Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 66

Thalia

The morning light streamed through the stained glass windows of Lycandor Keep's ancient council chamber, casting mottled shadows across the stone walls. I stood before the long table, my golden hair catching the sunlight as I clutched the parchment I had written through the night. My voice rang clear and steady as I spoke to Draven, who stood by the window with tense shoulders.

"These infestations are products of vampire magic. They bury their eggs through specific seven-pointed star formations, capable of draining water and soil energy within a hundred-mile radius for rapid reproduction." I detailed the solution I had discovered, explaining the need for four sacred materials: eternal spring water from the sacred mountain, moon flower petals, phoenix first-born feathers, and tears of compassion from an elf.

Draven spun around at my words, his eyes flashing with shock and wariness. "Vampires? That's impossible—they were nearly annihilated three hundred years ago." His voice was low and serious, his sharp gaze scrutinizing me intensely. "How do you know these things? Our mage teams have searched every possible resource and found nothing."

I felt my throat tighten, my fingertips trembling slightly. I couldn't explain how an ordinary human would possess prophetic magic known only to high priests.

Avoiding his direct stare, I kept my tone calm despite a hint of unnaturalness: "I... discovered a forgotten ancient tome in a corner of the archives. It contained records of similar infestations and countermeasures." I carefully adjusted my expression, struggling to mask the unease that the lie brought.

Draven walked closer, his scrutinizing gaze feeling almost tangible. "Thalia, the mages of the royal keep have scoured nearly every inch of the shelves, utilizing every available resource." His voice carried no emotion yet was filled with authority. "Which specific ancient tome are you referring to?"

Cold sweat formed on my palms, but I lifted my head to meet Draven's eyes directly. My heart clenched with guilt—I hated lying to him, especially when those dark eyes searched mine with such trust and concern. Yet I couldn't betray my homeland, couldn't reveal that my prophetic abilities came from my bloodline as the High Priest's daughter, trained in the sacred arts of Eldoria. The conflict tore at me like a blade between my ribs.

I stepped forward, shortening the distance between us, my voice low and sincere: "I cannot tell you the exact source... but I swear to you, Draven, I would never do anything to harm you or the wolf clan." I reached out to lightly touch his arm, my eyes sparkling with pleading and love. "Please trust me, just as I have always trusted you."

The mating mark on my neck throbbed intensely, as if the sacred connection between our souls could sense the lie poisoning the air between us. I fought to keep my expression steady, even as shame and the physical discomfort warred within me. *Forgive me, my love,* I thought desperately, *but some secrets must be kept, even from you.*

Tense silence stretched between us. Draven stared into my eyes as if trying to see through to the depths of my soul. Finally, he sighed deeply, his expression softening. "I trust you, Thalia." He grasped my hand, and after a moment of tenderness, quickly returned to his commander's composure. "I'll immediately prepare correspondence to inform the Wolf King. We have moon flower petals in our stores, and I'll send the fastest messenger to retrieve sacred mountain spring water."

He moved to his desk, quickly unfurling parchment to begin writing. "As for elf tears and phoenix feathers... these can only be found in the border forest. We must immediately relay the message to the Wolf King, as he is there and might be able to handle the matter personally."

I stood by the window, watching Draven's focused silhouette as he wrote, silently praying in my heart: "Moon Goddess, please protect Adelaide and all innocent souls... let them return safely." I pressed my hand against the cold windowpane, as if I could reach through the distance and touch that perilous land.

---

Adelaide

The medical tent was thick with the bitter scent of herbs. I knelt beside Vespera's bed, carefully wrapping bandages soaked in medicinal solution around the wound on his shoulder. My movements were skilled and gentle, my violet eyes appearing even more profound from days of exhaustion.

Vespera slowly opened his eyes, his face pale from pain, but he managed a weak smile at the corner of his mouth: "It seems... I'm still alive."

"Thanks to Seraphina's potions and your strong vitality." I returned his smile, continuing to adjust the tightness of the bandages. Sunlight filtered through the tent's gaps, casting warm light on my dark hair. "You've been unconscious for nearly two days. The toxins are cleared, but the wound needs more time to heal."

Vespera tried to adjust his sitting position but inhaled sharply from the pain. He watched me as I tended to him with such care, his voice particularly gentle from weakness: "I owe you my thanks, Adelaide." He paused, confusion flickering in his green eyes. "But what I'm more curious about is why you're so devoted to caring for a werewolf? Our species... hasn't always treated yours kindly."

My hands paused for a second, then continued bandaging. "I'm simply repaying your life-saving grace." I looked up, meeting Vespera's eyes directly. "To be honest, I've always wanted to ask you—why did you risk your life to save me? Why have you been helping me since my first day at the wolf keep?" My voice carried genuine puzzlement.

Vespera contemplated for a moment, his gaze drifting to the tent's swaying fabric above. "When I first saw you, I noticed something in your eyes—a wisdom and resilience that transcends the ordinary." His voice became low and thoughtful. "I have studied many ancient texts about the wars between races over millennia... those records convinced me that continuing ancient hatred into today, punishing those innocent of history, is unjust."

He struggled to sit up straighter, his green eyes shining with sincerity: "Hatred only brings more pain and death. Only peace and understanding can bring true hope and future to the wolf clan." His words were filled with passion despite his weakness.

I was deeply moved, tears of emotion welling in my eyes. I gently grasped Vespera's hand, my voice trembling slightly with feeling: "Thank you, Vespera. Your words give me hope." I smiled genuinely, as if a long-carried burden had been partially lifted from my heart.

Just at this tender moment, the tent entrance flap was pushed aside, and a tall figure blocked the sunlight. Lycanthar stood in the doorway, his golden eyes glinting in the shadows, his expression unreadable. His gaze lingered on the joined hands of Vespera and myself for a moment before moving to the expressions on both our faces.

The air temperature seemed to drop suddenly, tension spreading like something tangible. I froze in place, my heart racing, unsure how to respond to this sudden awkward situation.