Chapter 2201
Chapter 2201
"Princess Annabeth?!" Declan's eyes widened, his gaze locked on the young woman in front of them, her face still bearing a hint of youthful innocence. His heart began to race, and he squeezed his eyes tightly in disbelief.
Annabeth bit her lip, stealing a glance at Declan before quickly looking away.
Declan had been the one who had wanted their relationship to return to how it was. Although, now that Annabeth had truly moved on, his heart ached; Annabeth did not even spare him a second glance.
"Camilla, why did you bring the princess here?" Asher immediately stepped forward with concern laced in his voice.
"The princess is here to help us."
Upon hearing this, everyone quickly gathered around.
Justin's breathing grew heavier. "Princess Annabeth, can you really help us?"
"I heard that Bella went missing, taken away by our country's wanted criminal, Christopher Iverson." Annabeth's eyes were slightly swollen, indicating that she had been crying recently. Her gentle voice trembled with emotion. "I was so worried... Yesterday, I went to beg my father to use the royal family's power to help you search for Bella throughout the nation."
Declan's heart clenched. "Anne..."
They were all grateful and relieved at her words.
They had only briefly interacted with Annabeth during Ryan and Carrie's wedding and did not have a close relationship with her. Yet this young girl was willing to lend a helping hand. Whether or not her efforts would succeed, her willingness to try was something they were deeply grateful for.
Annabeth sniffed as she stole another glance at Declan.
"My father agreed to help you search for Bella!"
Everyone in the room audibly gasped.
Moments ago, they were worrying about how to get more manpower to continue the search. Now, in the blink of an eye, the most challenging issue had been resolved, and they received permission to mobilize the military.
"But... My father has one condition." Annabeth hesitated, her voice trailing off.
Without a moment's hesitation, Justin responded. "Whatever the condition, even if it costs me my life, I will agree!"
Annabeth remained silent for a moment and then made her way over to Asher, meeting his
piercing eyes.
"My father said he wants to see you, Mr. Asher."
Everyone was surprised and turned to look at their eldest brother.
Asher frowned deeply. "See me? Why?"
Annabeth shook her head. "I don't know. He wants you to meet him in the palace first thing tomorrow morning. If you go to see him, he will agree to send troops to help you search for Bella. That's his only condition."
Asher's expression grew serious as he made up his mind. "Okay, I'll go to the palace tomorrow."
The sun was setting on Rose Island. Bella was dressed in a fiery red backless gown and placed in a wheelchair. Christopher gently pushed her, taking her to see their wedding venue.
A dozen servants were still tending to the rose garden. They were determined to complete the arrangements as quickly as possible so that Mr. Iverson and the woman he loved could be married here without any delays.
From then on, this island would have a beautiful mistress.
Bella gazed listlessly at the radiant rose garden before her. There was a fountain surrounded by fragrant roses that shimmered brilliantly under the sunset.
She loved the color red and adored roses.
Even the fairytale-like beauty before her brought her no joy. She looked upon the view like it was a cold and desolate graveyard.
Christopher walked to the center of the rose garden. He handpicked a bouquet of the most vibrant roses and ran back to her, his face alight with happiness.
With his handsome, pure expression, and his bright eyes devoid of any malice, he looked like a young, innocent boy.
With that face and that smile, it was impossible to associate him with the atrocities attributed to him-words like murder, brutality, and bloodshed.
"Bella."
Sweat beaded on Christopher's forehead as he knelt on one knee, presenting the roses to Bella.
Her gaze fell on his hands, which were covered in dirt and crisscrossed with cuts from the thorns.
Her once bright almond eyes were now dull and lifeless.
Christopher's eyes grew moist, and his voice hoarse with the intensity of his emotions. "Will
you marry me?"
Bella suppressed the nausea roiling in her stomach and stared coldly at him, saying nothing. Silence was the only kindness she could bestow.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
If she spoke up, her words would cut into him like knives, trained straight for his heart.
She had to endure it.
She did not want to marry this madman, but she was even more afraid of completely
forgetting Justin.
"If you don't speak up, I'll take that as a yes."
Christopher's eyes crinkled in the corners, filled with the blissful sweetness of a groom-to-
be.
He was, in every sense, a delusional man.
Christopher put down the roses and pulled out a red velvet box from his pocket.
Inside was a pear-shaped, ten-carat red diamond engagement ring.
His hands trembled as he took Bella's limp hand and slowly slid the ring onto her finger.
A sharp pang shot through Bella, almost bringing her to tears.
A proposal, a diamond ring, a wedding...
She had wanted to experience all of these for the first time with Justin. One by one, they were being stolen from her by Christopher.
At this moment, she was filled with overwhelming regret.
She regretted not marrying Justin sooner, even if it had been a simple wedding, even if it had been with a simple ring. If she could have just experienced it, she would have had no regrets
in this life.
She had always thought they had all the time in the world and that the future was long.
However, fate was unpredictable. One would never know what would happen the next day or
when disaster would strike.
Christopher stood up and gently embraced Bella's trembling body.
Just as he was about to kiss her lips, a stone rolled down at his feet, shattering the romantic
atmosphere.
Christopher's eyes turned cold as he looked up.
Unnoticed until now, Jace had appeared nearby. He leaned against a stone pillar and
watched them with a blank gaze.