The talent show started with a few subjects. Prince Ron was delighted and amazed to see such beautiful people showcasing extraordinary talents.Some could breathe fire, walk and swing on ropes, swallow sharp swords, and break bricks on their bare chests. Some could even make snakes dance!Others, mostly females and little girls, could sing and dance or play a musical instrument very well.Ron clapped and cheered for each contestant wholeheartedly.Netheridge was a place he would love to live in forever. Feasts back in Ashenmore weren't even half as entertaining as this. The people put their all into it and he was even thinking he might not win the talent show after all.The prize is one wish which would be granted by the King. He turned slightly to his right to find his silver haired beloved watching the show with a bored expression. He sighed. The King should show a bit more enthusiasm to inspirit his own people.But it didn't matter anyway. His people didn't seem to care.What the l
Prince Ron tried and tried. He even squeezed his face and locked his jaw to stop himself from yawning. Tears leaked from his eyes and the people of Netheridge were surprised to see him being so moved.The moisture in his green eyes made them seem so glossy. The beads of tears running down his cheeks were like twinkling pearls in the candlelights and his small red lips were pursed, making him look so adorable. A lot of people wanted to go up there and shower the cute prince with hugs and kisses.King Zedekiel nearly rolled his eyes. What drama was this pretentious prince up to now?Rose groaned. She knew her brother like the back of her hand. The little minx was probably bored to death and was doing all he could not to disrespect Princess Mariel in front of everyone. She shook her head. What a dunce.Princess Mariel finally finished the song and Prince Ron stood up, clapping and cheering the loudest. Then he quickly excused himself and ran out of the hall through the back door before a
King Zedekiel's eyes went cold. For him, the murder of his father and brother was still fresh. He could remember opening a box, the size of a big treasure chest, the humans sent them as a gift for peace, to find his father and brother's severed heads. Their faces frozen in horror and anguish, lifeless eyes staring back at him. The pain he felt at that moment was unimaginable.His fingers twitched, tiny sparks of silver dangerously dancing around the tips, showing his lack of control on his emotions.Rage and hatred stirred within him like a tremendous tornado. All he wanted was to strike down the dancer. How could he? What was he trying to gain by reminding them of that horrible day? It felt like a hot searing slap to his face. Like rubbing salt on an open wound. Who could be so heartless?He was about to raise his hand when he felt a warm hand encase his own. He turned to find his mother slowly shaking her head. "Stay calm" she said to him telepathically. "I think I understand what h
Some started to sweat for the dancer. How could he ask for such a thing?! The King is so precious! He's untouchable! He's akin to a rare gem! No one has ever dared to ask him for such a thing. This dancer was either very brave or very stupid.Prince Ron wondered why everyone was silent. He just asked for a dance. The King could refuse if he wanted to. It's not like he could force him to dance.Prince Ludiciel and Princess Mariel thought that this person was completely out of his mind.The Queen mother had nothing to say. She was quite curious to see how things would play out.Princess Rose wanted to hit something. How dare this commoner ask for a dance with the King? A man for that matter? She may have turned a blind eye to the same sex couples dancing earlier but this was over the top! She won't let the King fall to the dark side. It's a good thing Ron wasn't back yet. She didn't want her little brother's mind to be so corrupted. Just wait till she's queen. She'll banish each and eve
Anger flooded his mind. A human?! How could it be a stinky dirty human?! He had even tried to cover up his scent with heavy perfume. Well too bad for him because the Elf King's sense of smell was top notch.Ron felt something was off and due to the distraction, he missed a step which caused Zedekiel to steady him by the waist with both hands. The King used this opportunity to make Ron wrap his arms around his own neck.Therefore, they were so close. Due to Ron's lack of height, his head was directly beneath the King's chin. Under the veil, there was no difference between the colour of Ron's face and a tomato. His heart was beating faster than a race horse. What the hell was his Majesty doing?! People were watching!Zedekiel felt he had to be mistaken. No human could perform the ancient Elf dance. It was impossible! He wanted to make sure his nose wasn't deceiving him. That's why he put them in that intimate position.Princess Rose was being fed too much jealousy inducing scenes. She a
"Hey watch where you're going!" he said to the person but the person just bowed and turned away.Ron took a careful look at the figure. The person was dressed in a black cloak and his face was well hidden so the prince couldn't see anything. Instead, he saw a tattoo in the shape of a claw on the person's hand. It was right between the thumb and pointer. Ron thought it was such an odd tattoo and in an odd location but he didn't think much about it and just hurried to the hall.On getting there, the Queen mother dragged him back to his seat. "Oh dear, where have you been? You've missed a lot"Ron let out a nervous smile, eyes glancing at the King who was looking at him as if he also expected an answer. "I-I think I ate too much. I had stomach problems"Rose sighed. "Brother, I've told you to not eat so much. You'll get an upset stomach. When we get back, I'll ask my servants to make you something to calm it down and help it settle"How embarrassing but Prince Ron could only smile and no
