```1```

The rusty air smelled unpleasant and made me want to puke. The nausea jolted me out of bed, and I looked to my side to see Mary there. "No surprise," I scoffed.

I muttered beneath my breath. "Oh, God-" and attempted to yank her up. I had almost forgotten about my encounter with her, the palace prostitute that everyone knew. She was a maid and the driver's daughter. Oh, how I detested her but adored her honeypot.

I was disgusted by the way she snored and rushed to wake her up before she made me deaf. "Wake up!"

She twisted and yawned, then opened her eyes. "Where am I?" She asked.

I had no time to waste. It was daylight, and I did not want anyone to see her. "Wake up!" I repeated myself, as if I had not heard her speak before.

"Huh?"

"Are you deaf?" I roared, losing my patience.

"No, Young Master," she quivered and bowed her head.

I got dressed after I'd watched her disappear out the door and smiled at the thought of Estella being there.

Estella was the head chef's daughter; a pretty maiden, tall and fair, with perfect-sized boobs and a booty to match.

"You think we should call her?" A voice rang in my head.

"Shut up, stupid!" Another opposed. "Can't you see the Young Master's bedroom isn't neat yet...?"

"But Estella won't mind, I'm sure. She craves the Young Master more than anything," I leapt at the thought of her craving me. "Estella," I smiled.

I quickly put on my robes and walked out the door, downstairs.

I couldn't wait to be near Estella, hastening my steps so I'd reach the kitchen in no time. Estella was not there, but her father was already at work. The head chef greeted me, and I politely inquired about his daughter's location.

"I have not seen her since, Young Master," he replied, bowing his head.

I inquired about what he meant and wondered where the young maiden had gone. Where could she possibly be?

His voice came at that exact moment. "I sent her out on an errand, but I have not seen her," he explained.

It made me worried, and I wondered if she was all right.

Is Estella missing? I thought, unsettled. It was unusual for her not to have returned to the palace, and I was concerned for her safety. "Oh, I will have the guards look for her..."

Her voice came in just then. It sounded pleasant. "I'm sorry for taking so long at the market, Papa. "Oh, you should have seen!"

Estella, The thought of her being there made me nervous, as if my heart would jump right out of my chest.

"Oh, Young Master," she greeted me with a bow. "Oh, Young Master, I apologize," she said nervously.

"It's fine," I said with a smile. "And it's Luciano," I corrected her yet again. It was very typical of her to always refer to me as the Royal Prince.

"Luciano," she replied with a smile. I could stare at those shiny white sets of teeth all day if I wanted, but I knew I needed to be tough.

"Walk with me," I said, shrugging and leaving the kitchen.

"Young Master!" I frowned when she called back. "Sorry, Luciano," she quickly corrected herself, realizing how upset I was.

I gave her a stern look, ensuring that she was concerned and that everything was going as planned.

"Luciano, are you mad at me?"

I intended to ignore her, but my feelings betrayed me.

"Where were you?" I inquired, my angry expression remaining unwavering.

"Wh-Where was I?" She stammered.

"I have been waiting for you," I said, annoyed, knowing that telling me where she was did not matter much.

"I-I..."

"Yes?" I drew closer to her, relaxing my face. My lips quickly softened into a smile, and I drew her into a warm embrace. "Don't do that again, OK?" I spoke, and she purred.

"I won't."

I led her into my chamber and carried her in princess style. "Sorry about my chamber," I said as I lowered her onto my enormous bed. It was not an ordinary bed, but one fit for a king.

"Mm-hm. "I was not going to say anything," she knew what had happened.

Don't look at me, woman, I gave her that look and smiled nastily at her.

"So, you still haven't changed?" She asked with a grump.

Change? Don't blame me. I was trying to.

My chamber was filthy, and thinking about it made me even more embarrassed. But I did not mind because all I cared about was getting the 'girl'. She was exactly the person I wanted right there. Oh, and the nasty things I considered doing to her when she yelled my name...

"Changed?" I coughed and scratched my head. Guilty as charged, I thought with a devilish grin.

I looked the other way, thinking of a way to divert, and I found just the perfect thing. "So, um..."

"What? You're not gonna say a thing?" She fixed her gaze on me.

But I was, I wanted to say, but I asked instead, "Say what?"

"Nevermind. Were you worried?" She threw another question at me, which confused me.

"Worried about what?" I swear I saw a cheesed-off expression, but a smile quickly obscured it.

I recognized it as a fake smile that read, "Hey. I'm not going to push this any further". It was obvious that she was jealous.

"Um, I will have the maids clean this up in no time. Is that alright?" I knew I should not have listened to my inner voice when it suggested I leave the room in that manner.

"No matter," I believed I heard.

I beat myself up inside for letting her in before cleaning up. Creating a distraction, I mustered the courage to run my hand across one side of her face and complimented her, "You are beautiful."

She rose to her feet and wrapped her arms around my neck, gazing deeply into my eyes as if looking for something. "What do you think of a royal baby?"

_

_

_

"A baby?" Luciano fixed his gaze agape. What exactly is she talking about? He mused. He had trouble finding his voice, gulping at his loudest.

"Yes, a baby!"

She seemed serious. Luciano found his voice at last. He lowered her hands and turned his gaze away. "You are pregnant?" He turned to look at her again. He wiped his mouth and stared in disbelief, not knowing what to say. "How is it possible?" He became very cold. "I made certain that nothing like that would ever happen."

"I -- I thought you would be happy...?"

"This is just too much for me to take in," he said, taking her by surprise.

Estella's heart became heavy. Luciano's behavior at the critical moment was not what she had hoped for. She remembered how sweet he was, whispering those words into her ears; 'I love you...' she gulped silently, touching her belly. She knew what was going to happen next and needed to prepare herself. "Just breathe," Estella thought to herself. Breathe. "I should go," the young maiden said, preparing to leave.

"Estella," Luciano drew her back.

"Coming here was a mistake," she said, fighting back tears that were threatening to fall. "I will raise this baby, and he will grow up to know..."

Luciano surprised her by taking her into his arms. She remained speechless.

"I will never let you go, Estella. "I love you so much... more than you know."

Estella melted into his arms. "I love you too, Luciano. I love you too."

"I want to spend every moment with you," the young prince replied, raising her head and looking deeply into her eyes. They shone brightly, and he fell deeply in love. "We will call our little prince Luciano." He grinned.

Estella's fear dissipated quickly, and her joy knew no bounds. "And what if it is a girl?"

Luciano exclaimed, "Little Estella!" Yes, that is what we would call her.

"Little Estella?" Estella laughed as her man carried her in his arms. She cherished him. There was nothing more anyone could say. She smiled at the prospect of being his and melted lovingly where she was.

They made sweet love, and for the gazillion(th) time, she felt warm in his arms. They devoured each other as the rustling sheath crinkled at their mercy...

