Ryden’s POV

Nothing. I feel absolutely nothing, even as I stand at the edge of the room staring at the people who are supposed to be my family in a cold place that is supposed to be my home.

It used to hurt, but eventually, my heart became numb. The picture of the perfect family they paint is always at the cost of erasing the irreversible stain, which happens to be me.

I pay them no mind as I walk off and head down to the only place that holds any warmth left in this castle. I ignore the obvious stares and whispers of the servants and just focus on my destination.

And just like that, I arrive there. I open the door to the small room that I use as a memorial room for my mother. As the queen, she should have been buried in the ancestral hall, but that woman said she didn’t want any woman to be by my father’s side except her in life and in death. And so, only this little room was allowed.

The Shadow Empire always allowed visitation for mother and father, but only mother came. Only she cared for me. Her only crime was loving a man who wasn’t worth it.

I make my way to her portrait that lays in the middle of the small room and sit beside it to speak to her.

“Mother, I understand you, I really do. I have someone I love now, and I’m sure you would love her as well. She is someone I could do anything for.”

I look up to the gentle smile on her face.

“But if you knew that after giving him your heart essence, this would have been the result… would you still have done it? Would you still have loved him and tolerated his mistress and bastard children? Mom, you didn’t deserve any of the things these people did to you. That woman now strides like a queen. She changed everything. Everything you worked hard to build, she changed it all.”

I adjust one more time.

“Mom, the girl I love is the found daughter of the Shadow Empire, and it kills me whenever I think this way, but… if she hadn’t been found, I wouldn’t have to come back to this place. Am I starting to become as bad as him? I don’t want to turn out like him, I really don’t.”

But before I could continue, Father barges in.

“Ryden, we need to speak.”

I look at him, utterly shocked and surprised. This man has never once entered this room, and the first time he ever did, he showed such disrespect. And as if that wasn’t enough, that woman follows behind him and enters as well.

“Ryden, I said we need to talk. Did you not hear me?”

It takes everything in me to stop myself from the things I want to do to my father.

“Mother must be rolling with regret in her grave.”

“How dare you! If not for that woman using her familial power to suppress me, do you think she could ever stand by my side as queen?”

“She did that ‘cause she loves you! And she loved the people. When she was alive, that was the most prosperous the Dragonian Empire has ever been. But instead of honoring her out of basic respect or courtesy, or even for the fact that her only son went as a hostage to another empire for you yet you refuse to put her in the ancestral home. You refuse to pay respects to her, even in this small place. And now, you even carry the woman she despised most and disrespect her only resting place! What kind of king, partner, or even man are you? She was tolerant of you when you brought the first bastard child and even the second! She looked the other way even though you gave her biological child away ‘cause of your favoritism and fear of my greater power! And still, she diligently stayed with you, helped you, honored you. You aren’t actually worthy of all that she gave!!”

I find myself yelling, all that pent-up anger coming out.

“Look, son, your mother forced the marriage. Your mother forced your birth. And your mother insisted on keeping you. So if you want to have hatred for anyone, blame your mother. ‘Cause when she should have given up, she decided to be persistent. I used to respect her as a great warrior, but once she started resorting to petty tricks and separating me from the one I truly love, I held nothing but hate for her. So if you wish to see me show respect or remorse for her or her memory, then you shall wait for centuries to come. And as for giving you away, maybe next time or in your next reincarnation don’t be born to such a mother.”

His voice drops dangerously low as he speaks.

“And one more thing, son the girl you love has engaged with the Demon Empire in order to save herself. For the council meet, I will take you alongside your brother. I hope you do not act as shamefully as your mother clinging when you are meant to let go.”

And with that, he walks off, leaving me on the floor utterly shocked. And for the first time in so many years, I allowed myself to shed tears. As for the exact reason, I don't even know. Maybe hearing him confirm what I always knew. Or the thought of what my mother might have endured. I don’t know what exactly made me cry.

It is the day of the council meet two days after the confrontation between me and my father and I guess I am still in denial, ‘cause I refuse to believe Miri would be with Draven. She promised. She promised me. She wouldn’t do that to me. I keep assuring myself as I walk around in small circles in the ancient land’s castle where the meeting shall hold, waiting for the rest to arrive before anything can start.