His laughter soon turned into gags. His hand flew to his throat as he began to cough and wheeze. It was like a hand was painfully squeezing his neck, cutting his flow of air. Soon enough, his face started to turn pink. The King had already lost his father and brother. This man wanted to take his sister too? Well, nobody messes with his family or his people. He didn't need to use his hands to perform magic. All he needed was his mind. In reality, the man wasn't being choked. Zedekiel was just manipulating his brain, making him think it was happening. But this wasn't enough. He wanted to see him bleed. He wanted to torture him in the worst way possible. "Don't do anything rash!" his mother said to him telepathically. "Don't forget we have two humans in our midst. They'll wander how a man can just suffocate and die on his own. I don't want to answer any questions Zedekiel. Lock him up first. We'll deal with him later. And Ron is injured. We need to take care of him. He's losing a lo
He quietly slipped into the Prince's room and closed the door. The sight that greeted him was breathtaking and it had him frozen in place...Prince Ron had woken up at some part of the night due to the pain in his arm and he couldn't go back to sleep so he decided to take a bath. The little Prince knew he most likely wouldn't find a servant to get him some hot water so he troubled his bodyguard, Leo, who's room was opposite Ron's.It was at times like this that Leo desperately wanted to quit his job. He had turned into a personal maid! Since when did an esteemed bodyguard of his calibre run to the kitchen to heat water for the Prince? This was completely degrading!Mind you, these all happened while the King was still searching. And so, the big gruff bodyguard was forced to get hot water for the little Prince. Ron was delighted and promised Leo a raise. He also gave a heartfelt speech, stating his undying love and respect for Leo and also declaring them as best friends for life. Afte
Frustrated, Prince Kayziel grabbed one of them. "You're just a bunch of cowards! The boy is not even a 100 years old! If you do not fight-" he directly slit the throat of the soldier he grabbed. "You die!"Upon witnessing the scene, the soldiers pivoted their attention to Zedekiel, brandishing their swords. Knowing Prince Kayziel's prowess as a fighter far exceeded Zedekiel's, they speculated that confronting the boy might afford them a chance of survival, albeit slim. However, facing Prince Kayziel spelled certain death for all. Besides, Zedekiel was injured and had lost a significant amount of blood. Putting him down should not be difficult. And so, they collectively surged toward him.Young Zedekiel strived. He fought with all his might, killing some soldiers while fatally injuring some. He fought like a mad man, swinging his sword with reckless abandon yet maintaining an unparalleled level of precision at the same time for he drew blood with each swing. The vale was quickly litter
He sighed, placing on a hand on Zedekiel's cheek, stroking the cold skin gently. "You know, I wanted to spare your life but when I saw the way you took hold of everything in the castle, I just couldn’t. You're still so young, yet you were already ruling the Kingdom like a proper King. When your Father died, I thought the entire Kingdom would be in a state of disarray and I would return and take charge like a grand hero but I was surprised to find that everything was under control. Even when I commanded the Officials to do something, they would say that they had to run it through you first so I knew that I had to get rid of you.""If you desired the throne, you could have just said so." Young Zedekiel gritted. "I haven't even been crowned King yet. I could have willingly abdicated in your favour.""Yes, you could have." Prince Kayziel nodded. "But would you have let me marry your Mother?"Young Zedekiel fell silent but the answer was evident in the intense glare that emanated from his
He had tried to go beyond the garden but he found that he couldn't. He was bound to his younger self and could only go where his younger self went or the places he had been to before. Which meant that if Ron didn't go back to the garden, he wouldn't be able to see him again. He just hoped that Ron would not give up on his stupid self and come back or is stupid self would stop being so stupid and go find Ron.Prince Kayziel had gone to his younger self in the middle of the night and convinced him to join them in their journey to Ashenmore so they could start their revenge. At first, Young Zedekiel didn’t want to go for he had already agreed to wait as his mother had instructed but Prince Kayziel managed to convince him by reminding him of the things the humans had done to his father and brother. He then told him that if they waited too long, the humans might fully prepare themselves for what was to come and they would lose the element of surprise.Hearing this, Young Zedekiel put on hi