```2```

♣️
♠️

Estella strolled the castle grounds, deep in thought. She wandered aimlessly, half scared and worried. Forgetting why she had come out, she paused and stared blankly, paying no attention to the royal children, Prince Andrés and Princess Lucia, the Prince's nephew and niece. Today was the day Luciano would present her to the King and Queen. The fear that had previously overwhelmed her at the prospect of being with a child quickly took control of her. She considered the possibility of the royal family not accepting her. She rubbed her belly gently as she looked at it. Estella took a deep breath in and thought to herself. She could not stand being turned down by the royal family. How could they ever accept the head chef's daughter? Several thoughts raced through her mind as a manly hand drew her back into reality.

"My Queen,"

Estella recognized the voice. "Your Queen?" She could not hide her blush.

"Well, of course. "You have the royal heir in your womb," Luciano exclaimed, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Estella tried to pull away, but Luciano clung to her. "Relax," he breathed on her neck and whispered sweetly into her ears.

"Luciano, I am scared," Estella finally released herself, concerned about prying eyes.

"W-What is wrong?"

"I am worried about a lot of things,"

"What worries you?" Luciano widened his eyes. Before he could finish speaking, a voice yelled from afar, filling Estella's heart with fear.

"Luciano!"

Your Highness, Estella gulped, averting her gaze.

"So, it is true," the queen exclaimed beside him.

"I see you have got the head chef's daughter wrapped around your fingers," King Ignacio said loudly, motioning for the guards to leave.

"Estella, is that correct?" Queen Elena looked at the king.

Estella tightened her lips and kept her head bowed. She prayed that the ground would open and she would fall right in.

"Estella!" His majesty exclaimed. To the young girl's surprise, he smiled cheerfully, whereas the queen appeared dissatisfied.

"Father," Luciano bowed.

"Son?" Queen Elena shot him a piercing look.

"Elena!" King Ignacio maintained silence. He knew exactly what his wife had in mind, and he did not like it. "Estella, am I correct?" He smiled warmly at the young maiden.

"Y-yes. "Yes, your Highness," Estella replied shudderingly. Will you snap out of it? She scolded herself. "Yes, your Highness," she replied with a smile. "I am Estella Reyes, chef, and..." Her thoughts echoed, "future daughter-in-law," she nearly said.

