Micheal stared at himself in the mirror, tugging uncomfortably at the stiff green formal shirt clinging to his frame. It matched a pair of equally obnoxious green pants. He hated dressing up—formality made his skin crawl—but Jasmine had been stubborn, insisting he wear something “proper” for the princess’s coronation. She’d even picked the suit herself, claiming it "matched his eyes," though Micheal was pretty sure her real goal was to make him look like a walking tree in front of the entire kingdom.
?
?“You done in there yet?” he called, knocking on the bathroom door.
?
?A muffled, irritated voice replied, “Nearly. Some of us actually bathe, y’know?”
?
?Micheal rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips. His heart pounded faster just thinking about today. After six months, he’d finally see Lily again. Would she still see him as the boy she'd grown up with? Would Angelica be there? Had she even kept in touch?
?
?Why hadn't Lily responded to any of his letters? And why was she getting married so suddenly?
?
?His head swam with unanswered questions, but every single thought evaporated when the bathroom door creaked open.
?
?Jasmine stepped out.
?
?Draped in a flowing green dress that shimmered like fresh leaves in spring, she looked like something out of a dream. The fabric hugged her form elegantly, her arms peeking through delicate, translucent sleeves. Her hair was styled in a way that was uniquely her—wild, free, yet beautiful in its chaos. She looked a little nervous as she smiled and gave a soft twirl.
?
?“How do I look?”
?
?Micheal’s breath caught in his throat. He blinked, his mind blank, his throat dry. Somehow, he managed to meet her eyes.
?
?“G-good... y-you look stunning,” he stammered, his face burning.
?
?Jasmine flushed at the sincerity in his voice, her own heart fluttering unexpectedly. Maybe it was the way he looked at her—like she was more than just beautiful. Smiling softly, she stepped closer.
?
?“And... you look pretty dashing too,” she murmured, placing a gentle hand on his cheek.
?
?He covered her hand with his, the other wrapping around her waist.
?
?“I’ve got you to thank for that,” he whispered, his gaze dipping briefly to her lips.
?
?Just as he leaned in—
?
?Ahem.
?
?Aki’s voice cut through the moment like a blade. Micheal instantly pulled back, suddenly finding the floor very interesting. He could practically feel the weight of Aki’s disapproving gaze.
?
?Jasmine let out a tiny sigh, the red on her cheeks deepening. She tried to play it off with a nervous smile.
?“A-ah... Aki. We were just getting ready.”
?
?“Mm-hmm. Ready,” Aki said, clearly unimpressed. Dressed in a sharp black suit, his dark hair was tied neatly back into a ponytail, his beard freshly trimmed for once. He looked like he belonged at a royal court.
?
?“You... uh, look good,” Micheal mumbled, not quite meeting his eyes. There was still something apologetic in his tone, as if trying to say sorry for falling for the man’s sister.
?
?Aki raised an eyebrow, his stern expression faltering just a bit. He gave Micheal a once-over.
?
?“Ah... thank you,” he said slowly, brow furrowing. “I’d say the same, but... that’s a peculiar color for a suit.”
?
?“Jasmine picked it, actually—”
?
?“Peculiar means good, of course,” Aki cut in quickly, giving Jasmine a smile that was surprisingly warm.
?
?“Thanks, Aki,” she said softly, returning it.
?
?“Are y’all ready yet?” Knox’s voice rang from the hallway, followed by his impatient face peeking into the room. He wore a tailored black coat trimmed with gold at the cuffs and sides. His mask was nowhere in sight, and his hair—hopelessly messy—remained wild no matter how much it was combed.
?
?“Uh, yeah, just a second!” Jasmine turned back to the mirror, applying a few final touches.
?
?She then slipped her arm through Micheal’s. The two shared a quiet smile. Knox rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed by the romantic moment, while Aki—despite himself—allowed the corner of his mouth to curl upward.
?
?He still didn’t fully approve of Micheal, but seeing his sister happy... that, at least, he could be grateful for.
?
?
?************Lily*********
?
?Today was the day.
?The day her fate would be sealed.
?
?She was to be promised to a man she didn’t love—no, a man she couldn’t love. Her heart burned. She had cried so much there were no tears left. Outside her chambers, the palace buzzed with excitement, the sounds of celebration and preparation echoing through the halls like funeral bells in her ears.
?
?She hadn’t allowed anyone to see her. Sleep had barely come, and even when it did, it brought no peace. Her hair was styled neatly, her makeup immaculate, and her blue dress was tailored to fit her perfectly. But to her, it didn’t feel like a gown. It felt like a shroud.
?
?She had no one to blame but herself. For not standing up to her father. For letting him dictate her path. For not listening to Axel when he’d begged her to leave with him.
