Elira’s vision blurred as the strange heat within her intensified.
The music from the ballroom grew distant, muffled beneath the violent pounding of her heartbeat.
She stumbled forward, desperate for air.
Aeron tightened his grip around her wrist and hurried her through the dim corridor.
His eyes darted around cautiously, She must remain awake.
If she lost consciousness now, everything would fail.
“Elira,” he called softly, shaking her shoulders when her steps weakened.
She suddenly bent forward and threw up violently against the marble floor.
Aeron clicked his tongue impatiently before pulling her upright again.
But the moment she touched him, her fingers clutched tightly onto his robe as though searching for relief from the burning torment inside her body.
A dark smile crossed his face.
‘Even in such state, she was breathtaking ‘ he thought.
He pushed open the prepared chamber and quickly dragged her inside before shutting the door firmly behind him.
******** Back inside the grand banquet hall, laughter and music echoed beneath the crystal chandeliers.
Princess Mirelle danced gracefully with Noble Valade, son of Duke Valmont, though her attention wandered elsewhere entirely.
Valade smiled warmly at her.
“You look stunning tonight, Princess.” “Thank you,” Mirelle replied sweetly, though the smile on her lips never reached her eyes.
Then, Prince William appeared at the edge of the ballroom, Their eyes met briefly.
A signal!
Mirelle’s heartbeat quickened.
Without warning, she stepped away from Valade mid-dance.
“My princess?” Valade called in confusion.
But Mirelle had already disappeared into the crowd.
William approached the king with hurried steps, his expression clouded with unreadable emotions as his gaze met with the queen’s which lingered for a moment.
“Father …” he said quietly.
King Budegha frowned.
“What is it?” And William lowered his voice carefully.
“I believe Princess Elira has been taken away by a man.” The words dropped heavily, the queen’s face paled instantly while Mirelle lowered her gaze to hide the excitement burning within her eyes.
“What nonsense are you speaking?” the king thundered.
“I saw them myself,” William replied.
“I feared bringing shame to the royal family, so I came to you first.” The king rose so abruptly that his goblet crashed against the floor.
“Take me there.” The corridor outside the chamber was deathly silent.
The king stood before the locked door, fury radiating from him.
‘Elira is shameless just like her mother.
Always bringing shame to the royal family ‘ he thought.
“Open it,” he ordered and a guard pushed against it before turning to the king “It’s locked from the inside, Your Majesty.” Queen Elzier’s breath lowered slightly, her lips curled victoriously behind king Budegha while Mirelle’s hands trembled with anticipation.
The king’s expression darkened dangerously.
“Break it down.” He ordered as the guards slammed against the door.
Not once but three times.
On the third strike, the wood burst open violently.
And then Screams erupted.
Aeron lay collapsed on the floor in a pool of blood.
Both of his hands had been severed brutally from the wrist.
The entire room reeked of blood as he writhed in agony on the floor Princess Elira stood weakly in the center of the chamber, something doesn’t seem right with her as her unfocused eyes were clouded in confusion, her body trembling violently from the drug coursing through her veins.
And behind her a man stood cloaked in black.
One powerful arm wrapped protectively around her waist.
His blade dripped with blood.
Queen Elzier staggered back in horror while princess Mirelle’s face drained in color.
Amidst the chaos no one could look away from the man standing behind Elira ‘King Zareth!
The atmosphere in the room became unreadable when he lifted his head and the room stopped breathing.
Those eyes…
Cold, Ancient and Violent, like a predator looking down at their prey.
The murderous intent radiating from him was so overwhelming that the royal guards instinctively stepped back.
King Budegha fell silent as his gaze remain focused on the predator standing before him.
He stared at the man who had his kingdom in his death note waiting for a fallout mistake to turn it to ruins.
King Zareth, the monarch whose name reigns among the whole kingdoms and the same man who wins battles without a scratch on his body is standing right before him.
King Budegha’s eyes traveled to his daughter whose body was trapped to his chest with a massive arm wrapped possessively as though daring the world to come close.
She looked dazed.
Her cheeks flushed unnaturally as her fingers trembled weakly against his robes.
Yet despite her condition, king Zareth held her with terrifying care like something precious he refused to break, and she, Elira, looked as though she wanted more of his warmth.
“Elira!” King Budegha called out but she didn’t move or react and that was when reality hit him and he raised his gaze towards Zareth.
“She was drugged!” King Zareth replied and king Budegha felt something rising within him.
‘Anger!
His gaze sharply turned towards Aeron who was in pain and then towards king Zareth as though looking for another explanation.
“He touched her!
And that’s his first punishment.
I will have his head as the second.” He replied.
