"I am sorry" King Zedekiel said, standing before Ron. "I didn't want to hurt your sister but I can't go on with this marriage". Every single word spoken was chilling and none of them sounded sincere. As if he was being forced to say it.The hatred he felt was bone deep and he couldn't hide it. He didn't bother trying to sound like he meant what he was saying because he didn't."Why not?" Ron asked. "You asked for her hand yourself and when it was given to you, you want to discard it. Do you think marriage is a joke? Is my sister some toy?" Ron was even more hurt that Zedekiel was right before him but he couldn't recognize him.Then he recalled that he was wearing a disguise that day. That stupid wig and ugly mustache! How he wished he revealed his true identity. Zedekiel shook his head. "I was forced by my Queen mother. The truth is, I do not love your sister. I'll ruin two lives by marrying her. Mine as well as hers. I hope you understand". He talked with a straight face. His words
Zedekiel and Ludiciel froze while Mariel's heart started to beat faster. Before Mariel could answer, Ron sighed and dropped her arm. "Forget it. I'm sorry. I can't do it""What?!" Both brothers shouted. Mariel felt wronged. She wanted to cry."I'm sorry Mariel" Ron apologized again. "I just wanted to prove something to your brother""You!" Zedekiel shouted, jacking Ron up by the collar. "It hurts, doesn't it?" Ron sneered and Zedekiel's hold loosened, gazing at Ron in disbelief. "You don't like seeing your sister hurt just as I don't like seeing mine hurt. Be lucky I didn't go through with the act. I'm not like you. I can't bear to hurt your own sister because she's innocent in all this"Ludiciel let out a tiny smile. So that was Ron's plan. He had also tried to convince Zedekiel not to call it off but he didn't listen. Maybe Ron could make him see reason. Ron placed his palm over Zedekiel's hand. He lightly shivered for the hand was cold. The touch seemed to awaken Zedekiel so he
Prince Ron was running as fast as his legs could carry him, heart thrashing against his rib cage. Why why why why why?! Why did he chose to go snooping around the huge castle? Now he was being chased by so many guards in the middle of the night. If he were caught, Zedekiel would think he came to the North to spy. Ron had never ran so much in his life. He is the lazy type. Always lounging about, eating and reading books. If he ever had the energy to do anything, then it was to prank people or sneak out of the castle.Hearing the thundering footsteps growing louder and louder, Ron increased his speed and took a swift left turn into God knows where.The guards knew the castle like the back of their hands. If he didn't find a place to hide soon, he'd be done for. With this thought in mind, he saw a door that was slightly ajar so he dashed in without a second thought and stealthily pushed it shut. Poor Ron didn't even get a chance to breath when he was suddenly slammed against the door.
Ron looked offended and sad. After everything he went through. Now, if Zedekiel decides to let this get out, he'd be known as the prince who stole berries in the middle of the night. "Look future brother in law, let's keep this between us yeah? No one else needs to know. This will be our very own secret. I won't tell anyone about how you nearly killed me either"Zedekiel scoffed. "I think you've forgotten who's the King here. Who would believe such an accusation? That I, the King of Netheridge, nearly killed a mere prince?""A mere prince?" Ron said, offended. "I'm the future of Ashenmore. If I die, be rest assured that my father will crush Netheridge to the ground""Believe me, that's the only reason I haven't killed you. I won't endanger the lives of my people"Ron wanted to slap this King silly. "Why do you hate me? As far as I recall, we've never met until today. I never even knew a place like this existed. What is it that I've done to you? You know what, whatever it is, I'm sorr
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Ron went to open the door and was greeted by a brooding Ludiciel. His long silver hair was packed into a low bun and he was wearing a black and white again. Ron wondered why they all liked wearing such boring colours. As if there weren't any other type of clothing. Look at him for example. He was wearing deep red clothes, studded with shiny blue jewels. Red! The colour of love. Ron looked dashing. Zedekiel definitely has to be affected.Rose was no different. Her yellow gown was form fitting and it cascaded down her body in froths of white and pale blue. Her aurburn curls were packed and decorated with white flowers. Ron's confidence was actually shaky."Time for breakfast" Ludiciel said. The siblings followed Ludiciel to the dining hall. Ron was excited to see King Zedekiel again. After admitting he was lost last night, Zedekiel personally took him to his room. On the way, he had chatted about so many things but Zedekiel only gave
Queen mother just nodded. She was enjoying the little drama. King Zedekiel also watched with great interest. This was the guy that convinced him to court his sister, stole berries, got chased by guards, sought refuge in his room, and then got lost. What else was he going to do now?"You see, I told you I'm a prince," Ron said but when he saw the two boys looking conflicted, he sighed and swallowed his food. "Still, don't go around using your title as the prince to bully people. If you had spoken to me nicely, I would have left the seat so you can stay next to mother but since you didn't, you'll have to sit somewhere else today"The one who shouted first pouted slightly. The chair has always been his own. He sits next to his mother every single day and now, this guy just came from nowhere and took it but seeing as no one in the family supported him, he didn't know what to do. "But..." Ron continued. "If you apologize to me, I might reconsider..." Everyone waited to see what the twins
Prince Ron was restless all day. After breakfast, Tariel, Sariel and Princess Mariel went for their daily studies while Ludiciel went with King Zedekiel to attend to court matters. Queen mother went back to her room. So did Rose while Ron decided to take a stroll with Leo.As he walked, he kept wondering what to do about the berry stealing situation. If any of the guards that saw him could describe him enough, then he would be done for. He needed to do something. And that King! Instead of covering up for him, he added fuel to the fire. Ron felt like strangling him. After walking for about half an hour, he decided to rest and think of something later. While sitting in the courtyard, Ron was unusually quiet which made Leo worry. The prince normally likes to talk even if it was about utter rubbish so seeing him so silent was quite scary. He endured and endured and when he couldn't endure any longer, he asked; "Prince Ron? Is something the matter?"Ron just sighed but didn't answer. L
Prince Ron, think. What can you do best?"The Prince went silent for a while, thinking seriously then he said; "My mother always tells me that I eat fast..."Ludiciel chuckled and said; "Prince Ron, you do not have to participate. It's not like there's anyone you need to impress. The person that should do all the work is your sister. Besides, she said she's going to sing"Ron gasped. His sister knew about it before him?! Unacceptable! She already has the upper hand!!And nobody to impress? What about that insufferable king who saved his life and stole his heart? His beloved King who nearly choked him to death? The King with the heart that's as cold as ice.He has to impress him and find a way to get rid of those terrible mood swings he gets. They were getting in the way of him stealing his beloved's heart! "Rose is going to sing? What song?" he asked. Ludiciel shrugged. "How would I know? She just told me to provide her with a lot of things that improves the voice, like honey and ra
Hugh paled and before he could react, Prince Ludiciel moved first, his fist connecting with Hugh’s jaw in a bone-shattering punch. The force sent him flying across the field like a ragdoll.But it didn’t stop there. Talon vanished in a flash and reappeared ahead of Hugh’s trajectory, slamming a powerful kick into his ribs midair. The impact hurled Hugh back toward Ludiciel, who with both hands gripping his sword, brought the hilt down, slamming Hugh into the ground with a resounding crash.Dust and debris erupted around them as Hugh’s body sank into the earth, the necromancer groaning in pain.He coughed, chanting some ancient words and his body shimmered with a sickly green light before dissolving into the soil like water into sand.“Stay alert.” Ludiciel warned, his grip on his sword tightening, his sharp eyes scanning the battlefield."Ugh, necromancers are fucking disgusting." Talon grimaced, his nose wrinkling in revulsion as the stench of rotten corpses filled the air around the
He gasped, unable to believe it. A tear slipped down his cheek, landing softly on the fabric of Ron’s robes. His violet eyes flickered with emotion as he turned to the royal physician and whispered, “It’s true.”The physician nodded, a warm smile spreading across his face. He held hands with Welyn, happy to see their King alive and well again. Never did they think a day will come when they would see their king so emotional and so in love.With a human at that.Zedekiel gazed back at Ron, his expression softening further. “It’s really true,” he whispered. “We’re going to be parents.”Cordin, and the others smiled, their hearts swelling at the sight of their King’s rare happiness.However, Kayziel, still slumped on the floor, went even paler. His jaw tightened, and his wide, disbelieving eyes darted between his big belly and Zedekiel. “P-Parents?” he stammered, confused and horrified.What was Zedekiel saying? How was that even possible? Prince Ron was pregnant? But the body belonged to
A deep, cold chuckle echoed through the throne room, silencing all other noise.“Is that so?”Before anyone could react, a crushing pressure descended upon the room like a tidal wave. It was suffocating, all-encompassing, and merciless.Elves dropped to their knees, their eyes wide and red as they coughed up mouthfuls blood. Their hands clawed at their throats, desperate for air and fear twisted their faces, bodies trembling as they panicked.Official 3 tumbled from the throne and down the stairs, writhing on the cold marble floor as if his very life was being ripped away. His hands gripped his neck, his mouth opening and closing in silent agony."What...what is this?" someone choked out between gasps of bloodied breaths.The pressure carried a bloodlust so intense it felt as though death itself had entered the room. They all felt ice cold, as if their lives were about to be stripped in that moment.Then, slow and deliberate, came the sound of footsteps. Each step reverberated through
