Chapter 210 Jane shook Xavier awake . " Get up - quick , it's a disaster ! " she cried , panic raw in her voice . At the word Mia , Xavier was at the TV in an instant . The headline rolled across the screen . [ Mia , wrongly accused by her husband's alleged mistress , dies after critical fight for life - condolences pour in for the Luna . ] " No - this is fake , " Jane said , frantically . " I spoke to her last night . She's fine . " Xavier stared , hollow , until another banner took the screen and swallowed the earlier story whole . [ Princess Mia returns after completing studies abroad - royal family announces engagement plans . ] A portfolio of glossy palace photographs spread across the feed . The network anchor's voice was breathless ; viewers flooded the comments with surprise and excitement . The two stories - one tragic , one triumphant - ran side by side until the happier narrative drowned the first out . " Xavier's face crumpled with the realization of what I had meant the night before . For the public , Mia was already dead . He no longer needed to sign divorce papers ; the world had already moved on . " " No - she can't marry someone else , " Xavier snarled at his mother . " She's mine . I won't let that happen . " " He phoned my office and reached Sarah . " Did you see the news ? They're saying Mia is dead - look at these photos- " Sarah's voice was steady . " I saw , Mr. Blackthorn . We were shocked to learn who she was , but we know she asked to erase the past . She wanted to disappear from the headlines about the Jade Moon scandal . We'll support whatever she wants . We want her safe . " After Sarah hung up , Xavier tried calling friends - Theodore , Colin - but found he'd been blocked . After the scandal , no one wanted anything to do with him . A month passed . I settled into the palace , where titles and protocol softened the edges of daily life . Politicians and diplomats crowded the halls ; their greetings were dutiful and tired . I was still new to being treated as " returned royalty " when I saw a tall figure at the far end of a corridor - broad - shouldered , his back to me . " It couldn't be . My breath caught as he turned . " Killian ? " He looked the way I remembered : storm - grey eyes , disconcerting calm . Killian had been the ruler of the northern territories , a powerful , private man - our families were rivals , and any thought of a relationship had always been forbidden . He had been my first love . I was about to slip away when those grey eyes found me and pinned me to the spot . I forced a smile at the nobleman beside me and excused myself , " If this isn't Princess Mia ... " Killian's voice cut through the hallway . The nobleman hurried off , sensing the tension . " " What are you doing here ? " I asked , keeping my tone icy . " " I heard you'd returned, " he said . " I couldn't not come . Look at these scars who did this to you ? Your ex - husband ? " His voice was low with barely controlled anger . " It's none of your business , Killian ." My hands balled into fists . A thousand memories pushed at me - how , at sixteen , I'd run to his territory and confess , only to be turned away with silence . After what happened with Xavier , I swore off wanting anyone else . < " You walked into my life years ago , " Killian said quietly . " My offer still stands . I never stopped thinking about you . " } I let a bitter smile cross my face . " I already had a husband who cheated on me and cost me a child . Don't try to seduce me . I've promised my father I'll accept an arranged marriage for the sake of the family . " The arrangement was business , not love ; I would remain at the palace in name more than in heart . " He stepped closer , his expression unreadable . " Ask your father to consider me . If you want an ally rather than a husband , I'll stand by you . " I looked at him and said , flatly , " This marriage will be a political alliance . I won't be fooled into loving again . " } Killian only nodded once , like a man who could respect any boundary . Then , with the same cool intensity that had always unnerved me , he turned and walked away - leaving a small , dangerous hush in the corridor where his presence had been . P