HopeThe next day, Darius was in my room when I woke up. I was momentarily startled, causing me to sit up on my bed and say, "What are you doing here?" Darius smiled gently before saying, "I came to check up on you. It's almost noon and you're still in bed." I frowned, then turned to look at my window. The afternoon sun was much too bright and I got the urge to close my eyes once again and continue sleeping. "Well, I'm fine as you can see. I was just resting. You've checked up on me. You can leave now. You've done enough." I didn't hide the irritation and annoyance in my tone, causing Darius to flinch at the sudden hostility he was receiving from me.I wanted to take back my words but it was already too late and I was still much uncomfortable in Darius' presence. He made me pregnant for hell's sake! I didn't want to even look at his face right now."Oh, okay then. I'll leave you to rest." Darius' tone sounded awfully pitiful in that moment as he stood up from the bed and dismissed
Hope It was annoying how I was always waking up to Darius sitting by my bed. However, today, he was not the only person by my bed. There was a physician standing over the bed. I easily recognized him as he had attended to me once before.I sat up on my bed defensively and said, "What is it? What's going on?" "Calm down. Everything is going to be alright." Darius said in a soothing voice, then reached to touch my face.I slapped his hand away from my face. "Don't. Why's he here? What's happening?" Seeing that I wasn't going to relent until I got answers, Darius exhaled through his mouth and decided to explain things to me."He is here to perform a full body check up on-""I don't need one," I quickly said, cutting Darius off.A full body check up? That was equivalent to executing me with a stake! I glanced at the physician and glared at him. If he touched me and sensed my pulse, he would immediately be able to tell that I was pregnant.And since he appeared to be deathly loyal to Da
Hope"This is the greatest news ever!" Darius exclaimed joyfully, standing up to his feet to rejoice."Congratulations, your majesties," the physician said to me and Darius with a proud smile. "The queen is about two to three months pregnant. We should quickly begin the transformation process in order to ensure a safe delivery and a stable health for her Majesty." "Transformation process...?" I said slowly, then looked at Darius.There was a bright smile on his face as he said, "Yes. The transformation process. You know you can't give birth to a royal Lycan child with a human bodily constitution. There is a ninety percent chance of dying. It is better to transform into a Lycan to give birth."It is not a very difficult process. Painful, yes. But I will be there for you and help you-" "Are you listening yourself, Darius Moratis?" I cut him off with a sharp tone. The tension in the room surged."Ah... Your majesties, I will take my leave now." The physician said with a hint of discomf
Hope I had hoped things wouldn't turn out this way, but they still did. After Darius left, I sunk into deep thoughts. Darius wanted me to keep this child, but the heavens knew that I couldn't.I wouldn't be able to even if I could.I looked down at my stomach. My hand led itself to touch it. It wasn't the child's fault. I just didn't want to become a Lycan. I didn't want to lose my humanity.The Blood Moon would occur in less than a week. This was the absolute worst time to even be thinking about bringing a child into the world.I had no clue why Darius would want a child at this time. Suddenly, I remembered something. He had once told me that he wanted to get me pregnant so that I wouldn't leave him.How foolish of him.If I truly wanted to leave him now, being pregnant would be the least thing that I would be bothered about in our relationship.*****Later in the day, I got out of bed and decided to actually do queenly activities. But as soon as I stepped out of my chambers, Kyle w
Hope Back in my room, I folded myself into a ball on my bed. It seemed like everyone else was happy about my pregnancy except for me. Why did that make me feel bad? That they were all placing their hope on me and that I was going to destroy it?Maybe that was why.I didn't know how long I was curled up for before I heard the subtle sounds of knocking on my door."Your Majesty, it's me. I've brought you food." I heard a voice similar to Kyle's own coming from the outside of the room.I sighed and forced myself to say, "Come in." Not even a second later, the door to my room opened up and Kyle walked in with a food tray. Thankfully, it was only Kyle, and not another person whom I did not want to see or talk to.Kyle walked over to my bed to set the food tray next to me, but I directed him to put the food away and shut the door. There was a complex look on Kyle's face after receiving those orders, however he still obeyed them."Come closer." I said to Kyle, who was still standing by the
Kyle My hands were trembling. Ever since I left the castle, my entire body has been shaking. Would I really be able to do this? Betray my kingdom... Betray everything I serve, everything I believe in. All for the very person that I serve, the person I believe in, the person I love. Could I really do that? What was I thinking? I was already doing it. I was already close to a hidden tonic shop. There was no time to regret my actions or turn back. I had already promised my lady that I would do everything for her. Including this. And I very well knew why she wouldn't want to give birth to the next heir. She was human, damn it! And she wanted to remain human. She didn't want to turn into us... me... It was still clear that she held resentment for the Lycan kind. Abortion tonics were not exactly illegal. From time to time, people would come to order them. Not everyone had to bear the heir to the throne who was important and ending their life in a womb was a sin. And also, this par
