Cedric walked through the crowd with his assistant to the spot designated specially for high lords and invited kings.
Shin-ey might be a kingdom with the weakest creatures, but it is the most beautiful kingdom. The flowers, soothing fragrance, decorated hall, and the energetic display of magic, love, and dance were definitely worth the journey from far kingdoms.
"King Cedric, I wasn't expecting you to grace us with your presence," King Woodshin muttered calmly.
Seeing King Cedric of Eldrid kingdom meant only one thing to him— alliance.
"I have heard a lot about the Fae's annual festival," Cedric paused, a faint smile on his face. "It turned out the festival wasn't just a fantasy and tale. It exceeded my expectations."
"Thank you so much for coming all the way from Eldrid," King Woodshin muttered, his voice laced with excitement. "While you are here, I will make sure you enjoy your stay. Whatever you need—"
"Whatever I need?" King Cedric cut him off, his gaze calculative.
"Yes. Anything, King Cedric."
"I need your daughter," Cedric's words made King Woodshin's eyes widen, the high lords eavesdropping on their conversation not left out.
Everyone was shocked. A king like Cedric, feared and respected by every being from werewolves, werelions, vampires, Faes… can never need a cursed Fae.
To some, they would rather die without a wife than take in Adelaide as a wife.
"King Cedric, I don't get you," King Woodshin said, his voice weak.
"For there to be an alliance between your kingdom and mine, I have to marry your daughter, Adelaide," his voice vibrated in the hall with certainty.
From the look on his face, King Woodshin knew he meant every word.
"But that wasn't our agreement, King Cedric. Besides, my daughter is already betrothed to King Stefan," King Woodshin explained, hoping King Cedric would stick to their initial agreement.
Giving out his daughter to King Cedric in the name of marriage was the last thing he wanted to do, especially given the rumors about how his wives died.
According to his kingdom priest, Adelaide is a gift from the goddess. She is Shin-ey's kingdom salvation.
"I changed my mind," his voice was calm, yet sounded arrogant. "It is either you let me marry your daughter or forget about the alliance between our kingdoms."
"I give you three days to think over this," he added before he stood up. "King Woodshin, I would like to rest now."
King Woodshin signaled his personal guards to follow Cedric.
After watching Cedric leave, he turned to face the high lords who were all staring back at him with a curious look on their faces.
Before King Woodshin could attempt to talk about Cedric's demand, a warrior rushed in, interrupting the peaceful ball.
He was bleeding, his clothes torn, bruises all over his body.
"Your majesty, my lords, the vampires are heading to the mainland. They already killed our men," his words were like fire, sending everyone into chaos, the once peaceful ball now circulating with panic. "I am the only one who survived. The others died."
Before King Woodshin, who was deep in his thoughts, could speak, one of the high lords spoke up.
"Your majesty, this isn't the time to delay. If they are approaching the mainland, that means they would be breaking through our defense wall," the words were like daggers, tearing deep into King Woodshin's heart.
If the vampires break their defense wall, Shin-ey would be a bloodbath.
"And if that happens, they might erase us before King Stefan comes to our aid."
****
After cleaning the makeup off her face, she left for the ball. This time, she isn't walking in there with her stupid fantasy.
"Princess Adelaide, where have you been? I have been looking for you everywhere," Isla's question echoed the moment she stepped into the hall.
The hall, which was full of Faes, everyone dancing with their heartthrobs and rejoicing, was now empty. There wasn't a single person in the hall except she and Isla.
"Where is everyone?" Adelaide asked curiously.
"The vampires are close by. In three days, they would be in the mainland," Isla informed her, confusing her even more. "The vampires want to kill every one of us because of the double tribute payment the king refused to pay them."
"But—"
"Princess Adelaide, let's save this conversation for now," Isla cut her off. "Your father wants you in his chamber."
With that, Isla walked out of the hall.
Adelaide left for her father's chamber, many questions on her mind. Among the questions is why her father summoned her presence?
It's been five years living in this kingdom as a princess, not for once has he invited her to his chamber.
She snapped out of her thoughts upon reaching her father's chamber. After the guards announced her presence, she walked in.
Her gaze moved from her father, who had a strange look on his face, to her stepmother.
"Adelaide," her father called out, his voice weak.
"Father, are you sick?" She asked sharply. "If you allow me, I am going to try—"
"Adelaide, I am not sick," King Woodshin interrupted her. "This is beyond sickness… I am about to die. Everyone in Shin-ey is about to die…"
This time, King Woodshin wasn't holding back. Tears were pouring down his face, his voice shaking.
"The vampires are closing in and will get to the mainland in three days' time," her stepmother, Queen Gloria, spoke up.
"But—"
"Adelaide, our strongest batch of warriors who went to fight the vampires are reported dead," her father's voice sent chills down her spine. "The only one who can save me, and everyone in this kingdom is you, Adelaide."
"Father, what are you talking about?" She asked, unable to make sense out of everything her father just said.
How is she the one who can save their kingdom when everyone is in great danger?
"King Cedric of Eldrid kingdom would only form an alliance with us if he marries you," King Woodshin explained. "He is the only one who can save us from the hands of the vampires."
"King Cedric, the king of beasts?" Adelaide asked to be sure if her memory isn't playing tricks on her.