Chapter Seven
Back in Avalonria, within the chamber of the second princess, the air was heavy with truths newly revealed.
Zeva sat in silence, her heart weighed down by what her parents had confessed. She had accepted it—her fate as something that should never have existed, a being tied to prophecy and doom. A part of her wanted to ask why they had not ended her life when she was still a child. But when she looked at her parents' weary, loving eyes, the words never left her lips. To ask would feel like cruelty.
All she could pray for now was simple, desperate: May I never cross paths with the Devil… Even if she already knew such a prayer was impossible.
"You will come out today," King Gideon said, his deep voice firm yet gentle. "From this day forward, you will not remain hidden. The spell has already broken—there is no longer use in keeping you locked away. The people should see their princess."
Zeva's breath caught. The outside world. She had dreamed of it, longed for it since childhood. But now that the chance was here, she was… afraid.
"Thank you," she whispered at last, her voice trembling. "Thank you for keeping me alive all this time."
"It was never just about duty," Queen Lilith said, embracing her tightly. "You are our daughter. How I wish I could do more for you."
"Come out and enjoy your day when you are ready," her mother added softly, before she and the king left her chamber.
Silence followed. Then the maids entered, their faces bright.
Zeva turned toward them with eyes that gleamed with sadness. "I can go out now," she murmured.
They exchanged quick smiles—they had been told of this day already. They were happy for her, but none of them understood the grief that shadowed her silver gaze.
A short while later, Zeva was ready. Draped in a gown of white and silver that shimmered like moonlight, she walked with her maids to the grand ballroom where her birthday celebration awaited.
The moment she stepped onto the marble stairs, the crowd hushed, then murmured rose like waves. For years they had heard rumors of the second princess—silver hair, silver eyes, beauty beyond compare. Now, seeing her with their own eyes, they knew the rumors fell short.
Some men whispered already of marriage, others of the blessing she must bring. None guessed the truth she carried.
"Finally, my sister is here," said Princess Daisy, radiant in her joy as she rushed to embrace Zeva. Prince Theo followed, his grin wide as he hugged her as well.
For the first time in her life, Zeva felt her siblings' arms around her—not through the walls of her chamber, but here, in the open.
The celebration unfolded with music and laughter. Zeva danced with her father beneath the candlelit chandeliers, then with her younger brother, Theo. For those fleeting moments, she almost felt like any other girl turning eighteen.
But when the dance ended and she found herself alone, the noise of the hall faded into a blur. She gazed at the smiling faces of nobles and courtiers, people who cheered for her, celebrated her beauty and her birth.
Her throat tightened, her eyes burning with unshed tears.
"If only they knew…" she whispered, her voice breaking. "I am their doom."
After the birthday celebration, the palace returned to silence. Guests had departed, leaving the ballroom to the servants who worked quietly to clear the remnants of music and laughter.
Zeva had retired to her chamber, her heart still torn between joy and dread.
That same night, just as King Gideon and Queen Lilith were preparing to retire, the Left Counselor requested an urgent audience. They granted it at once.
"Forgive me for disturbing your night, Your Majesty," the counselor said with a bow. He was a Lycan, loyal and keen-eyed. "I would have come sooner, but I did not wish to intrude during the second princess's celebration."
"It is fine," King Gideon replied. "Speak. What brings you here at this hour?"
The counselor's tone was measured, but his words struck like thunder. "This afternoon, a messenger from the Kingdom of Theodonria arrived. They bring a marriage proposal. They wish for their fourth prince to wed one of our princesses."
The chamber fell into heavy silence.
At last, King Gideon spoke. "This will be discussed tomorrow in council."
The counselor bowed and withdrew.
As the royal couple walked back to their chamber, Queen Lilith's voice was troubled. "We have no available princess. Daisy is engaged to Duke Aaron. And Zeva…" Her voice faltered, unwilling to say more.
King Gideon's eyes were shadowed with thought. "We will leave it until tomorrow," he said.
---
The next morning, Zeva awoke refreshed—no whispers in the night, no haunting visions. For the first time in her life, her sleep had been peaceful.
After her bath, her maids dressed her in pale blue silk, though Zeva paused before the mirror. The red marks on her back had grown overnight, the lines spreading wider like fire beneath her skin. She touched them through the fabric. Her gown concealed them well, but the ache lingered.
She took breakfast in silence, then decided she would greet her parents in the throne hall. With her two maids trailing behind her, she made her way there—unaware that a council meeting had begun.
---
Inside the throne hall, tension rippled among the gathered ministers, clan leaders, and counselors. King Gideon and Queen Lilith sat on their thrones, their faces stern.
"We are here to discuss the marriage alliance between our princess and the Fourth Prince of Theodonria," the Left Counselor announced.
The Elf Clan Leader spoke first, his voice sharp. "Princess Daisy is already engaged to Duke Aaron. We cannot break such a bond merely to appease Theodonria. That leaves only Princess Zeva."
King Gideon's hand tightened on his throne. "Impossible. Zeva cannot marry. At least, not now."
"But, Your Majesty," another minister interjected, his voice strained, "we cannot afford to turn Theodonria down outright."
"Yes, we can," King Gideon countered coldly. "It is simple."
"Simple?" another counselor echoed, his tone almost desperate. "With respect, Your Majesty, you know the state of our kingdom. After the great war one hundred and sixty-five years ago, our strength was crippled. Our warriors are few, our powers diminished. It is a truth we have managed to hide, but should Theodonria decide on war, we would not survive."
Murmurs of agreement filled the hall. Even the Dragon King himself could not shield all of Avalonria if the humans struck now.
King Gideon opened his mouth to respond, but the heavy doors of the throne hall creaked open. All eyes turned.
There stood Princess Zeva, silver hair gleaming, her gaze calm yet resolute.
She stepped forward, her voice carrying clear across the chamber.
"I will accept the marriage," she said. "I will wed the Fourth Prince of Theodonria."
The council fell silent. Whispers of shock rippled among the ministers.
Neither king nor queen spoke—their faces stricken.
If only Zeva knew the truth. If only she knew the whispers that haunted the Fourth Prince. That he was not merely unwanted, but the vessel of the Devil himself.
Had she known, perhaps she would have fled—fled far from this marriage that bound her fate to his.
But the wheels of prophecy had begun to turn.