Vampire Prince's Hybrid Princess

Revealing truth

“I can’t believe she just kicked me out of our room!” Edwin whined for the umpteenth time. Eli had been struggling too hard to control his laughter for the past hour.

“It’s rituals, Edd,” Eli replied, adjusting Edwin’s long, designer split tunic.

“Why can’t I see my mate before the coronation? What kind of freaking rituals are these?” Edwin groaned in frustration. “And why are you grinning like that?” he asked, looking at Eli with narrowed eyes, who started laughing, holding his stomach, unable to stop himself anymore. “What’s so funny?” Edwin barked out.

“You—God, Edd, it’s the freaking first time you grumbled about any rituals,” Eli commented in between his laughs. When Eli was able to control his laughter, he remarked, “Stop worrying, Edd. Mom is there to help her. She will just be fine,” Eli reassured Edwin, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Now, why are you smirking?”

“You just call her mom,” Edwin pointed out. Eli gave a shrug.

“Well, she raised me. Even though she isn’t my biological mother, she did everything she could for me,” Eli added, wearing a little smile.

“What’s up with the long face?” Edwin asked with raised brows.

“Edd, do you think Emmanuel Roberts is planning something?” Eli’s question caught Edwin off guard. Edwin hadn’t thought about it before when his father called him the other day to discuss his coronation. Was he planning something? “He isn’t someone who gave up on power so easily,” Eli added.

“I… I don’t know, Eli. Is-is it a part of his plan—the coronation? Why haven’t I thought about it before?” Edwin freaked out, rubbing his face with his palm. “What am I gonna do, Eli, if he tries to hurt her?” He bleated, raking his fingers through his hair.

“Edd… Edd, calm down. If it’s part of his plan, then we need to be careful. We will protect her. We will protect her with our lives, Edd,” Eli assured him. “Well, I am going to go check on her,” Eli said, seeking an excuse to see his cupcake.

“No! You can’t see her before me,” Edwin grumbled.

“Edd, it’s your coronation, not mine,” Eli reasoned.

“Still, you can’t,” Edwin argued. He didn’t want Eli to see his little fairy first, not out of jealousy but more because he knew his little brother. If Eli saw her once, he would keep bragging about it, and that’s what would annoy him.

“Edd,” Eli addressed Edwin incredulously. “You can’t possibly be jealous, right?” Edwin shrugged without responding. Eli reluctantly sighed. “Fine!” Eli muttered under his breath. “But someone needs to check on her,” he mumbled, expecting Edwin to say yes.

“She is perfectly fine. I just mind-linked her,” Edwin said with a smug face.

Eli glared at him and muttered, “Now, I am jealous.”

*******

“You look stunning. I can only assume my son’s going to have a hard time out there,” Michel teased Veronica, looking at the reflection in the mirror in front of them.

“Michel…” Veronica groaned, hiding her face in her palm. Michel only laughed at Veronica’s embarrassment.

“Now, now, now, don’t ruin my efforts,” Michel said, removing Veronica’s hand from her face. “What happened? Where’s the glow vanished?” she asked Veronica worriedly, looking at her face.

“Michel, I am… nervous,” Veronica stammered. “Will I be a good queen?” She asked Michel. “What if they don’t like me? What if… what if I disappoint them?” Veronica freaked out.

“Hey, come on, sweetheart. I understand your concern, but you don’t need to worry. You will be the perfect queen, and they will love you.” Michel comforted her patiently. “Now, I have something for you,” Michel said, placing a necklace on Veronica’s neck.

“Wow, it’s gorgeous. Thank you, Michel,” Veronica gushed, watching her reflection in the mirror.

“Not more than you, though. You’re welcome. It’s an heirloom. It’s been descending for centuries. It belongs to Queen Catherine, the greatest queen in history. And the necklace suits you; it’s as if she passed it down only to you,” Michel said softly.

“Is she the one who lost one of the battles?” Veronica asked, brushing her fingers over the necklace gently.

“Yes,” Michel replied with a deep sigh.

“Can you tell me more about her?” Veronica requested her. Michel couldn’t resist her pleading eyes.

“History says Queen Catherine was a warrior. She was brave and feisty. She fought numerous battles side by side with her mate, but unfortunately, they lost one. And it was the start of their downfall,” Michel stated.

“Did…did her mate think of her as a weakness?” The question was eating Veronica from the inside. She desperately wanted to know the answer.

“King Karlos? No, he didn’t, but the elders did. So did her own people—for whom she sacrificed the luxury of being a queen—become warriors. She couldn’t take the insult and committed suicide,” Michel continued. “On the other hand, King Karlos couldn’t bear the loss of his mate. He went into a rage, killing his coven members. Later on, he took his own life too. Then his son took over the kingdom. And after that, fated mates are considered a weakness, and the queens are forbidden from the battle arena and the royal meetings as well,” she concluded, Veronica’s eyes clouded with unshaded tears. “Don’t… Don’t let a single drop of tears out of your eyes. You are going to ruin my beautiful art,” Michel threatened her.

“I think the rules are going to be changed. My son won’t forbid you from anything. He will let his queen blossom; let her extend her wings in the open sky,” Michel added, looking at Veronica’s face. The mention of Edwin brought a smile to her face.

“Your Highness, Crown Princess, the ceremony is about to begin. Your presence is needed there,” Amaya informed them.

