born with secrets, loved by a King.

The castle of Eldoria did not simply stand—it commanded. The castle sat on acres of land so vast it almost felt like its own world, from the outside, it looked like something out of an old storybook—tall stone walls, wide balconies, and towers that touched the sky. But once you stepped inside, everything changed. Glass walls, modern lights, polished floors… it was was a seamless blend of vintage grandeur and modern luxury. Beautiful. Expensive. Priceless Beyond the castle walls, the name Albert of Eldoria carried even more weight. He wasn’t just a monarch—he was a force. A business magnate whose empire stretched across continents. From pharmaceutical companies saving lives, to the most prestigious eight-star hotel in the country, from oil conglomerates to fashion houses that dictated global trends—his influence was everywhere. Education, medicine, entertainment… there was no field untouched by his power. He had everything the world worshipped. A kingdom that glittered with prosperity, a palace where every whim was met by a silent servant, and a personal fortune that dwarfed entire nations. His days were a whirlwind of diplomatic dinners, charity galas, and the occasional business trips. Yet, beneath the perfectly tailored suits and the charming smile, lay a profound emptiness. Prince Albert was searching for something money couldn't buy: true love. Oh, how he had tried. The world’s most eligible bachelorettes had paraded before him like exotic birds, each more beautiful and accomplished than the last. There was Bianca the only daughter of the Blake's Family, with her sharp wit and even sharper business acumen, who spoke more of market shares than shared dreams. Then Lady Selena of the Morton family an actress often surrounded by paparazi, Camara and flashy light. She is a renowed top 3 international actress across the globe, whose ethereal beauty captivated all, but whose eyes held a scheming and manipulative look. Even the set up blind dates courtsey of his grandfather where he met countless women from other prominent family in the kingdom ,Women people called “perfect" and any man would be lucky to have.But every time, it felt the same. Empty. They laughed at the right moments. Smiled perfectly. Said all the right things.even brilliant scientists – all dazzling, all…unsuitable. They saw the crown, the wealth, the power, but never *him*. Prince Albert stood before the grand mirror in his private chambers, silent as attendants adjusted the final details of his attire. He wore a tailored black suit, handcrafted from the finest Italian fabric, the cut sharp enough to command respect without a word. A crisp white shirt sat perfectly beneath, its collar framing his strong jawline. Gold cufflinks—engraved with the royal crest—glinted subtly under the light. Draped over his shoulders was a deep navy velvet coat, lined with intricate embroidery only visible upon close inspection. Power, wealth, authority—stitched into every thread.His dark hair was neatly styled, his skin smooth and flawless, his features striking in a way that made people pause mid-sentence. His eyes, . “Your Majesty, the guests have begun to arrive,” a servant said softly, bowing. Albert gave a slight nod, dismissing him. He already knew what tonight would bring. Another reminder that love, for a man like him, was nothing more than a transaction dressed in silk. He exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting toward the massive window overlooking the estate. His grandparents had once stood in this very castle… but their story was different. Theirs was the kind of love that poets failed to capture and history struggled to contain. Real. Deep. Unshaken. That was what he wanted. Not alliances. Not contracts disguised as marriage. Love. Real love. A sharp knock interrupted his thoughts. He frowned. Without waiting for permission, the doors opened—and she walked in. “Albert,” Selena said, her voice smooth, familiar.She looked breathtaking, as always. Draped in elegance, every movement calculated, every smile perfected. To the world, she was the ideal queen—intelligent, poised, and undeniably beautiful. Her heels clicked against the marble as she crossed the room, hips swaying. He merely glanced at her. She was the little girl who used to chase him through the palace gardens. “Selena,” he replied, his tone polite. Like an older brother. She ran up to him and pulled him into a tight hug. Her soft curves pressed against his waist. Selena had always been curvy—hourglass figure, impossible to ignore. Albert inhaled before he could stop himself. Her hair smelled like flowers. Her body was warm against his. For a second, he almost lost control. “Ahem.” The butler’s throat cleared. Albert snapped back to reality and stepped away. That’s when he realized—the servant and the butler were still there. The room went dead quiet. The maids didn’t dare lift their heads. Sweat beaded on their foreheads. One maid at the back whispered, “Oh my God. Why is the prince hugging her?” Another muttered, “Yeah, who is she? Why does she get to stand so close to our idol?” The head maid hissed, “Haven’t you heard? That’s the future queen. Keep your mouth shut if you want to keep your job. Understood?” They all fell silent. Selena shot the butler a cold look. She made a mental note: _Fire him once I’m queen._ The butler saw it and sighed. He had only wanted to remind them to be careful. Too many eyes. Too many rumors. “Alright, everyone. Thank you for your hard work. You may leave now,” he said, ushering the maids out. Before leaving, he leaned toward Albert. “Young master, the charity gala starts in a few minutes. Don’t keep them waiting.” Albert sighed softly. “I understand, Uncle Gabriel.” Uncle Gabriel glanced at Selena—now sitting cross-legged on the king’s bed like she owned it—then closed the door behind him. As soon as the door shut, Albert walked to the mirror to fix his suit. He didn’t look at her. Because if he did, he might remember that Selena wasn’t the little girl from the gardens anymore. And that was the problem. Albert stepped back. His voice was calm, but cold. “Don’t hug me like that again, Selena. We need to keep our distance.” He said. Rumors were all over the palace. _prince Albert and Selena. The next king and queen._ He hated it. To him, she’d always be his little sister. Nothing more. But he knew what tonight was... His grandparents planned to announce their engagement and hand him the throne. He’d been looking for a chance to talk to her. To figure out how to stop this. How to convince both families to call it off. What he didn’t know? Selena was already in love with him. But who wouldn’t be? He was Albert Hayden. The most wanted bachelor in the world. “Some things can’t be helped, Albert,” Selena said softly. “Our fates were decided the day we were born.” His eyes went cold. That was the one thing he hated—someone else controlling his life. Deciding for him. “Get out,” he said. His voice could cut glass. Selena flinched. No one had ever talked to her like that. Not even Albert. But then she laughed under her breath. “Playing hard to get, huh?” She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him from behind. “But I love you,” she whispered. “I always have. Since we were kids. Why do you think I chased you around the garden? Even when you went to the U.S. to study, I waited. For you.” Albert pulled her hands off his waist and turned to face her. “Have you heard the Eldoria legend?” he asked. “Of course. Everyone in this kingdom has.” “Exactly.” His voice dropped. “That’s the kind of love I want.” He looked at her, and his tone softened. Just a little. “You’re beautiful, Selena. You’ve built your own career. You deserve someone who truly loves you. But that person isn’t me. It can never be me.” She pouted. “I don’t care. I want you. If I can’t have you, then no one will.” She kissed his cheek, ran to the door, and slammed it behind her. The room was quiet again. Albert exhaled, slow. His fists were tight. *The Mortons were ants compared to the Haydens.* He could’ve thrown Selena and her family out years ago. But he didn’t. Because of two people: his mother and Selena’s mother were like sisters. And Selena’s cousin was his best friend. That’s why