~~~~~
Felicia hesitated for a moment before she finally spoke up. Her voice trembled, her words barely audible.
"It's about the man from my past I told you about a few days ago…the mafia lord I refused to marry...before I was sold to you," Felicia began, her eyes welling up with tears.
Nelson's gaze locked onto hers, his expression softening. "Tell me, Felicia," Nelson urged, his voice gentle and welcoming.
Felicia's tears spilled, streaming down her face. "It was actually.. Ry...Ryker," Felicia whispered, her voice cracking.
Nelson's face darkened, his jaw clenched. "King Ryker?" Nelson exclaimed, his voice thundering.
Felicia nodded, her head bowing.
"How is that even possible?" Nelson exclaimed in confusion. He was having a difficult time wrapping his head around what Felicia had just said.
She went on sobbing softly as she spoke. "I am certain that it is one of the reasons he is so determined to destroy you and take over your kingdom," Felicia confessed, her voice laced with despair.
Nelson's grip on Felicia tightened, his arms enveloping her in a possessive manner. "He'll never take you from me," Nelson vowed, his voice fierce and laced with resolve.
Felicia's heart swelled, for some reason, his words sounded so reassuring and soothing to her, calming her edged up nervous wreck of a system.
But Ryker's obsession fueled his rage, his darkness deepening.
War loomed closer than they could imagine, its shadows creeping.
Nelson's armies prepared, their steel sharpening.
And now, Felicia's past secrets equally fueled Nelson's resolve to take Ryker down at any cost.
To protect Felicia, Nelson would stop at nothing. His determination hardened, his heart burning with vigor.
"I'll defeat Ryker, no matter the cost," Nelson declared.
It was evident that Felicia was gradually growing to love Nelson.
In Nelson's arms, she found solace. But Ryker's threat lingered, a specter haunting.
Regardless, their love would face its greatest test.
The next day, Nelson, his generals, and his council men had scheduled a meeting to strategize on how they would attack Timma, Ryker's kingdom in two days' time.
Nelson had particularly requested Felicia's presence at the meeting. He had gradually come to terms with her wits and intellectual prowess hidden beneath the innocent appearance.
Nelson's advisors urged immediate and tactical action. "Felicia, you're the key to Ryker's motives," Nelson said.
Felicia's determination hardened. "I won't be the reason for your downfall," Felicia declared.
The army commander rose up, voice quaking with fierceness. "Don't worry, my queen. We will certainly defeat Ryker. I assure you."
That night, the night sky transformed into a kaleidoscope of fiery hues, as if the heavens themselves were set aflame, as Ryker's armies unleashed their wrath upon Nelson's kingdom. Ryker's armies decided to take advantage of the cover of night to strike.
The surprise attack caught Nelson's forces off guard. Luckily, they had also been preparing for a surprise attack on them. Unfortunately, Ryker's armies had beaten them to it.
Cannons boomed, their thunderous roar shaking the very foundations of the earth, sending tremors through the hearts of Nelson's brave soldiers.
Flames engulfed the outskirts, casting a golden glow that seemed almost divine, yet held the ferocity of hell's inferno.
Felicia's heart raced as cannons blasted and men shouted. Her heart pounded in her chest as Nelson's soldiers rushed to defend.
Nelson stood tall, his sword shining with an otherworldly light, its blade etched with the promise of victory.
"Protect the kingdom!" Nelson roared, his voice a lion's mighty bellow that echoed through the chaos.
Turning back, with his face set in determination, Nelson ordered his guards, "Get Felicia to safety, right now!"
Felicia refused. "I won't leave you!" Felicia protested.
Nelson's eyes blazed. "Go!" Nelson sternly commanded.
As guards dragged Felicia away, she saw Ryker's soldiers breach the palace gates.
Clashing steel rang out, a symphony of war that echoed through the night.
Nelson's men fought valiantly, their valor unwavering like a beacon in the darkness.
Ryker's warriors poured in, a relentless tide of steel and fury.
Eira, disguised as Ryker's loyalist, fought alongside his soldiers, her heart heavy with the weight of deceit.
Her secret alliance with Nelson weighed upon her conscience like an unseen anchor.
She subtly sabotaged Ryker's efforts, weakening his flank with precision.
Nelson's forces gained ground, their momentum building like a tempest.
Ryker's face twisted in rage, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Take Nelson alive!" Ryker bellowed, his voice a torrent of malice.
Eira's eyes met Nelson's, a fleeting glance that spoke volumes.
A hidden message, a promise of loyalty.
Nelson's forces pushed, their resolve unshaken.
The tide turned, the battle's momentum shifting like a restless tide.
Ryker's armies wavered, their resolve crumbling.
Nelson stood victorious, his sword raised high.
Felicia by his side, her love shining brighter than the stars.
Their love shone brighter, a beacon in the darkness.
In the battle's aftermath, Eira approached Ryker.
"Well played, Your Majesty," Eira said, her voice laced with deception.
Ryker's eyes narrowed, suspicion simmering.
"You're loyal, Eira," Ryker said, his tone a mixture of curiosity and distrust.
Eira's smile hid her treachery, a mask of loyalty.
"For now, Your Majesty," Eira replied, her words dripping with hidden meaning.
Ryker's suspicion simmered, unaware of Eira's true allegiance.
Nelson and Eira's secret alliance remained hidden, a delicate dance of loyalty and deception.
Nelson and his men had fought relentlessly and valiantly, and they had conquered Ryker.
But a lot of damage had been done to the kingdom, so he surely could not launch a surprise attack on Ryker. No! He would have to first rebuild his kingdom.
The kingdom gradually comes alive again. Hammers ring out, saws cut through wood, and artisans craft their magic.
Just as the kingdom regains its life, the love that blooms between Felicia and Nelson gains ground.
Nelson's eyes which were once troubled, now sparkle with warmth.
Felicia's touch ignites a flame within Nelson. His heart, once hardened, now beats softly with love.
Together, they oversee the rebuilding. Hands entwined, hearts connected.
Night falls, and the kingdom twinkles like stars.
Felicia and Nelson sit on the palace balcony, surrounded by the night's peacefulness.
Nelson's fingers gently caress Felicia's skin. Her lips curve, inviting his kiss.
Their love burns brighter with each passing moment.
But as they gaze into each other's eyes, a messenger rushes in.
"My king, a mysterious figure lurks at the kingdom's border," the messenger warns....