Kathy remained quiet throughout the journey. So far, nothing crazy had happened, and she prayed it stayed that way. She tried her best to stay calm, though everyone inside the carriage looked scared out of their minds.
She studied the Althreaze citizens escorting them.
They didn't look like monsters.
That was what everyone called them.
Monsters.
Ever since the Forbidden Forest had been discovered—or rather, revealed because of the Althreaze—the world had never been the same. The Althreaze possessed supernatural powers no ordinary human could explain, and somehow their existence drew spiritual forces into the human world. Things that had no business crossing into the physical realm suddenly became real.
Just like that, their perfectly normal world had turned into a damn fantasy no one believed could exist.
"I hope you're feeling well, Princess."
The Althreaze escort spoke from outside the carriage.
He walked alongside it with several attendants, making Kathy and her servants jump at the sudden sound of his voice.
"I'm doing well. Thank you," Kathy replied, hoping he couldn't hear the slight tremble in her voice.
Come on, Kathy. Where did all that confidence from earlier go?
"Try to relax. Nothing bad is going to happen. You're marrying Prince Damian, after all. You'll be safe in the royal palace."
Kathy simply nodded and forced a smile.
He was polite enough.
Maybe not all of them were obsessed with killing and bloodshed.
"What is His Highness really like, if you don't mind me asking?" Kathy asked.
Martha immediately shot her a nervous look.
"Well..." The man scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I think that's something you'll have to find out for yourself."
His answer came a little too quickly.
Before Kathy could ask another question, a deafening roar echoed through the forest.
Everyone froze.
The roar came again.
This time even louder.
"What was that?" one of the servants whispered.
Then they saw it.
A gigantic black beast burst out from between the trees.
It was unlike anything any human had ever seen before.
Everyone screamed.
Some servants ran.
Others instinctively stayed close to the Althreaze escort.
Without saying a word, he stepped in front of Kathy.
It was obvious he intended to protect her no matter what.
Kathy didn't know whether to be grateful... or curse the Althreaze for dragging her into this nightmare.
"What the hell is that?" she shouted.
"I can't believe they're getting loose again," he muttered, completely ignoring her question.
"Stay behind me. I'll deal with this."
Kathy blinked.
Deal with it?
He had just called that enormous monster something he could simply deal with.
The next second, he shot forward.
His speed was terrifying.
He leaped high into the air and landed on top of the beast.
The monster roared furiously, trying to throw him off, but he was even faster. He dodged every attack before driving his blade deep into its chest, refusing to let go even as the creature thrashed violently beneath him.
Kathy could only stare.
Nothing about this was normal.
Nothing.
The forest slowly grew darker, making the fight even more terrifying to watch.
Within moments, it was over.
The beast collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.
Dead.
The Althreaze warrior landed gracefully before them as though killing a monster that size was nothing out of the ordinary.
"My Princess, this is our chance!" Martha cried, grabbing Kathy's arm. "Please, let's run!"
The other servants immediately nodded in agreement.
The Althreaze man's expression darkened.
Then—
He disappeared.
A split second later, he was standing right in front of them.
Everyone flinched.
No one even dared to breathe.
For a terrifying moment, they thought he was going to kill them.
"My Princess," he said calmly, "please return to the carriage. That was only a minor distraction, and I'm not about to report that I lost you because of a mere grunn."
Kathy was still too shocked to move.
Seeing that, he gently took her hand and led her back to the carriage himself.
Martha clenched her jaw but quietly followed behind.
She wasn't foolish enough to argue with a man who had just killed a monster that size all by himself.
The journey continued.
"What is your name?" Kathy asked after a long silence.
"Zain."
"
"Zain..." she said quietly. "Can you please explain what just happened?"
Zain let out a sigh.
He had expected that question.
He only wished she hadn't asked it.
"That was nothing."
Kathy frowned.
"That wasn't nothing. And stop acting like any of this is normal, because it's not."
Her voice rose before she realized it.
"Fine."
He glanced ahead before speaking again.
"Some people don't agree with your marriage. They've decided to place a few obstacles in your path."
"But trust me."
"I won't let anything happen to you."
"What people?" Kathy asked, horrified.
Obstacles?
Obstacles her foot.
Someone had just tried to kill her.