Kyle "S-Shut your mouth." I said with a stutter."Why should I? Everyone knows about your unrequited love for her. It's honestly pathetic, but to think that you would go against the kingdom for her. You've become so soft and stupid-"I tightened my grip on Thomas's hands and forced him to shut up."I've said what I wanted to say. Stop making a fool of yourself and keep quiet. This has absolutely nothing to do with you." I spoke with a deep and threatening voice.Thomas didn't say anything again, but it looked like he had something to say."And if you think about telling anyone about tonight, remember that you were also in that shop." I added.It meant that Thomas also wanted to purchase something that was not appropriate. His eyes widened as he understood what I was talking about. Then they narrowed into slits."Fine. Whatever." He finally relented with a reluctant tone.I slowly let go of him and backed away. "What were you there for?" I asked him.Thomas glared at me shamelessly a
HopeI was in a very good mood today. I woke up early feeling refreshed. Maybe it was because there was no longer a creature inside my stomach draining my energy. I freshened up and sent a maid to tell Darius to meet me for breakfast at the dining table. By the time I reached the dining table myself, I was surprised to see that Darius was already there.And an even more surprising thing to me was that I saw the head of the dining table now had two throne-like chairs placed side-by-side to each other.Darius was standing behind the chairs with a stroke of uneasiness on his expression. I walked over to him and said, "Good morning." "Good morning, Hope." Darius said back to me, then his eyes bounced and landed on Kyle who was close behind me. I could sense the hostility in Darius' gaze as he looked at Kyle. It made me want to frown. Was this foolish husband of mine jealous of the same bodyguard that he had hired to protect me?I almost facepalmed myself at the thought. But since I was
An excerpt from the diary of the last Vitalis Princess to ever marry a Lycan King:My name is Hope Vitalis-Moratis. I am the last Vitalis princess to get married to a Lycan King. Hundreds of years ago, humans were the only superior species on Earth. However, Lycans suddenly invaded the earth and dominated humans—this is what is written in the history books.The truth is that, more than thousands of years ago, humans and Lycans lived in peace. But humans grew afraid and envious of Lycans who were more talented, stronger, and powerful than them. They all put out their hands to drive away Lycans and surpress them within a hidden kingdom known as Moratia. Many years after, a Lycan King decided to change history by coming out of the shadows and breaking out from the hidden Kingdom, making it known to everyone.The king did this with the help of a powerful witch who only appeared when the situation suited her. Thus, this particular Lycan King and his descendants punished humans for drivin
HopeI could sense everything and nothing at the same time. I could hear everything and nothing. I could feel everything and nothing. All this without opening my eyes.As I finally pried my eyes open, I saw a little crack on the ceiling above my head. I have been living in this chamber for months, but this was my first time seeing this crack. Every single morning when I woke up and looked at this ceiling, I have never seen the crack before. Where did it come from?I turned my head around. I could hear thousands of footsteps from outside. I felt like I could hear the footsteps of people outside the castle as well.My entire body felt light, as I thought I could rise up and fly. At the same it was hard for me to lift my body up. But once I managed to do just that, I realized something."I should be dead." I said out loud.I looked down to my stomach. I was wearing a blue night dress. I rolled it up to check my stomach, and there was no mark of the stab wound that Light had designed on
Hope "What are you doing?" I asked Light, trying my best to keep my voice leveled and hide the fear I felt in my chest."You are not ready to join me. Without you being with me, I can't let other people have you and use you against me." Light explained with a detached tone."Are you crazy?! You want to kill me just because I don't believe in your nonsense and cruel actions!? Light, what is wrong with you?!" I exploded at her, but she wasn't fazed by my words."You are a disappointment to all Vitalis princesses." With that said, Light lunged for me. The angle she used was well thought out, and I wouldn't have enough time to dodge the knife even if I attempted to move.I closed my eyes and waited for the impact. However, it did not come. But I heard a clank and a thud sound. I opened my eyes to see that Light was on the floor, and that the Morati knife was at the far corner of the kitchen. This scene was not as surprising as seeing Thaddeus in front of me, standing like a shield."Wh-w
