Chapter 10: Claws and Crowns

Chapter 10: Claws and Crowns

As I was about to leave the hall, the doors swung open and the guards marched in, escorting someone. It was the king.

“All hail King Zarreth, first of his name,” one of the guards announced.

I quickly slipped into the shadows of a corner. He walked with the arrogance of someone who believed the world belonged to him, shoulders high, chin lifted. How could he sleep peacefully after slaughtering innocent people like animals? My gaze burned with disgust.

He made his way to where Lucian stood. Before anyone could notice me, I slipped out of the hall and headed straight for the kitchen.

I picked up where I’d left off, scrubbing dishes, when one of the mean girls sauntered over.

“Hey, you! I bet you’re happy your little plan is working, huh?” she sneered.

I ignored her, which only made her irritation flare.

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a hiss. “I know you’re trying to seduce Prince Lucian. But let me warn you—you’d better back off, got it?”

The dish in my hand slammed against the counter. “Tell me, do you like the prince, or are you just that insecure? Why are you feeling so threatened?” I smirked. “Oh, you actually think he’d spare you a glance?”

I scoffed. “What a delusional being you are.”

I was done tolerating her nonsense.

"How dare you speak to me like that?!" she roared, grabbing a fistful of my hair.

I grabbed hers right back, and within seconds, we were a tangled mess of fury, yanking and clawing. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Lilith’s worried face.

She shoved me down to the ground, but I rammed my elbow into her face.

"Kyra, please stop!" Lilith’s voice reached me, faint and desperate.

The girl staggered back, clutching her nose, blood trickling between her fingers.

"You bitch!" she snarled, then grabbed a pot of boiling water.

Before I could react, she flung it at me.

"Ahhhhhh!" I screamed, the scalding burn tearing through my skin.

"Kyra!" Lilith rushed over, horror etched on her face.

"Are you happy now? You finally hurt her!" Lilith yelled at the girl.

My arms and part of my cheek were blistered and raw, the pain unbearable.

"What is going on here? What’s this mess?!" the chief maid’s voice cut through the chaos.

"The two girls were fighting," another maid said, pointing at us.

"Instead of working, you’re busy brawling?!" The chief maid stormed toward us, slapped the mean girl, then turned and did the same to me.

I stared at her in shock. "Ma’am, didn’t you see what she did? She poured boiling water on me, she started it!" I shouted.

"And so? I don’t care! And don’t you ever yell at me again!" she barked. "If you keep testing me, I’ll put you somewhere far worse. Do you understand?!"

The chief maid stormed out, her footsteps echoing down the hall.

I turned my gaze to the mean girl, my eyes cold as steel.

"That’s what you get for being on my bad side," she sneered, flashing a wicked smile before walking away.

“Damn that bitch,” I muttered through gritted teeth, the pain flaring on my burnt skin.

“It’s alright, Kyra. Next time, don’t provoke her—she’s a witch,” Lilith whispered, helping me to my feet.

I smirked.

If only she knew who the real witch was.

---

Lucian’s Scene

King Zarreth and Lucian stood face to face, the tension in the room almost tangible.

“I met with the King of Assyria today,” Zarreth began, fury in his voice. “That bastard said he won’t lend us his soldiers unless I bow to him.”

His voice rose to a roar. “I am King Zarreth Barethion. I bow to no one!”

Lucian sighed, leaning back in his chair.

“So, that means we’re waging war against Assyria too? Wonderful. We barely have enough soldiers to face Cathridge, and now we’re adding Assyria to the list. This just keeps getting better,” he scoffed.

“That bastard thinks he can control me,” Zarreth growled. “After I helped him win the war against Gordon, he dares demand that I kneel. Ungrateful swine!”

Lucian’s eyes narrowed. “Then we need allies.”

“I’ve already sent your brother to the South Watch to speak with their king,” Zarreth said. “We must secure an alliance. We have to win this war.”

For the first time in Lucian’s life, he saw fear flicker in his father’s eyes.

Assyria and Cathridge were not kingdoms to underestimate. Their armies dwarfed Kyratth’s forces.

War was coming.

---

Kyra’s POV

Lilith took me to a servant’s quarter and helped me sit on a chair. She rubbed some ointment on my wound, and I flinched from the sting.

As a witch, my wounds take two to three days to heal. So in three days, this would be gone.

“I’m so sorry this happened to you, Kyra,” Lilith said, worry on her face.

“It’s fine, Lilith,” I said with a small smile. But inside, I was done wasting time. The longer I stayed here, the more I suffered. It was time to start my revenge.

“Did you hear about the feast happening tomorrow?” she asked.

“No. What feast?”

“It’s the queen’s birthday,” she said while still tending my wound. “Kings from other kingdoms who are friends with the King will be there.”

I nodded slowly.

A feast.

Perfect.

My plan could begin. If I couldn’t kill the whole royal family, I’d kill the king. He was my main target. I would poison his food. And when he took his last breath, my revenge would truly begin.