Chapter 69

Third Person POV

The loss of his title in the challenge weighed heavily on him, like an anchor dragging him into the depths of despair. He felt as though Marco had stripped him of his identity and purpose by usurping his once-proud position as the legitimate heir. It wasn't just the throne he lost. It was the prestige, the honor, and the legacy that came with it.

But the most unbearable part of it all was the knowledge that Marco had marked his mate immediately upon taking the throne. The cruel twist of fate had now tainted the bond they once shared, ruining it forever. How could he stand idly by, knowing that the one person he cherished above all else was now bound to his enemy

The rage and frustration that welled up within him were difficult to contain. His heart yearned to reclaim what was rightfully his—to rescue his mate from the clutches of the usurper—but he found himself isolated, bereft of allies. The palace, once a place of comfort and security, had b