Chapter 5. Killan Calore

"Father, this is no longer about my duty as the prince of the seventh. For the stars' sake, this is my life we're dealing with!"

"This is larger than life, Killan!" The King's previously calm voice rose. I can feel the intensity in his voice—a mixture of rage and urgency.

The escalating argument between the king and his son left me in a state of uncertainty. The prince, once distant and untouchable, had now woven me into his narrative. Bound by engagements to both a princess and the woman accused of murdering his mother, a vendetta lay beneath their seemingly fairytale romance. His public rejection of our union, branding me a savage hunter, seemed to contradict his own argument.

His gaze shifted to me, holding a fire of curiosity and intrigue. In his perspective, I was the villain, and he the hero. "Miss Rendin, I don't believe you fully comprehend the nature of your legal situation. Frankly, I don't think you grasp the weight of your predicament."

His words felt like a personal affront, a barb I absorbed without protest. My next step was taken with more caution than usual, an inching closer toward him, his imposing form coiled with tension. His irises held a complex dance of anger and interest, wide with curiosity and wonder. I witnessed the shift as his attention locked onto me, his brows arching, and a lingering smirk gracing his lips—so red they appeared almost blood-like. A paradox of tender hue and ruthless accusation, dubbed a "little twist" and a "savage."

A subtle twist tugged at the corners of his mouth, conveying a mixed message. "You really don't understand what you're getting into. This isn't your run-of-the-mill hunting game, where losing means the end if you can't find your prey. Think." His whispers carried a composed intensity, a warning that sent shivers down my spine.

Meeting his gaze, I held my ground. A fortress of fear threatened to burst forth, yet I confined it within its walls—for now. I refused to let my eyes waver from his, containing the storm of emotions within me.

My attention remained locked onto him, his searing gaze almost causing me to lose consciousness from the intensity. Amid the argument of the two parents, I remained silent, having nothing to add. Two 7th-dimensional powers used me as their pawn. Don't expect resistance from a pawn—it obeys commands. Choosing between a prince and a king as my master was my reality. The impending marriage, whether real or a charade, would buy me time. The king's decree, though seemingly rooted in madness, offered a crack in the fortress—a hairline fracture that allowed light to permeate and illuminate the room.

"Your Grace, if you would excuse me, please? I don't feel well." Not bothering to check on Killan's reply, I grumbled. I need to plan. Get the facts and think things through. Space was essential for me. I had to break away from conventional thinking to create my plan.

"Miss Rendin, you may go. Take the room next to the guest's quarters. The maidens will accompany you."

After being sent packing by the king, I shuffled out the door. There was a subtle shift in the pit of my stomach. It was like being released from prison for a little while.

After the tense exchange in the hall, I was met by the three maidens who had been attending to me during the selection process. Their surprised expressions remained unspoken as the short-haired maiden, likely my guide, led the way. Our steps on the plush carpet were the only sound in the corridor, and the silence held a strange power, even though its actual influence was minimal.

The entrance to the room was swiftly unlocked by the two women, revealing a space adorned with opulent decorations and extravagant gadgets. The room was furnished with an old sofa, and a charmingly large bed sat just a few meters away, dwarfing my entire living room at home. Opting for the couch, I positioned myself, granting distance from the overwhelming turn of events. My thoughts raced, and I began forming a mental list of the unfolding circumstances, methodically addressing each point one by one.

Not long ago, I had been ready to embrace death. I had contemplated spending my days accompanied only by notes, prepared to face the inevitable. Yet, the king's unexpected decision had upended my expectations. This was my last chance to set things right before my fate was sealed.

Initially, the prince and I had been betrothed in our own narrative. I once indulged fantasies of marrying someone like Apolo, a charming elf from my neighborhood with blond hair and split-pointed ears. I had dreamt of an elf husband, but reality had snatched those dreams away.

