Hiding My Twin Heirs from the Ruthless Prince novel Chapter 20

Evangeline paced restlessly within her elegant chambers, her mind racing with the elderly woman’s cryptic warning that echoed like a haunting refrain.

“You shall meet the same fate as she did.”

Who was this mysterious “she”?

It was not the first time the ancient woman had spoken such words. Since her arrival at Prince Maximilian’s court, the old lady had repeated this ominous phrase repeatedly, always regarding her with those clouded eyes, as if she were seeing someone else standing in Evangeline’s place—some phantom from the past.

Evangeline shivered, wrapping her silk shawl more tightly around her shoulders.

She desperately needed answers.

Her instincts whispered insistently that Prince Maximilian harbored secrets, dark knowledge he had not shared with her despite his apparent devotion.

And there was only one way to discover the truth.

The palace was unusually quiet at this late hour, most of the guards conducting their evening rounds throughout the castle grounds, Prince Maximilian still occupied with security preparations following Lady Cordelia’s threats. The timing was perfect for her investigation.

Evangeline moved through the dimly lit corridors with careful, silent steps, her breath shallow as she approached Prince Maximilian’s private study.

She hesitated outside the heavy oak door, pressing her ear against the wood to listen for any sound of movement within. When she heard nothing but silence, she carefully pushed the door open and slipped inside like a shadow.

The study carried the rich scents of aged leather, expensive ink, and something uniquely masculine—a mixture of sandalwood and exotic spices that she had come to associate with Prince Maximilian himself.

The massive mahogany desk was covered with detailed maps, diplomatic correspondence, and scattered notes, but Evangeline’s attention was immediately drawn to the tall wooden cabinet standing in the corner.

If Prince Maximilian was concealing secrets, they would be secured there.

She approached the cabinet with trembling fingers, carefully opening its brass locks. Inside, rows of leather-bound journals and ancient documents sat in neat, organized stacks.

Evangeline ran her fingertips along the worn edges of a black leather journal, one that appeared significantly older than the rest.

Her intuition told her this was what she sought.

She extracted the journal and carefully opened it, her breath catching when several faded portraits slipped out and fluttered to the marble floor.

Evangeline’s heart hammered as she knelt to retrieve them.

The first was a portrait of a woman.

A breathtakingly beautiful woman with long ebony hair, piercing violet eyes, and a soft but hauntingly melancholy expression. She wore the elaborate gowns of nobility, her bearing unmistakably aristocratic.

The second portrait showed Prince Maximilian standing beside her, his arm possessively draped around her slender shoulders. They appeared intimate, devoted—far too close for mere acquaintances.

Evangeline’s stomach clenched with sudden dread. Who was this mysterious woman?

She frantically scanned the elegant script within the journal, her eyes darting over carefully recorded entries and significant dates.

1821 – The First Meeting 1823 – The Betrothal Ceremony
1824 – The Royal Wedding 1826 – The Growing Darkness 1827 – The Disappearance

Evangeline’s blood turned to ice water.

He knew.

His keen noble instincts and years of court intrigue had made him far too perceptive—he had noticed the concealed journal immediately.

For several tense seconds, he said nothing, merely taking a slow, measured step forward, his eyes locked onto her like a predator who knew his prey was harboring dangerous secrets.

She had to act quickly. Decisively.

Evangeline’s heart slammed against her ribs as she acted on pure, desperate impulse.

She seized Prince Maximilian by the front of his doublet, and pressed her lips to his in a passionate kiss.

Prince Maximilian stiffened instantly, his entire powerful frame going rigid with shock.

Evangeline poured every ounce of her desperation into the kiss, frantically hoping to distract him, to make him forget whatever he had observed.

Prince Maximilian did not pull away from her advances.

In fact, after a brief moment of surprise, he did precisely the opposite.

His strong hand shot to the small of her back, pulling her closer against his chest, his lips suddenly becoming demanding and utterly consuming.

But quickly, she pulled away and fled down the hallway.