"And?" The King listened intently, fascinated by her courage.

"Daughter of the head chef," she sighed, relieved she had not messed anything up.

"The guts—" The Queen murmured inaudibly. Estella could swear she overheard her say something. Her presence made her particularly uncomfortable.

"Well, carry on," King Ignacio said to their surprise.

Are you certain, Father? Luciano wanted to ask. He did not expect his father to be so calm after seeing him with Estella... a commoner, as he would have called her. He had a good feeling about the day.

"Elena, come," The King beckoned to his wife.

"I didn't think your parents would be fine with you being with me," Estella said once they were out of sight.

"They can be..." Luciano reached for her hand. "Full of surprises." He arched his brow and stared into her eyes. "You are beautiful," he could not take it anymore. "You know, I could devour you right now." He winked naughtily at her.

"Oh, stop," Estella blushed, feeling her wetness come alive. She desired him... the fine young prince pounding her endlessly and breathlessly, smacking her violently. She wanted him right then and there, just as she always did. "I love you, Luciano," she declared once more to her man.

"And I love you more than anything—" Luciano swooped her up into his arms, unconcerned about anyone watching.

"Luciano!" Estella gasped, looking down at him.

"Yes, Mi Amor," he responded with a gracious smile.

"We are still outside," Estella reminded him with a laugh. "Put me down." C'mon..."

"Oh no, I won't." Luciano refused and turned her around. He wanted to make love to her right there, but he restrained himself. Estella yelled his name, and he came to a complete stop. He let her go, and she puked with a weary expression.

"I'm sorry," Luciano said as he touched her shoulder.

"No, it's fine. "It is just morning sickness," she explained, wiping her mouth.

Princess Ana observed from a distance, perplexed. She tried to dismiss the awkward feelings she was experiencing, but they were too strong, and she hoped she was wrong. She recalled how many times she had seen her brother sneak the girl out of his chamber, and how she had heard disturbing moans. "No, it can't be," she told herself. It can't be, she swore to find out the truth. She was still lost in thought when Estella and the Prince went inside. Luciano had urged Estella to rest while he resumed his royal duties in the palace. Princess Ana frowned as she realized the two lovebirds were gone. She tried to let them go, but her heart had other plans. Luciano and Estella? She shook her head at the thought of them, of her brother with a... commoner. There was no way she could leave them be. Her brother was too perfect for her. She smirked and lifted her gown off the ground as Princess Lucia tugged on the side, indicating her presence. The little girl's eyes sparkled as she inquired if she had seen her father, "Have you seen Papa?" Princess Lucia enquired innocently.

"Oh, Lucia, my darling. Have you been here the whole time?" Princess Ana asked in return, looking down eagerly at her.

"Mm-hmm," the little girl chuckled and nodded, crossing her arms behind. Her cuteness caused her aunt to lift her off the ground, making the little girl giggle and expose her milk teeth.

"Now, what have we got here?" Princess Ana noticed a gap.

"My tooth fell," the little Princess said with a sad expression.

"Oh, don't you worry, little bun," Princess Ana said, slightly pinching her right cheek and smiling.

"Do you believe the tooth fairy will come, Auntie?" She inquired eagerly, like the child she was. Princess Ana was taken aback by how innocent she looked.

