«CHAPTER 29&30»
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A heavy stillness followed his vow.
King Leontius did not return the bow. His gaze hardened as he studied the man before him—the Ice Prince of the northern town of Alvaro, a name whispered as often in fear as in admiration.
"Prince Dracula," the king said slowly, "your reputation precedes you."
A faint smile touched Dracula's lips, though it carried no warmth.
"Reputations are often exaggerated, Your Highness."
Queen Seraphina's voice cut through the tension.
"Exaggerated?" she asked coolly. "Servants found drained of blood. Guards discovered lifeless in the corridors of your own palace. Entire households silenced overnight." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Are those exaggerations as well?"
A quiet murmur rippled through the ministers.
Dracula's pale gaze shifted to her. There was no shame in it—only composure.
"Alvaro is loyal," he replied evenly. "Order remains intact."
Alaric Ashcroft stepped forward slightly.
"Order maintained by fear," he said. "You kill those who serve you to quench your bloodthirst, and you expect us to believe you can restrain yourself within our borders?"
The frost at Dracula's feet crept forward an inch before halting.
"My hunger," Dracula said calmly, "is my burden. It does not interfere with governance."
"Inconvenient?" Queen Seraphina asked softly. "You consider the deaths of your own servants an inconvenience?"
"For politics," Dracula clarified. "Not for war."
King Leontius descended the final step until he stood face-to-face with the Ice Prince.
"You expect Morazana to welcome an alliance with a ruler who cannot fully restrain himself?"
Dracula met his gaze without flinching.
"I expect Morazana to recognize usefulness when it stands before them," he said calmly. "I do not deny what I am. But against Ashkaroth, ruthlessness is not a weakness—it is a weapon."
Iskaria exchanged a glance with Evelyne.
"And what assurance do we have," Iskaria asked carefully, "that this weapon will not turn upon us?"
For the first time, a faint chill sharpened Dracula's tone.
"Because," he said, "if Morazana falls, Alvaro stands alone. And if Ashkaroth conquers this realm, Duncan Tharagon will not tolerate another power rising in the north."
At Duncan's name, silence deepened.
Queen Seraphina studied him closely. This was not loyalty. It was strategy.
"You do not fight for us," she observed quietly.
Dracula inclined his head slightly.
"No," he admitted. "I fight for balance. And survival."
Lord Veydrath stepped forward, smoke weaving through the icy air.
"A union of fire and ice against shadow," he murmured. "Interesting."
Alaric's voice remained firm. "And your thirst? Can you contain it?"
A pause lingered.
"Yes," Dracula replied at last. "Within Morazana's borders, I will."
King Leontius searched his face for deception.
"If we accept this alliance," the king said at last, "not a single servant, guard, or citizen of Morazana will fall by your hand. Any violation will be treated as an act of war."
Dracula's expression did not change.
"Agreed."
Queen Seraphina returned slowly to her throne, though her gaze never left him.
"Then understand this, Prince of Alvaro," she said quietly. "Morazana does not tolerate monsters within its walls."
A faint, unreadable glimmer crossed Dracula's eyes.
"Nor do I, Your Majesty."
Alaric, the twins, and Lord Veydrath exchanged measured glances.
Without a word, they gave a single, subtle nod—an unspoken agreement passing between them.
A faint, chilling smirk curled at the corners of their lips, as though the alliance unfolding before the throne was aligning perfectly with calculations they had already made in silence.
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CALVARY — CAVE
Lord Veydrath, Alaric, Prince Dracula, Lady Evelyne, and Iskaria stood within the cave, gathered around a large cauldron.
The charm inside boiled violently, releasing thick, dark, and ruthless smoke that filled the air with a heavy, oppressive presence.
"We now have the king and the queen on our side," Iskaria said, raising her staff before striking it firmly against the stone floor.
Thunder rumbled faintly in the sky above, as though the heavens themselves were responding to her power.
"With their support, we have more than enough armies to wage war against Ashkaroth and retrieve the Silver Stone from the beast's body. Once the Stone is taken, the demon prince will be forced to kill his Moon."
She paused briefly, her gaze darkening.
"If this succeeds, the four towns—Ashkaroth, Morazana, Alvaro, and Saltanira—will fall under our control. We will overthrow their rulers and claim their thrones."
Her grip tightened around her staff.
"I and my sister will rule Ashkaroth. Veydrath will govern Morazana. Alaric will take Saltanira, and Dracula will ascend to his father's throne. This is our plan. We must rule the four kingdoms"
Their lips curled into a savage smirk.
The heavy smoke from the cauldron continued to coil upward, twisting slowly as though alive.
