"Father, this is no longer about my duty as the prince of the seventh. For the stars' sake, this is my life we're dealing with!"
"This is larger than life, Killan!" The King's previously calm voice rose. I can feel the intensity in his voice—a mixture of rage and urgency.The escalating argument between the king and his son left me in a state of uncertainty. The prince, once distant and untouchable, had now woven me into his narrative. Bound by engagements to both a princess and the woman accused of murdering his mother, a vendetta lay beneath their seemingly fairytale romance. His public rejection of our union, branding me a savage hunter, seemed to contradict his own argument.
His gaze shifted to me, holding a fire of curiosity and intrigue. In his perspective, I was the villain, and he the hero. "Miss Rendin, I don't believe you fully comprehend the nature of your legal situation. Frankly, I don't think you grasp the weight of your predicament."
His words felt like a personal affront, a barb I absorbed without protest. My next step was taken with more caution than usual, an inching closer toward him, his imposing form coiled with tension. His irises held a complex dance of anger and interest, wide with curiosity and wonder. I witnessed the shift as his attention locked onto me, his brows arching, and a lingering smirk gracing his lips—so red they appeared almost blood-like. A paradox of tender hue and ruthless accusation, dubbed a "little twist" and a "savage."
A subtle twist tugged at the corners of his mouth, conveying a mixed message. "You really don't understand what you're getting into. This isn't your run-of-the-mill hunting game, where losing means the end if you can't find your prey. Think." His whispers carried a composed intensity, a warning that sent shivers down my spine.
Meeting his gaze, I held my ground. A fortress of fear threatened to burst forth, yet I confined it within its walls—for now. I refused to let my eyes waver from his, containing the storm of emotions within me.
My attention remained locked onto him, his searing gaze almost causing me to lose consciousness from the intensity. Amid the argument of the two parents, I remained silent, having nothing to add. Two 7th-dimensional powers used me as their pawn. Don't expect resistance from a pawn—it obeys commands. Choosing between a prince and a king as my master was my reality. The impending marriage, whether real or a charade, would buy me time. The king's decree, though seemingly rooted in madness, offered a crack in the fortress—a hairline fracture that allowed light to permeate and illuminate the room.
"Your Grace, if you would excuse me, please? I don't feel well." Not bothering to check on Killan's reply, I grumbled. I need to plan. Get the facts and think things through. Space was essential for me. I had to break away from conventional thinking to create my plan."Miss Rendin, you may go. Take the room next to the guest's quarters. The maidens will accompany you."After being sent packing by the king, I shuffled out the door. There was a subtle shift in the pit of my stomach. It was like being released from prison for a little while.After the tense exchange in the hall, I was met by the three maidens who had been attending to me during the selection process. Their surprised expressions remained unspoken as the short-haired maiden, likely my guide, led the way. Our steps on the plush carpet were the only sound in the corridor, and the silence held a strange power, even though its actual influence was minimal.
The entrance to the room was swiftly unlocked by the two women, revealing a space adorned with opulent decorations and extravagant gadgets. The room was furnished with an old sofa, and a charmingly large bed sat just a few meters away, dwarfing my entire living room at home. Opting for the couch, I positioned myself, granting distance from the overwhelming turn of events. My thoughts raced, and I began forming a mental list of the unfolding circumstances, methodically addressing each point one by one.
Not long ago, I had been ready to embrace death. I had contemplated spending my days accompanied only by notes, prepared to face the inevitable. Yet, the king's unexpected decision had upended my expectations. This was my last chance to set things right before my fate was sealed.
Initially, the prince and I had been betrothed in our own narrative. I once indulged fantasies of marrying someone like Apolo, a charming elf from my neighborhood with blond hair and split-pointed ears. I had dreamt of an elf husband, but reality had snatched those dreams away.
However, my willingness to abandon unrealistic aspirations was strong. Marrying the prince provided a glimmer of hope for me and the future I desired for my siblings. Perhaps it was a twist in the story that would lead to a happy ending, albeit a twisted one. While I suspected manipulations and schemes at play, it was my responsibility to unveil the truth. I needed more time to ensure Cali and Poras had the life they deserved. If the stars destined me for death, then so be it.
In their shoes, I might have reluctantly accepted the marriage to Prince Killan and plunged into their political games. As I weighed my options, a soft sigh escaped my lips. Suddenly, the door swung open with an abruptness that matched the release of the last breath from my lungs.
Prince Killan's rage seemed to permeate the air. With urgency, he bolted the door, his intense gaze never leaving me. As he approached, his brows furrowed in a scowl, and his dark eyes radiated a stormy intensity, akin to thunderclouds in a tempest.
He made an impulsive dash towards me, his hands reaching out and grabbing my face in a motion that seemed uncertain even to him. His large palms pressed against my jaw, an unexpected touch that froze me in place. I resisted the instinct to pull away, steadying myself under his piercing scrutiny.