"Well, of course!" The Princess exclaimed. "Now, let's go find your father." She carried the little girl inside, forgetting about her brother.

```3```

♠️
♣️
♣️

Estella prepared for the big reveal. She dressed in her finest gown and wore her mother's necklace. It was a crested family heirloom passed down through generations, and she was to give it to her daughter when she reached adulthood. She looked down at her stomach, a habit she had developed in recent weeks, and sighed as she looked in the mirror. She had conflicting emotions, or was she scared? She could not tell, so she let her thoughts settle.

"You look stunning," said a voice from across the room.

"Luciano?" She gasped and got up from her chair. "Well, you're early," it was too late to hide her blush, and the young Prince could only laugh at the sight.

"Mmm," he said with a close look at her. "My Queen is the most beautiful woman on planet earth."

Estella jokingly frowned. "Planet Earth?"

"The universe, Your Highness," Luciano said apologetically, holding his hand in midair. "I would like Your Highness to accompany me..."

Estella's laughter broke up his monologue. "Luciano, are you serious?" She raised her brow, wondering how she had fallen so hard for this one man.

The young prince approached her, gazing wondrously into her eyes. "Those eyes," he complimented her, "I could get lost in them." He had a way with words. He leaned in to kiss her, savouring her lips as he ensured he had left his mark on them. "Strawberry," he said cheerfully. "And, my, that necklace," he said, admiring the lovely piece.

"Can you see...?" Estella motioned to her gown. "Can you remember...?" She twirled so he could admire it even more.

"Well, why not?" Luciano seemed pleased. He considered himself fortunate to have gotten his hands on the lovely young lady, whom he watched proudly as she twirled elegantly.

"My, how can I forget?" He wrapped his arms around her.

"Don't tell me. If I remember correctly, it was your eighteenth birthday," Luciano said, making her face him.

"Yes! Remember how loose it was at the time?" Estella laughed, clutching his neck.

"Oh, I do," Luciano laughed at the thought. His thoughts drifted back to the day he took one of his mother's finest gowns to give to the woman he loved. He was only sixteen years old and was forbidden from leaving the castle walls unsupervised, so he couldn't visit a dress shop. "How could I possibly forget?" He laughed heartily at the memory, wishing he could tell his lover what happened that day.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything?" Agustin, Estella's father, inquired. He had been watching the two for quite some time and could not help but notice how close they had become.

"No, father." Estella laughed.

Agustin bowed his head and greeted, "Young Master."

"Oh, father-in-law, there is no need for the formality," Luciano replied.

Agustin looked at Estella in surprise, and she laughed. She had not told him yet that she was carrying the Prince's child and was looking forward to the surprise.

"Father-in-law?"

"Father, I am pregnant. "For the prince!" Estella echoed happily, rubbing her stomach.

"Pregnant?" Agustin paused. He seemed at a loss for words. "Pregnant?" He inquired again as his expression deteriorated.

"Yes, father," Estella nodded proudly. She had expected her father to react positively to the news, but that was not the case. The expression on his face was one of disappointment, and she retreated into her shell.

Agustin had worked in the palace for sixteen and a half years and was intimately familiar with the royal household. He knew what they were like and feared they would treat his daughter the same way they treated him. He looked at her stomach, unhappy with the new development but forced a smile. The bump, which had previously been obscured to him, was now visible. He could not believe he had not noticed it before.

"I promise to take good care of your daughter, Sir," Luciano assured him. "I adore Estella," he added, taking the fine maiden's hand. "And I want to spend the rest of eternity with her," he said, getting down on one knee.

He lifted a glossy black box, and to Estella's surprise, it contained an exquisitely poised diamond ring.

"How - how did you...?"

"Will you marry me?"

Estella could not contain her joy. She wondered how she had not noticed the tiny box before. "Yes! "Yes, I will marry you," she exclaimed, beaming at him. "Daddy!!!" She held up her fingers for her father to see.

"I love you very much, Est," it was the first he called her that.

"I love you too, Luciano." She was overwhelmed with joy. Although she expected him to propose, she did not anticipate it happening so soon. "Mmm, I love you." She spoke again. The two lovers kissed and became entwined for a while before Agustin made them aware of his presence again.

"Father," Luciano addressed him, holding Estella's hand. "Give us your blessing," he humbly requested.

Agustin stood there, overwhelmed by his emotions. He looked at his beautiful daughter, filled with both pride and nostalgia. "My beautiful Princess," he said, fighting back tears. "If only your mother was here." He missed his wife, Alondra, but he could not let his grief overshadow the joy of the occasion.

Estella, sensing her father's distress, took his hand in hers and smiled, offering comfort. She was always the stronger one and knew how easy it was for him to become overly emotional.

As Agustin looked at her, he could not believe how quickly time had passed. "My daughter is no longer a baby," he laughed through his tears, attempting to suppress his emotions. He knew the day was approaching too quickly, and he was not sure he was prepared for it. But he needed to put his emotions aside for the time being. This day was all about his beautiful princess, Estella. "I can not think of anyone better for my daughter than you, Your Highness," he said, turning to face the Young Master who stood beside Estella.

Luciano had been his favourite. He had watched him mature into a fine young man. Agustin could not imagine a better person for his daughter than the Prince himself. A satisfied smile spread across his face, and he knew he had made the right decision, relieved that his daughter was in capable hands with the prince by her side.

Just a little something while we wait
H_A_V_A_N_A S_U_N_L_I_G_H_T

"To combat and to run, Bayamesans,
"For the homeland looks proudly upon you.
"Do not fear glorious death,
"For dying for the homeland to be free...

[b]The Cuban national anthem echoed in my mind, and it reminded me of the bravery and courage that my fellow countrymen have shown in the face of adversity. As I sat up from my bed, I looked around my room, unsure of what to do next. I had been struggling with depression, and it had led me to isolate myself from everything and everyone. My lack of motivation and enthusiasm for life had been a source of distress for my loved ones, and I knew that I had to take action to change that.

Once, being an artist had been my passion, and my brother and I were known as the "gifted brothers." But lately, even that had lost its appeal. I felt less gifted and had no motivation to create anything new. It was becoming a thing of distress, and my people were starting to worry about me.

My mother had expressed concern about my sudden withdrawal from everything, but I knew that I had to focus on my mental health and well-being. Isolation had been my way of healing, but it was time to face my fears and move on. I had to stay away from everything that reminded me of my past, especially the memories of my ex-girlfriend. Instead, I would focus on activities that brought me joy and a sense of fulfillment.

The sun shone brightly outside, and the Havana sunlight filled me with a sense of renewal. I got out of bed and slipped into my comfortable crocs. "I am going to make this day different," I said to myself. I had been struggling for almost two weeks, but I refused to let my depression control my life. It was time to take a proactive approach and work towards improving my mental health and well-being.

I decided to start my day by taking a walk outside and enjoying the beauty of nature. The sound of birds chirping and the fresh air filled my lungs, and I felt a sense of peace and tranquility. I also decided to try a new hobby, baking, which I had always been interested in but never had the time to pursue. I spent the afternoon baking a delicious cake, and the process of measuring ingredients and mixing them together was therapeutic.

As the day drew to a close, I reflected on how far I had come. It had been a challenging journey, but I was proud of myself for taking small steps towards my goals. I knew that there would be ups and downs, but I was determined to take control of my life and build a brighter future for myself. The Cuban national anthem echoed in my mind once again, and I felt a renewed sense of pride and determination to face life's challenges with courage and strength."

[/b]

Xavier
I'm back!!

Ahh!!

So Bam you started something, and refuse to call me? I dey vex like this.

But this your project no to entice me o, this prince and maiden storyline is just too boring for me (no shades intended). From the proloug abi wetin una writers dey call am, I've known what's likely going to happen and how it will end.

Anyways i still dey sha. But you owe me a bottle of Jameson for not alerting me to this.

silverlinen:
Ahh!!

So Bam you started something, and refuse to call me? I dey vex like this.

But this your project no to entice me o, this prince and maiden storyline is just too boring for me (no shades intended). From the proloug abi wetin una writers dey call am, I've known what's likely going to happen and how it will end.

Anyways i still dey sha. But you owe me a bottle of Jameson for not alerting me to this.

Lolzz. Wait. I didn't know you'd still be there. And I've been absent for lon because I've been tending to school. Oh, and I mentioned I created the piece out of boredom... lol. So, I'm just writing it as the spirit leads.

