Klein followed Cedric to see Rim but the sorcerer didn't seem excited to see them. He looked like he wanted them anywhere but his home. “Why are you here?” Rim asked Cedric. “I don't understand. We already discussed this, didn't we? I told you I would bring someone for the fortification process and you agreed on it. Why the sudden change of attitude now?” Cedric asked. He didn't the vibe he was getting from Rim. From the look on his face alone, it felt like the man had already withdrawn from the course. “Okay, here's the thing, whatever we agreed on doesn't stand anymore. I can not help you with this. If you have any other problems, feel free to bring them to me but this? Count me out,” Rim said.Klein was relieved to hear it. He already knew this was a bad idea. Thankfully, even the sorcerer saw it that way. “What do you mean by that? Did something happen?” Cedric asked suspiciously and Rim shook his head almost immediately.“Nothing happened. Why would you even think that?” Rim
“I do not wish to remain married to you.”Her words still echoed in his mind hours after he left her cell. He had been too stunned to give any response then so he simply left the cell.He wanted to dismiss her words as a mere bluff but his heart wasn't buying it. Somewhere in his guts, he felt that it wasn't just an empty threat.He sat on his bed, thinking about the recent happenings. In the last few days, he felt lost. Like everything happening around him was beyond his control.Sometimes, it felt like he had no control over his actions either. His mind would agree on something and he would end up doing another.Styles lay on his bed. Whether he was overthinking or not, he knew one thing for sure. He would never let Ivory go. He would never forgive himself if he did.Meanwhile, the eunuch entered while Heli was having her lunch. He heard what happened to her earlier, but since the Emperor was with her, he couldn't come in. Now she was alone, they could talk freely. “My Princess…”
Cedric signaled Klein to enter the opening first. The journey to the mountains took almost a day and now they found an entrance to the mountain cave, Cedric was too cowardly to go in the first time though the whole thing was his idea. “Why do I have to go in first? What if there are monsters in there?” Klein asked.“So what if there are monsters in there? If they devour you, I still have the chance to complete the quest and elevate your family but if I get caught, both you and your family are doomed. Now get in there and stop asking questions!” He said. Klein swallowed his pride and entered the cave. He took careful sluggish steps, scanning the environment and listening closely for any sound or thing that suggested that there was a monster inhabiting the cave. On sighting nothing, he proceeded further into the cave and Cedric followed closely. “Hello?” Klein called and Cedric slapped his shoulder. “What?”“Have you lost your mind? Don't you know yelling will alert whatever is lyin
Are you in or not?Klein and Cedric stared at each other for more than a minute then took a good look at her. “I'm sorry but do you have any other conditions? Maybe monetary or… anything else, we would be more than willing to oblige,” Cedric hoped to reason with her.His little attempt went sideways and Darell picked offense.“Are you trying to insult me? I know I am not the prettiest woman alive but you don't get to threaten me like I am the ugliest being you have come across," she growled at them. They exchanged helpless glances. She was indeed the ugliest creature they've set eyes on.“We didn't mean to offend you but we really need your help and your condition is a tad bit ridiculous. I am married and I cannot see myself laying with another woman other than my wife. I love her that much," Cedric said, shocking Klein. Darell’s attention shifted to Klein. “I am engaged and my fiance… “"Enough of the insult! If I were a strikingly beautiful woman, would you remember that you ha
“Are you sure she can help us? I wouldn't want our journey down there to be a waste. The energy used up in climbing those mountains would help us find seven sorcerers," Ivory mumbled as she saddled the horse.“I've never known you to complain so much," Ragi chuckled. “I need to. My back still hurts," she mumbled. “I am positive she can help us, Your Highness. This will not be a waste of time, I promise," he assured her. “However, if it is, you might just have to suck it up." Ivory shot him a glare and the man rode away laughing. The journey to the mountain was not as stressful as she thought it would be. Probably because they were riding a horse and Ragi knew the shortcuts perfectly well. There were no annoying misdirections of any sort and they moved at a very steady pace. She was barely hungry by the time they arrived at the mountain even though it was nightfall already. “Should we like announce our presence so she doesn't mistake us for mountain lions and throw a fireball at
“I know all the dresses are beautiful but I need you to pick one for me. I promise to wear anything you pick whether I like it or not," Heli told Styles. “I'm not sure I agree with that. This is our wedding day and I believe it should be your happiest day. It is only right for you to pick whatever you want," Styles declined. Heli shook her head, demonstrating her disagreement but Styles wouldn't budge. His mind was not completely in the event. He was more worried about his Empress.Since she was released from custody, he wasn't opportune to see her. It wasn't because he was busy. He had gone to her chambers several times to see her but he couldn't find her there. A few times, he panicked that she was gone but when he asked the guards, they informed him that she was with Ragi. Why was his wife spending more time with the general than him? It was obvious that she was doing it on purpose to avoid him. “Are you even listening to me?" Heli’s question pulled him back to reality. “You s
Something drastic was happening. She couldn't control the rapid transformation going on within her body. Her nails grew longer, darker, and sharper. Her pretty face was gone, tearing apart to give way to the horned monster hidden within her. Screams erupted as the crowd scurried away. This wasn't the wedding they were expecting. Hell, no one expected the gorgeous princess to be secretly a monster. Styles remained frozen on the spot, stunned to disbelief. Ivory got off her seat, shocked by the revelation. How did this monster get past the border? She hurried from her seat and grabbed her husband to move away from Heli. Heli struggled to control whatever was happening within her but it was stronger. For some reason, the demon just wanted to break free from her body, ruining everything she'd worked so hard to secure in the last couple of weeks. “Why are you just staring? Somebody bind her! A monster like this shouldn't be let out," Someone yelled out but no one dared to step forwar
Darell took the moment of distraction to launch her last attack and the demon hit the floor, shifting back to Heli's fragile form.Cedric released a deep breath and scrambled off the floor. “What is wrong with you?! Have you lost your damn mind?! I could have been killed!!" He screamed at the General.“So what?" Ragi retorted. “My duty is to ensure the Emperor's safety at all times, not protect you. If you had gotten in there, so would hundred others and eventually the monster!" "Are you even listening to yourself? A good Emperor would be more concerned about the safety of his people…” Cedric started."And a good General is more concerned about the safety of the Emperor. I guess we are even now,” Ragi finished. With nothing left to say, Cedric stormed away. Ragi stayed behind to examine the damage. More than half of the guests were severely injured and a few of them dead. Darell walked over to Heli's body and turned it over. “What do we do with her now?" Ragi asked. “What do you