The prince was still bound by the restraining spell Lilith had cast, unable to move entirely, but he carefully watched as she rose from the ground. The fury etched on Lilith's face was terrifying, her eyes burning with pure hatred. She advanced furiously, determined to end the prince once and for all.

  — You think you can defy me, prince?! — Lilith shouted, her voice dripping with venom. — I am not someone who falls to mere tricks! She raised her hands, preparing to unleash a fatal spell, her magic crackling around her like sparks ready to ignite. Yet, before she could deliver the final blow, something unexpected happened. A blinding light erupted from the rune Lilith had inadvertently activated on herself. Her eyes widened in shock, and before she could react, a surge of energy coursed through her body. A powerful jolt struck her like a lightning bolt, forcing her to stumble backward. Lilith screamed in pain, collapsing to her knees as her body convulsed with each attempt to approach the prince.

  — What... what is happening?! — she gasped, trying to advance again, but the slave mark, now fully active, sent another wave of agony through her every time she attempted to use her magic against him. The prince, still trapped, observed the scene with a mix of astonishment and relief. He hadn’t anticipated the slavery spell to work this way, but now he understood. The rune, designed to ensure complete obedience, was punishing Lilith for attempting to harm her so-called 'master' — himself.

  — You brought this upon yourself, Lilith, — the prince murmured, watching as pain consumed her. — This mark... you wanted me as your slave, but now you’re chained by your own power. Lilith fought against the spell, each movement triggering fresh waves of torment, her body trembling uncontrollably. Her rage blinded her, and she couldn’t stop, even knowing she was destroying herself in the process of trying to kill the prince. With every step closer to him, the pain intensified.

  — No... — she growled, clutching the ground, trying to push herself up again. Another shock hit her, even stronger this time, flinging her backward. Her body crashed into the wall with a heavy thud, her scream echoing through the cave. The prince closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, knowing this was the end of Lilith

  — not by his strength, but by what she had become.

  In the castle’s main hall, the tension was palpable. Everything was prepared for Cedric’s coronation, but there was a visible unease among those present. Outside, the crowd gathered at the castle's foot, protesting vigorously, their voices echoing through the halls. “Aemon! Aemon!” The name of Aemon Volcrist was chanted by those who still believed in him, while Cedric’s supporters tried in vain to silence the crowd. Fianna, Edric, and Thorne were in a private room, away from the noise but no less affected by the tension. Their expressions reflected the weight of the situation.

  — How did we get to this point? — Fianna asked, her voice slightly trembling but firm. She rose from her chair, pacing the room with short, nervous steps. — How did everything spiral out of control so quickly? Edric, more serious than usual, looked out the window, observing the chaos unfolding outside.

  — We never thought the prince’s name would still hold so much power. We believed he was dead or, at the very least, forgotten. Thorne, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, seemed thoughtful.

  — The mistake was underestimating what he represents to the people. They see in him something Cedric could never achieve: hope. Cedric may have the title, but the prince has the people’s hearts. Fianna stopped, turning to face them.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  — Where is the king? — she asked, trying to maintain her composure, though the nervousness in her voice was noticeable. Thorne sighed, uncrossing his arms and walking toward her.

  — He refuses to leave his chambers. He says he’s preparing, but I think he’s afraid. Afraid of what’s to come and that this coronation might turn into a death sentence instead of a victory. The silence that followed was heavy. Outside, the chants and shouts grew louder, more intense. The people wanted Aemon, not Cedric, and now it was clear to everyone.

  — The protests are escalating, — said Edric, stepping away from the window to face the other two. — If this coronation happens tomorrow, I don’t know if the castle will withstand the crowd’s fury. Fianna looked down at the floor, as if searching for answers that weren’t there.

  — And what if the prince is truly alive? — she murmured, barely believing her own words.

  Thorne shook his head.

  — If Aemon is alive and returns… Cedric is finished. In Cedric’s private chambers, the atmosphere was entirely different from the tension reigning throughout the rest of the castle. Lady Seraphine was radiant, her eyes gleaming with pride as she watched her husband adjust the ceremonial attire he would wear for the coronation. She approached him with a satisfied smile, gently stroking his shoulder.

  — Finally, Cedric, — Seraphine said in a soft yet content voice. — Everything is falling perfectly into place. Today, you’ll be crowned king, and all those who doubted us will have to kneel before your power. Cedric, standing before a mirror, gave a restrained smile.

  — Yes, finally. — He straightened his posture, admiring his figure.

  —For so long, we’ve had to move in the shadows, calculating every step. Now… now is our moment. Seraphine smiled, stepping closer to him, her eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and ambition.

  — You’ve done it, Cedric. They can protest outside, chant for Aemon all they want, but he’s not here. Today, everything will be sealed. The crown will rest on your head, and no ghost from the past will take it away. Cedric took her hand, kissing her delicate fingers.

  — They don’t understand, Seraphine. — His voice was calm but firm. — It’s not just about sitting on the throne. It’s about establishing a new era. A reign of strength, of stability… something the prince could never offer. Seraphine nodded, her gaze reflecting the same cold calculation as Cedric’s.

  — The prince was a shadow, a broken promise. You, Cedric, are real. You built alliances, forged a solid foundation with the other subdomains. And now, everything is within our reach. She leaned in, kissing him lightly on the lips.

  — Today marks the beginning of our reign, my love. And together, we’ll be unstoppable. Cedric smiled, savoring his wife’s words, her optimism feeding his ego.

  — I always knew that with you by my side, everything would fall into place. — He looked at her, the intensity in his eyes deepening. — Now, nothing can stop us. Seraphine laughed softly, a light sound full of confidence.

  — Nothing, indeed. Today is the day our success becomes official. And the best part… — she leaned closer to Cedric, whispering in his ear — …is that this is just the beginning.