Free Web NovelChapter 73: Chapter 73: Threat
Chapter 73: Threat
—EZEKIEL—
The moment I saw Aria step into the ballroom, I thought I had finally understood what beauty meant.
She did not walk so much as arrive, as though the world itself had shifted slightly to make space for her presence. The chandeliers above reflected against her gown, making her look almost unreal, and for one brief, deeply inconvenient moment, I found myself thinking that I would very much like to be the only one who ever saw her like that.
Unfortunately, reality possessed a sense of humor I did not appreciate.
Because I was not the only one thinking it.
Sebastian Blackwood looked as though he had been personally offended by the existence of every man in the ballroom.
Matthias Sinclair appeared calm on the surface, but I had known him long enough to recognize the signs. He looked like a man calculating exactly how many laws he could break before losing his position.
And Ren...
Ren looked exhausted.
As though serving Aria had forced him to develop entirely new categories of suffering.
Then there was me.
I had been enjoying myself.
At least until things became complicated.
Because Aria was suddenly no longer alone.
A man stepped forward from the crowd with far more confidence than I appreciated.
Long pale-blond hair reflected the ballroom lights while sharp emerald eyes surveyed the room with quiet confidence.
And something about him immediately put me on edge.
I narrowed my eyes.
Who was he?
More importantly, why did I suddenly feel as though I had missed a very important Chapter in Aria’s life?
Before I could reach a conclusion, Aria’s entire expression transformed.
"Aelith?!"
Then she ran.
Actually ran.
Across the ballroom.
Toward him.
And before any of us could react...
She threw her arms around him.
My eye twitched.
For several seconds, I simply stared.
Not only because I was shocked.
But because my brain was attempting to process the fact that Aria Valen had just hugged another man in front of all of us without the slightest hesitation.
The elf looked equally surprised.
Then his expression softened and he wrapped an arm around her waist.
I felt something deeply unpleasant settle in my chest.
Now, I would like to clarify that I am not a particularly jealous man.
I am mature.
Reasonable.
Exceptionally intelligent.
Unfortunately, none of those qualities seemed especially useful at the moment.
My gaze shifted toward Ren.
If anyone had answers, it would be him.
"Who is that?" I asked.
Sebastian and Matthias immediately looked toward him as well.
Ren released a slow breath that sounded suspiciously like the last fragment of his sanity escaping his body.
"He is House Valen’s physician."
That was not particularly alarming.
But then he continued.
"I summoned him after Lady Aria lost control of her mana outside the capital."
Sebastian’s expression darkened.
Matthias straightened slightly.
I narrowed my eyes remembering that time.
Ren looked increasingly irritated with every word that left his mouth. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
"He examined her condition," he continued. "Then he gave her a bond bracelet under the guise of it being a protective charm."
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
A bond bracelet.
My eyes widened.
Of all the magical artifacts in existence, bond bracelets were among the rarest.
Ancient.
Sacred.
And exclusively possessed by the royal bloodline of the Elven Kingdom.
A cold realization settled over me.
...surely not.
My gaze snapped toward the elf.
At that moment, he was still standing beside Aria with one arm around her waist as though it belonged there.
"He what?" Sebastian demanded.
Ren’s jaw tightened.
"I promised myself I would kill him the next time I saw him."
The statement was delivered with such sincerity that none of us questioned it.
Then Ren continued.
"But then a few days later, Lady Aria became overwhelmed while preparing her dress for the banquet. Apparently, the bond bracelet sensed her distress."
My expression slowly darkened.
Ren looked personally offended by the memory.
"He sent pixies."
I blinked.
"Pixies?" I repeated.
"Yes. He sent an entire swarm of pixies to help her finish the dress."
My gaze drifted back toward Aria.
Ren followed my gaze.
Then he spoke with the bitterness of a betrayed man.
"And now she is attached to him."
There was a brief pause before he added,
"She has not hugged me like that since I grew taller."
His statement had us quiet.
Then Sebastian and I spoke at the exact same time.
"Ha?!"
Neither of us sounded dignified.
Sebastian looked horrified.
"She hugs you?"
Ren nodded.
"Frequently."
Matthias folded his arms.
"Maybe it was a mere motherly affection."
I completely agreed.
Before the conversation could continue, Aelith finally turned toward the crowd.
The ballroom quieted instantly.
His expression became calm and regal.
"I am Aelith Elarion."
The name struck the room like lightning.
Gasps erupted from every direction.
I closed my eyes briefly.
Of course.
Of course it was him.
"The eldest son of Her Majesty Queen Lysandra Elarion of the Elven Kingdom."
The murmurs exploded and even Sebastian froze.
Matthias looked genuinely surprised.
Ren simply looked like his worst fears had been confirmed.
As for Aria...
She looked utterly shocked and troubled.
"I am also the sole heir to the Elven Throne."
The ballroom erupted again but Aelith paid none of it any attention.
His gaze remained fixed entirely on Aria.
"I have come here tonight to make something clear." He smiled.
My instincts immediately screamed at me.
Aelith extended his arm toward Aria.
"No one shall lay claim to Lady Aria Valen."
The room fell silent.
"Because as of this moment, she is my intended bride."
The entire ballroom exploded.
Aria took a step backward in visible shock.
Before I could even react, Matthias suddenly moved.
One moment he stood beside us.
The next, he appeared between Aria and Aelith with his sword suddenly pointed directly at the elven prince.
Gasps erupted throughout the ballroom.
Even I had not expected that.
"Matthias!" I snapped.
Aelith’s eyes narrowed.
"What is this?" he asked coldly. "Are you declaring war against the Elven Kingdom?"
Matthias did not lower his sword.
His voice remained calm.
Far too calm.
"You may be a prince."
The tip of the blade remained steady.
"But I will not allow any man to claim her as though she were property."
Matthias’s gaze hardened.
"I do not care what crown sits upon your head. A man who looks at humans with disdain has no right to stand beside her."
Aelith’s expression darkened.
And for the first time, I found myself agreeing completely with Matthias.
This was not how such matters worked.
Not in the Empire.
Not with a human noblewoman.
Not without permission.
Not without her consent.
And certainly not like this.
I stepped forward.
Only to discover Sebastian and Ren had already moved first.
I rolled my eyes and followed anyway.
"Touch a single hair on her head," Ren said, "and you will regret it."
Coming from him, the threat somehow felt more frightening.
The old Marquess Everstein immediately rushed forward.
"Gentlemen!" he exclaimed. "Please! This is not the place for such matters!"
Aelith sighed.
Then his gaze returned to Aria.
The movement alone put all four of us on high alert.
"I do not believe any of you have authority over this matter."
His voice softened.
"After all, Aria accepted my bond bracelet."
Then he smiled and extended his hand toward her.
"Will you come with me, my love?"
"Do not call her that," Sebastian growled.
The atmosphere instantly became dangerous.
We were all preparing to speak.
Preparing to intervene.
Preparing to drag this elf prince back to his forest if necessary.
Then Aria stepped forward.
"My lady!" Ren protested immediately.
But before any of us could stop her...
Aria did something that shocked every person in the ballroom.
Including me.
