very first unstable step, the doors pushed open, and Bella walked inside carrying a tray of fresh tea. She froze completely by the doorway, her eyes widening in shock as she saw this incredible scene.
"Your Highness... you are standing?" Bella gasped, nearly dropping her tray as her cheeks flushed with overwhelming emotion.
I wiped my hands on a cloth, a clever, matchmaking spark lighting up my eyes as I stepped between them. I looked at my friend, keeping my voice entirely sweet but serious.
"He is indeed standing, Bella." I said. "Do you truly want the eldest prince to stand up and reclaim his high position as the rightful heir to the kingdom?" I asked her directly.
"Of course I do, Ivy." Bella answered instantly. "He deserves to take back his rightful place, and rule his people."
"Well, you must brace your heart then," I joked, a playful smirk touching my lips as I let it out.
"The eldest prince is already the most handsome warrior in the capital. I firmly guarantee that the exact second he gets better and rides his warhorse back into the high court, he will instantly become a heartthrob among all the noble packs. Countless Alphas’ daughters will be throwing themselves at his boots to become his wives."
The moment the words left my mouth, Bella’s bright expression stiffened, and she felt deeply uneasy and conflicted after hearing this. She lowered her head, and I know why... she was thinking of the painful memory of her unfaithful fiancé, Fred. She knew the brutal reality of the royal courts all too well.
Dominic cleared his throat loudly, turning his chair toward the exit. "Ivy, the butler reported that the winter root shipments just arrived in the lower storehouse. We must go check the inventory right now."
"Ah, yes, the medicine logs require my urgent signature," I agreed smoothly, taking Dominic’s hand.
I, and Dominic left the room on a quick, clever excuse to purposefully leave a completely private space for the two of them to settle their hearts.
*
*
*
Prince Riven’s Point of View:
The doors clicked shut, leaving the room completely silent. Bella stood frozen near the tea table, her shoulders slightly hunched as she stared down at the floor, refusing to look at my face.
I let go of the support bars, forcing my unstable, uncooperative muscles to hold my posture. I took one slow, agonizing step forward, until I was standing just two feet away from her.
"Bella," I spoke softly. "Look at me, please."
She slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with unshed tears. "You shouldn’t push yourself, Your Highness. Ivy said the recovery period requires rest."
"I don’t care about the recovery right now, I care about your heart," I said. I looked straight into her eyes, making a solemn, unbreakable statement to her.
"I know what happened to you in the capital, Bella. I know your fiancé Fred was caught cheating, bringing a big humiliation upon your name, and I know you fled to this isolated village just to get yourself together and escape their cruel tongues." I paused letting my words flow.
"But hear me well... no matter what happens in the future, and no matter how high my rank climbs when I reclaim my throne, I will treat you exactly as before. My heart will never change, and I hope that you will always stand firmly by my side."
Bella gasped softly, her lips parting in shock as the sincerity of my vow pierced through her defenses.
Moved by my words, Bella stepped forward without a single second of hesitation, her hands reaching out to firmly grasp my palms.
"Prince Riven..." She said, but I cut her off.
"Riven will do." I corrected, and she laughed.
"If you can truly treat me as your equal, and if you can truly promise me that your bed will never hold another woman’s shadow, if you treat me as before, I will gladly face any political storm with you until the end."
The strength of her loyalty broke the final walls around my soul. I pulled her into my arms with force, burying my face in the soft crook of her neck as I held her against my chest.
"Hear my vow, Bella," I said solemnly into her skin, my grip tightening around her waist. "No matter what high royal identity or crown I will have in the future, you will only be a single, formal wife in my heart, not any other submissive identity or concubine. There will never be a third party between us."
Bella let out a soft, weeping laugh of relief, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck as she agreed to my terms.
*
*
*
Since that momentous night of vows, the daily atmosphere inside the manor changed entirely. Bella didn’t stay hidden in her village cottage anymore... instead, she came to the manor early every single morning to strictly supervise me walking practice, holding my arm and counting my steps.
With her standing as my anchor, I made rapid progress with my physical rehabilitation. I pushed my body past the limits of ordinary shifters, my inner wolf roaring with a newfound purpose.
After just one short month of grueling, agonizing practice, I could walk slowly alone, and my overall recovery speed far exceeded Ivy’s expectations.
ANOTHER MONTH LATER:
The secret preparation was officially complete. I didn’t hide my strength any longer. I returned to the capital palace first, riding a black stallion at the head of my elite guards.
I didn’t leave my woman behind, I took Bella away with me under the protection of my royal shield, and I personally escorted her back to her original pack to formally demand her hand in marriage from her family elders, throwing the entire capital court into chaos.
The next day, the loud iron bells of the capital began to ring across the valleys, and my father... the Alpha King issued a grand royal marriage decree that was stamped with the high golden seal of the throne.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter