“Laylin,” The King sighed out, clicking his tongue, looking down at her peaceful face. He swept his fingers tenderly through her silky rustic strands before he rubbed his chin in deep thought. She had been without a doubt the most beautiful woman he had ever seen but then again, beauty was in the eyes of the beholder, and to him, she was the semblance of perfection. Her unmarred, exquisitely tanned skin, in contrast to his bronze-scarred body, was ethereal. When he heard a woman had survived his beast, he had all the intentions to keep her but when he realized she was marked, things changed. “Little fool.” He whispered, trailing his finger on her delicate skin. He would have given her a position in court and let her stay in luxury without making her the center of his world. The next day he would have taken in another bride from nobles and the public would be placated. But things changed with her status, she was a princess from a nation of humans. If he had appointed a Queen after
It didn’t take her long to place an incident to the face. Rurik. He was with Scarlet’s fiance when they came to take her to Rakhbar. She vividly remembered how they had loaded her like cargo and transported her. She didn’t forget to glare at the man, who wouldn’t stop smirking at her. It was getting on her nerves as of late. She suddenly felt sympathy for her previous quiet guards who hated her but made their presence scarce. When Berilla came to visit her, her brows shot up at the addition to her entourage. She measured him up standing by the door, keeping it open. He had resumed the position the moment he came in while Laylin had just raised a brow in surprise. Her aunt had brought refreshments along with her but after the kind of morning Laylin had, her appetite was a thing of the past. ‘Don’t cry again. You have no reason to feel self-pity.’ Laylin curbed in her rage Laylin sighed at Berilla's constant brow flicker, asking her what was up, “Sir Rurik, excuse us and leave
After an outburst, Laylin had a lot to think about. She walked and walked, Berilla was a step behind her while Rurik was two steps behind, still walking in that awkward fashion. Her punishment was unique and even she knew she was venting because of what Ambrose had said. How could he say she was unnecessarily feeling self pity, it was no different than saying she caused drama because she craved attention! They were walking aimlessly when there was a ton of pressing work to be done but she felt enraged. Her anger obstructed anything but depression. They have surveyed the Palace twice now. The Princess was either cruel or had a lot on her mind. “Bastard.” Her murmur had both Berilla and Rurik’s heads turn to her but she was as expressionless as before. You couldn’t even guess it was her who spoke with how aimlessly she was taking a walk. Berilla took a deep breath to hold herself back from cursing. Her legs felt like they were about to fall off. Rurik behind her was no better, he
“Take your time. I’ll be happy to see you have your fill.” Laylin meant it. Scarlet lips turned up in a weak attempt at a sarcastic smile and waved her hand so her servants turned their faces away. A kindred spirit. They were kindred spirits. Laylin didn’t wish to exhaust herself with the prissy Princess anyway. Besides, she understood her. Not every master saw their underlings as assets, some formed a family, a tribe of a kind. It can happen when you have no one else to rely on or trust. As their superior, you guard them as a mother hen would and punish them when you feel they are out of line. Scarlet would be in a pain, Laylin couldn't imagine. Scarlet gobbled down food like a starved street urchin. She was eating with her hand spilling food and licking cutlery. Despite her empty stomach Laylin lost her appetite for a second time. Tears were brimming the Rakhbar's Princess eye lids without falling while she sniffled and stuffed her face. 'This Royal Family was really bad for
Scarlet's face darkened in that instant. “Are you going to pretend like you don't know me?" Her smile was cynical as if she was ready to tear apart the woman this instant if she dared deny their acquaintance. Laylin parted her lip and pointedly turned to her aunt who looked spooked. “Marquis.” Laylin took a breath to dissuade her but Berilla was more baffled. “Me? Princess, do you think you have met me?” She was even more shocked because ‘The Marquis of Balijour’ was an identity used by several witches and she or any other witch had never gone without the veil on. So it was impossible the Princess had seen her before. Scarlet looked at her shocked and in disbelief, “Do you not remember extorting me when I first bought rations from your guild?” “Ah.” The corner of Berilla’s lip turned up at both the ignorant Princesses who didn’t know the ways of the world and were glaring at her. The Palace sure was a glass greenhouse that limited their brains and thought processes. She could b
“Princess, excuse us for interrupting you.” She barged in unannounced and without a knock. Laylin raised a brow but kept her silence. The maid stepped forward in front of her and eyed the table set in front of her disgust and scrunched her nose at Laylin. “Ehan must be a very easy-going place for uncivilized individuals.” Berilla scoffed, ready to retort, but Laylin raised her hand. The maid saw that and thought she was stopping her to make conflict with maids who work directly under the King. The disturbance could make her lose favor. Her smile widened. “The Princess is a very sensible person.” She turned back and indicated at the trays behind them, “His Majesty has sent you fruits. They are from the far East. Please taste them, the King wishes to know if there is any you particularly fancy. Be sure to express your gratitude later.” She said that, and set them close to the fountain nearby and began clearing away the table with fast hands. ‘Was this maid trying to teach her manne