Lord Veydrath planted the base of his serpent staff firmly against the stone floor.
"Remember," he said in a low, measured tone, "our movements must remain unseen until the fracture begins."
Alaric Ashcroft's expression remained unreadable.
"The boy will not rush," he said. "Prince Kealric understands patience. He will earn the Moon's trust before attempting any restoration of her memories."
Lady Evelyne's fingers tightened slightly around her staff.
"He is my son," she said quietly. "He will not disappoint me."
Iskaria lifted her chin.
"When the girl remembers her past," she said, "the emotional bond between her and the Beast will weaken. That is when the Silver Stone will be vulnerable."
Thunder rumbled faintly beyond the cave.
Prince Dracula spoke at last.
"And Duncan Tharagon?" he asked calmly.
Silence followed the question, the twins exchanged a glance.
"He is dangerous," Lady Evelyne whispered.
"More than any ruler we face," Iskaria added.
Lord Veydrath's smoke darkened slightly.
"Which is why," he said, "he must not be confronted directly until the Moon is separated."
Alaric's grip tightened on his staff.
"The Beast is strongest when bound by emotion," he said. "Remove the Moon, and his fury will become disorder."
The cauldron's surface suddenly rippled once, then stilled.
Dracula's eyes darted toward them, and he gave a faint, almost indifferent smirk, brushing his hair back slowly.
Veydrath glanced at him briefly before turning his gaze away.
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«ASHKAROTH — ALBATON PALACE»
All the noble families and members of the royal household gathered in the palace field, with the exception of the Eclipse and his Moon.
The princesses sat beside their mother, Lady Semina, observing the event in silence.
At the center of the field stood a massive wild boar with dark fur, restrained by heavy chains as it struggled violently to break free, circling the arena in desperation.
In every new month, the royal family of Ashkaroth hosts a grand entertainment event, during which a reward is offered to anyone who can kill the wild boar and claim a great prize.
Cassandra sat gracefully beside her sisters, slowly fanning herself with an ancient, ornate hand fan.
The slow, deliberate movement of the fan contrasted with the cold stillness in her eyes.
"Duncan is not yet outside," Aurelia said again, this time lower, her tone sharper, more bitter. Her gaze stayed fixed on the field. "I wonder what he is doing with his so-called Moon."
Helena's fingers slowly tightened around the edge of her seat.
"He does not leave her alone for long," she said quietly. "Not since the Stone bound itself to him."
Cassandra continued fanning herself, her expression calm, almost detached.
"The Eclipse watches his possession closely," she murmured. "Some bonds are stronger than chains."
Aurelia scoffed softly.
"Love is weakness in Ashkaroth."
Lady Semina finally spoke, her voice low and measured, carrying a weight that silenced even the distant roar of the boar below.
"Do not mistake attachment for weakness," she said. "The Beast Prince does not guard her because he is gentle."
She paused.
"He guards her because losing her would unravel him."
Helena's gaze drifted toward the empty royal balcony.
"If someone touched her," she said quietly, "Ashkaroth would not need an army."
Cassandra's eyes darkened slightly.
"No," she agreed quietly. "The palace would become a graveyard before sunrise."
Aurelia rolled her eyes, a sharp memory flashing through her mind—how Duncan Tharagon had thrown her into the horse-dung pit weeks ago.
The humiliation tightened her jaw, her teeth grinding faintly as irritation and resentment surfaced.
She straightened slowly, forcing the memory away, but her fingers curled slightly against the fabric of her robe as though restraining her temper.
Lady Semina's gaze lingered on the arena below for a long moment before she spoke, her voice dropping lower—colder, heavier, carrying the quiet weight of something deeper than warning.
"You speak too often of the Beast Prince," Lady Semina said softly.
The slow movement of Cassandra's ancient hand fan paused for a heartbeat.
Aurelia's eyes darkened slightly.
Helena remained still.
Lady Semina's fingers rested gently on the carved armrest of her seat.
"Fear of him will not protect you," she continued. "Fear only teaches you how to hide."
She turned her head slightly toward her daughters.
"Understanding him… is how you survive him."
Cassandra's voice was quiet.
"He is dangerous."
"Yes," Lady Semina said. "Danger is the natural state of things in Ashkaroth."
A distant roar from the arena rose as the warrior struck the wild boar again, the sound of violence mixing with the cheering crowd below.
Lady Semina's expression grew colder.
"The Eclipse Prince—Duncan Tharagon—does not waste breath on enemies he has already judged irrelevant."
Aurelia's jaw tightened.
