King Draelos opened the door to Aralyn's room. She was on her bed, nibbling on cookies. The moment she saw him, she stood up and greeted him with a respectful bow.
King Draelos, however, looked at her sternly.
"Why do you like causing trouble?"
"What do you mean, Father?" Aralyn asked, confused.
He sighed. "I heard from your stepmother about how you disgraced Prince Dorian. What he did was wrong, yes, but you embarrassed him in front of everyone. That's an insult to their entire family."
Aralyn's face flushed with anger, but she swallowed her words and bowed her head.
"I'm sorry, Father."
Draelos didn't press the issue further. "I've invited the Fencrest family. I expect you to do the right thing and apologize." He turned to leave.
"Father," Aralyn called out suddenly. "I have a request".
He paused. She never asked for anything, not since she was a child. That made him turn around.
"Go on," he said, curious.
"I've found someone," she said firmly. "Someone I wish to marry."
His heart sank. He had waited years for her to say those words, but now, it was too late.
He clenched his jaw. "I gave you your chance to choose. You didn't take it. It's too late now."
He certainly wouldn't miss a chance of accepting the demon offer.
Aralyn looked at him, hurt evident in her eyes. She then spoke, "Who do you plan to announce as my husband tomorrow?"
"Wait till tomorrow, and you will find out," Draelos replied.
"I hope you don't plan on giving me to that demon lord."
Draelos paused, then turned back to face her. His eyes, cold and resolute, gave her the answer she dreaded, he wasn't denying it.
Without another word, he left her standing there, heart racing, the truth settling like a in her chest.
Aralyn took a deep breath.
"Okay... I just need to get a hold of myself."
She already had a strong feeling about who her future husband would be. Her father was greedy, he would trade her off for power without blinking. She knew how far he could go, and she knew Irene certainly had a hand in this.
"I'm definitely not marrying a demon," Aralyn whispered, her voice filled with resolve.
-----
"Ellie, what are you still doing?"
"Queen Lucy called out."
Dorian had brought Ellie home earlier. She looked pale and weak. He'd asked her what happened, but she kept quiet. Lucy, their mother, had to prepare a special herb soup, one known for restoring vitality.
Ellie finally descended the stairs, dressed in a green gown with her hair packed neatly into a bun. She entered the royal carriage with the others as they made their way to the Castle of Duskhelm.
Dorian broke the silence. "Ellie, you've not told anyone what happened to you. Why were you so weak?"
Ellie gave a soft laugh. "I don't know what came over me. I just felt really drained."Her family exchanged skeptical glances. Finally, she added, "Okay, fine. I was trying to read everyone's mind at once. I wanted to upgrade my powers... but I overdid it."
They all seemed somewhat convinced, she had no intention of mentioning the demon encounter.
"I told you several times,that kind of mind magic, it could mess with your mind it's dangerous, you have to take it slow...to be able to reach that level," her mother warned.
"I'll be more careful, Mother," Ellie replied.
-----
When they arrived at the castle gate, a servant was already waiting. He led them inside to a grand hall, where King Draelos and Queen Irene sat, four chairs prepared for their guests. The royal family of Eryndor took their seats.
King Draelos cleared his throat. "We all know why we're here."
King Valmir offered a polite smile. "I'm here to apologize on behalf of the Fenncrest family. My son's behavior at the banquet was inexcusable. He was drunk, yes, but that doesn't excuse him. I've taken action. He has received proper punishment... and as a result, he will no longer be contesting for Princess Aralyn's hand."
King Drelos nodded with a satisfied smile. He was relieved he didn't have to formally reject them, they'd withdrawn on their own.
"Fair enough," King Draelos said with a light chuckle.
"I was actually considering Dorian and Aralyn together," Queen Irene added. "They would make a good couple, wouldn't they?"
"Of course"
Everyone laughed, the kind of polite, meaningless laughter that fills tense air.
King Draelos continued, "I'm also truly sorry for how my daughter, Aralyn, behaved. I believe I may have spoiled her too much. That said, I trust our alliance remains intact?"
King Valmir smiled graciously. "Of course. We still stand to gain much from each other, do we not?"
"Indeed," King Draelos replied. "And I have something I'd like to offer you."