Slowly, her savior descended, their landing so gentle it felt like stepping onto a cloud.Rose opened her tear-streaked eyes, gasping as she took in the face before her. It was one she never expected to see.Long silver hair cascaded like molten moonlight down his back and his sharp violet eyes glowed like gems in darkness. He stood in his black robes, cold and regal, like a deity that descended from heaven.“Z-Zedekiel…” she whispered, crying. “Y-You came for me. You saved me…”Without a word, Zedekiel loosened his hold, letting her fall unceremoniously to the ground. Rose gasped in pain, stunned by his behaviour. "What do you think yo-"“Make no mistake,” he said, coldly cutting her off as he stepped over her without hesitation. “I only saved you because you’re Ron’s blood.”Before she could respond, his form flickered, vanishing as though he had never been there.Rose sat frozen, unable to believe what had just happened. How could he save her then abandon her like that? Even if the
That very morning, Ashenmore and Netheridge went to war.The battlefield was a cacophony of chaos. Spells lit the gray skies with flashes of brilliant colour, the arcane energy sizzled and hissed, sending shockwaves rippling through the snow-covered ground. The clash of steel and bone was deafening as swords met claws and shields, splinters flying as they struggled to withstand the monstrous strength of one another.The once-pristine snow was now a canvas of war, painted in streaks of vivid crimson and dark ichor. The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood, the acrid stench of burning flesh, and the bitter chill of winter.Rose's army fought desperately, their voices ringing out as they unleashed torrents of fire, ice, and lightning. Opposite them, the undead surged forward relentlessly, like a tide of rotting flesh.Her forces pushed hard, their coordinated spells destroying a few undead soldiers but as soon as the undead fell, they began to regenerate, bones snapping back int
In the stillness of the night, the Nethridge castle grounds were eerily silent. Only a faint crackle of static electricity in the air could be heard in the garden. Suddenly, a space within the garden split open with a crack, a jagged tear forming in the fabric of reality itself. Lightning leapt from the fissure, streaking across the darkness like veins of molten silver. The rift widened, until it stood as tall as a grown man, its edges rippling like disturbed water with streaks of lightenin around it.From within the space, a figure emerged. Cloaked in robes as dark as midnight, every inch of the being was concealed except for its hands. The exposed fingers were blackened, the colour of charred wood, and thin, writhing lines coiled and twisted beneath the translucent skin, like snakes moving around.The portal snapped shut after the figure stepped out. The lush grass beneath its feet turned brittle and brown, the vibrant flowers shriveling and collapsing into ash. With every step he t
Zedekiel froze, the words echoing in his mind like a deafening roar. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think.Pregnant? Ron was pregnant?His violet eyes widened in disbelief. “B-But how is that even possible?” he asked. “You’re telling me that Ron is not only fighting for his soul but also carrying my child?”"Uh...children, Your Majesty." Cordin corrected hesitantly. "Prince Ron is pregnant with not just one child Your Majesty, but… four.”The mirror trembled in Zedekiel’s hand as he staggered backward, but Ludiciel instinctively reached out, steadying his brother.“Are you sure about this, Cordin?” Ludiciel asked, unable to believe what he was hearing too.“I swear on the Earth Spirit, Your Highness,” Cordin said earnestly. “The royal physician sensed four distinct breaths. Prince Ron is pregnant with quadruplets.”Zedekiel’s knees buckled. “I-I need to sit down,” he muttered, unable to comprehend the news.Ludiciel guided him to a nearby stone bench in the moonlit garden. He sank onto
The moonlight bathed the castle gardens in a soft silver glow, illuminating the vibrant flowers and neatly trimmed hedges. Zedekiel and Ludiciel strolled along the cobblestone path, the quiet hum of nature surrounded them.“How are you holding up?” Prince Ludiciel asked gently, breaking the silence.Zedekiel glanced at his brother, understanding the true intent behind the question. Prince Ludiciel wasn’t asking about his health. He was asking about Ron.“Bad,” Zedekiel admitted sighing heavily. “I can’t concentrate much on anything because he’s all I can think of. I keep thinking about what he's doing, how he's doing, whether he's eating or sleeping well. What I worry about the most is if he's at peace being sealed within his own body or if he's being tormented and if whoever possessed him is treating his body like the treasure it is."He came to a stop before a bush of wild roses swaying gently in the night wind. They reminded him of Prince Ron's soft curls which he loved to touch. H
Her teeth clenched, rivulets of sweat running down her face and back as she absorbed Zedekiel’s pain until she couldn't anymore and spat out a mouthful of blood, stumbling backwards."Mother!" Elliot panicked, rushing towards her.Thankfully, she was caught in time by Sera who gently lowered her unto a nearby chair. "Are you okay?"Elliot held his mother's hands, worried. Sometimes she transfers more pain that she can handle unto herself. "Mother, are you okay?" He asked. "Can you hear us?""Oh my God," She gasped, shuddering as she stared at Zedekiel in disbelief. "how can you deal with all of that pain? I took only a fraction away, but I feel like I’m being melted from the inside out. How can you even walk? Or talk?"Everyone gazed at Zedekiel, shocked. They hadn't thought that he was carrying so much pain and he never said anything.“I only need to think about my little husband." Zedekiel said softly, his voice tinged with sadness as he thought about Ron. "I imagine the kind of pai