Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 85

Lycanthar

The afternoon sunlight poured through the tall windows of my chambers as I changed into the attire reserved for the Wolf King, preparing for the upcoming meeting. The familiar comfort of the room felt like a refuge after the plague, yet an undercurrent of unease permeated the air.

I was securing the ties of my robe when steady, purposeful knocks echoed from the door.

"Enter," I called, my voice carrying the low resonance that came naturally after centuries of command.

Draven pushed through the heavy door, and immediately I noted the worry flickering in his dark eyes. He offered a respectful bow, though his usual military precision seemed strained. "Your Majesty, forgive me for disturbing your rest."

I waved him forward, studying the weariness etched into my oldest friend's features. "What matter weighs so heavily on your mind, old friend?" I asked, fastening my belt while fixing him with a penetrating stare.

Draven drew a deep breath, stepping closer. "During the purification ritual, we discovered dark magic concealed within the sacred relics, deliberately interfering with the process." His voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "I've conducted a thorough investigation of every component—the phoenix feather and elven tears were under constant guard by your personal retinue, never left unprotected for even a moment. The spring water was retrieved by my most trusted agents and remained under my direct supervision upon return."

He paused, his brow furrowing deeply. "Only the moon flower had been stored in the treasury vault, but every guard swore under oath that no one had approached it. We even examined their memories for signs of tampering—nothing was found."

I moved to the window, gazing out at the distant mountain peaks where shadows were beginning to lengthen. "Such sophisticated methods... this is no amateur's work." I turned back to face him, my expression hardening. "Combined with the vampire-tainted insect eggs discovered earlier, and now someone capable of corrupting our sacred relics under our very noses..."

My voice took on a dangerous edge. "The vampires have returned, Draven. And they've already infiltrated Lycandor Keep."

"Do you truly believe it's the vampires?" Draven's expression grew more troubled. "They've remained hidden for three centuries."

"It's precisely because of those three centuries of silence that we should be most vigilant," I replied, my eyes flashing with cold fire. "Strengthen all patrols, especially during the night hours. Investigate every new servant and thrall thoroughly. Anyone displaying suspicious behavior must be watched closely."

Draven nodded curtly. "As you command, Your Majesty." He proceeded to brief me on several minor border incidents and internal castle matters. When his report concluded, he prepared to take his leave.

"Wait, Draven. There's one more matter."

He halted, turning back with expectant attention.

"I intend to announce at tonight's council," I said, allowing a rare smile to touch my lips, "that I will perform the soul-bonding ceremony with Adelaide and formally crown her as Wolf Queen."

Draven's entire body went rigid, his face freezing in an expression I'd never seen before. The change was so profound that it gave me pause—whatever thoughts raced through his mind clearly carried tremendous weight.

"Your Majesty," he began carefully, his voice strained, "Adelaide is human. A human Wolf Queen... this is unprecedented in our entire history." He paused, and I could see him struggling to find the most diplomatic phrasing. "Not to mention the blood debt between our peoples spanning three centuries. Garrick and the other tribal leaders will vehemently oppose this decision."

My expression grew resolute, my voice carrying unshakeable conviction. "Adelaide is the Moon Bride chosen directly by the Moon Goddess herself. She has rescued me from peril repeatedly, bringing light into my darkness when I had lost all reason. Her loyalty and love have never wavered."

I stepped closer to Draven, my demeanor softening as my voice became deep and sincere. "I love her, Draven. Not merely as the Wolf King's duty to his Moon Bride, but as a man loves his destined mate. She is my soul's other half, my one true companion, regardless of her human blood." I fixed him with a meaningful look. "I believe you understand such feelings... after all, you too have fallen for a human woman, haven't you?"

I watched as something flickered across Draven's features—pain, longing, and what might have been fear. His throat worked visibly before he spoke again.

"But Your Majesty," his voice came out hoarse as he seemed to carefully weigh each word, "if... hypothetically speaking... Adelaide were not merely an ordinary human, but perhaps... a member of human royalty, would you still love her?"

The chamber fell into absolute silence. I narrowed my eyes, studying my oldest friend's face with growing suspicion. "Why would you pose such a hypothesis?" My voice carried a low warning. "What knowledge do you possess that prompts such a question?"

I saw Draven's jaw tighten, his military bearing becoming even more rigid. "Merely a theoretical consideration, Your Majesty. Given the potential opposition voices... we must prepare for every contingency."

The explanation felt insufficient, but I chose not to press further—for now. Instead, I contemplated the impossible scenario he'd presented. Three centuries of hatred on one side, my beloved on the other. Could love truly conquer such deeply rooted animosity? Could I choose Adelaide over the honor of my fallen brother, over the blood debt of my people?

The choice he presented was a chasm I dared not look into. I pushed the thought away, focusing on the reality before me. On the woman I loved, regardless of the cost.

I shook my head firmly. "There is no such possibility, Draven. She is simply an extraordinary soul of humble birth, nothing more." I fixed him with a penetrating stare. "But I trust you understand the gravity of tonight's announcement. Prepare the council chamber accordingly."

Draven bowed deeply, and I noticed a slight tremor in his shoulders. "As you command, Your Majesty. I shall ensure everything is ready."

After he left, I remained by the window, watching the sun sink lower toward the horizon. I thought of Adelaide's courage at Ember Peak, her willingness to sacrifice herself for my people's sake. If she could show such bravery for the people of an opposing race, surely I could be equally brave in defending our love against those who would tear us apart.

The Moon Goddess had chosen her for me—I would not question her divine wisdom, regardless of the storms that lay ahead.

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Draven

Standing alone in the cold stone corridor, I pressed my fingers against the pommel of my sword, my thoughts churning like a tempest. The memory of Lycanthar's radiant happiness—the first time in three centuries I'd seen my friend so genuinely alive—burned in my mind like a brand.

"She awakened him from his feral state..." I whispered to myself, rubbing my temples as the weight of impossible choices pressed down upon me. "If he discovers this was all built on lies, it will surely drive him back into the abyss."

Three hundred years of hatred was no trivial matter. Crowning a human princess as Wolf Queen? Garrick would certainly use this to incite rebellion, potentially splitting our people apart when we needed unity most.

"Commander!" A silver-uniformed guard approached rapidly, interrupting my tormented deliberations. "We have a situation requiring your immediate attention."

I raised my head, my gaze sharp with renewed focus. "What is it?"

"It concerns the Wolf King's Moon Bride, Lady Adelaide," the guard reported with military precision. "She's currently outside Lady Thalia's chamber, insisting on seeing her. Following your orders, the guards denied her request. But Lady Adelaide is quite... persistent." He chose his words diplomatically. "She claims they are close friends and she must confirm Lady Thalia's safety."

My expression became instantly complex. These two women—one a human princess, the other the High Priest's daughter—both concealed within our very heart. Fate's cruelty in orchestrating such bitter irony was beyond measure.

"Bring her to my study," I commanded with sudden resolve, decision crystallizing in my eyes. "I'll speak with her personally."

As the guard departed to carry out my orders, I remained in the echoing corridor, steeling myself for what promised to be one of the most difficult conversations of my long life. The truth hung between us like a sword—capable of either saving or destroying everything we held dear.