In his eyes, I could see him evaluating me, perhaps as a potential adversary or an easy target. From my vantage point on the couch, I observed the rise and fall of his chest, the tension in his muscles, and the grip he maintained on his own jaw. Despite my inner jitters, I managed to maintain my composure, returning his gaze with a mixture of determination and intrigue.
"If you think you can escape the crime by marrying me because you twisted the king's mind with your lies, think again!" He tightened his grip on my face. His breath against my skin.Although my heart rate increased, I could move my hands and grab both of his arms. Taking a deep breath, I dug my nails into his flesh. His body jerked. His red lips gasped, and his eyes widened in shock as he held mine.I'm saying, "Yes, my prince, we're getting married." Almost inaudibly, I almost spoke. Basically, I used fire to melt ice. In other words, the ice did not melt. As I looked into it, I realized it was risky. It was like locking myself in a room with a pack of ravenous wolves.A closer look required him to approach. The couch's fabric was rubbing against my back. The proximity of our bodies was awkward. His warm, minty aroma engulfed me.He felt no apprehension. He knew he could shred me to pieces with no effort. "You, you little wild animal. I intend to eliminate you."The intensity of the moment was electrifying, and I found myself resorting to a strategy that had always come naturally to me: manipulating reality to my advantage. With danger looming due to my lower rank and vulnerability as a weak elf, I knew I had to find a way out of this dire situation if I had any hope of survival. Perhaps I could navigate life more swiftly by suppressing some of the thoughts swirling in my mind.
Rising to the occasion, I reached up and let my hand trail along his arms, moving up to his collarbone and then across his face. The attempt was a risky gambit, akin to playing with fire and ice. I knew that this action might further intensify the prince's dislike for me, but I had heard whispers about his consideration of arranging a sham marriage for me. I needed to win him over, to make him align with his father's wishes and proceed with the marriage.
An obvious question might have been, "Why should I comply?" It was a challenge I anticipated. My response was laced with calculated determination: either marry him under pretenses or end my life, allowing him to reveal the truth to Princess Lanuza. This was the grand culmination of my convoluted plan, a twist that I hoped would keep me alive and gain me some control over my fate.
A shift occurred in his eyes, and the blazing flames of his rage seemed to wane. Even in the worst-case scenario, my scheme appeared to be gaining traction. "The king holds the reins as the master of ceremonies, rendering a fake marriage ineffective," he stated, his words carrying a tone of experience. He went on to emphasize the weight of the situation. "The Seventh and several other influential royals will be present as witnesses. You have no concept of the intricacies of this world."
With another sigh, I released the tension that had built up within me. My shoulders sagged as I let go of some of the stress his presence had triggered. "If you marry me, you always have the option of ending my life."
Soon enough, his grip loosened, and I found myself free from his hold. His resistance seemed to give way, and he reluctantly yielded to my second proposal. He turned away from me, briefly staring at the ceiling before facing me once more.
"I will marry you. Then, I'll kill you myself," he sneered, his words laden with a combination of spite and resignation. The pact was struck, and the reality of the arrangement hung in the air between us.
I came across the scroll on the worktable at the center of my room. There was one sealed scroll with a golden ribbon tied around it. A royal wedding invitation.There were a lot of possibilities for what my chest might experience first. In all likelihood, there was never any excitement. Anxiety, resentment, and panic set up housekeeping.I suppose it's normal for an elf like me to feel degraded. That I was merely a pawn in the game played by superior creatures. However, my body raised an objection.Just how long will this take? When will we see a change in the system? How soon will the triangle flip? How soon will the triangle's peak move?There was just nothing I could do!three days.It took them three days to come up with all the wedding plans. Then it was set to happen tomorrow. It's very conspicuous how they rush everything for their hidden agenda.I knew what they were after. I may have pretended to be stupid and uneducated in front of the royal court, but my brain didn't recipr
A gentle-faced princess stood before me, radiating grace and poise. They said she resembled a goddess. The fate of the meteorite is the same as that of the star. Her silvery hair and prominent ears marked her as a princess. After all, she was a princess."Your Grace," I greeted."Lady Idrish Aeric." As she approached me, she bowed gently. She had the poise and grace of the monarchs I respected as she walked. She offered me her right hand, a smile on her face.I looked at her perfect fingers that missed a callous, then back to her unblemished godlike face. I held her hand and gently gave her a shake. Soft. Warm. "I a—am Idrish Aeric, Your Grace.""House Flos, the second region, the kingdom of vines and agriculture... Princess Lanuza Flos."Usually, I know a kind of elf when I see one. I seldom get a miss on that. I felt a good aura around Princess Lanuza. Apart from her gentle face and very soft-spoken, I thought it was true in the kindness shown."How have you been adjusting, Lady Idr