“The Summer Villa, huh…” It was no secret that the Summer Villa housed the King’s mistress for generations now. Even his uncle’s mistresses once lived there. It was to officially separate the Unofficial Concubines from those who were from noble houses. The purpose was to make political grounds clear and heirs obvious. As such, the mistress never dared cross the invisible lines, nor did their children for that matter. But the fact was that birth rate of beasts except with their chosens is ridiculously miraculous. Even then those kids didn’t survive for long but it was a good precaution. It was the way things were in the Royal Household, especially after the White Wolf was lost in their bloodline. Keeping the birth count limited was necessary. It certainly would be a perfect setting for him. After all, he had no way to let her go any time soon, he might as well set things ahead of time. She was a human, the heirs will probably be half-human, quarter beast, and quarter demon or mayb
There was a commotion amongst the servants as Laylin passed by the halls for the third time in a day. They immediately formed an assembly from the front of the lobby hall to the end of the corridor. “Aishh! They really think you are here to do a round check or something.” The Marquis murmured from behind her. Laylin chuckled, enjoying the comical show they were putting on while murmuring profanities at her. “It’s good to keep them on their toes than being under their foot.” She turned around to show her a smile. “I’m harmless, you know.” Berilla was infusing aura in a spell so their voices were unreachable to the ones who were passing by. “The fruits must really be dropped from heaven, look at you beaming. God! It’s creeping me out… don’t smile at me!” Berilla visibly shuddered and Laylin chuckled, hopping around. It could be true that there was something special about those fruits. She felt like her body was lighter and she had more energy to spare or maybe it was the bright rare
“So Crimson Rukh, how do you feel about marrying me?”His question left everyone present speechless. Even bloodied and battered Ambrose scoffed. Laylin clenched her jaw and tried to walk past him but he blocked her path yet again.At the end of her wits, Laylin burst out. “Get out of my way while I’m being nice!” Her voice trembled as she tried to run to her husband.Tilting his head in confusion, the demon sneered with contempt a second later. "Oh… Is that this dog’s filthy mark? Now that complicates things," he jeers. “I will have to kill him.”With his one tendril, he threw Laylin at a broken pillar and held her there while he slowly walked to the Lycan King."Screw you!" Ambrose spluttered, exerting himself to the fullest despite his state.The demon cackled, throwing his head back, “Your worthless mother didn’t teach you manners.” He picked him up in the air and slammed him back down.Laylin screamed and struggled but her aura couldn’t fight against his sheer force. With her, sev
"...I still think you should see her," Laylin mumbled, in his embrace. When he didn't reply, she buried herself deeper in his embrace. "...Sorry. I should not talk about it recklessly." She mumbled saltily. It was a sensitive subject and she didn't have the courage to look him in the eye.He smirked, looking down at her. She was on edge and sensitive to his emotions. He wanted to pinch her puffed-up cheeks with how adorable she was being. His darkened features at that time must have put her on guard. Instead, he settled with running his hand in her hair. He still remembered the spitfire she was, ready to bite him when he first forced her to be his Mistress.He laid back suddenly on the divan, making her fall on him. "Ambrose!""Laylin." He held her by the waist, settling her on him. She instantly struggled to get off him but he held her there."What?! Someone will see!" she was huffing puffing while her face reddening in embarrassment."Laylin." He called her out again in his low se
"I'm sure you know if you try something, she dies." His eyes swept over Valerie and Ivan. "One less pawn won't make a difference.""No. Not her! Don't touch her!" She desperately tried to crawl but only ended up stumbling and falling on the bloody arena ground. "Let her go this instant!" She begged desperately as her heart was bursting out.Her mother shook her head, her eyes telling her to let her go but it only made Laylin more desperate."Oh, so you love the mother who abandoned you?" Sansy seemed amused and he cackled. "What to do though? You didn't want to be part of my 'shitshow'."Laylin shook her tear-soaked face, "Okay! Okay. Tell them to step back. Let her go and I promise, I will!" Sansy scoffed at the naivety of the Princess, "And why should I let her go?"At the end of her wits, Laylin snapped back. "I will help you!"She couldn't use her aura easily in these handcuffs. No matter how fast her aura might be but the moment she unleashes it, every wizard here will feel the
