Malum led Celeste into his royal chamber, and the two of them sat on the edge of his bed.
When he reached out to touch her cheek, Celeste slapped his hand away, tears trembling in her lashes.
"I don't know why you're doing this, Your Highness," she whispered, voice shaking. "But I don't want to be involved."
Her head dropped in defeat.
Malum's lips curled into a slow, wicked smirk. "You don't have a choice. I've set my eyes on you now."
Celeste lifted her head, glaring through her tears. "And I'm not interested."
"I don't care," he replied bluntly, rising to leave the room.
"Please… release Princess Ophelia. It's understandable why she reacted the way she did."
Malum stopped and glanced back at her.
"She touched you and disrespected me," he said coldly. "Her head will roll by tomorrow."
Celeste gasped.
"Please don't. My family will be in danger if anything happens to her. Please… spare her."
His smirk returned, darker this time. "Tell me, little fairy… what will you offer the devil in exchange for mercy?"
Celeste hesitated, her voice barely above a breath. "I… I'll do anything you want."
"Good."
Malum's smirk deepened, and he left the room, leaving Celeste shattered and trembling on the bed.
*****************************
When Malum entered the throne hall. Just as he expected the ministers were already assembled. His mother sat on her throne, anger simmering in her eyes. Viktor stood beside Malum's throne. At the far side of the hall, Queen Faeloria and King Edward knelt in silence.
The ministers rose, bowed, and returned to their seats. Only Queen Ravenna remained seated, refusing to hide her fury.
Malum sat on his throne with a proud, amused smirk tugging at his lips.
"Your Highness," said Ralph Helsing, Malum's uncle and the only minister bold enough to speak. "We respect your decisions, but choosing a maid as the future Queen of the Underworld stains the royal name."
Malum arched a brow. "Mind your tongue uncle unless you wish to accompany the fairy princess in the dungeon for insulting your future queen"
Queen Ravenna suddenly stood, her voice sharp with rage.
"Impossible. I will never accept a fairy maid as my daughter-in-law and future queen. It's obvious she seduced you! You even punished the fairy princess for her!"
She approached Malum, lowering her voice but not her anger.
"Malum, I chose Alina Vale because she is the right choice, not some random maid."
"Enough, mother!" Malum's voice cracked through the hall like thunder. "I've chosen who I want. She will be my wife and the future Queen of the Underworld. And none of you will change anything. If you cannot accept that, you can join father in hell"
With that he stormed out of the hall, leaving Queen Ravenna seething and the ministers frozen in silence.