The words caught in her throat as she looked into ben's eyes. She had never considered this before; always assuming that he was worshipping her in return. But now... "I... I worship my sword," she finally said, the admission feeling strange on her lips. "My skills with the blade are all I have."

A chuckle rumbled from his chest. "That's a noble answer," he murmured before leaning in closer still, their breath mingling as his hot gaze bored into hers. "

Her heart skipped a beat at his words. The image of him thrusting deep inside her, claiming her as his own, filled her mind. "Yes..." she breathed hoarsely. "I... I do." Her hands moved to his shoulders, digging into the firm muscle beneath the fabric of his shirt.

"No," she protested, shaking her head. "It wasn't your fault. We both chose this path together, and I would do it again in a heartbeat." She squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Now we just need to figure out how to convince the king of that."

They spent the rest of the day discussing their options, weighing the pros and cons of each possibility.

As evening fell, Haley made her way to her father's study, her heart pounding in her chest with nervous anticipation. She had come up with a plan, one that she hoped would spare ben 's life and allow them to continue their forbidden love affair in secret. The door was ajar, and she could hear the sound of papers shuffling from within.

Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself before pushing it open and stepping inside.

The second day of their family vacation dawned bright and sunny, promising to be perfect for their planned outdoor adventures. After a leisurely breakfast by the lake, Haley and her husband set off with their two eldest children, Alexandra and Ashton. They spent the morning hiking through lush forests and exploring hidden waterfalls, laughing and enjoying each other's company the whole time.

It felt wonderful to be away from court life, even if only for a week.

The final day of their vacation dawned with a sense of melancholy in the air. Despite the exhaustion and sunburns, Haley knew she would miss this time spent with her family. As they packed up their things and readied to return home, she found herself wishing that they could stay here forever.

The journey back was long and arduous, but it passed quickly thanks to the stories they shared and the laughter that filled the airwaves. Finally, they arrived back at the palace, weary but satisfied.

The years passed quickly, with Queen Haley and King Julian ruling their kingdom side by side. They were often seen laughing together, their fingers intertwined as if they had been meant for one another since the beginning of time. And standing always at their sides was Ben, her trusted friend and bodyguard who had become more like a brother to her than anyone else in the world.

Together, they navigated the challenges that came with ruling a kingdom, facing each obstacle with determination and courage.

"Come in," Queen Haley called out as she sat at her desk, going over reports from various nobles within the kingdom. Ben entered the room, his expression serious and concerned. "What is it, Ben?" she asked, setting aside her papers.

"I think that would be lovely," she replied with a small smile. "You have always had an excellent taste in wine." Taking his arm, she let him lead her out of the room and down to a private balcony overlooking the palace gardens. The night sky was ablaze with stars as they sat down at a small table, the red wine glinting like rubies in the moonlight.

"To our victory," Ben said, raising his glass. "And to the future of the Darran Kingdom."

She clinked her glass against his, their wine mixing in an intimate toast as she smiled up at him. "To our victory," she echoed, her voice strong and clear despite the emotion that threatened to overwhelm her. "And to many more to come." She took a sip of the wine, savoring its rich, fruity flavor as it danced across her tongue.

The night air was cool against her skin, but she barely noticed as they sat there together in silence for what seemed like hours.

As they approached her father's study, Haley could hear muffled voices inside. Her heart skipped a beat as she pushed the door open and stepped into the room. Her father, King Ashton Delarise, sat behind his desk, looking tired and haggard. Beside him was Cedric Sheridan, his face pale and drawn. And sitting opposite them was someone Haley had never seen before: a tall, dark-haired man with an air of authority about him.

"Haley,"

King Ashton said wearily. "I'm glad you could join us." Her heart sank as she realized what was happening. This was no ordinary summons; this was a negotiation. A dangerous and delicate one at that. The stranger must be Cedric's father, Lord Sheridan.

"What is the meaning of this?" She demanded, her voice shaking with anger and fear. "Why have you summoned me here? And who are you?" She gestured to the mysterious man beside her father.