The following days were a blur of whispered conversations and strained smiles. Leorick could feel the weight of the crown bearing down on him more heavily than ever before. The council had begun to grow restless, their patience thinning as they watched the situation unfold. Aelina, with her gentle demeanor and persuasive words, had charmed the members of the council, gaining their favor with ease. They spoke of her with reverence, calling her a "gift from the gods" who could cure him, heal the kingdom, and secure his future.
But Leorick wasn't fooled. Beneath that innocent mask, Aelina was playing a dangerous game. The more he tried to distance himself from her, the more the pressure mounted.
---
Aelina had begun to insinuate herself into every aspect of the palace's daily life. She appeared at the council meetings, standing at Leorick's side like a shadow, her presence unnervingly calm and serene. She had learned how to speak the language of politics, how to sway the minds of the council with carefully chosen words and delicate gestures.
"It's only a matter of time, Your Majesty," she said one evening as they sat in his study, a half-finished scroll before him. "The council grows impatient. They will demand action soon."
Leorick looked up from the scroll, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
She gave him a soft, reassuring smile. "They want you to choose, Leorick. They believe that taking me as your consort is the only way to solidify your reign and heal the curse once and for all. And after all, we're bound by fate, aren't we?"
Her words were coated in honey, but Leorick could taste the bitterness beneath them. Aelina was right: the council had begun pushing him toward that very decision.
---
The pressure came to a head during the next council meeting. The grand hall was filled with the murmurs of noblemen and women, all seated in their respective places. Aelina sat beside Leorick, her expression as calm as ever, while the members of the council spoke in rapid succession, each one advocating for her as the key to Leorick's salvation.
"We cannot allow this indecision to continue," Lord Detrius, one of the more influential council members, stated, his voice firm. "The prophecy is clear, and the High Priest has confirmed it. Aelina is the one who will heal the king. It is time for you, Your Majesty, to make her your consort."
Leorick's grip tightened on the edge of the table, but he remained silent. He had already heard this argument countless times, each repetition wearing down his resolve. The council, with their talk of destiny and power, had no understanding of what it meant to truly make a choice.
"You cannot afford to delay this any longer," Lady Amelia added, her voice smooth but insistent. "Your curse is growing worse with each passing day. Aelina's presence is the only thing that can save you now."
Leorick's gaze flickered toward Seraphine, who stood at the back of the room, her face a mask of composed calm. But he could see the worry in her eyes, the tension in the way she held herself. She was afraid—afraid that Aelina's influence was slowly chipping away at everything they had worked for.
---
Later that evening, after the council meeting, Leorick found Seraphine waiting for him in the garden. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, but her posture was stiff, as though bracing for something.
"You heard them," Seraphine said softly. "They want you to choose. Aelina…" She faltered for a moment, her words caught between frustration and fear. "They don't care about us, Leorick. They only care about power. They think Aelina can give them that."
Leorick took a deep breath, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. He had tried to remain calm, tried to make sense of everything. But it was clear now: the council's pressure, combined with Aelina's manipulation, was starting to break down his resolve.
"They don't understand," he said quietly. "They don't understand what it means to make this decision, to be forced into it."
Seraphine looked at him, her expression softening. "Leorick, I know you. And I know you won't just give in to pressure. But Aelina…" Her voice trailed off, and she met his gaze with a quiet determination. "She's playing a game. A dangerous one. And I fear she's winning."
Leorick's heart tightened at the pain in her voice. "I don't want to lose you, Seraphine. But I don't know how to stop this."
---
The following days were marked by small but significant events that only heightened the tension in the palace. Aelina's influence continued to grow as she inserted herself into more and more aspects of Leorick's life. She would find subtle ways to suggest decisions, giving him counsel on matters of state, even advising him on what was best for the kingdom—always cloaking her words in the guise of concern.
One night, after a particularly heated meeting with the council, Aelina found Leorick alone in his chambers. The door clicked shut behind her, and she approached him with that same soft smile that had charmed everyone she met.
"You're still troubled, Your Majesty," she observed, her voice almost like a purr. "The council grows more insistent with each passing day. They know what must be done. You must take me as your consort, for the good of your kingdom and for the good of your own life."
Leorick stood, turning to face her. "I can't be pressured into this, Aelina. You don't understand. This isn't just about politics—it's about my life. And her life," he added, his gaze hardening. "I won't let you come between us."
Aelina's eyes glinted, and for the briefest moment, the mask slipped. "You think you have a choice? You think your heart is what matters here? You've already made your decision, Leorick. I am the cure. I am your fate."
She took a step closer, her presence almost suffocating. "And you'll soon see that there is no other path for you."
---
As the days passed, the council's pressure became more overt, and Leorick felt the walls closing in around him. He knew he couldn't delay the decision forever. But every time he looked at Aelina, with her calm demeanor and sweet smiles, he was reminded of the danger she posed.
The longer he waited, the harder it became to ignore her influence. Aelina's actions were subtle, but effective—undermining Seraphine's position with every glance, every word, until Leorick began to question whether he could truly trust anyone.
But amidst the growing chaos, one thing was clear: he could no longer stand idle. He had to find a way to stop Aelina's manipulation, to find a solution that wouldn't tear him apart. But he feared that the longer he waited, the more irreparable the damage would become.
And as the council's demands grew louder, so did Aelina's grip on the throne. The stakes had never been higher.