It happened when all soldiers lost hope and thought they were fighting a battle with the fate to be defeated. ‘BOOOM!’ ‘THUD! THWACK! THUD!’ An explosion collapsed the outer wall of the palace and dark wizards and soldiers alike flooded in water crushing through from who-knows-where. But shock registered when they met the eyes of the person standing where the wall once stood. “I see. I almost missed all the fun.” There stood Princess Laylin scowling at her torn dress getting wet and an equally pissed woman behind her. “Did you really have to go this far? How am I going to walk around in this now!” Valerie was about ready to knock this stupid Princess out. Every man on the ground, thanks to the knee-high water flooding the palace, was shocked at the carefree women barging in as if they were taking a stroll in the garden. Ivan’s eyes widened. ‘That foolish Princess was here, in the middle of a battle! The King was right out of the door. If she dropped dead here, they wouldn’t b
She kept her hand on her belly and smiled solemnly. He was a piece of her and her husband. An heir to her lover. “Ahh.. To be young. Though I don’t really like the man, I certainly despise him less than your mother does. I’m not much of a success as a Red Witch so I have no such obsession with bloodlines or species. I just care for my family.” Laylin bit her bottom lip, shrugging. “Mother is... She will come around.” “Hmm, hope so. But I see... you look madly in love.” Berilla teased, looking at her distracted expression. "It must hurt your pride to love him more than he loves you." “What? No!” Laylin rolled her eyes, her smile still playing on her lips. “He’s the one who is chasing me. I just set my grace on my eager lover.“ She was flexing when both of them knew, Laylin was crazy enough in love to dive head-first in a war zone or in front of a raging monster. Laylin looked away. Her smile deepened. She did love him more but it didn't matter as long as he loved her back. A silen
The palace stood tall and imposing, its marble columns reaching the sky. It had been days since the rightful King had set foot in the home he despised and lived for.But now, with a burning sense of urgency in his heart, he returned to reclaim his throne. Laylin was expecting, he could feel his spawn growing stronger by the day. ‘SHIIINGG!’He walked solemnly, his two long swords dragging behind him. Electric zapping brutally filled the silence as his swords screeched.Previously when he had imagined her carrying his heir, he had wanted to keep her on feathery cushions day in and day out, lavish her with jewels but now he wanted to kiss her the path she walked on.He had no patience left for morons. His Queen was carrying the future King and she deserved better than a humid cave.As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the palace walls, Ambrose stood lonely at the grand entrance.The military he had himself cultivated stood before him, pointing trembling spears
"N-No, please!” The startled young witch screamed and poured her aura in with all her strength as her life flashed before her. ‘FWISSSH…’ The witch toppled back on her ass, waiting to die but as the creature collided with the magic circle it emitted a bright, blinding light. The monster's movements slow, and it gradually, in a fraction of a second, evaporated in the air. It became quiet and all the witches huffed in disbelief, as if under a spell. “Good work.” Laylin turned to the witches with a smile. “This is how any witch, weak or strong, can make the teleportation magic circle.” She clapped her hands, “Well, nobody’s dead, so let’s go under the lake.” It may sound twisted but she enjoyed their fear especially Valerie who was pale. She felt gleefully satisfied. Now, sure, no one will question her about the potency of her magic circle. She felt bad for Eloise but it couldn’t be helped, she was the weakest witch and thus the perfect person to show them the spell worked. Seizing
With a deep sigh, she went to the young Princess. “You think you can handle it after all the… commotion?” She was talking about the things she heard them talk about.The Eldest of the Red Witches looked at the Princess with a faint smile. Laylin remained still. Her countenance was quite ample as she looked ahead at the lake in front of her.Ultimately it didn’t matter if Laylin could or couldn’t. She will have to. For the sake of everyone. For the future.Valerie sighed, “We can do it ourselves too.” Laylin knew it too.The witches could very well pull off a teleportation spell but they didn’t trust her or the magic circle she had drawn especially after Aunt Berilla couldn’t perform the designation spell. The battle with demonic monsters will take more than just technique, hesitation could cost these witches their lives.Only Laylin knew Berila couldn't do it because the Great Mistress had made that spell to pull her into the memory abyss.So the witches needed to believe any of them
‘AAACK!' She pointed the dagger at him and flicked it down. His leg bent at an unnatural angle, his bone stuck out bringing him into a half-kneeling position. “Keep it down. I don’t want a commotion.” She was so calm that it was creepy. Her lazy eyes fell on the Dark Wizard and she smirked. The Dark Wizard tried to cast a spell but nothing worked, he couldn’t take anything as the source. The Dark Wizard had little to no aura or couldn’t control their auras like Valerie. There are two sources for using magic. One is auras that are taken from nature and one is life sources. Dark magicians fuel their magic with life forces which means they kill to do magic. But it doesn’t have to be beasts or humans, depending on the magnitude of the spell even insects can be used for simple spells. She had protected every living being with her aura in the perimeter. Her snake rubbed its head against her neck, and she caressed its scales with a smirk. She enjoyed the Dark wizard's desperate attempts