I've always believed that courage is more powerful than fear. It's been my shield against life's cruelty and my weapon to survive every tough day.But now, faced with danger, four enemies surrounding me, I realize that the courage I carry isn't enough. In this moment, it feels like my emblem of bravery is melting away, overwhelmed by intense fear.I don't know which direction to run. I know Tigrani and Brugour's capabilities. They're formidable opponents. There's a 50-50 chance of survival if I go their way. And I have no idea what Princess Lanuza is capable of—she might be even worse.I glance at Lanuza. Her jaws are clenched in anger, and her fists are so tightly balled that her knuckles are turning white. She hates me. Obviously, her first impression of me was a facade.My gaze shifts to the masked man in front of me. His jaws clench as our eyes meet. I try to read his reaction—each glance, the tension of his jaw, the movement of his arms and shoulders.His body language tells me o
Death was an inescapable facet of existence, its shadow lengthening over me. Each step my adversaries took felt like a countdown to the dominus, a word that reverberated with the finality of death itself.A harsh force constricted around me, binding my hands behind my back while Tigrani's hair ensnared my feet. The air grew thin as I struggled to breathe, my legs swollen, my back aflame with agony.I was dragged across the earth like a savage, the pain a symphony of torment. Tears mixed with sweat as they traced salty paths down my battered cheeks. To my captors, I must have appeared a wretched spectacle.Leading the procession was Tigrani, her every step exuding triumph. The ominous figure of Brugour trailed behind, his presence as foreboding as his silence. Following closely were Killan and Lanuza, two shadows cast by the misfortune of their alliance."Perhaps, Tigrani, carrying her would be prudent. Dragging her only intensifies her suffering," Killan's voice reached me near my fee
It felt as though my heart had momentarily ceased its beating, and for a few seconds, I slipped into a state of unconsciousness. Then, I was roused by a sensation of coldness enveloping my body, as if it were mending all the wounds I had sustained. The feeling was like an elixir flowing through my system, knitting my flesh back together. I could almost hear the mending of my skin, the flow of my own blood orchestrating its healing symphony. In an instant, the pain that had consumed me started to fade away."Don't let go..."Killan's whisper echoed in my mind, and I realized that I was still alive, my body intact.I opened my eyes, finding myself engulfed in darkness within the dominus's stomach. A luminous sphere of ice emanated a soft glow, casting light within the creature's belly. Even in this macabre setting, I could still see the repulsive liquid that filled the dominus's stomach, a grotesque mixture of acid, innards, and who knew what else. Yet, strangely, the stench seemed to h
As my finger was about to make contact with my wrist for a swift recall, a sudden symphony of crunching dead leaves and snapping twigs interrupted my solitude. Panic struck, and my head whipped around to catch the intruder red-handed—well, not exactly red, but you get the point.Lo and behold, there he was—the one, the only, the man who'd pulled a hero stunt to save my behind—Killan. Oh, the surprise of it all nearly knocked me off my already shaky feet.Frozen by a mixture of astonishment, embarrassment, and a sprinkle of excitement, I must have resembled a deer caught in headlights. Killan, always the nimble one, seized the opportunity to swoop in, covering the distance between us like a graceful predator closing in on its prey.His hand clasped my arm, and before I could muster a coherent thought, I found myself being gently drawn towards him. Oh, my blushing cheeks could have put ripe strawberries to shame. But hey, who can blame a girl for losing her wits when a dashing savior is
In measured steps, Killan approached me again, paying no heed to Kenru's watchful gaze from the distance. The tension between the two of them seemed to simmer, unspoken feelings of disdain hanging in the air. Even without them exchanging words, their glances conveyed a deep-rooted animosity.Once more, Killan's hands found their place on my shoulders. His touch was gentle, his thumb pressing lightly against my skin. His midnight eyes bore into mine, narrowing as a veil of pain gradually unfurled. "Idrish, my beloved wife. I know this isn't the ideal moment, but I need to say this. You are exceptional, whether there's a crowned prince by your side or not."My lips parted in astonishment. His words were unexpected, their origin a mystery to me. I could sense an urgency in his delivery, as if he had something to convey before my departure from Mors. Was he saying goodbye?"I'm grateful to have met you. Though our time together was brief, deep in my heart, I'm certain you're an extraordin
The ground had seemed to tug at my spirit. My mind had swirled with questions as I descended towards the healing base. The moment my feet had touched the soil of Meridio's camp, it had signaled that a decision needed to be made—whether to fight or simply leave Mors, just as Killan and I had discussed.I had swallowed hard.In a fleeting instant, my heart had seemed to skip a beat.There it had been. The moment of truth had arrived. I had needed to decide and make concrete whatever choice I had arrived at.The solid earth beneath my feet had sent a slight jolt through my soles. I had felt the cool sensation from the healing base. This time, I hadn't needed physical healing. It had been my mind and heart that had needed to find clarity.My attention had been drawn to Sir Borracho standing in front of Meridio's tear. He had tightly gripped a large metal staff, facing Senta lane, waiting for reinforcements. On his right, Bonbon had stood ready for the incoming forces from Shita lane. Thre
Listening to all sides of the story: from Bonbon, Borracho, Rouma, and Kenru was like unearthing the entire trove of secrets held by each member. I felt as if I had been struck by lightning, revealing all the concealed truths in one dazzling flash.They had been harboring this secret all along. All of them, here because of me. Because of the gauntlet. It dawned on me that from the very beginning, they had allowed me to search for the hidden strength within me. They had even let me scavenge for stingers and enhancers, all to awaken the latent power of the gauntlet.They knew I was the inheritor of the winter gauntlet, The Meadanach. Whoever was leading them, they knew my fate was woven into this plot.Hold on.I w—was sent here to die?Who orchestrated my arrival in this place?King Argus Calore sent me here. To meet my demise? Unthinkable! The king, a figure of honor and virtue. He had shown me nothing but kindness during my time at House Calore. Deep within my heart, I knew him to be
The chaos and tension within the camp were escalating rapidly. As Lady Montay and her forces loomed before us, their intimidating presence made it clear that this battle would be no ordinary fight. The atmosphere was charged with danger, and every heartbeat seemed to reverberate with the impending clash.My allies and I stood united, a wall of determination against the approaching storm. The sounds of clashing metals, unsheathed blades, fluttering cloths, sprouting trap plants, and blazing projectiles filled the air, creating a cacophony of preparation. Camp Meridio was ready for whatever was about to unfold.In the midst of the chaos, Kenru's voice reached my ears as he whispered his unwavering support. The sight of him, his sword half drawn from its sheath, his sweat and blood evident, reminded me that I wasn't alone in this daunting moment. His quiet confidence and determination bolstered my own resolve.I had to remain focused, even as Lady Montay's chilling words penetrated the a