"I would have my assistant leave for Eldrid at noon," Cedric paused, unable to take his gaze away from Adelaide. "He would be here before tomorrow midnight with nothing less than a thousand trained Beast warriors."
"But they are—"
"I would hold them back until my warriors' arrival," Cedric interrupted King Woodshin, sounding so sure of himself.
King Woodshin exchanged glances with his wife before he began. "Now that you are going to be marrying my daughter, does that mean we are no longer going to pay tributes to Eldrid?"
The hall went quiet for a while, everyone anticipating his response.
They can't make the same mistake they made with greedy vampires which is now back to haunt them… now they need to be sure of what they are in, after all they are forming an alliance with the Beasts.
"Your daughter, Adelaide, is the tribute," his words were like a dagger, finding its way into Adelaide.
Maybe her mother wasn't wrong.
Not only was Cedric full of himself but everything about him was annoying. His charmingly handsome face. Purple eyes. Dark brown hair. And the deep scar on his face… was just so annoying to Adelaide.
"Since she is now mine, nothing else matters," he added before standing up. "Let's have the wedding tonight when the moon would be at its best glow," with that, he left the room.
Adelaide's stares followed him out, wondering how she was going to survive as his wife.
Aside from the fact he is a beast, their king, she hates him as a person— everything about him annoys her.
"Adelaide, go to your room so your maid will assist you in washing up," Queen Gloria muttered with a faint smile. "The designers would be there to dress you up and of course, the best flower-bender would come to doll you up," she added, her voice mixed with excitement and sadness.
Since she only had one son, she raised Adelaide like a daughter she never had… but this has to happen to save not just this kingdom but her son's future throne.
"Hmm…" Adelaide nodded before she left for her room, leaving just Queen Gloria, King Woodshin and the Priestess Ize.
A few minutes after Adelaide walked out, Priestess Ize's voice echoed. "Your majesty, the greatest of our time, you know this is wrong. Her star doesn't align with that of King Cedric Greenleaf," she pointed out.
"And how has that got to do with what is happening? Can't you see this is the destiny designed for her by the goddess?" King Woodshin muttered, unable to stand Priestess Ize's sudden complaint. "You said she is our salvation. And this is it. That future you foresaw, it is finally happening."
"You and I know she is never supposed to meet or cross paths with King Cedric! Your majesty, you are sending this child to her doom," Priestess Ize spoke up, her voice filled with tension.
Without waiting for the King's words, she continued, "We need to stop this marriage from happening, your majesty."
"Stop what? Uh? Ize, is it because his majesty has been giving you relevance that is why you are acting all high?" Queen Gloria began, almost blowing up. "Is her fate more important than the fate of thousands of Faes? Without this marriage, everyone, including you, would die! Have you forgotten the same goddess you serve said she is our salvation!?"
"Your Highness, Queen Gloria—"
"Protecting this kingdom and every Faes comes first before the safety of a bastard!" Queen Gloria cut her off and without waiting for whatever words were left of Priestess Ize to say, she walked out.
King Woodshin who was left in confusion couldn't do anything aside from staring. He believes Priestess Ize.
She doesn't lie. Because of her, this kingdom has escaped many dooms and a near-end situation… but this?
"I am sorry, Priestess Ize, it has to happen. I already gave him my words," he muttered calmly. "I hope you would bless their union and pray that the goddess who bound her to such a huge fate to become our Kingdom's salvation, protects her."
"I won't dare go against your words, your majesty," with that said, Priestess Ize walked out.
****
"Your majesty, what if you don't come back?" Eric's voice echoed sharply, staring at Cedric in disbelief.
"If I don't, then that is the god's wish. After all, they decided to let me carry this curse for years," Cedric replied calmly. "If I die, just—"
"You won't. I would make sure you come back to all of us strong like you have always done," Eric said, trying hard not to burst into tears. "I would make sure to be there on time."
"Before you come, I want you to inform Priestess Liz about everything," he instructed. "You can leave now!"
Eric refused to move, his gaze still on Cedric.
After going feral during the last full-moon night, he lost almost all his power. No matter how much he hides it and tries to live like the powerful King Cedric Greenleaf of Eldrid that everyone knew him to be, Eric could see through him.
He knew his friend more than anyone else.
"Can't you just—"
"Eric, leave for Eldrid, now!" Cedric shouted, trying not to get discouraged by him. "I am instructing you as your king not as your friend!"
He is just a few steps closer to breaking his curse and won't let anything or anyone get in his way.
Everything would fall into place after he confirms Adelaide is his mate…