Chapter 20 : The hidden Trap
708 Words
Night had fallen over the palace of Aurelion Kingdom, but sleep did not come easily to anyone inside its walls.
Torches burned along the corridors, and guards stood watch at every entrance. After the battle, the palace had become a fortress.
Aria sat beside the window in her chamber, staring at her hands.
The same hands that had healed her father.
She slowly opened and closed her fingers, remembering the golden light that had appeared earlier.
“It still doesn’t make sense,” she whispered to herself.
A soft knock came from the door.
“Come in,” she said.
The door opened, and Adrian stepped inside.
He looked tired, but his expression softened when he saw her.
“You should be resting,” he said.
Aria shook her head.
“I don’t think I can sleep after everything that happened today.”
Adrian walked closer.
“How are you feeling?”
“Confused,” she admitted. “One moment I’m just a normal girl, and the next I’m healing people with some kind of royal power.”
Adrian leaned against the table.
“The royal bloodline has always carried unique abilities.”
Aria raised an eyebrow.
“So there are others like me?”
“Not exactly,” he replied. “Your power is rare, even among royals.”
She sighed softly.
“Great. That just makes Viktor want me even more.”
Adrian’s face darkened at the mention of Viktor.
“He won’t get close to you again.”
Aria studied him carefully.
“You sound very sure.”
“I am.”
But before she could reply—
The door suddenly burst open.
One of the royal guards rushed inside.
“Your Majesty!”
Adrian straightened immediately.
“What is it?”
The guard looked uneasy.
“We found something near the southern gate.”
Adrian frowned.
“What kind of something?”
“A body.”
Aria felt a chill.
“A soldier?”
The guard shook his head.
“No.”
He swallowed.
“It’s one of our palace servants.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“Take us there.”
Moments later, they walked through the dim palace corridors toward the southern courtyard.
Several guards stood around a figure lying on the ground.
Aria’s stomach twisted when she saw the body.
The servant’s eyes were wide open, frozen in fear.
Adrian knelt down and examined him carefully.
There was a small dagger in the servant’s chest.
But something else caught Adrian’s attention.
A piece of paper clenched tightly in the man’s hand.
Adrian carefully pulled it free and unfolded it.
Aria stepped closer.
“What does it say?”
Adrian’s jaw tightened as he read the message.
“It’s from Viktor.”
Aria felt her heart drop.
“What?”
Adrian handed her the note.
Her eyes scanned the words quickly.
The princess belongs to me.
Soon she will return to where she belongs.
Aria’s hands trembled slightly.
“This is insane.”
Adrian looked around the courtyard carefully.
“This servant was probably delivering the message.”
Aria frowned.
“But why kill him?”
Alexander’s voice suddenly came from behind them.
“To silence him.”
Both of them turned.
Alexander walked slowly into the courtyard, still weak but standing.
“You should be resting,” Aria said immediately.
He shook his head.
“We have a bigger problem.”
Adrian looked at him.
“What do you mean?”
Alexander pointed toward the palace walls.
“Viktor isn’t planning another attack.”
Aria frowned.
“Then what is he doing?”
Alexander’s expression turned serious.
“He’s setting a trap.”
The wind moved through the courtyard as the realization settled over them.
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
“A trap for who?”
Alexander looked directly at Aria.
“For the princess.”
Aria felt a cold chill run through her body.
But somewhere in the darkness outside the palace…
Lord Viktor watched the palace from a distant hill.
A soldier stood beside him.
“Everything is ready, my lord.”
Viktor smiled slowly.
“Good.”
His eyes fixed on the glowing palace windows.
“Soon the princess will walk right into my hands.”
The game had only just begun.
- Writer
