Previously...

Kyrah's grin soon faltered and her face fell seeing that there wasn't anyone present other than the three of them.

Zuber and Jeanette weren't there anymore.

A week had passed by, but the bizarre events were still fresh in Kyrah's mind.

Two things puzzled her the most: where had her uncle Hiram vanished? What about Zuber and Jeanette? They had left her without any notice.

Her heart was filled with depressed and forlorn thoughts.

"Where are you both? Why did you leave me?" she mumbled sadly for the thousandth time.

She was constantly reminded of her conversation with Zuber and his words, "My love for you will never change. I will be with you always."

"Then, where are you now? Why aren't you with me?" Her deep pink lips which put bougainvillea flowers to shame, quivered and she choked back a sob.

Nothing felt right without Zuber. She missed him terribly.

"Does he miss me too?"

That day when everything ended rightly, she felt so happy and secure. She wanted her parents to meet Zuber and his sister, Jeanette, who was now like a sister to her too.

"Meet whom sweetheart?" her mother had asked her gingerly.

What could she say?

"Mother, this is my kidnapper, Zuber, I fell in love with him and he loves me too. Please call off the betrothal."

"And this is Jeanette, the girl who tried to harm us, but was under the pressure of uncle Hiram, who had kidnapped her and we got to know that she's Zuber's long lost sister."

But she couldn't say anything. Her thoughts remained locked in her mind, the key lost when she discovered that they were gone.

Her courage was blown away by the sadness that filled her heart. She couldn't say anything except this,"It's nothing, let's go..."

But what was a home without Zuber in it? Would her life be still the same?

She wanted to talk to her parents about him. But they weren't present near her all the time. Even if she did get the chance, they just talked about her upcoming meeting with her betrothed, Prince Judewin. They wouldn't even listen to her once and left no room for argument.

"Kyrah? I have been talking to you for the past five minutes. What's wrong?" Queen Lilah's gentle voice interrupted her thoughts. She was standing beside her and looked at her daughter intently.

"Yes, mother?" Kyrah whispered robotically. Then, a sight caught her gaze.

She saw two figures, a man in a black suit and a lady in a brilliant, yellow, full-length gown, waving at her from outside.

She rushed towards the window, ignoring her mother's surprised tone. Sadly, no one was there.

"I swear, I saw them," she whispered. "Or was it just my imagination?"

"Kyrah, are you even listening to me?" Lilah asked, her lips forming a thin line.

"Yes, mother?" She knew where this was going.

"Prince Judewin will be arriving here soon," she gushed happily. "I want you to get dressed up."

"Yes, mother," she sighed, her suspicions were proved right.

"And what are you wearing? A pink silk gown? You hate pink, right?"

"Not anymore..." 

She was overcome with emotions and another sob was going to make its way out. She refrained from doing so and replied as calmly as she could, "I will be ready, mother. Where is my dress?"

"Oh, right!" Lilah squealed, clapping her hands together.

"Mary!" she summoned Kyrah's stylist. "I want her to look her best," she said, placing both her palms on Kyrah's shoulder.

"But mother..."

"No buts. Come downstairs soon, baby," she squealed, pressing a small kiss on Kyrah's forehead and left with a cheeky wink.

"Greetings, Princesa," Mary spoke in her Spanish accent. "Let's get you ready, shall we?"

Kyrah merely nodded in response.

She was soon clad in a one-shoulder full-length red gown, which showed off her perfect figure.

A thick strap began from her left shoulder which ended in a cute bow at the waist, the bottom sparkled slightly and flared out till it reached her ankles.

A part of her hair was pinned back with a pretty, beaded, bow clip, the other was left loose, making her back hide behind her soft, golden curls. Plain red pumps completed her look.

"You look beautiful, Princesa!" Mary squealed. "The prince is going to be awe-struck."

"Thank you, Mary," Kyrah managed to speak despite the lump in her throat.

She was led downstairs to the main hall where everything appeared spectacular as usual. No one could say that a week back, a bloodied battle had taken place there.

After the battle died, they had found the royal staff locked up in the staff room. They were thankful that all the servants, chefs, and maids were fine.

Kyrah glided downstairs and Mary excused herself after signaling a thumbs up, winking at her cheekily.

"What's with the winks?" Kyrah frowned. She noticed that she was alone in the hall. A quarter of an hour had passed and she stood there waiting patiently.

"Great! Now, do I have to wait like this for the whole night?" Kyrah grumbled.

"Oh no, you don't have to, my apologies, Princess Kyrah," a voice spoke formally from behind her.

She turned back to find a man donned in an expensive, black, formal suit with a simple white shirt and gray tie.

He looked probably around 25, she could tell. He was tall and had a slender body. His face was a boy-next-door type and he gave her a small smile.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that," Kyrah spoke in a clipped tone.

"No, I apologise sincerely. I'm Prince Judewin. Pleased to meet you, Princess," he said, shaking her delicate hand.

"The pleasure is all mine," she spoke hesitantly, trying her best not to look fake.

She missed the talks with Zuber, which were light-hearted and fun. Somehow, the formality seemed to be choking her and she couldn't handle it anymore. A huge silence fell between them, which made her feel uncomfortable.

"I can't marry you, I love someone else," she blurted out.

"What?"

"His name is--"

Her sentence soon changed into muffles when a hand clamped her mouth. A familiar woody scent filled her nostrils.

Her eyes widened on their own accord and she frowned at Prince Judewin who let out a hearty laugh.

Her back was turned and her puzzled face was crashed into a warm chest.

