Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Arthur's surgery dragged on into the night, and once the bullet was out, he was wheeled into a hospital room. The rest of the royal family soon arrived to check on him. Brielle found herself the center of attention, surrounded by a flurry of activity. Some people even had the nerve to call her "Her Royal Highness," a title she quickly shot down. "I'm hardly acquainted with Prince Arthur," she insisted, trying to quash the rumors and whispers.

Prince Arthur's sister, with her golden locks and piercing blue eyes, smirked at Brielle's discomfort. "Given the situation here in Australia, should I be calling you 'sister-in-law'?" she teased, her eyes locked on Brielle's with a calm, measured stare.

Brielle was taken aback, but the princess continued smoothly. "My brother got hurt because of you. His safety affects the entire nation. Ms. Brielle, don't you think you owe us? Otherwise, the relationship between the royal family and the Lynch family might suffer." It was a thinly veiled threat, leveraging the Lynch name. Brielle, who had just reconnected with her family and shared only two meals with them, wasn't keen on causing any trouble.

The royal family's tactic was underhanded, to say the least.

Now, Brielle was sure that Arthur's injury was a calculated move a testament to someone's cunning to orchestrate events with such precision. It was a dangerous game, one that could have cost him his life if things had gone slightly awry. However, for the sake of their plan, Arthur was willing to gamble.

Reflecting on the situation, Brielle couldn't help but blame herself for not rejecting Arthur outright from the start, for not considering the full implications of their association.

Confronted with the princess's aggressive stance, Brielle quickly regained her composure and responded with a polite smile. "I'm sorry, but I'm already engaged and have a child. I believe the royal family, considering its reputation, wouldn't want a divorced woman as a bride?"

The princess was momentarily taken aback, evidently unaware of Brielle's child. The absence of any rumors online only added to her surprise, leaving her wondering if her brother was aware of this development.

Stumped, the princess furrowed her brows, unable to come up with a retort.

Brielle, noting the late hour, excused herself. "My child is home alone, and I'm worried. As for the kindness Prince Arthur has shown me, I will remember it. But as for becoming his wife, the child's father is very much alive and we are happily planning our wedding. So, hope you can clarify the situation with the media. Otherwise, if my child's identity comes out, it might embarrass the royal family, don't you think?"

The idea of a prince taking a bullet for a woman with a child would indeed be scandalous, casting doubt on the prince's judgment and, by extension, the dignity of the nation he represents.

With the doctor confirming Arthur's stable condition and the conversation turning awkward, Brielle politely excused herself, wishing Arthur a speedy recovery before leaving.

The moment Brielle was out of sight, Arthur, who had been feigning unconsciousness, opened his eyes, casting a cold glare at his sister, Princess Meredith.

Meredith shrank under his gaze as

Arthur coughed, his voice laced with disappointment and a hint of a plan. "Get close to King. Myles told meProperty of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

King is inherently distrustful and net

unlikely to believe Brielle has any affection for him. This media frenzy is bound to infuriate him, presenting an opportunity. Don't disappoint me."

Princess Meredith, recalling the brief encounter with King during a

previous crisis, couldn't help but be

drawn to the idea. With the Lynch asa

family as a scapegoat and the royal family poised to take over their

diamond resources, Meredith

envisioned a future where her

brother ascended to even greater power, facilitated by her own

strategic alliances.

"Brother, I understand," she replied, her mind racing with plans to exploit the situation to their advantage.