Hope "A way to redeem myself?" I asked Light slowly.Light nodded, the light in her eyes brightening even further. "Your child... The child you have with that monster. It could guarantee peace forever. After you give birth to it, we will work to permanently separate his human and beast side, killing the latter off. Then follow through to do the same with every other surviving Lycan to exterminate all beasts."My eyes widened in surprise as I didn't bother to hide the shock in my expression whilst staring at Light."Light, are you listening to yourself? What do you think you're talking about? Even without the child and this lunatic idea of yours, there would have been peace forever! That was what the treaty was for! You-""Oh, stop that! Don't talk as though that nonsense treaty was fair to humans. We basically became a different type of slaves to these monsters because of that treaty!" Light exclaimed."A treaty that we, humans, came up with!" I fired at Light.If she wanted to prete
Hope After receiving the report from Orion, everything happened so fast that I didn't get a chance to understand anything. One second, Darius and I were sitting next together, the next, he was locking me inside my room for protection and leaving the castle with a large army of soldiers.My heart was in my mouth, I couldn't breathe. Badum. Badum. Badum. Badum.I could feel my heartbeat in every part of my body. Why was I so afraid? Why did I feel there was something terrible waiting for me? I managed to get myself a glass of water but it did not calm me down a single bit. I looked out the window. The army who had been waiting around the castle on standby were no longer there.They had been moved to the scene of action. As for the few soldiers remaining to protect the castle's gates, I couldn't make them out as they were too far away from my line of vision.I knew that this castle was safe, but I still felt like there was trouble lurking around. "Darius isn't here anymore." I told m
HopeToday was the day of the Blood Moon. But everything was weird. Things were too peaceful. It was like the calm before the storm. From morning till this very evening, there have been no reports of rebels, attacks, riots, or anything.However, that didn't mean that things were fine. Light might as well be bidding her time until the Blood Moon was fully out. From the room's window, I stared at the red moon hanging on the dark night sky that was shrouded with dark clouds.It was seriously ominous, to the point where I got chills just by looking at it. However, if things went according to plan, I would be fine. And I would also carry out a personal plan of mine.Soldiers and guards were stationed all round the kingdom and this very castle. We were prepared for anything. Yet, I still felt like we were missing something.I couldn't place my finger on what exactly it was, but I knew that something was wrong somewhere. If I could bring this to Darius' attention, maybe he would do something
Kyle "This is all your fault!" I accused Thomas, cutting off his air supply.To this, he smiled maniacally, but there was a hint of regret and guilt in his eyes. He didn't hide them well."You're a fool. Did you expect me to blindly follow your commands and help that queen of yours?" Thomas spat.I tightened my grip on his throat. "Don't you dare!"Thomas coughed and said, "I did my best. She wanted to be stabbed. So I stabbed her. What are you getting so worked up about?" I wanted to kill the fool right now. But I couldn't. At the end of the day, it was all my fault. I flung him away and turned my back to him.I shouldn't have asked him to be the one to fake stab the queen. I should've done so myself. I should've obeyed and sealed my feelings to myself. Instead, I'd done something stupid—placed my trust on a fool and betrayed the trust of someone dear to me.Fuck!I kicked the air, not knowing what to vent on. I heard a mocking scoff from behind me. I was forced to turn around and
Hope The baby was fine? How could the baby be fine? I had taken an abortion tonic. I had also gotten stabbed in the stomach. How could the baby still be fine after all of that??"The baby's fine? Did a physician check me and-" "Don't worry, Hope." Darius said with soothing tone, placing a hand on my shoulder to comfort me. "The physician checked. I even had other renowned physicians check as well. The baby is fine. Everything is in order. You shouldn't worry so much."This child is a royal Lycan. Nothing can harm him. Everything will be fine." A royal Lycan. The kid growing inside of me was a royal Lycan. I had forgotten about that. How could that important fact slip from my mind?This child was not a regular child. It had the Moratis blood. The only thing that could end its life was the Morati knife.And that was in Light's hands! Shit!"What happened? What's wrong? Are you hurt?" Darius quickly came closer, questioning me with a worried tone.I must have worn my disappointment an
Hope I was still alive. Barely. Surprisingly. But still alive. As soon as I opened my eyes, I let out a sigh of relief. Pain was not fun at all."Your Majesty, you're awake!" I heard someone say.I didn't have the strength to sit up from the bed yet and look at the person. I could only shift my eyes. I saw Kyle already down on his knees on the side of my bed. I instantly managed to find a way to frown."Did you plan to kill me?" I asked, my voice was void of anger and sadness. My intent was to show annoyance and anger, but I didn't have the strength to portray those emotions. "Of course not, your Majesty. The person I hired to... do it, did more than I instructed. But I've disciplined him very well and ensured never to-" "Are you mad?" I cut Kyle off.His throat bobbed, he didn't respond."I ask again, are you mad, Kyle Arsen?!" "... No, your Majesty." Kyle said after a beat."Then why did you let another person in on the plan!? Weren't you supposed to be the one to stab me?! Why