Chapter 7

In the kingdom of Merrill.

This kingdom is not as beautiful and peaceful as before. The flowers that previously bloomed so beautifully were now scattered, covering the blood on the ground. There were no more birds singing beautifully, only a flock of crows devouring the corpses of the soldiers.

There was no longer the cheerful laughter of the children. All that could be heard now was weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Violet's mother was standing by the window in her room, staring at the moon covered in black clouds, with tears streaming down her cheeks. Grief and despair gripped her firmly at the same time, making her unable to think straight. She could no longer hold back the sadness in her heart, so she chose to end it.

She wiped her tears, walked to her bed, and sat there. She took the knife from the bed and placed it close to her beating heart. “Violet... Please forgive me....” she said in tears.

Suddenly, her bedroom door opened just as she was about to stab the knife into her heart. “Helena! What are you doing?!”

She turned to the door in startled and she saw a handsome man with short black hair and beautiful black eyes walking into the room with a middle-aged man walking behind him. “Darius!” She immediately put the knife on the bed and ran to hug him as she cried in his arms.

Helena let go of her hug and looked into Darius' eyes. “You have to save Violet. Lucian has taken her to his palace and made her his slave,” she said in a panic. Darius' eyes opened wide in shock and curiosity. “How did that happen? Why did he make her his slave?”

“It was my fault. She became his slave to save my life,” she burst into tears again, “That's why I wanted to end my life.” Darius grasped her shoulders. “No! You can't do that! Violet will kill herself if she finds out you're dead!”

Helena stopped crying, staring into Darius’s eyes with regret in her eyes. His words made her realize her mistake.

“I will save her and bring her back, but you have to promise me you have to live no matter what,” Darius said with a serious look. It relieved him when he saw her nod to him.

“We have to go now,” the middle-aged man standing next to Darius said, making Darius and Helena turn to look at him. “Lucian's soldiers are still looking for us.” He reminded Darius, as well as informed Helena. The man was Darius' uncle. His name is Grover Randolph.

“Go now. Please, both of you, be careful,” Helena said to them with worry and fear in her eyes. They both nodded at her with the same look as her. “I'll see you soon,” Darius said. Helena answered him with a nod. They both then walked out of the room, leaving the palace on their horses.

Darius and his uncle rode their horses in the dark of night, deep into the forest. They stopped their horses when they arrived in an old hut. The six soldiers standing guard there stood focused as they watched Darius and his uncle dismounted from their horses and walk into the hut.

Darius hit the wooden table in front of him. “Lucian! I will make you suffer worse than death!” he said furiously.

“Darius, please calm down,” his uncle said.

“You say it like it's an easy thing. He killed my father, my mother, and made the person I love the most into his slave. He has taken my life, so I must take his!”

“I know anger has filled your deepest heart, but it is anger that will lead you to death. You have to think clearly so you can save Violet and get your revenge.”

Darius fell silent, with his eyes staring into his uncle's. His uncle's words brought him out of his rage. “Then tell me what should I do?” he asked helplessly.

“The son of Lucian's uncle, Lester Steverus. He told me he would help us kill Lucian. He wanted to be king. That is why he wanted to help us.” He put his hand on Darius' shoulder. “All you have to do is listen to my words and stay alive.”

Darius's uncle was relieved to see his beloved nephew nod obediently to him. Darius kept telling himself that he had to be patient and wait for the right time to kill Lucian and bring Violet back into his arms.

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The morning sun shone on the Melancthon kingdom with its golden light. The people in this kingdom were so happy to celebrate the coronation of their new king.

Lucian walked into the coronation chamber towards the altar in front of him. He wore a royal black outfit with a long black robe embroidered with gold thread. He was so handsome and charming that everyone in the room couldn't take their eyes off him, enchanted by his charm.

Lucian stopped his steps when he got to the altar and knelt before the archbishop to take his oath.

“Lucian Steverus, will you promise and swear to the people of Melancthon to be a good and wise king? You will protect and love your people with all your heart and bring prosperity and glory to our kingdom.”

“I solemnly promise so to do.”

The archbishop then put a crown on Lucian's head and gave him the royal sword. Lucian then stood up from his knees and sat on the throne chair.

“Long live the king! Long live the king! Long live the king!” Lucian's uncle, Selina, and everyone in the room spoke loudly, with honor and happiness in their eyes.

There is only one man who is not happy with this. Anger and jealousy burned within him as he saw Lucian sitting on the royal throne. He is Lester Steverus. He was as handsome and charming as Lucian, but there was something that Lucian didn't have in him. Lester's heart was as dark as the evil look in his eyes.

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Everyone was now in the ballroom to welcome their new king and also celebrate his birthday. All the beautiful noble girls, including Selina, were standing there staring coquettishly at Lucian. They wished in their hearts that Lucian would choose them to dance with him.

Selina's heart beat faster and faster as Lucian walked towards her with his gentle eyes fixed on hers. She smiled at him with a million flowers blooming in her heart. Suddenly, the smile on her face disappeared as he gave his gentle smile to the beautiful girl standing beside her.

“Anastasia, do you want to dance with me?” Lucian said in a soft voice as he stood before her, giving his right hand to her. “Of course. It will be my pleasure,” she replied with a happy smile on her face and held his hand. He smiled back at her and led her to the dance floor.

Selina gripped her palms tightly as she watched Lucian and the girl dance happily before her eyes. Her heart was burning with anger and jealousy. The other girls laughed mockingly inside, seeing her angry face.

Selina turned around and walked towards the exit of the room. She would kill the girl and cut her body into small pieces if she was still standing there watching them. She stopped her steps when she was outside the ballroom.

“Lucian! How dare you toy with me and humiliate me in front of everyone!” she said angrily in her mind. She was silent, thinking about how to take revenge on him. She had an evil smile on her face as she got a plan in mind. “I'll cut off Violet's hand and give it to you as your birthday present.”