?She wished she could turn back time.
?To stay by Axel’s side.
?To tell Micheal and Angelica how much they meant to her.
?To cherish every second she had with them.
?To confess to Knox.
?
?But those thoughts—those regrets—meant nothing now.
?Now, she had to smile for the crowd.
?Smile as she married a man who made her skin crawl.
?Smile as the man she wanted sat somewhere in the audience, watching.
?
?Would Micheal look at her the same?
?Would Angelica be there?
?Would either of them even care anymore?
?
?She stepped to the window and pressed her hand against the cool glass. The morning sky was beautiful, birds chirping sweetly in the trees. It was all so vibrant. So alive.
?And yet, she had never felt so empty inside.
?
?“Princess…”
?The voice was sharp—too charming, too smooth.
?
?She turned slowly.
?
?There he stood. The man she was to marry. Mark.
?Why wasn’t he with the guests?
?Why was he here, now?
?
?He stepped into the room, his crown glinting under the chandelier light. He wore a tailored light blue suit, a smug smile stretched across his face.
?
?Something about that smile made her stomach twist.
?
?She straightened. “Mark... is there something you need?”
?
?“Not at all,” he replied, his gaze sweeping slowly over her body before locking eyes with her. “You look... quite pretty.”
?
?There was something in his voice. A possessiveness that made her skin crawl.
?
?“I have an early wedding gift for you,” he added, stepping closer. “If you’ll follow me.”
?
?Her stomach sank. Every instinct screamed no, but her legs moved on their own. She swallowed hard and nodded.
?“R-right. L-lead the way.”
?
?His smile grew smug—victorious, even—as he turned and led her out. They walked in silence through the palace corridors, but instead of heading toward the grand hall, he turned downward. Toward the dungeons.
?
?Each step down the stone stairs made her heart beat faster. The stench of rot and decay grew thick, choking the air. She covered her nose with one hand, glancing around in discomfort.
?
?“What... exactly are you trying to show me?” she asked, her voice quivering.
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
?
?“We’re almost there.”
?He didn’t look back.
?
?They stopped at a rusted, grilled door. Mark turned to her with that same mocking smile and pulled it open.
?
?Inside...
?
?Lily’s breath hitched. Her knees gave way, and she grabbed the frame to steady herself, her breath coming in short, shallow gasps.
?
?Slumped against the wall…
?...was Mariah.
?
?Her faithful maid.
?The girl who had stood up for her.
?
?Her uniform was soaked in blood. Her pale skin looked grey under the dim torchlight. Her mouth hung open in a silent scream, and—
?
?Her eyes.
?
?Her eyes were gone.
?Gouged out, leaving only gaping, bloody sockets.
?
?A scream tore from Lily’s throat, but it came out as a broken sob. She collapsed to her knees, crawling to Mariah’s side. Her fingers trembled as she touched her cold, clammy cheek.
?
?“No… no... Mariah... please…”
?Tears streamed down her face, smudging her makeup into streaks, but she didn’t care.
?
?This wasn’t real.
?This couldn’t be real.
?
?She turned slowly to face Mark.
?He was still smiling.
?
?“W-why?” she choked, her voice trembling.
?
?Mark crouched beside her, taking her chin between his fingers in a mockery of tenderness. His touch made her flinch.
?
?“To show you who’s in charge,” he said softly, with poison in his words. “Where I come from, people like her? Without cursed blood? They’re less than insects. They have no place in my kingdom up north. And soon, they’ll have no place here either.”
?
?His words were acid.
?She wanted to scream, to claw his face, to rip the smirk off his lips.
?
?“You… you’re a sick, twisted monster,” she spat, her voice shaking.
?
?His smile faltered briefly. “No. You’re the naive one. Too stupid to see the truth. We’re gods among mortals. The sooner you realize that, the better.”
?
?She shook her head in disbelief, her throat tightening with grief and rage.
?“She was a person. She had children… a family...”
?
?“Not for long,” he replied coldly. “I’ve taken care of that too.”
?
?Her blood ran cold. Her body trembled violently now.
?And then—he stepped closer.
?
?He shoved her against the wall, trapping her between his arms, his breath hot on her cheek.
?
?“Now… don’t you think I deserve a present too~?”
?
?Her eyes widened.
?“Get off me! I’ll kill you! My father will execute you, you disgusting pig!”
?
?Mark just laughed. “Your father? He wants us to lay together. Last night, in fact. He’s quite impatient for an heir. You really think he cares about you?”
?
?“Lily…?”
?
?The voice was faint—familiar.
?
?Her heart froze.
?
