All Chapters of Betrothed to the devil himself : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

It was early spring, and the palace buzzed with excitement over upcoming festivals and ceremonies. Yet in the quiet of the royal chambers, Zerach and Freda felt the tension that hovered beneath the city’s joy. Freda’s round belly hinted at the boy they would soon welcome — Kael’s younger brother, whose innocent presence would bring hope and happiness. Zerach often found himself watching Freda as she moved gracefully through the halls, holding Kael’s hand, brushing Lucien’s hair back from his forehead, or laughing softly at some private joke. In those moments, the weight of his guilt over past mistakes lifted, and he allowed himself to feel peace. But the night was not as calm as it seemed. One evening, as the city settled under a blanket of stars, Lyra sat alone in her forest clearing, Mira beside her. The wind rustled through the trees, carrying a hint of something unfamiliar, almost ominous. Lyra hummed softly as she polished her weapons, trying to distract herself from the sense

The party wound down as dawn slipped away, and the great hall that had roared with music and laughter sank into a comfortable hush. Carriages rolled away beneath banners that still fluttered like sleepy memories; emissaries and visiting kings had been fed, toasted, and sent back to their own lands with gifts and protocol. Servants moved through the palace corridors like a quiet tide — extinguishing lanterns, stacking goblets, rolling carpets, wiping the last traces of feast from the long tables. The marble gleamed in the early morning light where ale and wine had dried into dark rings. A single broom scraped back and forth, brisk and efficient, sweeping the last confetti and crushed petals into neat piles. Lucien’s procession back to his chambers had been a study in restraint; he accepted the compliments, inclined his head to the elders and to the cheering crowds, and politely declined the fluttering invitations of well-meaning young noblewomen. His steps, however, were light with a

The palace was alive with the soft hum of the afternoon. The sun had climbed high above the marble roofs, bathing the royal gardens in gold. But inside the walls, the prince of Zyren felt none of that warmth.Lucien walked silently through the long, candle-lit corridor, his mind heavy with questions that had no answers. Since the day of his birthday, his heart had been restless. The dream—the voice, the promise of destruction—it still haunted him like a shadow clinging to his soul.He could barely eat during lunch, though the royal kitchen had prepared his favorite roasted pheasant with honey glaze. He sat at the grand table with his parents and little brother, nodding at their laughter, pretending to smile. But his eyes were distant. His fork barely touched the food.“Lucien,” Queen Freda said softly, watching her son. “You seem quiet. Is something wrong?”He forced a smile. “I’m fine, Mother. Just tired.”King Zerach gave him a knowing look but said nothing. The boy had inherited hi

The forest was still, its silence heavy with mystery.Moonlight filtered through the leaves, painting silver stripes across the soft earth. The air smelled of wild roses and rain that hadn’t fallen yet.Lucien stood there, breathless, unable to believe what his eyes saw.He had been searching for the truth, for the girl who haunted his dreams — the faceless one who called his name every night.And now she stood before him, real, breathing, her eyes wide with the same confusion and wonder that burned in his.Her name left his lips before he even realized he was speaking.“Lyra.”She froze, the bundle of firewood slipping from her hands and scattering to the ground.“What—” she stammered, stepping back, her heartbeat loud enough to drown the night’s silence. “How do you know my name?”Lucien’s throat felt dry. “Because… you are the girl I couldn’t see.”Lyra blinked. “What do you mean?”He took a hesitant step closer, his voice trembling. “In my dreams… I saw you, but never your face. J

The morning sun rose faster than anyone expected, spreading a golden hue over the edge of the Beast Kingdom. Birds chirped from the tallest trees, the wind whispered softly through the leaves, and the air was thick with the scent of pine and promise.Inside the palace, Prince Lucien stood before the mirror in his royal chamber, his heart pounding in anticipation. It was the day he had long awaited — the day he would finally bring her home. For years, the prince had lived between two worlds: the royal one that demanded his crown, and the hidden one that belonged to his heart — a world that began deep in the woods with Lyra.He wore a simple but elegant outfit — a white tunic lined with gold embroidery, a long cape the color of midnight, and a crest ring that shone on his finger. As his guards stood ready and his horsemen prepared, Lucien took a deep breath.Today, he wasn’t just a prince.Today, he was a man going to claim the woman who had become his soul.The guards rode ahead as the