He gestured, and a servant stepped forward holding a large, enchanted cage. Inside was a beast, silent, majestic, and terrifying all at once.
Gasps rippled through the Fencrest family.
"To receive a beast from Lunaris family..." Valmir murmured, wide-eyed.
King Draelos stepped closer. "This is no ordinary beast. It's called Velkyrion. A shadow flame-linked creature. It's extremely rare, beasts like this only reproduce once every five centuries, and only within the walls of our castle."He continued, "No one knows how many exist, but when a new one is born, it bonds for life, with one person or a family only. This one is still young. Midnight-black fur, crimson markings, cold fire trailing its tail, and those eyes, pure shadow and flame."
The Fencrest family was visibly shaken by the generosity. It was a gift of great power, and even greater trust.
King Valmir rose slowly. "King Draelos… what have we done to deserve such a treasure?"
King Draelos smiled faintly. "Nothing yet. But consider it… a bond forged"
"Such magnificent honor," King Valmir said. King Draelos had a satisfied smile on his face. Queen Irene simply nodded, her sharp gaze meeting his. She always knew how to keep things moving in his favor.
King Draelos was about to speak again when Ellie suddenly rose from her seat.
"My King," she said respectfully, "if you'll excuse me, I need to see someone in the castle."
Draelos chuckled lightly. "Of course, Ellie. Go ahead."
She hurried off, her heart pounding. She had been searching for Prince Roshan since their arrival. After asking several servants, one finally gave her a direction. She turned into a corridor, and there he was.
Roshan was with his sister, Klara, cornering her playfully against a wall, brushing her hair aside as they both laughed.
Ellie paused. Her eyes narrowed. So much for sibling bond, she thought bitterly.
Klara and Ellie had never gotten along. It irritated Ellie how close Klara and Roshan were, too close. If Klara weren't his sister, she mused darkly, I'd have burned her alive for touching him like that.
Shaking off the thought, off her mind
She stepped forward and cleared her throat, making her presence known.
Roshan and Klara both turned. Ellie smiled sweetly at Roshan, then turned to Klara with a smirk.
"If you don't mind, Princess, I would like to talk to your brother alone."
Klara bowed and left, though the displeasure on her face was obvious.
Roshan turned to her. "What do you want to say, Ellie?"
Ellie pulled out a glowing silver-blue flower from her pouch. It sparkled in her hand, a Star Blossom, rare and magical. Said to bind two fates together if accepted willingly.
Without thinking, Roshan reached for it and took it.
The moment he touched it, the flower dissolved into shimmering star dust and absorbed into his body.
Roshan blinked. "What was that, Ellie?"
Ellie faked a sweet smile. "It means you accepted it wholeheartedly, I'm very happy for that."
She then stepped closer and grabbed his arm. "Why don't you gist me about your latest project?" she said, leaning into him, deliberately pressing her body against him.
Roshan gently removed her hand and took a step back. "Ellie, we're not kids anymore. Please stop pressing your body against mine like that. And I don't have time to gist right now. Maybe later, I'm very busy." Ellie tilted her head slightly, but didn't look too hurt. She had done what she came to do. The flower was accepted. That was all that mattered for now.
She smiled. "No problem. See you later."
Roshan left, and Ellie watched him go, victorious in her own quiet way.
------
Elsewhere in the castle, Aralyn spotted Prince Dorian talking to Klara. She didn't want to go over there, but remembering her father's demand to apologize, she made her way toward them.
Her sharp hearing picked up parts of their conversation, Dorian was clearly flirting. Klara didn't seem interested, but she stayed out of respect.
As Aralyn approached, Dorian turned dramatically.
"Oh, here comes the powerful Princess Aralyn, the one who slapped me. My cheek's still hot."
Aralyn simply bowed. "I'm sorry for that. I was just angry."
Dorian gave her a mocking smile. "I get you. I mean, having no say in who you're going to marry must really suck, doesn't it?"
Aralyn didn't respond. She smiled calmly, refusing to let his words sting.
Just then, Ellie joined them. "Oh, Aralyn! Long time no see. How have you been?"
"Fine. And you?"
"Great also. Sorry, I don't really have time to chat, our family is heading back to our kingdom for some state affairs."
"Oh, no worries. Catch you later."
And they all went thier separate ways...