?She turned her head, and there, in the doorway—his eyes wide with horror, his body tense with disbelief—stood Axel.
?
?His hair had darkened entirely, not a trace of pink left. He wore a simple coat and boots, not dressed for the occasion. His expression was unreadable.
?
?Until he saw Mariah.
?Until he saw Lily.
?Until he saw Mark.
?
?Then, everything in his face shattered.
?
?The sorrow.
?The apology he’d come to offer.
?The regret.
?
?It all faded.
?
?Replaced by one thing.
?
?Pure, burning rage.
?
?
?Axel’s jaw tensed, his eyes darkening.
?He stepped forward—slow, deliberate—until he stood face to face with Mark.
?
?The prince's smug expression faltered.
?Just for a moment.
?Then the smirk returned.
?
?“Well, well, well... if it isn’t the disgraced—”
?
?He didn’t finish the sentence.
?
?Axel’s fist collided with his chest, the impact erupting with a shockwave that cracked the air. Mark flew backward, slammed into the wall, and crumpled to the floor, gasping for breath.
?
?Axel turned to Lily, his eyes softening for just a second.
?“Are you alright?”
?
?Lily’s body trembled, tears cascading down her cheeks.
?
?“I-I’m okay... b-but... he... he killed her... he killed Mariah.”
?Her voice cracked. She sounded exhausted—broken. She buried her face into Axel’s chest as sobs wracked her body.
?“H-he killed her…”
?
?Axel closed his eyes tightly, pulling her into his arms.
?He rubbed her back slowly.
?“It’s okay... I’ve got you now. I’m sorry I left. I’m sorry I—”
?His voice faltered, overcome with emotion.
?
?She shook her head, her grip on him tightening.
?“N-no... I’m sorry... I-I didn’t listen... I-I…”
?
?Mark groaned on the ground.
?
?Axel’s expression hardened instantly. He gently eased Lily away and stepped forward.
?
?“Lily,” he said quietly. “Stay back.”
?
?She nodded and took a step behind him.
?
?Mark stood, blood trailing down his chin, the smirk slowly creeping back. Thin shards of ice coalesced around his trembling fingers.
?
?With a flick of his hand, they shot toward Axel.
?
?They tore through his coat—
?—but didn’t leave a scratch.
?
?Axel kept walking.
?
?Mark’s eyes widened. Fear flickered in them now.
?
?He formed ice over his knuckles and lunged, throwing a punch at Axel’s face.
?
?The ice shattered on contact. Axel didn’t flinch.
?
?He cocked his arm back—and slammed his fist into Mark’s stomach. The prince doubled over with a gasp, launched off his feet, slamming into the ceiling before crashing back to the stone floor.
?
?He twitched, struggling to rise—
?—and Axel’s foot slammed into his chest like a battering ram.
?
?Mark screamed, breathless, limbs shaking, gasping for air. He tried to crawl away.
?
?Too slow.
?
?Axel was already in front of him.
?
?His hand grabbed Mark’s jaw, gripping tightly—but not tight enough.
?
?“You think you can come into my kingdom... touch my sister... decide who lives and dies?” Axel’s voice was calm—deadly calm.
?
?“I-I just—”
?Another punch silenced him. Blood splattered.
?
?“You purists think you’re invincible. You think you’re gods.”
?Axel’s grip tightened. Mark whimpered, choking.
?
?“But everyone bleeds the same color.”
?
?He drew back and hit him again.
?The dungeon shook.
?
?Lily stood frozen. Watching.
?Horrified.
?Relieved.
?
?Mark tried to speak. Tried to beg. One of his eyes hung loose, his mouth twisted and broken.
?
?“W-what... are you?” he whispered, wheezing through blood.
?
?Axel leaned in, his voice a low growl.
?“I’m Axel.” another punch seems to shake the entire dungeon, "I'm a brother" another punch "a prince...but above all I'm human... unfortunately the same can't be said about you."
?
?He lifted Mark by the throat, then drove a knee into his gut. More blood spilled.
?
?“You’re a pathetic little ice summoner—a water subtype. I bet you’ve never fought a fair fight in your entire life.”
?
?Mark gurgled, unable to answer. Only one terrified eye stared back at Axel.
?
?Axel grabbed his face between both hands.
?
?The prince’s eyes widened in horror.
?
?“P-please... please, no... I’m sorry! I’m sorry—!”
?
?“You... are beyond redemption.” the prince's eyes widen one final time as he realizes just how badly he messed up.
?
?Axel’s hands crashed together.
?
?A sickening crack echoed through the dungeon.
?
?The prince’s body dropped to the floor.
?Lifeless.
?Faceless.
?
?
?
?
?
?
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