"So we are irrelevant to him?"
The matriarch's eyes darkened faintly.
"Not irrelevant," she said slowly.
"Disposable… if you provoke the storm."
Silence spread between the princesses like cold ash.
The fan in Cassandra's hand moved again, slower now.
Lady Semina's voice lowered to almost a whisper.
"Do not mistake his silence for mercy."
The wind passing through the royal stands felt suddenly colder.
"When the Beast Prince watches without speaking," she said, "it is because death is already deciding which name to remember."
Just as Helena was about to speak, the royal announcer's voice cut sharply across the field once more.
"Long live the Prince and his Moon!"
The declaration thundered through the arena as Duncan Tharagon and Thailra Alvarez stepped fully into view.
Duncan's dark royal robe flowed behind him like living night itself, moving silently with his unhurried steps. His silver eyes were cold, calculating, and devoid of mercy.
Beside him walked Thailra, her silver-black royal robe fitting her slender frame with quiet authority. Her hair was neatly gathered, and her makeup was subtle but precise, the cat-eyed mascara sharpening her gaze.
Weeks within Ashkaroth had changed her.
The innocence that once softened her aura had faded.
In Ashkaroth, strength was not spoken—it was worn.
To make one's enemies bow, one had to be more ruthless than they were.
The two massive palace drums struck suddenly.
Boom.
Boom.
The sound rolled across the field like the heartbeat of a waiting empire.
One by one, nobles, guards, and servants fell to their knees.
Heads bowed low.
Eyes fixed on the ground.
"Long live the Prince and his Moon."Voices rose in disciplined chorus
The chant echoed through the stone palace walls, carried by the wind like a vow—and like a warning—to anyone who would dare challenge the Eclipse.
Behind Thailra stood Sylara, her head respectfully bowed. She had been assigned as Thailra Alvarez's personal maid.
Nearby, Melissa knelt in her royal maid position, positioned among the attendants.
Her fists tightened subtly, her gaze burning as it remained fixed on Thailra's profile, the attempt to poison her had failed.
Sylara was too timid—like a trembling rabbit—to complete the task.
If subtle methods would not work, then Melissa would handle it herself, she would finish the job in her own way.
A dark, savage smirk curled slowly at the corner of her lips.
"The boar before you is the challenge of this month." Duncan said, his voice was cold, carrying across stone and wind.
"It is chained, yet still dangerous. It is wounded, yet still savage, the one who kills it will be named victor of this arena." He added.
"The crown offers reward to strength, not to cruelty. The victor will receive gold worthy of courage, not bloodlust, a chest of Ashkaroth gold will be granted. Forged weapons from the royal armory will bear the mark of the kingdom and the name of the winner." Thailra said, her voice colder than ice, sending chills through the field.
"Land shall also be granted under the victor's title, for future prosperity and honor."Her gaze swept across the field.
"The beast will not be unchained, you will face it as it is—wild, furious, and desperate. Strike with skill. Strike with control. Do not mistake recklessness for bravery." Duncan said.
"The crown does not honor those who waste life in arrogance, it honors those who prove they are worthy to survive the storm. Many will attempt"
"Few will stand." Thailra added.
"Who will fight the beast? Who will be the first to challenge the beast?" the announcer declared.
Duncan and Thailra then seated themselves gracefully on their respective thrones, their eyes fixed on the boar below.
They exchanged a brief glance and allowed faint, knowing smirks to form at the corners of their lips.
"We will challenge the beast."
The voice thundered across the field.
The entrance doors opened, and tall, steady steps echoed inside.
Prince Kealric walked forward, accompanied by Arabella, both dressed in simple casual attire with hats resting on their heads.
Upon seeing him, Cassandra immediately rose from her seat, her jaw slightly dropping in shock.
Aurelia could hardly believe her eyes.
The local laborer from before—the one who had worked filling wine jars a month ago—was now stepping forward to challenge a beast that no one had ever managed to kill.
"Does he have a death wish?" Helena whispered, also recognizing him as the same laborer who had worked at the winery.
Lady Semina briefly glanced at her daughters before returning her attention to the challengers, silently observing their relationship with them.
"We will bring the boar's head to your feet, Your Highness," Arabella said, bowing respectfully.
Duncan's eyes met Kealric's. Kealric immediately lowered his gaze to the ground.
A faint smirk curled at the corner of Duncan's lips.
Thailra stared at Kealric, suddenly overwhelmed as a flash of vision struck her mind.
She closed her eyes tightly and raised a hand to grasp her head.
"I love you, Rosie."
The voice echoed thunderously within her thoughts.
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TBC