The silence that followed the kings' demands was broken by the unexpected voice of Evangeline. It was not a whisper, nor was it a shout. It was a clear, steady declaration that cut through the tension like a blade.
"What do you all take me for?" she asked, her voice laced with a cold, righteous fury. Her gaze swept over the two kings, the enraged Arion, and the stunned Seraphina. "A monster, a tool to use, or maybe a prize to win over!"
The words hung in the air, a truth no one had dared to voice. She was not a queen to be fought over, a political pawn to be traded. She was a person, with a heart and a will of her own. Her eyes, which had just moments before calmed from a raging purple, now settled on the Shadow Prince. Her gaze softened slightly, a hint of something fragile and trusting.
"What is your name?" she asked, her voice gentle, the tone a stark contrast to the ferocity she had shown just moments before.
The Shadow Prince, a powerful figure in his own right, was momentarily stunned. He looked at her, at the quiet strength in her eyes, and a small, genuine smile touched his lips.
"Ezra is my name, Princess," he answered calmly, his voice a low, melodic rumble. He had not won her heart with grand gestures or displays of power, but with a quiet, unwavering kindness.
The revelation of his name seemed to solidify their bond in the eyes of everyone present. Arion's face twisted with a fresh wave of jealousy and humiliation. He had not earned her trust. He had not even earned her respect. He had lost her to a man who had never tried to win her, but had simply chosen to be there for her.
The princess has made it clear that she is her own person, not a prize to be won. What is the next move for the two rival kingdoms?.