```4```

Luciano admired his woman from the corner of his eyes while keeping his gaze fixed on the road. He drove past St Anne, the church that indicated they were nearing home, and he had enough time to maintain a steady speed while placing his hand on Estella's thigh.

"Comfy?"

Estella nodded but did not speak.

"I can tell when you are lying, though," he said, smiling.

"I'm a little tense," she said, holding her breath.

"Don't worry, everything is going to go well,"

Estella smiled. "It's the way you are confident about these things," she explained.

Luciano made a turn. "I don't worry about the future like you," he quipped. Estella did not find it funny. He noticed the frown on her face. "Someone is serious," he tried to make her smile, but she was not having it.

"Luciano, this is the King and Queen of Spain we are talking about... your parents!" She expressed her thoughts.

"I understand you're scared of what their reaction will be,"

She breathed, "Yes," but her main concern was the baby, the innocent child God had placed within her. Her heart could not bear it if they did not accept her - or him. She desperately wished it was a boy. At the very least, it would give her the upper hand.

"My love,"

Estella realized she had blanked out.

"Where did you go?" Luciano laughed, bringing the car to a stop. "We're here,"

So soon, she thought, "Ouch!" and groaned. She felt a sharp pain on one side of her abdomen. Her partner could not help but worry more.

"What's wrong?" Luciano expressed concern. He was slightly scared.

Estella's pain was hidden behind her words, "N-nothing. It's nothing," she said, assuring him that she was fine. She started to open the door, but her partner stopped her.

"Don't worry, let me help," he said, "You're my woman, and I insist-" He made her chuckle. He stole a quick kiss before Estella could object and opened the door for her. The royal guards were already outside. They were waiting to receive the Prince...

A maiden? They were all having similar thoughts.

They're staring. Why are they all staring? Estella was deeply disturbed by their stares; she clung tightly to her Prince as she thought, holding her breath.