His words were not a threat, they sounded like a death sentence “What is the meaning of this?” King Budegha asked turning towards the guards who lowered their heads without an explanation.
Then he felt it.
William!
He thought as he turned towards him.
William looked terrified.
His body shook from the intense gaze radiating from king Budegha.
But he knew, there was no evidence against him, so he is protected.
King Budegha’s gaze then returned to Zareth, the fury in his eyes kept intensifying.
“I will handle it” he said and Zareth chuckled “Of course you will” Zareth mocked “you dare call yourself royalty, while poison is served beneath your roof.
That’s least expected from a whole kingdom, king Budegha” King Budegha chuckled lightly.
“You make it sound as though I distribute poison, king Zareth” “Who knows?” Zareth replied “Elira is my daughter and I will not let harm befall her.
Like I said, I will handle it” king Budegha said but Zareth slowly shook his head.
“No!
I will handle it myself” he said and Queen Elzier paled instantly.
William nearly lost his stand.
And as for Mirelle, she felt more…jealous.
“No!” King Budegha stepped forward “I handle whatever rises in Elarion” he couldn’t let another mistake lead them back to the fate he was already running from.
But Zareth scoffed.
“No!
I handle whatsoever involves my bride.
And if her condition doesn’t stabilize before sunrise…” he paused before turning his gaze towards William, “I will turn this kingdom to ash” The room froze!
“You are taking this too far” king Budegha yelled angrily but Zareth wasn’t done “No!
It’s not far enough because I will burn down the city walls and I shall flood Elarion with blood” he roared and there was gasp.
“You threaten me in my kingdom?” King Budegha was angry but Zareth was more angry.
“I threaten you wherever I want” he said.
Just then, Elira’s whimpering voice drew their attention .
She seemed to be in pain as she wriggled closer to Zareth.
Whatever she was fed isn’t only making her feel hot.
Rather, it was causing her pain too.
He quickly carried her in a bridal style and looked at king Budegha.
“Summon your physicians” he ordered and king Budegha signaled to a royal guard who rushed out immediately.
********* King Budegha led the way to Elira’s chamber and King Zareth lowered her onto her bed.
The royal physician stepped in almost immediately and bowed to the two royalties who stood powerful in the room.
“King Budegha” Zareth called out and king Budegha slowly turned towards him.
Zareth addressed the name ‘king’ as though it was just funny title.
“I think this room is too small to contain a multitude” he said and king Budegha sighed.
He turned towards the guards and ask them to lead the queen and his family back to the royal house.
But Prince William lingered for a moment.
His gaze fixed on king Zareth who intensely stared back at him.
He didn’t want to obey but he knew he has caused enough damage which might bring war, he slowly retreated his gaze before storming out of the chamber.
“I feel like I’m in the servants quarters”king Zareth said, his eyes wandering around the room.
For the first time, king Budegha felt ashamed.
He hasn’t been to her chambers before and standing inside it he felt his chest tighten.
‘Perhaps Zareth was right!
Perhaps he was a terrible king.
He had neglected her daughter and now he feels it.
There was silence for a while before he gently replied.
“I have always loved her as my daughter .
But I’ve never treated her as one.” The genuine confession surprised Zareth who turned to look at him.
“A little care won’t cost much” Zareth said and he nodded.
“I lovey my family, I just didn’t want them to feel like I was sharing the love which belonged to them” king Budegha lowered his head “You’re a king!
You knew how to handle it but you didn’t, you’re just selfish!” Zareth said, anger rising within him again.
He couldn’t believe he treated an innocent girl like trash just to prove love.
“How is she” Zareth turned his attention back to the physician “She will be alright my king, she just needs to drink this medicine and it will flush the effects out of her body.” She said and Zareth nodded.
“I’ll feed her the medicine and I believe the king will not be offended if I take care of my future bride?” Zareth said and king Budegha stared at him with surprise.
“The rules of Elarion is against it”he said and Zareth gave that chilling smile that never reaches his eyes.
“I wasn’t asking for your permission Budegha, I was just letting you know my intentions” Zareth said and king Budegha fell silent.
He looked at Zareth furiously and Zareth met his gaze.
“I will return in the morning” the physician said excusing herself from the tension rising in the room.
King Budegha looked at Zareth, and then took a deep sigh to control whatever was rising inside him.
“If you dare anything against my daughter…” “I’m not like you who finds comfort under womens clothes only to end up turning your back on them ” Zareth said and King Budegha chuckled angrily.
“I don’t want my daughter to wake up with you beside her, she’s still unaware of the marriage” with that he stormed out with the physician, leaving Zareth alone with her.
Zareth laughed at his reaction.
And his gaze fell on her.
VOTE for me!