The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 172

Surprise Decission-2

But as a force.

A mind.

A strategist.

Someone who did not simply accept the system-

But reimagined it entirely.

Caleb, beside her, exhaled slowly, a faint, almost disbelieving smile touching his lips.

“Of course you would think of something like this,” he murmured under his breath.

Not mocking.

Impressed.

Because once again-

She had exceeded every expectation placed on her.

The king finally spoke again, his voice quieter now-but carrying far more weight.

“You realize,” he said slowly, “that such a system would remove control from those who have held it for generations.”

His eyes sharpened.

“It would not be welcomed by everyone.”

Iva didn’t flinch.

“I know.”

A beat.

“But… isn’t the bond supposed to be chosen by the Goddess?”

Her question hung in the air.

Simple.

Yet impossible to refute.

Another long silence followed.

Then-

Unexpectedly-

A low chuckle escaped the king.

175

Surprise Deersman-2

Net mocking.

Not dismissive.

Something else entirely.

He leaned back further, shaking his head slightly as a rare smile touched his lips.

“Bold.”

His gaze returned to her, sharper than ever.

“Very bold.”

Queen Rita smiled openly now, her eyes warm, almost proud.

And Caleb-

Caleb didn’t look away from Iva.

Not for a second.

Glam

Because in that moment, watching her sit there-nervous yet unwavering, modest yet brilliant, standing her ground in front of the most powerful figures in the kingdom-

He felt it again.

That sharp, undeniable truth.

He hadn’t just found his mate.

He had found someone extraordinary,

And this time-

He had no intention of ever underestimating her again.

Her fingers tightened slightly in her lap as her gaze flickered toward the king, her breath catching when she noticed the way he was looking at her-deep in thought, unreadable.

Then he spoke.

“…Interesting.”

The single word, murmured low under his breath, carried far more weight than it should have.

Iva’s stomach dropped.

Her back straightened instinctively, her pulse quickening as she braced herself.

I overstepped…

The thought hit hard.

Surprise Operstien-2

King William leaned forward slightly, resting his forearm on the table, his gaze never leaving her.

This is a bold move.”

His tone was steady.

Measured.

And that… somehow made it worse.

Iva paled instantly.

Her lips parted, ready to apologize, to retract, to explain herself better

“Your Majesty, I didn’t mean to-”

But he raised his hand slightly, stopping her before she could spiral further.

And then-

He said something she did not expect.

“…A move fitted to a future queen.”

The words landed like a thunderclap.

Iva froze.

Completely,

Her mind blanked, her breath catching somewhere between her lungs and her throat as heat rushed violently to her face, spreading from her cheeks all the way to her ears.

“W-What…?” she whispered, barely audible.

She hadn’t even realized she spoke.

Claim

Across from her, Queen Rita’s lips curved into a soft, knowing smile, her eyes glancing briefly toward Caleb before returning to Iva, clearly amused by her reaction.

But Iva didn’t notice.

Because her gaze had already snapped to the side-

To Caleb.

Her eyes wide.

Flustered.

Searching.

As if silently asking Did he just say what I think he said?

Caleb, for once, looked just as caught off guard.

45

Surprise Decession-2

Only for a fraction of a second.

Then something shifted in his expression.

His initial surprise melted into something-darker… deeper.

His gaze held hers, intense and unwavering, a slow, deliberate smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Seems like my father approves,” he said smoothly, his voice low, almost teasing-but beneath it, there was something else.

Something serious.

Something claiming.

Iva’s blush deepened impossibly, her heart racing so fast she was sure they could all hear it.

“I… I didn’t- I mean, I wasn’t-” she stumbled over her words, completely undone.

King William let out a quiet chuckle, clearly entertained now.

“Relax, child,” he said, leaning back in his seat. “If I were displeased, you would know.”

That… did not entirely comfort her.

But the edge of tension eased just slightly.

Still, her mind was spinning.

Future queen.

The words echoed relentlessly.

Claim

She lowered her gaze quickly, trying to compose herself, but not before stealing one more glance at Caleb

Only to find him still watching her.

Closely.

Intently.

And for the first time since she stepped into the castle-

Iva felt something new settle alongside her nerves.

Not just fear.

Not just uncertainty.

But the undeniable realization…

That her life had just shifted onto a path far bigger than anything she had ever imagined.