Luciano had insisted on the guards remaining behind. He had not wanted them to accompany him to Estella's house. "Such buffoons," he cursed beneath his breath. The guards were staring at them as if they were about to drill them from the very top. "Let's put on a show, shall we?" The young prince whispered in his woman's ear. As he prepared to pick Estella up, he smiled widely. He was having fun, but his woman wasn't.

"No, no, no," Estella shoved him.

"But why not?" He asked, grinning.

"Luciano, I am serious," it was not the time for jokes.

The Royal Guards' eyes moved with every step they took. This made an already nervous Estella even more shy.

The door to the Great Hall opened as the couple approached. From where they stood, they could see the King's expression. The queen was not left out; she watched in displeasure. "What is this?" She spoke first.

"He has come to mock us," Princess Ana scoffed, annoyed by the commoner's presence.

The King cast an anxious look at his son and focused his gaze on Estella. "The daughter of the Chef," he said.

"A commoner, for that matter!" Princess Ana spoke at an inappropriate time.

"Silence!" The King let out a roar.

"But, Father..."

Luciano interrupted her. "Father, your son has arrived," he bowed respectfully, holding Estella's hand.

King Ignacio beckoned him to rise, his gaze fixed on them. "You sent the guards away and left the castle on your own..."

"Am I not old enough, Dad?" He asked without fear.

"Great! He hasn't only lost his mind but also his manners," Princess Ana muttered as she stroked her cat. Phoenix had always been the one she held most dear. He meowed as if he understood his owner while wearing a proper tux.

King Ignacio surprised his daughter by saying, "Ana, leave us." She had not expected him to be so harsh. Ah, yes, she smirked as she clutched her cat, his favourite son, referring to the Prince.

"But..."

"Leave, I say," the King ordered.

Luciano was aware of his sister's rebellious nature. She took advantage of being their father's favourite, acting however she pleased.

The young Princess exited the room, but not without giving their visitor a scornful look. She was disgusted and harboured nothing but hostility towards her.

King Ignacio spoke yet again. He repeated Estella's name, and his wife expressed her thoughts. "The chef girl," she mockingly remarked. There was something about her she disliked - something that did not quite match. "Odd, isn't it?" she inquired, looking at the girl.

"Odd?" Luciano arched his brows. "Mom and Dad, if you let me..."

"You are pregnant?" Queen Elena caught sight of her stomach. "You got this idiotic creature pregnant?" The Queen could not contain her rage as she stared at her son.

"Mother, please..."

"Pregnant?" King Ignacio's eyes widened. "Elena, please!" He tried to calm his wife.

Estella wished the ground would open up and swallow her. The drama that was unfolding was exactly as she had imagined it. The atmosphere was heating up as Luciano tried to calm his mother down.

"In what way do you not understand how to use protection?!"

"Stop it, Mother!"

Queen Elena was taken aback.

"Mother, I love Estella, and I am ready to accept the child..."

"What child?" She snarled. "That thing?" She pointed at Estella's stomach and laughed. "That thing!" She laughed again, then looked at her husband. "Can you hear your son?"

"He is your son, too, Elena! "Can everyone please calm down?"

"Calm down?" Queen Elena arose from her throne. "Calm down, you say?" She asked, "Our boy has gotten a girl pregnant and you're telling me to calm down? How old is he?" She shot Luciano an angry look. "How old are you, boy?!"

"Mom, I'm no longer a child!" Luciano shot back. "I'm twenty-three."

Queen Elena laughed aloud. "Oh, great. Twenty-three. And what do you know? You don't know how to take care of yourself, let alone a child." She said. "How do I know it's yours? That bastard...!" She gestured at Estella's stomach.

"Elena, stop it!" Her husband reacted angrily.

The queen could not bear the sight of them... her son... with a commoner. A commoner! "You disgrace me," she shook her head, deeply disappointed.

Estella maintained her silence throughout. She was not sure what to say. She knew it would come to this, and the thought of the queen's voice made her head spin.

Bastard -

Bastard -

"My child is not a bastard," she said, her eyes filled with bitter tears. She regretted coming to the palace and wished she could leave right away. The pain she felt in the car returned, and this time it was much worse. She clung to Luciano and tried to catch her breath, but the pain was excruciating, causing her to yell. "Luciano!"

The Queen grimaced. "Oh, great. "She's not only a liar, but also an actress," she exclaimed, disgusted.

Estella struggled to breathe because the pain spread throughout her body, with the majority of it concentrated in her chest.

