Rejected and Pregnant: Claimed By The Dark Alpha Prince-Chapter 705: Courage to open your heart

"Are you two staying in the suite right next to ours?" Jasmine’s eyes widened in genuine disbelief the moment she spotted Aisha and Karmen stepping out into the carpeted corridor.

"What are the odds? It’s a bit shocking, isn’t it?" Aisha remarked with a light laugh.

"It must be fate," Erwin suggested with a grin. "Since we’re already neighbors, why don’t we have breakfast together in the dining hall?" He didn’t wait for an objection; he simply tucked Jasmine’s hand into the crook of his arm and began leading the way down the hall.

Aisha and Karmen exchanged a quick, knowing look, half-amused and half-resigned to Jasmine’s boundless energy before following them toward the grand dining hall. As they crossed the threshold, Jasmine was already waving her hand enthusiastically from a window-side table, signaling for them to hurry over.

When they reached the table, Karmen stepped behind Aisha’s chair, pulling it out for her. She looked up at him, a warm smile touching her lips, and lowered herself into the seat as he tucked it back in.

As the breakfast spread was laid out before them, a lavish display of fresh fruit, pastries, and smoked salmon, Jasmine wasted no time.

"So, how exactly did you two meet?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. "As far as I knew, Karmen wasn’t in the capital much, considering Prince Gabriel operates primarily from San Ravendale."

She took a delicate bite of her salad, her eyes darting between the two of them as she waited for the story.

"Our parents actually arranged an initial meeting for us," Aisha began as she wove the truth with a bit of grace. "We actually parted ways quite amicably afterward; neither of us felt ready to move forward at the time. That is, until we crossed paths again." She turned her gaze to Karmen, a soft, meaningful look in her eyes.

"So, shall we call it fate, then?" Jasmine remarked with a bright smile. "It’s funny, Erwin and I met in a very similar way." she added, glancing affectionately at her husband.

"Really?" Aisha arched her brows, surprised to find common ground.

"Jasmine didn’t want anything to do with me at first," Erwin admitted with a chuckle. His hand found hers on the table, his thumb grazing her knuckles as he stared into her eyes with pure affection. "She actually leaned toward hating me. Apparently, I came off as a bit too arrogant for her taste. And Jasmine was undergoing a bad breakup. So, yeah... We never thought we would fall in love."

Aisha smiled, a genuine warmth in her eyes. "That’s really wonderful to know," she asserted, finding comfort in the fact that even the most perfect-looking couples had a rocky start.

Karmen watched her closely, the usual tension in his shoulders easing. Seeing her relax and enjoy the company of others made his heart feel lighter than it had in weeks.

As the conversation tapered off, a comfortable silence settled over the table. Jasmine and Erwin were playfully feeding each other bites of fruit and sharing private jokes that ended in soft laughter.

Meanwhile, Aisha and Karmen ate quietly, their connection felt in the small, subtle glances they exchanged and the way Karmen remained hyper-aware of her every move.

Once the meal was finished, Jasmine stood up and draped her arm through Aisha’s. "Come with me," she insisted, pulling her toward the far side of the dining hall where large glass doors led to a lower observation deck. "You can see the wake of the ship from a much closer angle over here. It’s breathtaking."

Aisha glanced over her shoulder, seeing Erwin and Karmen already deep in a hushed, serious conversation back at the table.

"You have been through a very rough time, haven’t you?" Jasmine asked. "Losing a mate, someone you spent so many years with, it’s like a part of you dies, too. But Aisha, you mustn’t let that tragedy take a permanent toll on your life. Life, as cruel as it can be, is ultimately about moving on. Everything in this world is temporary."

Aisha looked out at the endless horizon, the blue waves mirroring the depth of her thoughts. "You’re right," she said softly, feeling the weight of the words. It was the first time someone in this social circle had acknowledged her pain so directly, yet with such kindness.

"Karmen is a good man," Jasmine added, leaning against the railing. "He’s steady. He’s like an anchor. Sometimes, that’s exactly what we need after a storm."

Aisha nodded, her gaze drifting back toward the dining hall where Karmen sat. "Yes, he has been silently protecting me. He liked me for a long time, but we never actually met after school and college finished. I never even talked to him in those time, I remember." A chuckle escaped her mouth, realizing how she and Karmen met.

"You know, within the elite social circles, Karmen has always been the most sought-after bachelor. Well, he was, until now," Jasmine stated with a knowing glint in her eyes.

"Really?" Aisha turned her head, surprised to hear the stoic Beta discussed in such a way.

"Oh, absolutely. Being so closely associated with the royal family, he’s always been under a microscope. But he never showed a flicker of interest in anyone since many said he would refuse his parents for every proposal without even glancing at them. There were even rumors that he had a secret lover tucked away in San Ravendale whom he dated in silence," Jasmine answered.

Aisha couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Karmen being the subject of such gossip, especially knowing how private he truly was.

"Don’t let your past keep you from holding onto him," Jasmine advised, her tone turning gentle as she placed a hand on Aisha’s arm. "If he appeared in your life during your most difficult hour, then that is a sign. You must hold onto him and find the courage to open your heart to love again. It is far better to risk getting hurt than to live a life filled with regrets."