The next few days were a blur of confusion and restless nights. Elysia couldn't shake the conversation she'd overheard between Malcor and Seraphine. There were pieces missing, like a puzzle she couldn't quite solve, but she knew one thing for sure—the queen's hold on the kingdom was weakening, and Malcor seemed to be at the center of it all.
After that night, Dante had made it clear he wasn't going to let her out of his sight. Every time she tried to slip away to investigate, he was there, watching her with those sharp eyes of his, as if he knew she had her own plans.
"Why are you always following me?" Elysia had snapped one day, her frustration getting the better of her as she caught him lingering by her chamber door.
"I'm protecting you, Princess," he had answered, his tone more serious than usual. "The palace is more dangerous than you realize."
It was hard to argue with him, especially given the whispers she heard late at night about people disappearing, the sudden illnesses that struck those who were loyal to the queen, and the odd incidents of magic gone wrong.
But there was one thing that gnawed at her—the conversation between Malcor and Seraphine had promised something darker, something more dangerous than mere political games. She had to find out what Malcor meant by replacing the queen's magic, and she had to do it without drawing too much attention to herself.
That evening, as dusk settled over the palace, Elysia received an unexpected visitor. She had been walking through the garden, the moonlight casting a soft glow on the flowers, when a shadow slipped between the trees.
Malcor.
She barely had time to react before he was standing in front of her, his dark eyes piercing through the night.
"Princess," he said, his voice smooth, as though they had met under far different circumstances. "I didn't expect to see you here."
Elysia stood still, her heart pounding. She wasn't sure if she was more surprised by his sudden appearance or by the fact that she hadn't yet run away. It was almost like she was waiting for him to say something that would finally make sense of all the tension between them.
"What do you want?" she asked, her voice tight but trying to hide her unease.
Malcor's lips curved into a faint, almost mocking smile. "I want to offer you something."
Elysia arched an eyebrow, skeptical. "I don't trust you, Malcor."
"You shouldn't," he replied, stepping closer. "But I do offer something you might need—information."
She stiffened. "Information about what?"
"The queen's decline is not a simple matter," Malcor said, his tone taking on a more serious edge. "Her power is fading, and it won't be long before someone takes her place. Perhaps you'd like to know how that affects you."
Elysia's stomach tightened. This was what she had feared—Malcor had a plan, and it involved much more than just protecting the queen's power.
"I'm listening," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Malcor took a step closer, his dark aura almost suffocating. "You are tied to the Veil in ways you don't fully understand, Princess. Your bloodline is entwined with the magic that sustains the queen, but your power... it's unique."
Elysia felt a cold shiver run down her spine. "What do you mean, unique?"
Malcor's gaze darkened, and for a moment, Elysia saw something in his eyes—a flicker of something that might have been pity, or perhaps desire.
"You can help her," he said, his voice low, almost hypnotic. "Or you can destroy her."
Elysia swallowed, her mind racing. Was he offering her a way to end the queen's reign? To take her power? The idea was both terrifying and strangely tempting.
"And why would I help you?" she asked, her voice defiant. "You've already made it clear that you want to take her power for yourself."
Malcor's lips curled into a smirk, but there was no warmth in it. "I never said I wanted it for myself, Princess. I want what's best for the kingdom. The queen is weak. Her magic is corrupted. You, on the other hand... you have the potential to be something much stronger."
Elysia recoiled, feeling a chill settle over her. "What are you asking me to do?"
"I'm not asking you to do anything," he said smoothly. "I'm offering you a choice. Stand by the queen's side, or join me and seize control. The decision is yours, but choose carefully, for once you make it, there's no going back."
The silence between them stretched long as Elysia considered his words. This was more than a game of politics—it was a battle for power. And in this battle, she had no idea where she truly stood.
"I need time to think," Elysia said finally, her voice steady despite the chaos swirling inside her.
Malcor didn't move, his eyes never leaving her face. "You have all the time in the world, Princess. But the clock is ticking."
With those final words, he turned and walked into the shadows, leaving Elysia standing alone in the garden, her thoughts racing.