CHAPTER 7
1038 Words
Weeks passed slowly inside the palace of Azurith.
And somehow—
Things began to change.
Charles no longer disappeared for hours with Ella.
He stayed closer to Pearl now.
He joined her during royal dinners, walked beside her through the palace gardens, and even sat with her during council gatherings instead of remaining distant like before.
At first, Pearl didn’t trust it.
How could she?
The betrayal still haunted her every single day.
Sometimes she would wake up in the middle of the night remembering the image of Charles and Ella together, and the pain would return all over again.
But Charles kept trying.
Relentlessly.
And little by little, Pearl’s walls slowly began to c***k.
One afternoon, Pearl sat beside the royal coral gardens while small glowing fish swam lazily around the water lilies.
Charles approached quietly holding a small pearl flower in his hand.
Pearl looked up at him suspiciously.
“What’s this?”
Charles sat beside her carefully.
“You used to like these.”
Pearl stared at the flower silently before taking it from him.
A soft sigh escaped her lips.
“You remember that?”
Charles gave a faint smile.
“I remember everything about you.”
The words made Pearl’s chest tighten unexpectedly.
For months she had only known pain from him.
But now—
He was trying to become the person she once loved again.
Meanwhile, Ella completely avoided Pearl.
Days turned into weeks without the sisters speaking to each other properly.
At first, Pearl expected arguments.
Excuses.
More tension.
But Ella remained strangely quiet.
Whenever they crossed paths inside the palace halls, Ella simply lowered her gaze and walked away silently.
And somehow, that silence convinced Pearl even more that perhaps both of them truly regretted what they had done.
One evening during dinner, Queen Seraphine noticed the small smile finally returning to Pearl’s face.
“You seem happier lately,” the queen said gently.
Pearl glanced toward Charles sitting beside her.
Charles looked back at her softly.
And for the first time in months—
The tension between them eased slightly.
Pearl looked down shyly.
“Things are getting better.”
King Thalor remained silent for a moment.
Though he still did not fully trust Charles, seeing Pearl smile again softened some of the anger inside him.
“I only want peace in this family,” he finally said quietly.
Ella sat silently across the table.
Her expression unreadable.
But beneath the table, her fingers curled tightly into her palm.
Because every smile between Pearl and Charles felt like a blade twisting inside her chest.
Later that night, Pearl stood alone near the balcony of her chambers staring at the glowing ocean outside.
Charles slowly approached from behind her.
“You’ve been quiet,” he murmured.
Pearl smiled faintly.
“I’m thinking.”
“About what?”
She hesitated before answering.
“About us.”
Charles’ chest tightened slightly.
Pearl turned toward him slowly.
“I really did love you, Charles.”
Guilt flashed through his eyes instantly.
Because despite everything he had done—
Pearl still looked at him with warmth.
“I know,” he whispered.
Pearl stepped closer toward him.
“I want to believe things can still work.”
Charles looked at her silently.
Part of him felt relief.
Another part felt unbearable shame.
Because Pearl had no idea the darkness still growing behind her back.
No idea Ella’s hatred had not disappeared.
It had only become quieter.
Charles gently touched Pearl’s hand.
And this time—
She didn’t pull away.
The distance between them slowly disappeared after that night.
Charles spent more time with her.
They laughed together again.
Talked again.
And slowly, Pearl allowed herself to trust him once more.
Even King Thalor began noticing the change.
Though he remained cautious, he could see how much Pearl wanted her marriage to heal.
And for her sake—
He stayed silent.
One night, after a royal celebration, Pearl and Charles returned to their chambers exhausted.
Soft music from the palace still echoed faintly through the water outside while moonlight shimmered gently across the room.
Pearl sat quietly at the edge of the bed while Charles removed his royal coat slowly.
An awkward silence settled between them.
But this time—
It felt different.
Not cold.
Not painful.
Just uncertain.
Charles looked toward her carefully.
“Pearl…”
She lifted her eyes toward him nervously.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Pearl slowly stood and walked toward him.
“I’m tired of feeling alone,” she whispered softly.
The sadness in her voice shattered something inside Charles.
Because despite everything—
Pearl still wanted him.
Still trusted him enough to try again.
Charles gently touched her face.
And this time—
He didn’t pull away.
That night, the distance between husband and wife finally disappeared.
Not out of duty.
Not out of pressure.
But because Pearl believed they were finally healing.
And for the first time since their marriage began—
Pearl truly felt loved.
Days later, Pearl noticed strange changes in her body.
Fatigue.
Dizziness.
And a constant warmth deep inside her stomach.
At first, she ignored it.
Until Queen Seraphine smiled knowingly during breakfast one morning.
“Pearl,” the queen said softly, “when was the last time you rested properly?”
Pearl blinked in confusion.
“I’ve been resting.”
The queen exchanged a glance with one of the royal healers nearby.
Then slowly—
A smile spread across her face.
King Thalor looked confused.
“What is it?”
The healer bowed respectfully before speaking.
“Your Majesties…”
She turned toward Pearl warmly.
“The princess is carrying a child.”
Silence filled the room instantly.
Pearl froze completely.
“A child?” she whispered.
The queen smiled with tears in her eyes.
“You’re going to be a mother.”
Shock flooded Pearl’s face before happiness slowly replaced it.
Pure happiness.
Her hands instinctively moved toward her stomach.
Charles stared at her silently from across the room.
But unlike everyone else—
Fear slowly crept into his chest.
Because somewhere inside the palace—
Ella was about to find out.
And nothing terrified him more than that.
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