“This should be the last time we meet.” Young Zedekiel said. “Normally I would kill you for being a witch and lying to me but since we have been together, I will spare your life. Never make the mistake of coming before me in the future because I will kill you.”With that, Young Zedekiel turned and continued on his way, leaving Ron kneeling there, completely and utterly heartbroken.**********Zedekiel wanted to stay and see what Ron would do but something told him to follow his younger self and so he did. He followed even as his younger self sprinted away from the garden, his movements a blur of speed, almost as if he were a shadow racing across the earth. The wind whipped around him, tousling his silver hair. His dark robes billowing behind him like the wings of a dark angel.He dashed past the castle, his supernatural speed carrying him effortlessly, propelling him forward with a sense of urgency that mirrored the turmoil within his heart.Finally, he arrived at the labyrinth, a pla
"I'm not deceiving you," he insisted, locking eyes with Zedekiel, “I swear it. My true identity is Raldore Nightshade, a witch—the youngest child of Malik and Yara Nightshade, leaders of the esteemed Nightshade Coven."Young Zedekiel's shock was palpable, his features frozen in disbelief as Ron's words washed over him like a tidal wave. He shook his head, taking a few steps backwards. “No. No you’re lying. You cannot be a witch. You smell different. You smell human.”“That’s because my magic is extremely weak.” Ron explained. “I am the weakest Nightshade to ever exist. Look, this is the only thing that I can do.”He crouched down on the grass, closed his eyes and muttered some words. Slowly a small plant germinated from the ground and gradually grew a single red juicy looking apple on its branch. But Ron already knew that the apples he grew were not tasty at all. He plucked the fruit, stood up and held it out to Zedekiel. “See, I’m a witch.”To say Young Zedekiel was shocked was an un
He ran and hugged Young Zedekiel tight from behind. “I’m sorry okay? Please talk to me. Tell me what I did wrong and I promise never to it again. I love you Zedekiel. I can’t live without you.”“Lies!” Young Zedekiel snarled, yanking Ron’s arms away from his body. He turned around, his eyes blazing with fury. “Lies lies lies! All you humans know are lies, deceit and betrayal. You do not love. You can never love. All of you are too selfish for that!”Ron stared at Zedekiel, unable to understand what he was talking about. “What are you saying?” he asked. “What do you mean?”“You know exactly what I mean.” Young Zedekiel replied. “Stop acting like you’re innocent. You humans are all the same.”“No we’re not.” Ron argued. “I don’t know what you’re talking about but we’re not. I have done none of what you mentioned. I love you wholeheartedly, Zedekiel. I have been waiting here for weeks, at this same spot where we both first met. I have been waiting for you like you asked me to but not onc
“Good. You will rest for two full weeks and heal properly. Only then will I allow you to take my children into war with the humans. I get that you’re all angry. I too am brimming with rage and there’s nothing I wish more than to see those humans dead but we all have to wait. We have to be patient and strike when they least expect it. We have to be at our best so we can avenge the lives they took from us. Understand?”Prince Kayziel nodded instantly.She turned to Young Zedekiel and although he didn’t want to agree, he could not go against her. Especially after his uncle had agreed. “Yes, Mother.”Zedekiel, who was watching, closed his eyes and sighed for he knew what came next and he wished he had listened to his Mother. His stubbornness and impatience had cost them the lives of more Elves and had nearly cost that of his Mother and siblings as well.********After listening to Prince Kayziel's side of the story, Young Zedekiel was walking back to his room when a guard frantically appr
Without hesitation, Alaric closed the distance between them, enfolding Ron in a gentle yet firm embrace. His arms wrapped around his younger brother, offering a comforting anchor amidst the storm of emotions. He pressed Ron close, as if trying to shield him from the pain and disappointment that threatened to overwhelm him.Zedekiel floated into the shadows, his heart hurting as he silently watched Ron cry. He couldn’t believe that in the past, he hurt Ron so much and made him cry. He felt like total jerk. A complete asshole. He was the one who had approached Ron first and declared him his wife but here he was, abandoning the person he claimed to love. This must be why Alaric had been so mad at him back in the coven.The Elf King had no idea that he had seen nothing yet.That night, Alaric succeeded in convincing Ron to go home, rest, and eat some good food then come back the next day and wait again. Zedekiel on the other hand, floated back to the castle. On getting there, he noticed t
“My brother is yours?” Alaric chuckled coldly. “What an introduction.”“Brother, he’s the one we saved some months ago.” Ron informed Alaric.“That drowning smelly Elf?” Alaric asked.Ron nodded. “He’s the one. I’ve told him many times that I cannot return his feelings for me but he just won’t leave me alone. He said he’d rather see me dead than with someone else.”Hearing that, Alaric's anger ignited like a roaring inferno. “You want to see my brother dead? My brother?" Alaric's queried, his voice rumbling like thunder, laced with a dangerous edge that sent chills down the spine of anyone who heard. Even the neighbouring leaves, bushes, flowers, and animals were not spared. They trembled at the sound of his voice and the intensity of his magic.His chest tightened, and muscles tensed as if coiling to strike. The mere thought of someone wishing harm upon his beloved sibling was enough to send his emotions spiraling out of control. He shielded Ron behind him and held out his hand as he