Chapter 8
Hybrid's Secret: Protecting the Crowned Enemy
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Alric stormed into his father's chamber, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. His heart pounded as he came face-to-face with King Authur, who sat behind his desk, reviewing papers with a calm that only fueled Alric's frustration.
Without looking up, the king removed his glasses and spoke. "Alric, what are you doing here? The wedding is about to start. You should be with your bride, not interrupting me."
Alric stepped closer, his voice steady but firm. "Father, I need to speak with you."
The king's brow lifted in mild surprise. He leaned back in his chair, gesturing for his son to continue.
"I don't want to marry Princess Ava," Alric said, the words spilling out with conviction.
The room fell silent, the air thick with tension as King Authur's expression hardened. He stood slowly, his voice low and cold. "What did you just say?"
"I don't love her," Alric repeated, his voice unwavering. "I'm not a child anymore. You can't decide who I marry. I won't go through with this wedding, and it's better to cancel it now, before it's too late."
Before he could finish, the king's hand shot out, striking Alric across the face. The slap echoed through the room, leaving Alric stunned.
"How dare you say such foolish things?" King Authur roared, his face darkening with anger. "Do you have any idea how many kingdoms have gathered to celebrate this union? You are a prince, Alric, and you will marry a princess. That is the law!"
Alric's cheek stung, but the pain was nothing compared to the anger boiling inside him. He reached up, removed the crown from his head, and placed it firmly on his father's desk.
"If that is the law," he said quietly, his voice steady but filled with defiance, "then I don't want to be a prince anymore. I'm not a boy, Father. I'm a man, and I refuse to marry someone I don't love."
As he turned to leave, his father's sharp voice cut through the air. "You are my son, Alric, and I make the rules. You will marry Princess Ava, and that is final."
Alric froze in place, his fists trembling at his sides. His father's words rang in his ears as he stormed out of the chamber. Anger consumed him, and as he passed the stone wall of the corridor, he lashed out, punching it with enough force to leave his knuckles bloodied and the stone cracked.
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Meanwhile, the wedding reception was in full swing. Laughter and music echoed through the grand hall, but Cater lingered in the shadows, his gaze fixed on his aunt. She raised her glass in his direction, her sly smile sending a fresh wave of anger through him.
He wanted to act, to stop her, but every move carried a risk. If he revealed her, he would reveal himself, and if he did nothing, Alric would be lost to her forever.
"Cater," Jane's voice pulled him from his thoughts. She appeared beside him, her expression cautious.
He turned to her, guilt flickering across his face. "Jane, I…" He hesitated, then reached for her hand. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you earlier. I was wrong. Can you forgive me?"
Jane studied him for a moment before her features softened. She nodded. "It's fine, Cater. But we don't have time for this now. What are you going to do? Your aunt is about to marry Alric while pretending to be Princess Ava. I know you won't let that happen. Do you have a plan?"
Cater hesitated before nodding. "I'll need your help," he said quietly.
Jane tilted her head, her expression both wary and determined. "Whatever it is, I'm in."
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Alric stormed down the dimly lit hallway, his footsteps echoing loudly against the stone walls. The king's refusal to listen churned in his mind, each thought feeding the fire of his anger. The idea of marrying someone he didn't love made his chest tighten painfully.
The lights flickered suddenly, then went out, plunging the corridor into darkness. Alric froze, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his sword.
"Who's there?" he called, his voice steady despite the unease creeping up his spine. "Show yourself!"
The sound of footsteps echoed from the shadows, slow and deliberate, growing louder with every passing second. Alric gripped his sword tighter, his knuckles turning white.
"Come out!" he shouted. "I am Prince Alric, and I'm not afraid of you!"
Before he could react, a heavy blow struck him from behind. Pain shot through his body as his vision blurred, and then everything went black.
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"Did you really have to hit him so hard?" Cater hissed, glaring at Jane, who stood holding a wooden stick.
Jane shrugged, lowering the stick. "Hey, this was your idea. You said, and I quote, 'Knock him out.' I just followed orders."
Cater sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "Let's just get him somewhere safe."
They lifted Alric's unconscious body and carried him to a hidden room deep within the castle.
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Back at the reception, King Authur sat at the head of the table, his expression darkening as he realized Alric was still missing. He gestured to the guards, who returned moments later with nothing to report.
Just as the king stood to make an announcement, Princess Ava rose gracefully, placing a gentle hand on his arm.
"It's alright, Your Majesty," she said sweetly. "He's probably just nervous. I'll go find him."
The king hesitated before nodding, and Ava left the reception, her calm demeanor masking the malice bubbling beneath the surface.
Her steps echoed softly as she entered the darkened hallway, her sharp eyes scanning the shadows. Once she was certain no one was watching, her lips curled into a sinister grin.
"I know you're here, nephew," she said, her voice cutting through the silence. "I can smell you."
A faint noise behind her drew her attention. She turned to find Cater stepping out of the shadows, a sword wreathed in flames gripped tightly in his hand.
"I warned you, Aunt," Cater said coldly, his fiery gaze fixed on her. "I won't let you marry Alric. No matter what."
Her smile widened as her form began to ripple and shift. Her eyes darkened to black, her skin stretching and twisting as she transformed into her true demon form. Claws sprouted from her hands, and her voice deepened into a guttural growl.
"Oh, Cater," she mocked, stepping closer. "Do you really think you can stop me? You're just a child playing with fire. It's time someone taught you a lesson."
The tension in the air thickened as the two faced off, neither willing to back down. Just as Cater braced himself to attack, another figure stepped forward from the shadows.
"I don't think he needs to learn anything," Jane said firmly, her voice cutting through the tension. She stood beside Cater, her stance unshaken. "But you definitely do."
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