Title: Bound by Blood, Broken by Pride
*Chapter 11: Fire and Ashes*
Nightfall wrapped its arms around the mansion, the soft hum of air conditioners blending with distant crickets outside. Charles sat on the edge of his bed, his eyes fixed on Princess Soma. She was curled up by the window, puffing lightly on a cigarette.
"Soma," he said softly, "can we talk?"
She turned to him, one brow raised. "Hmm? What is it?"
He stood and walked to her, gently taking the cigarette from her hand and snuffing it out. She didn't protest. That surprised him.
"I'm not here to fight you," he said. "But I need you to listen. This… all this - the smoking, drinking, the outbursts - it's causing issues. My parents are disappointed. And… I'm ashamed. You're better than this, Soma."
She looked away for a moment, then back at him. "You think I don't know that? It's just how I've lived all my life. I thought you'd accept me like this."
Charles touched her hand. "I love you. But love comes with growth. If we're going to work… you need to meet me halfway."
There was a pause. Then slowly, she nodded. "I'll try… for you."
***
The next day, Charles was at Richard's apartment. They sat on the balcony, sipping juice while watching the sky turn orange.
"I didn't even tell Queen Preshido that Soma's around," Charles said.
Richard looked at him with raised brows. "You serious?"
"I couldn't. She's been disgracing me since she came back. First, it was smoking in the living room. Then liquor at dinner. And now she's just… rude."
Richard burst into laughter. "Your Germany babe is giving you premium wahala!"
Charles sighed. "I don't even know how long I can take this."
***
Back at the mansion, it was quiet. Everyone had gone out. I was cleaning the lower hallway when Princess Soma came downstairs. Her steps were sharp, impatient.
"You!" she called out.
I turned, startled. "Yes ma?"
She strolled toward me, lighting a cigarette, smoke already curling upward. "So tell me, are you sleeping with my man?"
I blinked in shock. "Ma?! No! God forbid!"
She laughed darkly. "Then why hasn't he proposed to me yet? Maybe he's distracted with you?"
"Ma, I would never - "
Before I could finish, she flicked ash from her cigarette right at my face. The hot chip landed on my skin. I yelped and stepped back, tears springing to my eyes.
"Learn to be strong, village girl," she hissed. "Pick that up and trash it."
I swallowed the pain, bent down, picked the butt, and walked away, trembling.
***
Later that week, charles was in his office when Princess Soma walked in, dressed in a sleek red dress.
"Hey honey," she said smoothly. "I have a business idea for you."
charles looked up from his files. "Business? What kind?"
She sat, crossing her legs. "It's a crypto-based logistics platform. A blend of trade and shipping, very lucrative. But it needs solid capital."
charles leaned forward, intrigued. "Go on…"
By the end of their meeting, charles was hooked. "Count me in," he said.
***
That same evening, the mansion's calm was shattered. Princess Soma was lounging in the sitting room, her feet on the center table, cloud after cloud of smoke filling the space.
The front door opened. Sir Frederick walked in.
He froze.
"Soma!"
She didn't stop. "Yes, sir?"
Marita entered behind him. She gasped. "You're smoking again?! In our house?!"
"You must be mad!" Frederick roared. "Osaho!"
The gate man rushed in. "Sir!"
"Take this woman out of my house. Now!"
"What?!" Soma shouted, standing up.
Marita pointed. "You heard him! OUT!"
Osaho grabbed her arm. She struggled. "Leave me! I'm not going anywhere! This is my fiancé's house!"
"Not today it isn't!" Frederick bellowed.
Osaho, with surprising strength, lifted her and carried her out. The door slammed behind her. He dropped her outside the gate and locked it.
***
An hour later, Charles returned. He walked into the sitting room and found his parents still fuming.
"What happened?" he asked.
Marita didn't even look at him. Frederick stood up.
"We threw her out."
"What?! Why?!"
"She was smoking in the living room again, insulting our house," Marita said coldly.
Charles's jaw tightened. "You had no right - "
"Don't you dare raise your voice in this house!" Frederick thundered. "You let that girl embarrass us. And you still defend her?"
Charles was frozen. For the first time, he saw the look in his father's eyes - not anger, but deep disappointment.
The house was quiet again, but the air crackled with tension. Love had lit a fire, but now it threatened to burn the family down.
ready for chapter 12