CLAIMED BY THE DEMON KING: DARK ROMANCE のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 161 - チャプター 170

THORNE'S POVThe forest is too quiet.‎‎No wind. No owls. Not even the usual rustle of leaves that spoke of prey scurrying beneath the branches.There is just silence. The kind of silence that made your blood run cold, because silence in the woods meant danger was already here.‎I can hear the faint sound of the guards footsteps. They were way behind me, slacking off when they're meant to be frantically searching for Mia. They're trained to survive days without food and still fight fiercely with an enemy yet they're being so dull under twenty four hours.I'll have to speak to Micheal when this is over, I have to speak to him about the training process of the new recruits. We can't have guards who slack off just under a few hours.So what if we've been searching since last night to this current midnight without stopping to rest or eat, this is meant to be a piece of cake for them. Rest and food can be considered after a week, not just under a few hours.Besides, it's Mia that we're l

ELARA'S POV I sit still on the armchair, staring at the sunrise. I might look calm but underneath a storm is brewing, my soul is restless. I can't think straight with everything going on, sleeping is not an option either.For the first time the sight of the sunrise doesn't move me like it usually does. Today's sunrise is breathtaking but I still feel numb. I can't enjoy it's sight when I carry such a heavy weight in my chest.Mia doesn't like sunrise like I do, she's a night gazer, always watching the stars and moon. She knows the constellation like it's engraved in her head. I couldn't bear to stare at the sky last night, it's not the same without her by my side.All because of me she's missing. I know Anita has a hand in her disappearance. They're trying to kill the one person that I see as family to get to me. First it was Xavier, now it's Mia. But this time the outcome has to be different, Mia cannot die in any circumstances. I won't be able to forgive myself if anything happens

ELARA'S POVI glance at Aria's checklist on her tablet as she ticks an activity of the list.“We've successfully organized the menu with Miss Shriya. We just have to check on the arrangements in the hall.” Aria taps the next item on her notepad as we leave the palace kitchen.“Sure, let's go there.” I agree.Aria tilts her head to me. “But my Queen, am I permitted to ask a question?”“When have you ever requested my permission to say anything?” I give her a teasing smile.“I don't know if it's proper to ask this question given I'm just a servant.”“A high ranking servant.” I quickly add. “For your age you've achieved so much. I have a feeling you might soon be a courtier. And for your questions, you can ask anything. If it's too personal or requires me spilling confidential information I won't answer.”Aria fiddles with her tablet. “Ok, uhm I wanted to ask why we're hosting a dinner at the palace. We just hosted a royal ball and banquet roughly two days ago, why another event so soon?

ELARA'S POVThe moment the blade slices across my cheek, the entire hall seems to stop breathing.‎I touch my cheeks, my hand smeared with blood at the contact. Blood is dripping down my face. The scent of my blood fills the air, metallic and sharp, stinging my senses.‎Then chaos.‎‎Gasps. Screams. The clatter of wine glass falling from trembling hands. Nobles scramble back and yelling for the guards, skirts sweeping across the polished floor, chairs tipping over as though a monster had been loosed in the room. The scent of fear and spilled wine hangs heavy in the air.Mia rushes to my side but I use my other hand to stop her from coming near. I don't want her to get entangled in this mess. I signal Aria to stay beside her.‎‎And Anita? She doesn’t flinch. Didn’t even blink. She just stands there, dagger gleaming in her hand, her lips curling into a sneer that makes Ney want to lunge for her throat.Ney howls within me, demanding release, demanding retribution. “Finish her!” But I

ELARA'S POVThe air in the hall is filled with tension and fear, everyone afraid of what Dravon will do to Anita. Even Lord Veyra stands still, his eyes glued to the scene as though Dravon's next action will determine whether he lives or not.‎‎Anita gasps, her eyes widening as Dravon’s claws press against her skin. “Careful,” she hisses, though her voice shook now. “The court is watching.”‎‎“They should watch,” Dravon snarls, his voice raw with rage. “They should see what happens to anyone who dares touch my Queen.”‎I'm torn between pride at his defense and fear that his fury might spill into something uncontrollable. Besides, we need Anita alive. We need her to tell us Kyle's whereabouts, to confess everything that she has done. I want everything to follow the right procedures, she should be punished according to the laws of the kingdom. If she's killed rashly, no one will believe our part of the story. Everything will be spun to side with her. I want everyone to see the evidenc