Chapter 230 Pictures and clips from the royal banquet spread like wildfire online , and soon the video of Killian and me dancing became the highlight of every feed . Within hours , the world knew I was engaged to Killian and the our wedding was set for a month later . It became the hottest topic of discussion everywhere . At a dimly lit bar , Xavier sat slumped over his drink , drowning himself in liquor . A group of patrons nearby spoke excitedly , their voices carrying across the room . " " The Princess is marrying Archduke Killian . Did you see their pictures ? " " When they looked at each other , you could practically feel the chemistry ! They were so wrapped up in one another the whole world blurred away . " " I thought the Archduke was supposed to be cold and ruthless . What a joke - he looked like a lovesick puppy following her around . Honestly , it was adorable . " Xavier's fingers curled tight around his glass . He fumbled for his phone , opened his social media , and pulled up the trending clips . On the screen , glittering guests moved elegantly across the ballroom , but he saw only me - radiant in my gown , every step measured , every glance commanding attention . A bitter laugh tore from him . He thought back to our wedding day , when I'd worn a simple dress I'd sewn embellishments onto myself because his mother had told me I was " lucky for an orphan to have even that . " } " To think I was such a fool to treat her like this , " he muttered . The video showed Killian's arm slipping around my waist as he guided me through the crowd . For once , I wasn't stiff or self - conscious ; I was at ease , even smiling , safe in his presence . The camera zoomed in as Killian bent toward me , his lips brushing close to my ear . " You're doing so well . Tell me if you get tired , and I'll take you away . " I smiled softly at him , and he looked at me with the kind of gaze Xavier had never managed - a steady , unshakable devotion . Xavier's chest tightened . Hatred burned through him . " " How the hell can she move on so easily ?! " } " Sir , you've had too much . Maybe it's time to go home ," his new assistant Alan urged gently . " " Why is she with him ? " Xavier snapped , ignoring the advice . " Of course she chose Archduke Killian . They have history . " Xavier froze . " History ? " " You didn't know ? They grew up together . Killian used to visit the palace . Rumor is , he was her first love . " Alan went on , not noticing Xavier's expression harden . " Years ago , when Killian's family was accused of conspiring against the King , he stayed at the palace to defend them . He and Princess Mia became close . When he left , she even followed him north . The palace eventually brought her back , but she locked herself in her room for days . The maids whispered she'd confessed her love and was rejected . " " For a moment , Xavier smirked . So she hadn't been accepted then . She belonged only to him . If she had been miserable , she should have been miserable with him , not happy with someone else . " But Alan wasn't finished . " That's not the whole story . Killian never married anyone . Never so much as entertained another woman . He's waited all these years - and anyone can see from these clips he's completely devoted to her . " The words struck Xavier like a blow to the chest . - In the middle of the banquet , my phone buzzed again . For the tenth time that evening , Xavier's name lit up my screen . I had blocked him , changed my number , yet he always found a way . " Exasperated , I answered . " I'm busy . What do you want now ? " " You're busy doing what ? Throwing yourself at another man ? With Killian of all people ? Have you forgotten you're still my wife ? You carried my child ! " " A child you killed . " My voice was calm , cold./ Silence . Then he tried again , softer . " Then ... then we can have another child , Mia . " I let out a bitter laugh . " Did my child even matter to you ? While I was pregnant , your mother made me scrub floors , cook meals , and you let her . You never once cared . " " Mia , please ! That was the past . I was wrong . I'll make it right - I'll cut my mother off if you ask I'll do anything ! Just come 地 P P Hvar ) and you mus " Mia , please ! That was the past . I was wrong . I'll make it right - I'll cut my mother off if you ask . I'll do anything ! Just come back ! " " She means nothing to me now , Xavier . And nothing will ever bring me back to you . I already have a fiancé . " For the first time , I heard Xavier completely unravel . His voice rose , desperate , almost manic . " You hated Vanessa when she clung to me , and now you're parading around with another man ? Admit it , Mia , you're just trying to make me jealous ! Enough of these games - you're coming back . You're mine ! " " It's too late . " My voice didn't waver . " I don't love you anymore . " " You can't say that to me ! " he shouted . " Remember how I saved you years ago- " The line went silent . Killian had taken the phone from my hand . His voice came through , ice - cold . " Saved her ? " he asked , his tone sharp enough to cut . " Is that what you tell yourself , Xavier ? Or has everything you've built been based on a lie ? " " }