However, my willingness to abandon unrealistic aspirations was strong. Marrying the prince provided a glimmer of hope for me and the future I desired for my siblings. Perhaps it was a twist in the story that would lead to a happy ending, albeit a twisted one. While I suspected manipulations and schemes at play, it was my responsibility to unveil the truth. I needed more time to ensure Cali and Poras had the life they deserved. If the stars destined me for death, then so be it.

In their shoes, I might have reluctantly accepted the marriage to Prince Killan and plunged into their political games. As I weighed my options, a soft sigh escaped my lips. Suddenly, the door swung open with an abruptness that matched the release of the last breath from my lungs.

Prince Killan's rage seemed to permeate the air. With urgency, he bolted the door, his intense gaze never leaving me. As he approached, his brows furrowed in a scowl, and his dark eyes radiated a stormy intensity, akin to thunderclouds in a tempest.

He made an impulsive dash towards me, his hands reaching out and grabbing my face in a motion that seemed uncertain even to him. His large palms pressed against my jaw, an unexpected touch that froze me in place. I resisted the instinct to pull away, steadying myself under his piercing scrutiny.

In his eyes, I could see him evaluating me, perhaps as a potential adversary or an easy target. From my vantage point on the couch, I observed the rise and fall of his chest, the tension in his muscles, and the grip he maintained on his own jaw. Despite my inner jitters, I managed to maintain my composure, returning his gaze with a mixture of determination and intrigue.

"If you think you can escape the crime by marrying me because you twisted the king's mind with your lies, think again!" He tightened his grip on my face. His breath against my skin.

Although my heart rate increased, I could move my hands and grab both of his arms. Taking a deep breath, I dug my nails into his flesh. His body jerked. His red lips gasped, and his eyes widened in shock as he held mine.

I'm saying, "Yes, my prince, we're getting married." Almost inaudibly, I almost spoke. Basically, I used fire to melt ice. In other words, the ice did not melt. As I looked into it, I realized it was risky. It was like locking myself in a room with a pack of ravenous wolves.

A closer look required him to approach. The couch's fabric was rubbing against my back. The proximity of our bodies was awkward. His warm, minty aroma engulfed me.

He felt no apprehension. He knew he could shred me to pieces with no effort. "You, you little wild animal. I intend to eliminate you."

The intensity of the moment was electrifying, and I found myself resorting to a strategy that had always come naturally to me: manipulating reality to my advantage. With danger looming due to my lower rank and vulnerability as a weak elf, I knew I had to find a way out of this dire situation if I had any hope of survival. Perhaps I could navigate life more swiftly by suppressing some of the thoughts swirling in my mind.

Rising to the occasion, I reached up and let my hand trail along his arms, moving up to his collarbone and then across his face. The attempt was a risky gambit, akin to playing with fire and ice. I knew that this action might further intensify the prince's dislike for me, but I had heard whispers about his consideration of arranging a sham marriage for me. I needed to win him over, to make him align with his father's wishes and proceed with the marriage.

An obvious question might have been, "Why should I comply?" It was a challenge I anticipated. My response was laced with calculated determination: either marry him under pretenses or end my life, allowing him to reveal the truth to Princess Lanuza. This was the grand culmination of my convoluted plan, a twist that I hoped would keep me alive and gain me some control over my fate.

A shift occurred in his eyes, and the blazing flames of his rage seemed to wane. Even in the worst-case scenario, my scheme appeared to be gaining traction. "The king holds the reins as the master of ceremonies, rendering a fake marriage ineffective," he stated, his words carrying a tone of experience. He went on to emphasize the weight of the situation. "The Seventh and several other influential royals will be present as witnesses. You have no concept of the intricacies of this world."

With another sigh, I released the tension that had built up within me. My shoulders sagged as I let go of some of the stress his presence had triggered. "If you marry me, you always have the option of ending my life."

Soon enough, his grip loosened, and I found myself free from his hold. His resistance seemed to give way, and he reluctantly yielded to my second proposal. He turned away from me, briefly staring at the ceiling before facing me once more.

"I will marry you. Then, I'll kill you myself," he sneered, his words laden with a combination of spite and resignation. The pact was struck, and the reality of the arrangement hung in the air between us.