The Crown Prince’s Courtesan - Chapter 72

She hesitated, just long enough to see the knights knock Ryan unconscious.

Her breath hitched. The dull thud of his body hitting the ground was followed by the thunder of hooves. A fresh wave of knights galloped into view, cutting through the haze.

“Don’t harm her!”

The harsh and commanding voice tore through the air.

A massive black steed came into view, rearing as its rider pulled hard on the reins. And the moment Marie saw the man astride it, her breath caught in her throat.

‘Why are you here?’

Russell.

The Alpha who had come to claim her.

His wild and disheveled face was twisted, stripped of the calm, cold elegance he usually wore like armor. Now, there was no composure, only desperation.

His hand reached out, trembling with something far too raw to name.

Toward her.

“Marie Alphrose!”

Her name, falling from his lips like a command or a plea.

“To me!”

Marie stumbled backward, instinctively drawing closer to the cliff.

He was coming for her. Slashing through the knights who tried to stop him, stepping over Ryan’s fallen form, Russell moved forward — unrelenting, unforgiving, and unavoidable.

Don’t. Don’t come closer.

“Don’t move. Just come here.”

The wind blew from behind, making her stagger. Marie stared at him with hollow eyes.

He looked different, dirt-smudged and disheveled. Far from the always-neat man she knew, but still undeniably handsome.

“Why are you here? Why are you chasing me like this?”

“Marie.”

He cut her off before she could finish.

“Because I’m the daughter of your enemy? Because my father brought tragedy to you, and you made me a courtesan as punishment? Because… I’m carrying your child?”

“Just don’t move. Come here and listen to me!”

“I know you hate me. But if this was about revenge… then why did you call my name so tenderly? Why did you say it so sweetly, with warmth in your voice? Why did you help me? You were the only one who ever did. So don’t come any closer!”

The footsteps around them froze. Marie’s pheromones spilled out uncontrollably. Her mind frayed, unraveling. Tears traced down both cheeks.

“Your Highness… I hate you.”

“…”

“I hate you for what you’ve done to me.”

The face before her was barely Russell’s anymore — so wounded and so broken.

Maybe… maybe this was all just a dream.

Maybe when she opened her eyes, she’d find herself back in that debt-ridden house.

Maybe this was just a nightmare and the real Marie Alphrose was still trapped in the life of a courtesan, serving other nobles.

That reality seemed far more likely than the desperate Crown Prince trying to hold onto her.

Marie screamed a last, fierce plea to the cruel fate that had brought her here.

“You’re going to kill me and my baby? I won’t let you.”

Marie turned away. The cliff’s edge was closer now and suddenly, it seemed like the better choice.

Her mind, slipping into something unthinking, obeyed the only command it could grasp: escape.

Her steps faltered. Her body tilted forward. And in that critical moment, someone’s foot pounded the earth, charging toward her with everything they had.

“Marie, no!”