Just great.
"You'll meet them soon enough," Zain replied. "But they aren't important. They're no different from the grunn."
His calm confidence was strangely reassuring.
After all...
She had just watched him kill a monster with his own hands.
Dylan sighed, rubbing his temple.
He needed to stop this wedding.
Somehow.
Before he got answers, there was no wedding.
Why was Damian being called a prince?
His brothers would've laughed before allowing that.
Which meant they weren't here.
Where were they?
And which genius decided their idiot cousin deserved a title?
The old man?
The King?
A knock came at the door before Gilbert stepped inside.
"Prince Damian." Gilbert bowed. "His Majesty ordered that you settle things with your female companions before the wedding."
"Who arranged this marriage?"
"Your father, my prince."
"Why?"
Gilbert frowned.
"Lord Eric said he had a plan to eliminate a threat."
"I heard you the first time."
Gilbert stiffened.
"My prince?"
"I asked why."
Gilbert lowered his head.
"Lord Eric refused to explain. He only ordered that you marry the daughter of King Ethan of Garthan's First Queen."
Dylan looked at him for a second.
"So you know nothing."
"My prince..."
"What threat?"
Gilbert hesitated.
"We... aren't permitted to speak his name."
"And yet you're managing to say everything except it."
Gilbert swallowed.
"You ordered anyone who mentioned his name to be executed."
Dylan stared at him.
"I did?"
"Y-Yes, my prince."
"Hm."
He leaned back.
"Then whoever made that order had terrible timing."
Gilbert blinked.
"My prince?"
"You're still avoiding the question."
Gilbert's throat went dry.
"If I say his name... you'll kill me."
Dylan looked at him.
"If I wanted you dead, we'd be done talking."
Gilbert fell silent.
After a long pause, he finally whispered,
"...Prince Dylan."
Dylan's eyes twitched.
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"There."
"I was beginning to think we'd grow old in this conversation."
The door opened before either of them spoke again.
A young maid stepped inside and bowed politely.
"My prince, I've come to help you prepare. Your bride will be arriving shortly."
Gilbert recognized her at once.
He wisely decided his day had already been eventful enough.
"I'll see to the remaining preparations, my prince."
Without another word, he bowed and quietly left the room.
The maid watched him leave before turning back to Dylan.
A pleasant smile crossed her face.
"Shall we begin, my prince?"
She stepped closer and reached for his coat.
Dylan didn't object.
His thoughts were elsewhere.
She carefully removed his coat, then his shirt.
Her fingers lingered against his chest before slowly trailing lower.
Her smile widened.
Just as her hand was about to wander somewhere it shouldn't—
Dylan moved.
His hand shot out and caught her wrist.
The smile vanished from her face.
"My... prince?"
A sharp twist.
"Ahh!"
Pain shot through her arm as she cried out.
"I-I'm sorry!" she pleaded, tears gathering in her eyes. "I only thought... I thought you wanted one last round before your wedding."
Dylan looked at her without the slightest change in expression.
"So you guessed."
The maid blinked.
"I..."
"And somehow convinced yourself it was a good idea."
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
Dylan sighed.
"I almost envy your confidence."
Another twist.
A crack echoed through the room.
The maid screamed.
"So the little dummy shares his bed with servants."
He sounded more disappointed than angry.
"What remarkably low standards."
He released her.
She immediately stumbled back, clutching her wrist as tears streamed down her face.
Before either of them could speak again—
The door opened.
Another young woman entered.
Her eyes briefly fell on the injured maid, yet she showed no concern.
"Leave us."
The maid didn't need to be told twice.
She hurried out, still holding her injured wrist.
The woman turned back to Dylan, her expression already filled with hurt.
"Damian..."
"How could you?"
"You're getting married."
"What about me?"
She stepped closer.
"What am I supposed to do now?"
Dylan studied her for a brief moment.
Then he spoke.
"Hold that thought."
She frowned.
"...What?"
"The man who just left."
"Who? Gilbert?"
"Right."
He snapped his fingers.
The woman froze.
Her eyes rolled back.
She collapsed onto the floor before she could say another word.
Dylan didn't bother catching her.
He glanced at the unconscious woman and let out a quiet breath.
"...Much better."
Finally.
Someone in the room had stopped talking.