Chapter 4

Karl’s Pov

‘…and with your permission, the stubborn humans would be hanged immediately, Your Grace.’

I scoffed as I scanned the endless complaints and requests from my officials. It seemed every missive ended with new, gruesome methods for dealing with humans who dared to annoy them. And yet, people claimed I hated humans more.

I’d been holed up in my study all night, but I needed a break from these outrageous requests. A break, however, would mean giving in to my brooding second-in-command, Landon, who had been trying to mind-link me for the past few hours.

“What is it, Landon? Your incessant buzzing is almost giving me a migraine.” I reclined in my chair, bracing myself for his response.

“What are you going to do about His Late Highness’s death? It’s been days, and the council members, officials, and even your family are getting edgy.”

“Hmm. Maybe these files aren’t so bad after all,” I murmured, knowing his werewolf senses would pick it up. I reached for the next written complaint.

“Your Majesty, be serious,” he countered.

Something in his tone made my inner beast growl at his disrespect. I could feel my eyes flickering from the calm teal to a fiery amber gold, my wolf asserting its presence.

Landon immediately bowed his head, a clear sign of submission.

Why am I so edgy? I shut my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose to calm myself before facing him.

“I am the king, Landon, and I choose when and how to address my brother’s death. You, of all people, should know how irritable I’ve been lately. For my people’s sake, I can’t meet them when I’m like this.”

Snapping back to my usual calm demeanor, I added, “I’m still processing the fact that it actually happened.”

He sighed. “I understand that, but no one is willing to grant you the luxury of time. Your itinerary today is packed with meetings we can’t keep postponing. First on the list is breakfast with your family.”

Stifling a groan, I muttered, “Of course.” I headed to my chambers to prepare.

As I neared the dining hall, I could hear Leo and my aunt arguing. “She still doesn’t know when to stop. Leo isn’t her equal in royal ranking, she can’t keep talking to him like that.” I said, raising a hand to halt the guards from opening the doors.

Landon shook his head. “Apparently, she’s been ranting at the hybrid siblings since dawn. Leo is just her latest target.”

I listened intently, and immediately cut her off when she uttered a particularly daring statement. He signaled the guards to open the double doors, and we walked in.

“‘We,’ you say, dear aunt?” I repeated, ignoring the murmurs of greeting. “Careful now, or I might take it as an attempt to greedily tie yourself to my throne.” I couldn’t help but smirk at the fear that froze her expression.

She, of all people, should know how dangerous I could be to anyone threatening my rule. Her first lover wasn’t alive to tell the tale.

“That would mean you’re ignoring your marriage to the Duke of Naphtonile, which not only makes your family unworthy of being considered pure blood, but also removes you and your descendants from the line of succession.”

“Just arrived, and I’m already lecturing royal history and order,” I muttered, distracted by the sweet aroma wafting from the table. ..Is it the bacon?

“My marriage doesn’t change the fact that I’m still a hybrid, your father’s sister, your aunt, and a member of the royal family,” she replied grudgingly, sipping her blood tea. Or is it the scent of blood tea that's intoxicating me?

Landon scoffed, and that clearly irked her but to my surprise, she held her tongue.

“But, Your Majesty…”

Who am I kidding? Viktoria doesn’t know when to shut the fuck up.

“…This is a serious problem. My nephew was murdered by this hybrid killer in a horrific manner. With no adjustments to our security and the inaction of your investigation team, who knows which royal family could be next?” She finished, nodding as if she’d delivered the most powerful speech of the century.

I dropped my glass and focused on her. “Are you so terrified of this ‘hybrid killer’ that you forget yourself and question my ruling and decision-making capabilities?”

“I— Of course not, King Karl. I am- I just care about the helpless people and the council—”

“And why are you so certain that this killer is targeting another royal member, Your Grace? Do you know more about Prince Samyl’s death?” Leo interrupted, causing her to turn toward him.

“What are you implying, Prince Leo?”

“But Mother’s right,” Maxim interjected, trying to save her from further embarrassment. “We need to understand how serious this killer is. Is he or she working alone, or is there help from witches or elites? Are humans involved again? Or—”

Ace, my brother, let out a humorless laugh that cut him off. “Humans? After their entire race was punished last time, they wouldn’t dare get involved. Besides,” he added with his usual menacing smile, “they’re too busy trying to survive. Right, Karl?” He raised his glass of blood tea toward me, as if to say, ‘Thanks to you’.

I knew my rule had been the most brutal toward humans since my grandfather’s, but they had it coming when they were foolish enough to harm my saint of a mother.

“But still,” Maxim tried again, but I had to close this chapter.

“I killed him.” I took a sip, letting the weight of my words settle in before adding, “Ripped his head off and pinned it to the wall.”

Gasps erupted from the maids by the wall, but I was too busy trying to pinpoint that alluring scent to care. Everyone’s reaction was as expected—except for Landon’s. He had been with me when it happened.

“Are you saying you are the ‘hybrid killer’? That you killed Samyl?” Maxim asked, and I could practically taste the fear in the air. It wasn’t just Maxim; it was radiating from the maids, too.

“I didn’t stutter the first time.”

The intoxicating scent intensified. Maybe I just need fresh blood. That must be why I’ve been so edgy.

“May I ask why?” Veronika, my cousin, asked cautiously.

“No, you may not. It’s a family issue I’ve dealt with, and it needs no further discussion.” I glanced at the breakfast table for the first time. “And why is the menu so plain, Landon? Find out from the head of the kitchen.”

“It’s according to the mourning tradition for a royal member, Your Grace. We can’t have a feast for a week.” He already had the answer.

I had forgotten that rule—and the one about wearing black attire for a week, too.

“Inform the kitchen to ignore that rule and save it for when someone more worthy dies.” I lifted my glass slightly, signaling a maid for a refill.

“What?! This is insane, Karl!” Maxim shot up in anger. “You can’t just kill a family member whenever you want without accountability! Aren’t you going to say something?” He directed his question at my siblings.

I locked eyes with him, seconds stretching into an eerie calm before I replied. “Call my name without respect ever again, Maxim, and I’ll ensure you end up in the same state as Samyl, right here and now.”

He sat back down, head bowed and his fury palpable in the air. I could sense my inner beast wanting to break free, so could everyone, and no one wanted that.

The sound of my sister sniffling quietly broke the tension, reminding me why I had held off this conversation. The hybrid family had always been big on protecting and supporting one another, even though we often drove each other to madness. Ace and my father had always suspected Samyl’s secret, and my act would confirm their hunch. They’d get over it, but I knew Seline wouldn’t… and neither would my mother. At least not until I explained why, but I had no intention of doing so.

“I’ll take my leave, as I’ve lost my appetite. Enjoy your stay, family, and Leo, we need to discuss later.” I saw the questions swirling in my friend’s eyes.

Landon was right by my side as we left the hall, ready with a question. “The princess is really broken. Aren’t you going to tell her the truth about Samyl?”

After a moment, I responded. “No. Let someone in this family have an innocent image of Samyl.”