Luciano's eyes widened in terror as he watched everything happen in a flash...

silverlinen:
Ahh!!

So Bam you started something, and refuse to call me? I dey vex like this.

But this your project no to entice me o, this prince and maiden storyline is just too boring for me (no shades intended). From the proloug abi wetin una writers dey call am, I've known what's likely going to happen and how it will end.

Anyways i still dey sha. But you owe me a bottle of Jameson for not alerting me to this.

Trust me, it won't end the way you're thinking And there's how my story goes I might just end up derailing

Bam17:


Lolzz. Wait. I didn't know you'd still be there. And I've been absent for lon because I've been tending to school. Oh, and I mentioned I created the piece out of boredom... lol. So, I'm just writing it as the spirit leads.

Oh okay then.... thought you'd be done with school sef.

Bam17:

Trust me, it won't end the way you're thinking And there's how my story goes I might just end up derailing

For real!! Oya now, make we dey look.

Something different is welcomed though.

silverlinen:


Oh okay then.... thought you'd be done with school sef.

I am now. Just awaiting clearance.

silverlinen:


For real!! Oya now, make we dey look.

Something different is welcomed though.

Yep. I'm cooking

Bam17:

I am now. Just awaiting clearance.

Congratulations girl

silverlinen:


Congratulations girl

Thanks so much... and thanks for your comment

Oh wow! E don reach level wey you go start story you no mention me Bam Bam. I no go talk anything. All I know be say na The Council go settle this matter 🙄😏.


#Xavier

Xavier5:
Oh wow! E don reach level wey you go start story you no mention me Bam Bam. I no go talk anything. All I know be say na The Council go settle this matter 🙄😏.


#Xavier

I mentioned you, my love oo. Check

Bam17:
Xavier
I'm back!!

Xavier5
Here

Bam17:

Xavier5
Here

Really convenient 🙄. Put something for ground 🙄.


#Xavier

Xavier5:


Really convenient 🙄. Put something for ground 🙄.


#Xavier

)Lolzz... no vex ooo. I didn't even think you'd still be visiting this site.

Just a little something while we wait

CURSED

I was never able to think of anything good. Everything seemed to point to me as the source of all problems. Everyone I knew was starting to avoid me. They said it was an omen as if I had a bad spirit hovering around me.

  I knew something was not right with me. It was crystal clear. I had noticed that people I knew frequently disappeared or died. My aunt would claim I was cursed. She would accuse me of killing her brother, my own father.

  I had accepted the curse that life had bestowed upon me. I tried several times to get rid of it, but it seemed like I was not giving it a chance.

  I didn't hate myself, but I would cry on my pillow. It was the only thing that gave me comfort. I did not understand why I had to be dragged into the harsh gush of nature.

  ‘Why don’t you end it all?’ My mind would roar. It was simple, but I was afraid of ending my life, a life that was not mine to take.

  “You’re cursed. I regret the day you came into our lives!” My aunt's exact words would always echo in my mind. I did not get much sleep because my mind was constantly racing.

  I had no siblings, no one. The world seemed to have turned its back on me. If only there was someone who could rescue me from myself. Anyone...

THAT DAY

I considered Mmasichukwu to be a friend, but she turned out to be a liar and a backstabber. Mmasichukwu and I met in our first year. We had met in the auditorium at the time and liked each other right away. We were often referred to as sisters, and we would go anywhere together and never be apart, to the point where people thought we were a thing.

Mmasichukwu and I were inseparable. We believed that by working together, we could achieve great things. It was not until the tragic event that I decided to stay away from her. My best friend did the complete opposite of what I expected:

  "So, baby, when do you plan to take me out?"

  "Whenever you want. "Where would you like to go?"

  I pushed the door open when I recognized the voice. "Stephen!" I yelled my heart out. Mmasi and my boyfriend were cuddled up in bed. I never expected her to do that. Not even Stephen. I had completely trusted both of them.

  "B-babe?" Stephen called shakily.

  "Hi, girl!" Mmasi greeted me carelessly.

  It felt like the room was spiralling out of control, suffocating me completely. I could not believe it. My boyfriend... and best friend? They were the very last people I wanted to see together.

  "B-babe, let me explain," Stephen said, raising himself. "I promise, I can explain..."

  But I did not want to listen. I rushed out of the room, not bothering to look back. Blinded by pain, bitter tears streaming from their glands, I dashed downstairs and outside, yearning to be away from the two most important people I thought would never hurt me, and that was it.

I saw myself on the other side, with no idea how I had gotten there.

