Chapter 145: The Journey Begins
The room went silent before Ivan spoke. "Evelyn’s power awakening...that’s what must be driving her desperation. At first, she probably thought that Eve not having her powers would be enough to secure her son’s position. But now that she has awakened her abilities, she would be recognized as a true royal in her kingdom, someone born to rule."
"Hm...that makes sense. Speaking of powers, how is her training going? Made any progress?" Damien asked, curiosity in his voice.
"She’s gotten much better at controlling them," Ivan said, a proud smirk curving his lips. "It’s safe to say that anyone who goes up against her should be very careful... or else they’d better be ready for her retribution."
"Ah! Look at you, being such a proud teacher!" Damien laughed, staring at Ivan.
"Hm, what can I say...I have a brilliant student," Ivan replied proudly.
Damien chuckled, while Alex smiled, watching his prince and Princess Evelyn’s relationship progress steadily.
...
Later that week, everyone gathered at the academy grounds, only to be greeted by Professor Dante’s blinding grin, the kind that could curdle blood faster than a cursed potion. Students exchanged silent looks of dread, cursing their luck; it had to be him leading the trip.
"Ah, my lovely victims...uh, volunteers!" Dante announced, his crimson eyes glinting with manic delight. "What a perfect morning to risk your lives in the name of education! Don’t look so tense, I’ve only lost a few students on my past trips." He tilted his head with mock innocence. "And technically, one of them came back... mostly."
Professor Seira, standing beside him, rolled her eyes, recognizing that he was clearly enjoying himself, and decided not to interfere.
Dante clapped his hands once, startling the students. "Now!" he said brightly, watching them flinch. He cracked up laughing, which only made the students look at him more warily. When he finally stopped, he continued, "A couple of things I’d like you all to keep in mind.
Firstly, there will be two pairs in each carriage. The journey is long, so get comfortable. We’ll be stopping by an inn tonight and should reach our destination by noon tomorrow.
Secondly, stay together. Do not wander off unless you’d like to be abducted by the dark forces. Barriers will only cover our carriages and the places where we gather. Step beyond them, and whatever happens next is entirely on you.
Thirdly, if you see anything moving in the forest bushes, look away and do not chase it. That’s the only way to stay alive."
He flashed them his megawatt smile, and Cece muttered under her breath, "He looks so happy."
Eve pursed her lips. "He sure does."
"Well, he’s out to have fun," Damien quipped.
Soon, the academy’s gates yawned open, and multiple carriages entered one after another, making it look more of a spectacle to see so many entering one after another. When they stopped, there were two carriages that stood out more than others, one belonging to the Silver family with their family crest on it and another one, of course, belonging to the crown prince of the kingdom, holding the proud crest of the royal kingdom of Versailles.
Students soon started boarding their carriages, when Ivan stepped next to Eve and extended his hand, "Shall we?"
She gave him a soft smile and placed her hand on his without hesitation.
Cece said, "We’ll be riding in our carriage; Oliver and his partner have decided to come with us."
Ivan was about to step forward when he paused, "Damien, you’ll come with us."
Damien rolled his eyes, "I would only promise not to choke me with your lovely dovey stuff."
Ivan just ignored him and headed to his carriage, and paused to help Eve step in first before he sat next to her, then Damien stepped in.
Soon, the journey began to the Kingdom of Dartmouth, not knowing what awaited them.
....
The rhythmic clatter of hooves echoed across the forest trail as the carriages made their way down the winding path that would eventually lead to the human kingdom. The sun was shining bright, unaware of the threads of fate slowly tightening around them, the students laughed, chatted, and bickered in their carriages as they made their way, hoping for a pleasant trip.
While somewhere far away, in the heart of the Kingdom of Dartmouth, a different kind of stillness reigned.
