chapter 17

Skylar has been home now for a few days and the crisis at Lionheart Village with mixed feelings. On one hand, she was relieved to be back in familiar surroundings after a tumultuous semester at university. On the other hand, the weight of her secret pregnancy with Gabriel, the med student, burdened her every moment. Had he come to a decision yet will he want to be apart of the child's life and support the kid. Not just financial but physical and emotional support. On the other hand he could choose not to be a part of the child's life.

Chief Marlow, the formidable leader of Lionheart Village, greeted Skylar with a mix of warmth and underlying insistence.This was the second time he had visited her and the week has not ended. He had long harbored ambitions for Skylar to marry Prince Zach, believing it would solidify their village's standing and ensure its prosperity. This also met the condition of using royal blood to unify the kingdoms, while keeping his own kids safe and free.Skylar thought he was there to show gratitude for water crisis being under control and maybe to apologize for the way he treated her. Imagine her shock when he berated her and praised Prince ce Zach for caring about the people and sacing them. Who would use water as leverage to make someone meet his demands only to give water as a temporary solution before they receive what they want. However, Skylar knew the truth — it was her behind-the-scenes efforts and connections that had truly saved the village during its recent hardships, not Prince Zach's supposed heroics.

As days passed, Chief Marlow and Prince Zach subtly escalated their efforts to persuade Skylar into agreeing to the marriage. They orchestrated elaborate dinners and community events where Zach would charm her with his princely demeanor and promises of a secure future. Meanwhile, Chief Marlow appealed to Skylar's sense of duty and tradition, emphasizing how her marriage to Zach would secure Lionheart Village's future.

Unbeknownst to Skylar, Chief Marlow and Prince Zach had a hidden agenda. While Zach genuinely admired Skylar's intelligence and spirit, his interest was also politically motivated. He saw their union as a way to bolster his own ambitions within the kingdom, using Lionheart Village as a stepping stone to greater influence. Chief Marlow, too, saw the marriage as a means to consolidate his power and ensure his legacy.

As Skylar navigated these pressures, she struggled with conflicting emotions. She felt a sense of duty to her village and understood the practical benefits of marrying Zach. Yet, her heart belonged to freedom to follow her heart and choose who she would love not some arrangement. She needed he person who will show her unwavering support and understanding throughout her pregnancy. The thought of betraying her heart gnawed at her conscience, but she also feared the consequences of defying Chief Marlow and Prince Zach. They seem like dangerous people who will do anything and she feared for hee child now.

One evening, during a lavish banquet in her honor, Prince Zach took Skylar aside under the pretense of discussing village affairs. In a secluded garden, he broached the topic of their future together with earnestness and charm. Skylar listened politely, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts. Sensing her hesitation, Zach subtly maneuvered the conversation towards their shared ambitions and the benefits their union would bring to Lionheart Village.

Meanwhile, Chief Marlow watched from a distance, his gaze calculating and shrewd. He knew Skylar's pregnancy complicated matters but believed once she saw the broader picture, she would acquiesce. He had already made arrangements to discreetly handle Gabriel, ensuring he would not interfere with their plans.

As the evening wore on, Skylar excused herself under the guise of fatigue. Alone in her room, she paced restlessly, torn between love, duty, and the future of her village. The weight of her secret pregnancy felt heavier than ever, a constant reminder of the choices she faced.

Little did Skylar know, Chief Marlow and Prince Zach were prepared to escalate their tactics. They had contingencies in place, subtle pressures that would increase until Skylar felt she had no choice but to accept their proposal. The coming days would test Skylar's resolve and force her to confront the true extent of her loyalty — to her heart, her village, and the child growing within her