THE GIRL

Everything seemed new as if I had traveled far away.
  From reality —
  Everybody I cared about.
  It felt like I had let go of something precious, something I used to care about and value so much.
  It appeared that I had lost a piece of myself, one that I had never realized I would miss so much.
  Being in a new place seemed very real. I thought it was a dream, but it did not feel that way.
  I was trapped in my mind, longing to be free, free of the shackles I had placed on myself.
  I wish I could be the girl I once was,
  And wished everything would be fine.

THE THINGS WE WISH

In our society, having money means you can have almost anything you want. If you're wealthy enough, you can wish for a car, a house, or anything else and have it. However, my family's situation was different. We didn't have a lot of money, and we struggled to get by. Our clothes were old and worn out, and our shoes were full of holes. Whenever we went out, people made fun of us and ridiculed us. Walking on the hot sand burned our soles, but we had no other choice. We were living in poverty, and it was a daily struggle.

Despite all this, I held onto hope and wished for a better life. I wanted us to be rich so that we could have nice clothes and shoes and not be looked down upon by others. I wanted us to be able to live comfortably and not have to worry about where our next meal was coming from. It was a dream that seemed impossible, but I never gave up hope.

#the_things_we_wish

LITTLE LITTLE

Once upon a time, in a little cottage, an old woman and a little boy lived together. The little boy was always eager to go down to the river to play with his friends and bring home some fruits. Every time he came back home with a basket full of fruits, his grandmother would wonder where he had gone and where he got all those fruits from. One day, the old woman decided to ask him about it and said, "These fruits you bring, son, where did you get them?"

The innocent boy smiled and replied, "My friends close to the river gave them to me, grandma."

His grandma became even more curious and asked him to take her to them. "I'd like to thank those friends of yours," she said. The little boy eagerly took her to the river where he had met two tiny elves. "Elves, grandma. They're elves. Don't be scared," he reassured her when they got there.

The old woman was amazed as she watched the elves gibbering and a portal opened up, leading to a different world. "Welcome to Wilverin, grandma," four elves appeared from the portal and said.

As they walked through the portal, they found themselves surrounded by tiny houses, each one smaller than the other. "The Chief Elf's house is the one in front, grandma. He's got the littlest house," the boy said.

The little boy's grandmother was fascinated as she looked at the tiny houses around her. She asked him, "Is this why you never come home on time?"

The boy nodded and replied, "Little little, that's my reason."

His grandma didn't understand what he meant, but she was happy to have discovered a new world that existed right in their backyard.

By the way, if you need someone to write amazing stories for your kids, I'm here to help. Kids are my favourite, and I always strive to make them happy. Just let me know!

THE MIRACLE

In a moment of sheer terror, a woman burst into the room with a child in her arms, looking pale and distressed. The child was barely able to breathe, and her mother's cries filled the air as she begged the Reverend Father to save her child. "Please, Reverend Father, save my baby," she pleaded, her voice shaking with fear and desperation.

The child's face was ashen, and she looked as if she was about to slip away when the priest took her into his arms and said a prayer. A sudden cry pierced through the air, and an unclad woman appeared out of nowhere, claiming the child as her own. The demoness within her screamed, "She's mine!"

But the priest was not afraid. He stood strong and resolute, determined to protect the child from harm. He held her close, and with a gentle kiss on her cheek, he rebuked the demoness, saying, "You do not belong here, you daughter of the seven seas."

The demoness vanished into thin air, leaving the child free from her grasp. The child's mother watched in awe as the priest handed her child back to her. Overwhelmed with gratitude and joy, she breathed a sigh of relief, thanking God for the miraculous healing that had just taken place.

The priest and the mother shared a moment of deep connection as they beamed with happiness, knowing that they had witnessed God's wonderful work firsthand. The child was safe, and all was well in the world once more.

THE GIRL WITHOUT A NAME

One fine day, a mysterious girl, whose appearance was nothing short of extraordinary, visited my house to play. Her tall frame, fair complexion, piercing gray eyes, and long, flowing blonde hair made her stand out from the rest. Even though we spent hours playing together, she never once revealed her name to me. One day, out of curiosity, I asked her what her name was. To my surprise, she responded in a solemn tone that her mother had never given her a name. I tried to suggest some names, but she stopped me in my tracks by placing her finger on my lips and shushing me. I was bewildered and asked her why. She replied that it was unnecessary for me to know and that I could not alter what the universe had already set in motion. Her response left me shaken. I never saw her again after that day, making me wonder if she was a mere mortal or something entirely different. The girl without a name's captivating presence lingered in my mind, leaving me with endless unanswered questions.