I felt like I was in the middle of a cold war, where all sides had their own agendas. I realized I was being utilized as a chess piece—a movable piece to help another player achieve their goals.Anytime is good for me, because I may be used at any time... by dying.Either I satisfy the intrigue of the council, or I obey the monarch. The king, after all.Prince Killan, because of his reasoning. It's not just a surface-level concern on his part that I'd be bragging about the powers I have.In this case, what might possibly be Lady Montay's motivation? To what does the council look forward?"Princess Idrish, please step it up a notch. Prove your mettle and you will be sent to the winter arena." Montay's actions were rather oblique. I just didn't click with her. If they make me abandon her in the woods, every bone in her body will be broken.I implore your grace to demonstrate your talents. Another whisper reached my ears.When Killan looked at me, his dark eyes met mine. His jaw clenched
A sigh of relief washed over us as the next few days passed. Everything that had been prepared for was about to take place. No authority was interfering with the destiny I had accepted for so long. There's no king keeping tabs on me. No prince or husband would ever risk his life by doing something I didn't give them permission to do.Me, alone, in the weight room. Taking in the season's best from the arena over the past winter, spring, summer, and fall.What I saw was nothing but wounded and dead warriors, as well as a few victorious ones.The arena proved fatal for the vast majority of the delegates.The tournament, which will take place in a week, will take place in the middle of the snow month, just like the winter arena I grew up in.In Mors's woods, ten competitors from ten different regions would square off to determine who would emerge victorious. The group would be split in half, with five players on each side. In Septen, five people would work to defend the city's six towers
The most difficult test ever set before the queen. I was equipped with the queen's gauntlet. Powerful protection for the arms and hands.Throughout the entirety of the journey, I kept paraphrasing what the prince had said to me.I had a sneaking hunch that the former queen of the seventh region had been involved in some sort of covert power transition. Despite the fact that it attracted me, I chose to ignore it because there was no way that a humble elf like myself could ever hope to purchase such a potent artifact from the queen.When an elf is given a power that it is unable to control, the elf's body goes through some kind of change or reaction. It is possible for innocent individuals to become ill, hurt, or even killed when a new leader is unable to successfully wield the reins of power.So why did nothing bad happen to me? What was wrong with me that I only felt my hands get heavier, as if I were holding tons of steel, and nothing else?Why did the queen pick me to be the heir to
The wagon I was sitting on was built with sturdy materials. It looked like there were iron bands surrounding the wheel spokes. All of the redwood used in the wagon was recently cut down, and the best engineers in the mansion used their skills to create it.The mule neighed as we exited the front yard of the home. I swung around for one last look at the Calore homestead. In front of the main door, I saw King Argus, his council, and the maidens and butlers who had served me over the past few days."Idrish, grasp the opportunity. The seventh areas say good-by." Killan, who was standing next to me, advised me. He was clothed in a royal blue suit. He was stunningly beautiful.The elves waiting outside House Calore's castle yelled as the wagon approached. Unbeknownst to them, children were spotted waving blue and white flags with the Calore logo on them. Women throwing flowers lined the street."Nore, Opele, and Alkar." 'House, people, honor,' the throng chanted in unison. Powerful and movi
After breaking through the wall of solid bricks, I had the sensation that I had entered a new dimension. When I arrived, I was greeted by a forest that was a stunning emerald green color, with a shade of almond brown interspersed throughout. I am able to make out the rustling of the grasses and the crackling of the leaves beneath me. It smelled musty and stale at the same time. The odor of decaying wood was produced by broken branches that had been on the forest floor for many years and had been allowed to decompose in peace.So, this is Mors.I heard a snorting coming from behind a thick covering of fluffy moss, and then I saw a boar feeding. There were tiny rats running around in the moss, searching for food in between the bristly strands.Somewhere very close to the ideal state. As I stepped into the newly discovered forest, that was the only thing I could think of to say. This had me in utter thrall the entire time. In this thicket, the trees have taken on the role of strongholds.
Pranaiah, a drunken old guy, and a bipolar swordsman. How did I end up paired up with this wacky group of champions?"Healed, healed, healed! Idrish. Idrish. Healed!" Pranaiah, the mischievous Pranaiah who had been strolling over the entire base, repeated himself. On the drinking jar-shaped forehead, his regional insignia sparkles.Meridio's tears had already drawn the attention of the larger man. The creature's hand is still on the huge bottle of wine, which looks like it will never run out.I shifted my focus away from the individual in question. As he hadn't moved or breathed in quite some time, I started to wonder if he was still alive. He hadn't moved or breathed in quite some time. My neck began to give way, and in an effort to protect myself, I buried my face in his chest.It sounded as though his heart was beating quite quickly. In the same manner as the speed of light. Even the tiniest of twitches gave the impression that life was still there.Due to the apparent potency of t