Inside a grand chamber bathed in sunlight, Prince Valen Kaine lounged on a velvet sofa, one leg lazily crossed over the other. The light shone across his sharp features, the kind of face that made charm look effortless and danger inevitable. A half-filled glass of red wine rested on the table beside him, its surface trembling faintly as he unfolded a sealed parchment.
His pale green eyes glinted as he read the message sent by his aunt, Queen Elara of Luminear:
"Preparations are underway. The princess will arrive soon. Keep her entertained and remember, Valen, some things are best handled with charm before they’re claimed by force."
A smirk tugged at his lips as he leaned back, twirling the letter between his fingers. "Ah, dearest Aunt Elara," he murmured, his voice smooth, laced with quiet amusement. "You do have a way with words. But you make it sound as if she’s a prize to be tamed."
He picked up his glass and had a sip from it when his pale green eyes moved to the side table, where a portrait of a woman with ethereal beauty lay open. He placed his glass back on the table before picking up the portrait.
"Princess Evelyn.." he said her name as if already tasting her name, his greedy eyes took in her beautiful features as he traced his fingers over them, "Let’s see what kind of a person you truly are...It would certainly be a waste to hand you over to mother too quickly" he drawled but there was something sinister lurking beside his lust filled eyes.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Enter," he said in a lazy voice, not even making an effort to look up.
The heavy oak door opened, and an older man stepped inside: Lord Renwick, his most trusted advisor and the only person bold enough to address the prince without fear. His silver-streaked hair and calculating eyes spoke of experience earned through decades at court, the kind that made him invaluable and dangerous in equal measure.
Renwick bowed lightly. "Your Highness, I see you’ve received Her Majesty’s letter."
Valen hummed. He placed the portrait back down while picking up the parchment to twirl it idly between his fingers. "Mm, Aunt Elara never fails to amuse me. She speaks of alliances but drips her words with desperation. It seems our dear queen is running out of moves."
Renwick’s mouth twitched into a faint, knowing smile. "Desperation, perhaps. But it’s a useful kind. People are forced to take extreme measures that may or may not end in our favour."
"True," Valen mused, setting the letter aside and standing gracefully. He walked toward the tall window, gazing out at the sprawling expanse of the palace surrounded by the thickness of the forest. "The princess of Luminear," he murmured, his features lit up in strong sunlight. "Born royal, raised a weak little thing, and now suddenly awakened to power. A dangerous combination if she has the mind to use it."
Renwick clasped his hands behind his back. "The girl’s awakening is...troublesome. Some say she may be the strongest in her line. You would do well to tread carefully."
Valen turned slightly, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Carefully? My dear Renwick, I don’t tread carefully around lions. I make them kneel."
The old man sighed, though there was a trace of fondness behind his caution. "You say that now, but power like hers doesn’t bend easily. And if her protector, the Crown Prince of Versailles, is half as ruthless as the rumours claim-"
Valen’s smirk deepened. "Ruthless, protective, and head over heels for her, or at least that’s what some are saying...which makes him predictable. If those rumours aren’t true, then there is no problem to begin with. I can tame that beauty."
He turned fully then, his tone smooth but edged like a blade hidden under silk. "If the princess is as strong as they say, she’ll intrigue me. If she’s not..." He shrugged carelessly. "Then she’ll serve her purpose until she doesn’t."
Renwick inclined his head. "And the queen’s request?"
Valen walked over to his minibar and poured himself another glass of wine, the crimson liquid catching the light like blood. "To charm the princess? Oh, I’ll do more than charm her," he said, taking a slow sip. "I’ll find out what kind of golden dove Prince of Versailles has been hiding..."
Renwick said nothing more; he knew better than to question the glimmer of danger that lived behind the prince’s smile.
Soon, another knock interrupted their conversation. The smirk on Valen’s face deepened, "Enter."
This time, it was Jareld, his right-hand man, escorting a beautiful lady who was dressed in a revealing dress. Renwick saw her and said, "Well, if you’d excuse me, Your Highness, I need to go see the queen next."