Slowly, the guests start to arrive. My family was the first, then the demons, the headmaster, and lastly, the Shadow Empire entered. But apart from the king, Miri, Alira, and the princes I saw the Grand King. He actually came.

The Grand King of the Shadow Empire is a highly respected figure, so his presence alone means that they already have everything sorted out. And I find myself confronting the truth and reality of it all.

Miri might really have gotten with Draven.

“Welcome, dignitaries of the united empires. I am the headmaster of the academy, and as you all know, we are here on the topic of Princess Velmorne’s expulsion based on her reckless actions,” he leads. “For centuries, that border has been kept in place, but the princess has single-handedly destroyed that said barrier. Not only has she disrupted the learning institute, such power could be detrimental to the balance between all empires. That is why this council has been held to allow the leaders to decide if they believe Princess Velmorne would be an asset that should be trained, or a disaster that could cause the destruction of the balance we have worked so hard to protect.”

“Objectively speaking now, as much as she is a danger, I believe with training she could also become an asset worthy of our ancestors’ favor. But in accordance with protocol, the decision is now in your hands.”

And with that, he sits down to allow the rest to make a decision. Normally, two empires out of the three have to agree with ironclad proof as to why they believe she won’t be a threat or danger.

The Grand King stands up first.

“My granddaughter is careless in her words and actions, but she knows loyalty and has experienced tragedy that has taught her how important control is. She would never intentionally harm innocent lives. And as the situation has proven, she would go to the end of the earth to protect her own people. Such a child shouldn’t be condemned, but instead should be led in the way that is considered right.”

My father speaks up next.

“In all things, we consider balance. She is loyal to her people, but she has no reason to consider the rest of the empires as her people. What if she decides to disregard the rest of us and use her immense power to allow the Shadow Empire to stand on top of the rest of us? We have no guarantee as this incident shows, she has no issue killing the Dragonian people.”

“Princess Velmorne is wise in her words and actions. She wouldn’t dare do what you think she would. And as for alliance, she is engaged to my son and will eventually become the Demon Empire Queen. And the Shadow family practically raised your youngest son and are extremely close with one another. These bonds and friendships are enough to know she would be an asset to the balance and peace we keep. I, as the ruler of the Demon Empire, rule against her expulsion.”

“I, as the ruler of the Dragonian Empire, rule in accordance with the expulsion plea.”

“I, as the Grand King of the Shadow Empire, rule against her expulsion.”

“Now, by the power put in me by the people and ancestors, I hereby cancel the expulsion notice and instead change her punishment to joining the workers in fixing the barrier, instead of enjoying this unprecedented break with the rest of the students. Does everyone agree with this given punishment?”

And everyone nods in agreement.

“Then this council meet is adjourned. Feel free to move at your own discretion.”

As he starts to leave the venue, and so do the others, I run to catch up to Miri so we can talk.

“Miri, wait. Hold up.”

As I catch up and grab her arm, it earns me looks from every member of the Shadow family.

“Ryden, do you need something?”

Do I need something? She says that so effortlessly as if her engagement wasn’t just announced, as if all the moments we shared weren’t real.

“Don’t you have something you want to say or explain to me at all?”

“Look, Ryden, the engagement with Draven was to get the support of the Demon Empire so I could ensure the safety of my family. I am aware that it will hurt you, but I will not apologize for prioritizing my family first over some unconfirmed feelings. I do hope you understand, ‘cause you are someone I enjoy having in my life.”

I laughed. A full-blown laugh. I guess I just had to laugh at myself for being so stupid. Knowing her character, what exactly was I expecting?

“I think I might have disturbed you. I apologize. I have nothing else to say, so I shall excuse myself first.”

I turn to walk away, even though I can feel the stares full of pity Alira keeps throwing my way.

I need to organize my thoughts, ‘cause I refuse to give up on Miri or at least, I refuse to give her up to Draven. Any other man but him. Even though only I know the reason for my hatred of Draven, I do have a reason.

And he is not someone who deserves to spend his eternity with Miri.

And I will make sure that doesn’t happen.