Chained Hearts: From Slavery to Sovereignty
Chapter 69: The broken Trust

Chapter 69: Chapter 69: The broken Trust

Cassian froze under the weight of so many eyes. His heart pounded like a drum in his chest, and he felt the color drain from his face. Did she... Did she just motion towblu?

Even from a distance, Cassian could see the steady resolve in Aurelia’s expression. She stood like a queen among mortals, unmoving and with a clear message.

Beside him, Prince Dorian’s expression darkened. His jaw tightened, his stormy black eyes narrowing as they flicked between Cassian and Aurelia.

"Interesting timing," Dorian murmured under his breath, though Cassian caught the slight edge in his tone.

"Your Highness?" Cassian murmured, his voice almost a whisper. He didn’t know what to make of the princess’s sudden change in demeanor.

Dorian didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he stepped closer to Cassian, his presence commanding as he cast his gaze over the crowd now buzzing with speculation.

The faint tension in his shoulders betrayed his calm exterior.

Cassian felt like a deer caught in the headlights, his eyes darting to the princess, who still held the room in her grasp. "I..." He wanted to say something, to defend himself, but he didn’t even know where to begin.

From across the hall, Vincent let out a dry chuckle, breaking the tense silence. "This... is unexpected."

He turned his attention to Aurelia and said with a measured tone, but his eyes contained sarcasm. "Care to elaborate, Princess? Or are we to keep guessing at the identity of this supposed love of yours?"

Aurelia’s voice rang out clearly in the dead silence; she replied with confidence. "There is no need for further guessing. I have nothing to hide."

She turned her head slightly towards the noble, who was still shocked, and her gaze moved towards the Cassian, who had almost lost his soul. and guilt cross her eyes.

But still she continued, "The person I trust, respect, and hold dear... is him."

Another wave of shock rippled through the crowd. They never thought the seemingly gentle princess would be this bold to announce something like this.

They will never forget today’s incident in their entire life.

Everyone’s gazes were moving from Princess Aurelia to the newcomer and the king and queen. waiting for the upcoming drama.

Suddenly they realized that coming here today had not gone to waste.

After all, who does not want to hear gossip, and it becomes more fun when the gossip is about the royal family?

"The nerve!"

"Who is he? How could she—?"

"Does the king know about this?"

Cassian’s knees felt weak, and he swore the room tilted for a moment. The sudden weight of Aurelia’s declaration pressed down on him like a mountain. His lips parted, but no sound came out.

Dorian’s hand clenched briefly at his side before he took a deliberate step forward, positioning himself slightly in front of Cassian. His expression was unreadable, but the steel in his eyes spoke volumes.

"Princess Aurelia," Dorian’s calm but cold voice resonated through the entire hall. "That’s enough for today."

Everyone shuddered at this voice, fear evident in their eyes. Now they look at the princess with pity in their eyes.

It was still better when she had offended the king and queen, but now it seems she had even offended the devil of their kingdom.

They were surprised at the prince Dorian’s reaction, because everyone knows even when the palace was blown in the peices.

he would not lift a finger. but now he was reprimanding the princess. Why? Did he finally leave his cold side and decide to care about his family back?

Aurelia’s eyes flicked to her brother, her expression softening ever so slightly. "Brother," she said, her tone formal but tinged with an undercurrent of something almost defiant.

"I am simply being honest. Is that not what we are always taught? To speak the truth, no matter the cost?"

Dorian didn’t respond immediately. His gaze shifted back to Cassian, who looked as though he wanted to disappear into the marble floor.

The queen’s sharp voice cut through the tension. "Aurelia." Queen Selena’s expression was thunderous, her fury barely contained.

"What madness is this? Do you understand the disgrace you have brought upon this family?"

Aurelia turned to face her mother, bowing her head slightly out of respect but keeping her posture firm. "I understand perfectly, Mother. But I will not apologize for my heart."

The king’s deep, rumbling voice interrupted the brewing argument. "Enough." The single word was enough to command silence across the hall.

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze heavy as it landed on his daughter. "Aurelia, your actions tonight have crossed many lines. There will be consequences."

"I am prepared for them, Father," she replied evenly, though her hands trembled slightly at her sides.

Before the king could respond, Vincent raised a hand, a surprising smile on his face. "Your Majesties, if I may?"

He turned his attention to Aurelia, his tone light yet probing. "It seems the princess has made her feelings clear. Though unconventional, I cannot find fault in it. After all, everyone has the right to choose their partners."

Vincent said with a gloating tone, but everyone was too busy to notice it. He eyed the Prince Dorian and Cassian, and his smirk gets more widened.

"However, I do hope we’ll have a chance to discuss this further—perhaps in a setting less prone to interruptions."

The jab was subtle but unmistakable, and Aurelia’s lips pressed into a thin line.

As the murmurs began to swell again, Dorian’s voice sliced through the noise. "This conversation is over. The banquet will resume." His tone left no space for the argument, his princely authority ringing clear.

With that, Dorian gripped Cassian’s arm and began dragging him outside the banquet hall, away from the prying eyes of the nobles.

Cassian followed numbly, his mind spinning with countless thoughts. he finds it hard to utter a single word Cassian

He could not believe the princess would do something outrageous like this. "Your Highness—"

"Not here," Dorian said shortly, but his grip does not loosen.

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