The Royal Stripper

EPISODE 3: DELIBERATE MISCHIEF

CLEOPATRA'S POV

I woke with a pounding headache.

“Ahhh!” A maid rushed over to steady me.

When my eyes snapped open, the Queen sat at my right side, glaring at me.

Her eyes were bloodshot red. Should I have just died instead?

“I have maintained the peace of this kingdom for twenty-four years, and two nights ago, you ruined everything,” the Queen snapped. “A fight broke out right here in the palace! Do you know how embarrassing that was—in the middle of the night, no less? For goodness’ sake, this is a royal household. Such chaos should never be heard of.”

I managed to stand, even with the bandage tight around my neck from Prince Ellie’s scratch.

“I’m sorry, my Queen.” I knelt before her.

“No. I’m thankful, dear Cleopatra, that you did what you did.” Her anger melted into a smile so soft it almost frightened me.

My brows knit together. What was she talking about?

She patted my hair gently. “Prince Ellie has finally come to his senses and realized you’re a nobody. Just a poor, wolfless girl from a family of Omegas.”

She withdrew her hand, extending it toward her maid, who handed her a napkin. The Queen wiped her fingers delicately, then dropped the napkin to the floor.

“I want you out of this palace before the sun comes up. The maids will help you pack, someone far more noble deserves that room.” With that, she stood and swept out.

All hope of becoming the future Queen and Luna of Lycanthria came crashing down before my eyes. There was no way I could go back to the ridicule—to my mother’s constant reminders of how weak and wolfless I was. And there was certainly no way I’d return to dancing with blindfolds, entertaining men I was never allowed to see.

So I stood up and did the only thing that made sense: I went straight to Prince Ellie's chamber.

"Sorry, ma, the prince is—" the maid started, but I pushed past her before she could finish.

"You man-w***e!" I shouted as I stepped in and caught him kissing Penelope

Cumber, the princess of Elarion, my home kingdom.

"Watch your words!" Prince Ellie bellowed, his chest heaving as he glared at me.

“Don’t talk to my Prince like that,” Penny snapped.

“Oh, shut up, Penny,” I shot back, rolling my eyes.

“I’m a princess! You can’t speak to me like that,” she huffed, glaring.

“I’m not here for you. Prince Ellie, I need a word,” I said, stepping closer, my eyes locked on him.

“I’m all ears,” he said, chest puffed with pride, his hand still brushing against Penny’s dress.

“I haven’t even left the palace yet,” I muttered bitterly.

“Then what are you waiting for?” he said, voice dripping with arrogance. “A million girls are ready and willing to give me what you can’t.”

Oh stupid Penny, her smile widened, clearly pleased with herself.

“Then how about you marry me and the million others that are ready to give you what you want?” I snapped, letting my frustration spill over.

This is the kind of thing you say when you’re trying to escape from a life you don’t want to go back to.

“Are you really that desperate to become a noblewoman?” Penny jumped in, her tone mocking.

“What if I said yes? Would it change anything?” I shot back, trying to keep my voice steady.

Penny smiled, smug and satisfied. “No. It doesn’t change the fact that you’re wolfless, weak, and poor.”

“Penny, please, shut up!” I almost yelled.

“You heard her. I want you out before the sun goes down,” Prince Ellie added, his smirk twisting the knife.

I bit back a sigh as I shamefully trudged to the Lady Guest Chamber to gather my things.

A knock came in. Before I could go get it, the door swung open and Prince Hale stepped in.

"Red hair," he said calmly, his eyes fixed on me.

I looked into those emerald eyes, memories of how they had glowed that night flashing back.

"I'm not red hair or whatever crazy thing you're calling. And thanks for ruining my life," I shouted.

"Saving," he said, inclining his head slightly, his gaze unwavering.

"What exactly did you save me from?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"You called for help," he replied evenly.

"It doesn’t matter. It didn’t matter. I was going to be his mate anyway, and we were still going to go through that process." I hissed.

"You were scared." He leaned slightly forward.

I crossed my arms. "No, I was preparing. And you just had to come and toss me right back to my miserable life."

"Are you red hair?" His tone was sharp, but his eyes didn’t leave mine.

"Everything I said and some stupid hair colour is all that matters to you?" I flared, palms sweating.

"You're her, right?" He stepped closer, tilting his head, studying me.

"I don't know any red-headed girl or whatsoever crazy person you're talking about." I exhaled sharply, my heart pounding.

He stepped forward.

I stumbled backward.

Again he moved closer, and again I backed up, until the cold wall pressed against my back.

He leaned in, just a little too close.

I shut my eyes tightly. "Please… not you too."

A slow smirk curved his lips. "Then what is this?"

When I dared to open my eyes, he was holding a single strand of my hair between his fingers.

"Huh?" I grabbed it, staring. The faint red peeking through the black dye of my natural hair was unmistakable—anyone looking closely could see it.

I bolted to the tall mirror by the wall, holding the strand of hair as if it could explain everything.

Panic clawed at me, tightening my chest. Even though I was no longer marrying into the royal household, this part of my past—the stage name, the mask, the dances, was deeply shameful. More shameful than being wolfless, and I’d kept it a secret between my mother and me.

I spun to face him. "How… how do you know about Red Hair?"

There was no way he saw through my mask. How could he recognize me? Who else knew? Questions flooded my mind, each one sharper than the last.

He stared at me, unblinking. "I can give you what you want."

I swallowed hard, then in a low voice. "How do you know what I want?"

He leaned down, bringing his gaze level with mine. "I’m a prince… an alpha heir, too. Cursed, yes—but I promise I won’t bite."

He smiled widely for the first time. More like a wicked boyish grin. "Marry me and you won't have to leave."

The door swung open, and Prince Ellie stepped in, eyes narrowing as they darted from me to Prince Hale, as if he’d just heard something forbidden.

I froze, mouth agape.

My stomach twisted as disbelief and fear collided inside me.

I looked back at Prince Hale’s emerald eyes.

All I saw was deliberate mischief—pure, unflinching, and utterly serious.

He wasn’t joking.