Prince Lukas entered the palace kitchen with high spirits, wearing his dazzling robe. He called the royal head chef, Chef Antoine, to help with the preparations. Lukas smiled broadly as he revealed his plan to Chef Antoine.
Chef Antoine was surprised and delighted to hear the Prince's plan. They began working together with enthusiasm, gathering the best ingredients from across the kingdom for this special dish. They selected fresh meat, rare spices, and newly picked green vegetables.
As the preparations continued, the delicious aroma from the kitchen spread throughout the palace. Other servants, unaware of the Prince's plan, whispered among themselves in confusion and curiosity.
"Aarghhhh" The Prince, who was not used to kitchen work, hissed in pain once again as his finger touched the hot pan.
"Let me handle this, My Lord Your finger is injured"
"Are you underestimating me I have endured countless sword wounds. This is nothing"
"Very well" Antoine bowed respectfully. If his Lord refused to listen, there was nothing he could do. Prince Lukas was well known for his stubbornness and determination.
"Princess Sandra has not been eating well and keeps vomiting due to the pregnancy. I hope my cooking will restore her appetite," Prince Lukas explained with a cheerful smile.
"You truly love her"
"I love her deeply, Antoine. I swear, she will be my only queen in the future. No concubines, no other women."
"I am happy to hear that, My Lord. At last you have accepted this arranged marriage with a sincere heart."
"I should have accepted it from the start."
Just like what the Prince was doing, Lukas was also cooking for Sandra at this moment. The difference was, he was doing it alone. Lukas followed the instructions of a chef from his phone. His hands were already covered in red marks from hot pans.
"Turns out cooking is very difficult," he muttered, carefully plating his fried rice and decorating it neatly.
Lukas also made juice for Sandra. He prepared a glass of water and vitamins. Placing everything on a tray, he brought it to his wife's room.
Upon arriving, he set the tray on the table. Lukas walked closer to Sandra, who was still asleep, and gazed at her fondly.
"San..." he whispered, gently caressing her beautiful face. "Wake up, you need to eat. I made it myself."
He pulled the blanket down and tried to wake her gently. He took her hand and kissed it lovingly.
"Sandra..." he called again.
Lukas stroked her hand and gently massaged it. She must have been exhausted after vomiting so badly last night.
As he examined her hand more closely, Lukas accidentally noticed a faint white cross mark. The more he looked at it, the more familiar it seemed.
"A soul bearer will have this mark if they have switched souls with someone else," he whispered.
Lukas let go of Sandra's arm, his eyes filled with shock. He backed away, his body trembling as he realized what his grandfather had once told him.
"Is this why she is so afraid of that story Is the legend true Is this why Sandra's behavior changed so drastically"
He pulled at his hair in distress. There was no doubt now. The soul inside Sandra was someone else. The true soul bearer.
If his grandfather's friend was the last of their lineage, then this must be his descendant. The tale he once dismissed as fantasy was real.
Lukas decided he would search his late grandfather's old documents. He had to uncover the truth about the soul residing in Sandra's body. He needed to see the face of the woman he had fallen in love with. He had to find a way to save her from the grip of the demon.
Sandra, now awake, looked puzzled as she saw Lukas pale and visibly shaken while staring at her.
"What's wrong" she asked curtly. "Why do you smell like onions" she added, sniffing his scent. "Why are your hands red like that"
Lukas said nothing and just hugged her tightly. Now he understood why Sandra had been so afraid, why she had nightmares about the demon. Now he understood why she seemed like someone new. A new soul that made him feel so at ease lately.
"What's wrong with you" Sandra asked, still confused.
"I will protect you, no matter what." Lukas kissed her forehead.
"What are you doing Are you insane" she gasped, trying to push him away. Sandra held back her joy and the desire to return his affection. She must not give in or Lukas would die.
"I made you breakfast. Come on" Lukas helped her sit up.
"You do not have to do this I refuse to eat your food Take it away or I will throw it just like you once did to me"
"My arms are nearly blistered. At least try a spoonful. I woke up at four in the morning to cook this." Lukas pleaded.
Sandra remained silent, lips tight. Lukas chuckled. He picked up his homemade fried rice and tried to feed it to her while she still had her mouth closed.
"You need more food after vomiting all night. There is kiwi juice too. I hope it helps your appetite. Please eat just a little" he coaxed.
"Are you sure you cooked it properly"
"I did my best."
Sandra actually wanted to eat it badly. But if she gave in now, she feared she would forget her mission. They had to part ways to change fate.
"Eat it yourself Why would I eat garbage like this It looks messy and unappetizing" she shouted, then stormed off to the bathroom and locked the door.
Lukas sat still, looking at his food now scattered on the floor. No, he was not angry. He actually felt slapped by the memory. He had once treated Sandra this way too.
"I will not give up," Lukas whispered, calling the maid to clean up. He went back to the kitchen to cook again.
"You think I will give up The harder you push me away, the harder I will fight to prove myself"
Sandra wiped away her tears when she heard loud noises coming from the kitchen. She stepped out to see what was happening.
"What are you doing I am not going to eat it I will throw it out again" she yelled as she saw her husband frantically cooking.
Lukas did not respond. He kept cooking in silence. He did not even flinch when his hand touched the hot pan again.
"Lukas" Sandra shouted. She forcefully turned off the stove, grabbed the first aid kit, and began treating his minor burns. Lukas was always stubborn and hard to reason with.
"Stubborn man"
"You still care about me I see love in your eyes. Why do you want a divorce"
"Stop pretending I do not love you anymore. That is why"
"But your eyes say otherwise"
"I said stop pretending" Sandra pushed his hand away after finishing the treatment. She tried to walk away, but Lukas pulled her back, causing her to fall into his arms. Her hands rested on his chest, their faces now only inches apart.
"Are you the soul bearer" Lukas asked, making Sandra's eyes widen.
"You mean that ridiculous story"
"You have this mark" Lukas took her wrist and showed the faint white cross there.
"This is a tattoo I got Cool, right" Sandra lied, trying to cover her panic. She knew she must hide this truth from him or face deadly consequences.
"You do not need to answer. I know the truth. I understand now why you are denying it."
"What are you saying Stop talking nonsense Lukas Just go marry Kayla and stop fantasizing" Sandra pushed him away with all her strength and left.