"God, I missed you so much!"

Kyrah quickly removed herself from the sudden hug and gazed astoundedly at none other than her captor, Zuber.

He looked dapper in a jet black suit, his handsome face marked by a lovely smile.

"Zuber?" Kyrah gasped. "Where were you all this time? Where's Jeanette? Are you both alright? Did you know how much I missed you? Did you miss me? Why did you leave me?" she rambled nonstop.

Zuber placed a finger on her lips and shushed her.

"Not Zuber, I'm Prince Judewin," he said and winked cheekily.

"What?" she whispered, her mind still processing the shocking information.

"Everyone knows right?" Kyrah asked knowingly, judging her mother's, Mary's, and now Zuber's wink.

He simply chuckled in response and pulled her closer, placing his warm palms on both sides of her waist.

"Then who's this?" she asked, pointing towards the other man.

"This is my best friend, Prince Samuel," Zuber said with a smile. He punched his arm playfully and pulled him closer to them.

"You can call me Sam," he said, bowing down to Kyrah slightly and chuckled. "Excuse me."

"But how? Why did you lie?" Kyrah asked, clearly taken aback.

"I wanted you to believe that you were truly kidnapped. If I would tell you that I was your betrothed, you would never be the same with me... I heard your formal conversation with Sam," he said, making a face.

"I wanted to know you for who you are and what I am truly, I wanted to show you love... I guess I kind of started liking you since I first saw you."

"Where?" Kyrah asked softly.

"The day I had kidnapped you. I had come to this castle to meet you. But you had argued with your parents and refused to see me. I had felt so bad then. But I wanted to see you. So, I had sneaked a look at you and saw you rushing outside towards the garden."

Kyrah smiled apologetically while listening to his part of the story.

"Then, when I was turning to leave, I heard an angry outburst in one of the rooms," Zuber continued. "I heard your uncle muttering that he wants to kill you," he informed angrily. Kyrah squeezed his palm gently.

"I couldn't let him carry out anything. It was likely that he wanted to do something bad to you. So, I pretended to hate you by confronting him and asking him to kill you myself. He didn't buy my act at first. I assured him that I had nurtured a great vengeance towards you as you had repeatedly refused to meet me. He agreed and asked me to kidnap you instead as he wanted to use you for other plans."

Zuber took a deep breath and continued further, "I couldn't find out what other plans he meant, so I tried my best to speak badly about you time to time while I was with him."

"I am sorry for that, baby, it was for your sake," he whispered, his warm breath tickled her earlobe. She caught hold of him in a bear hug and murmured thanks.

"I can't thank you enough... thank you for saving my life, for making me see what love is and even for hiding yourself so well." She chided him playfully.

"I never imagined that you would be my betrothed. You have no idea how tensed I was these days." She shuddered.

"And then when I saw Prince Judewin, I mean Sam, I just couldn't marry him could I?"

"No you couldn't, you're mine, Princess," he smiled, kissing her cheek.

"Kyrah," she pouted and Zuber crashed his warm lips on top of hers, pulling her close to him. He then kissed her forehead gently and pressed her to his chest once more.

"What do you think happened to Uncle Hiram?"

"I have no idea. I hope he deserves what he inflicted on others. He gave you, Jeanette, our parents, and me a lot of pain."

Little did they know that at this moment a lightning struck on top of Hiram's bloodied and worn out form, which was laid in the Sholak Stone House since a week. His shrieks filled the emptiness of the magical house and he was reduced to ashes, being gone for good.

"Where's Jeanette? Oh, wait! She is a Princess now!" Kyrah spoke happily.

"I am," Jeanette squealed from behind and rushed towards Kyrah, pulling her into a hug.

She looked much healthier than Kyrah had last seen her. She wore a yellow, full-length gown, which swept the floor with her movements.

"So, you both did wave at me!" Kyrah chided, swatting their arms and scowled at them. To which, they just chuckled.

Beside Jeanette, Sam appeared and gazed at her lovingly, which Kyrah noticed.

"Do you like her?" Kyrah asked cheekily.

"Kyrah!" Jeanette chided, her pale face turning scarlet. Sam merely grinned at her question, making a heart with his fingers.

"Kyrah, will you marry me?" Zuber asked with a grin as he sat down on one knee and held out a gorgeous diamond ring.

"Absolutely!" Kyrah squealed and Zuber slipped the band on her ring finger and pecked her lips.

A huge cheer erupted and Kyrah saw her parents, Jeanette, Sam, and the staff clapping with big grins.

Inside the secret passage, the ring on Kyrah's finger in the portrait glittered for a brief second simultaneously.

Hey, everybody! How are you all? ❤ 💙 This is the last chapter of The Serpent Within and I was so sad and happy while writing it. This is the longest chapter of this book till date. 😃

Was Zuber's real identity a shocker? Or had you expected it all along? Comment in and let me know! Both he and Jeanette are great and safe. Everything is well now.

Hiram was killed in the Sholak Stone House after a week's torture, due to his severe crimes. The king, queen and the royal staff are all alright too.

The reason behind the wedding band on Kyrah's portrait is now cleared. She will be married to her love, her kidnapper, the mighty Prince Judewin. What do you think? How is the ending? Do you like it? I'm waiting to hear your thoughts people! 😍

A short epilogue will be written after this chapter. So, please read that too. I would love to give you a glimpse of their future. 😀

Like this chapter? Please make me happy by clicking the 🌟 icon below. Thanks a lot, everybody! Signing off! Bye! Have a nice day! Keep smiling! 💕

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