“Alright, I need to go. She will take you to the court,” Michel told her, pointing to Amaya. “No need to be nervous, 'cause you need to make my son nervous,” Michel whispered to her ear and left, kissing her forehead. Veronica’s cheeks reddened in embarrassment. How could Michel do this to her!

“You really look stunning,” Amaya complimented her.

“Thank you,” Veronica said, giving her a quick hug. But Amaya stiffened. “Amaya, what happened? Is something wrong?” Veronica asked her worriedly.

“You are going to be a queen. How can you hug a low-life servant like me?” Amaya sniffled.

“Amaya, don’t say that. I consider you my sister, you know,” Veronica said softly, caressing her cheek.

“You’re really gonna be an awesome queen,” Amaya said, wiping away her tears. “Let me take you to the court.”

-------------

Edwin was standing at the altar, waiting for his queen to join him. The Elders, Royal members, and the former king and queen were already present in the court. Everyone’s eyes turned to the door as the large double door opened, and she stepped inside the royal court.

A long white floral gown covered her soft, creamy skin; her face was glowing with a radiant smile. She was elegant in her own way. Her stunning looks left everyone in the room speechless. Edwin gave his all only to stop himself from rushing to her, ripping her dress into pieces, and taking her in front of everyone.

‘Do you know what you are doing to me?’ Edwin whimpered in her mind.

‘What?’ she asked innocently.

‘I am lucky enough to wear a tunic today,’ Edwin mumbled, earning a giggle from Veronica. ‘Don’t laugh. Else, I will take you right here,’ Veronica gasped upon hearing his warning. They stopped mind-linking as the king cleared his throat.

“We gathered here today for the coronation ceremony of my elder son. Now I present to you your future king, Edwin William Roberts. Let the coronation begin!” The room filled with cheers as Emmanuel announced the beginning of the ceremony.

Emmanuel walked onto the altar and stood right in front of Edwin. A servant handed him a knife; he cut his palms and dropped the blood into a bowl. Then he handed the knife to Edwin, who did the same. Their blood mixed inside the bowl, and Edwin needed to drink it to complete his coronation. But just as he was about to drink the blood, a loud voice stopped him.

“This ceremony needs to stop!” the burnet, Rebeca, shouted. All the heads turned in her direction—some were surprised, some were confused, but most of them were annoyed.

“Rebeca, you dared to interrupt the royal ceremony?” King Emmanuel Roberts barked at her. She instantly kneeled down and bowed her head.

“Forgive me, your highness. But I have a gift for our future king and queen,” she stated, smirking at the end. The exact moment a girl stepped inside the room. Eli, Edwin, and Veronica’s eyes widen at the sight of her.

“Clara,” the name came out as a whisper from Eli’s lips. He stood in front of her in the blink of an eye. “What the f**k are you doing here?” he hissed at Clara.

“I told you, you will pay for it. It’s payback time, Eli Willard Roberts,” Clara retorted with a smirk.

“Don’t. I am warning you. I will destroy your pack,” Eli growled, gritting his teeth. Clara scoffed.

“Don’t worry. I have already sealed a deal to save my pack,” she said, sharing a glance with Rebeca, wearing an evil smirk. She stepped aside from Eli, facing the king. Eli opened his sword and placed it on her neck. There was no way in hell that he was going to let her ruin everything.

“Eli, step back. Let’s hear what she wants to say,” Emmanuel commanded Eli. But he didn’t step back.

“There’s nothing important she wants to say, Father. You continue the coronation. I will deal with her,” Eli stated, dragging Clara out of the room.

“I. Said. Let’s. Hear. What. She. Wants. To. Say,” Emmanuel growled, emphasizing each word, casting an immobilizing spell on Eli. “You, speak,” he commanded Clara.

“Your Highness, you were looking for the hybrid princess, right? I have information about her. She is none other than your son’s beloved mate,” Clara revealed, pointing to Veronica. Emmanuel turned his head in Veronica’s direction. Edwin pulled her behind him, shielding her from his father. The king narrowed his eyes at Edwin.

“Father, I can explain. She means no harm. She is innocent,” Edwin tried to reason. Emmanuel Roberts’ anger grew several notches as Edwin spoke.

“You betrayed me,” Emmanuel growled at his son. The intensity of his voice had shaken the room. “I asked you to find the hybrid princess, and you...you protected her?” he roared. “Guards, capture them, and bring her to me,” the king ordered his guards.

Edwin pulled out his sword and held it towards the guards. “If you touch her, consider that you touched my sword,” Edwin growled at them. Eli broke free from the spell and joined Edwin, hiding Veronica between them.

Emmanuel’s laughter echoed through the room. “It looks like my two sons are totally whipped,” he snickered. “What are you standing for? Imprison all of them,” he ordered.

Sam and Jace, who were standing there, startled, joined Edwin and Eli, surrounding Veronica with their own swords. “Samuel, Jason, what do you think you are doing?” The king ranted, narrowing his eyes.

“Protecting our future king and queen,” Sam replied.

“Kill all of them if you need to, and bring me the hybrid princess,” Emmanuel Roberts ordered his guards.

Veronica was standing there, surrounded by her four protectors. She needed to do something, she couldn’t just watch them die for her. So she centered her energy and created an illusion for the guards, controlling their minds. Edwin took the chance, built a circle of fire around them, and threw a fireball at the king, creating smoke. Then he shouted out, “Eli, do it now!”