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Dylan followed the servant through the palace corridors with a faint smile on his lips.
So...
He was Prince Damian now.
How convenient.
Until he understood what was going on, playing along would be the wiser choice.
After all, a dead man had no reason to announce his return.
"Prince Damian, it's time. Please... don't cause any trouble," Gilbert said nervously.
Dylan looked at him.
"And what exactly is happening?"
Gilbert blinked in surprise.
Before he could answer, the chamber doors burst open.
A beautiful young woman strode inside, her cold gaze fixed on Dylan.
"Leave us."
"I'm afraid I can't," Gilbert replied. "His Highness must prepare for his—"
He never finished.
The young woman moved like lightning.
In an instant, Gilbert was slammed against the wall, her hand wrapped tightly around his throat.
"Leave," she said icily. "Or you'll regret the day you laid eyes on me."
She released him.
Gilbert collapsed to the floor, coughing violently.
Dylan watched the scene with mild curiosity.
Interesting.
"So... who might you be?"
Gilbert shot the woman one last glare before leaving the room.
She was Marcie, the only daughter of the Minister of Political Affairs. Because she was close to the royal cousins, she carried herself as though she were a princess.
Poor woman.
She had no idea she was nothing more than one of Damian's passing amusements.
"What do you want?" Dylan asked.
Marcie frowned.
"How can you ask me that, Damy? You're getting married, and you didn't even think to tell me. I thought I was the only one."
Married?
Dylan stared at her.
"I'm getting married?"
"Oh, stop pretending," Marcie huffed. "You're only trying to distract me because you know I can never stay angry with you. Well, let me make one thing clear. I'm not sharing you with some little nobody."
Dylan ignored everything except one sentence.
"Who is this woman I'm supposed to marry?"
"I don't know much about her. I only heard she's some weak little princess. She isn't your type at all. You always preferred strong women who don't take nonsense."
"Weak..." Dylan murmured.
Wonderful.
He had only just escaped years of imprisonment, and now he was expected to marry a complete stranger.
"Damy..." Marcie stepped closer and reached for him. "You'll choose me, won't you? I'm your one and only."
Dylan looked at her for a long moment before speaking.
"First, I refuse to answer to 'Damy.' It sounds less like a name and more like a very unfortunate mistake. Second, I have no interest in becoming anyone's 'one and only.' I find caring for myself demanding enough. If you're looking for lifelong devotion, I suggest you continue your search elsewhere."
Marcie's expression fell.
"So... you're choosing her."
"I have chosen no one," Dylan replied calmly. "And if I had, you would not learn of it by asking."
She bit her lip.
"I won't give up on you, Damy."
"I already have."
"You shared my bed two nights ago!" she cried.
"So?" Dylan asked without the slightest change in expression. "I imagine that memory means considerably more to you than it does to me. If sharing a bed made one indispensable, my life would be impossibly crowded. You are neither important nor necessary. If you were, I would be marrying you instead."
Marcie's face turned pale.
"Crysta warned me about you... I should've listened."
She turned and ran from the room, tears streaming down her face.
Dylan watched the door close behind her.
"What an exhausting conversation."
He let out a quiet sigh.
"If this is Damian's daily life..."
A faint smile crossed his lips.
"...perhaps prison had its advantages."
Kathy wore a determined expression as her maids helped her into her wedding attire.
She could do this.
All she had to do was marry the prince... and survive in Althreaze.
That was all.
She would earn his trust.
Then she would use him to exact her revenge.
Simple.
...Unless she died on the very first day.
"My princess, it's time."
Martha's gentle voice pulled Kathy from her thoughts.
For the first time, she felt a flicker of uncertainty.
Perhaps...
She wasn't ready after all.
Running away was still an option.
No.
She had already made her choice.
"Martha."
"Yes, my princess?"
"Tell me again... how did we come to know of the Althreaze?"
Martha lowered her head respectfully.
"The Althreaze were discovered many years ago, my princess. No one has ever been able to explain their powers, so they are believed to be supernatural."
She hesitated before continuing.
"They are feared throughout the kingdoms."
"They kill without judgment."
"At least... those we have encountered do."
"They destroyed every kingdom that dared challenge them."
"In truth..."
"They are nothing but terrible news."
Kathy drew a slow breath.
It's all right.
She could do this.
She had to.
"And how did our kingdom become involved with them?"
There was a trace of bitterness in her voice.
"I... I do not know, my princess."
Martha bowed her head apologetically.
A short while later, they departed in the royal carriage.
No ordinary human was permitted to enter Althreaze.
Those who trespassed were said to be executed without mercy.
Which only deepened the question in Kathy's heart.
If she was human...
Why had they chosen her?
King Ethan and the rest of the royal family came to see her off.
Kathy acknowledged none of them.
None...
Except Uncle Williams.
A strange thought crossed her mind.
Were they not attending the wedding?
Queen Emily wore a smile she made no effort to hide.
Shameless woman.
The journey was long.
Silent.
Their Althreaze escort was enough to keep every conversation buried.
Kathy had countless questions.
For now...
She kept them to herself.
Perhaps the man she was about to marry would finally give her the answers she sought.