Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Alice
The next morning, I'd barely gotten out of bed when a servant came to tell me Father wanted to see me.
"Your Highness, His Majesty is waiting for you in the council chamber," she said. "It seems... it's about King Cedric."
Cedric... he hadn't left yet? My heart skipped at the memory of what he'd said yesterday.
"I understand." I stood, smoothing my skirts. "I'll go now."
I walked through the long corridor to the council chamber. Father and Adrian were both there. They rose when they saw me.
"Alice." Father strode over, concern in his eyes. "Are you feeling any better today?"
"Much better, Father. Don't worry—the doctor said rest was all I needed." I smiled at him.
"Good." Father exhaled in relief. He reached up to touch my hair before continuing, "Sit. I need to tell you something."
I sat, my heartbeat quickening. "Is it... about Cedric?"
"Yes." Father snorted, anger flooding his voice. "That bastard had the nerve to stay! Says he wants to win you back!"
My chest tightened. I knew how stubborn Cedric could be.
"According to our kingdom's laws, only someone who competes in the Warrior's Trial and wins has the right to court a princess. Cedric has decided to enter. Father and I agreed," Adrian said, disapproval thick in his tone.
I shot to my feet. "What? The Warrior's Trial? No, I don't agree!"
"Alice, don't get upset." Father pressed my shoulders, guiding me back into the chair. "Just hear us out."
He sat across from me, his amber eyes full of pain and rage. "That bastard Cedric hurt my precious daughter. He got you pregnant and abandoned you, nearly got you killed! I'm not letting him off easy. This Warrior's Trial is just to teach him a lesson."
Father didn't give me a chance to speak. He gestured dramatically, excitement dancing in his eyes. "You'll sit in the stands and watch our kingdom's warriors beat that scumbag bloody and send him crawling out of our kingdom!"
I stared at him, mouth opening but no words coming out.
Father meant well. I knew that.
But...
"Father," I took a deep breath, somewhat helplessly, "Cedric is a king. This isn't right... I'll make him leave on his own."
Father's eyes widened. "Sweetheart, you're too kind! That bastard hurt you so badly, and you're still thinking about him!"
"I'm not thinking about him," I shook my head. "I just don't want anything more to do with him."
"Perfect." Adrian came to my side, patting my shoulder reassuringly. "Let him compete. After he loses and slinks away humiliated, you'll never have to see him again."
I looked at them, suddenly feeling deeply powerless.
"He had no objections?" I asked.
Father sneered. "He seems pretty confident. We'll see how many rounds he lasts."
My fingers gripped my skirts tightly, my emotions complicated. I didn't understand what Cedric was trying to do.
"The contest starts tomorrow," Adrian said. "You'll come watch, won't you, Alice?"
I hesitated.
Honestly, I did want to go.
On one hand, I wanted to see him, to make sure he was safe—Father's chosen warriors definitely wouldn't hold back. On the other, I hoped he'd realize it was hopeless, give up on his own, and leave.
Then we'd never have to see each other again.
"All right." I nodded. "I'll be there."
The day of the contest, the entire kingdom was buzzing.
The massive circular arena was packed with people. Nobles in fine clothes filled the stands while commoners stood at the perimeter. Everyone was talking excitedly about the upcoming matches.
I sat in the central viewing platform, Adrian and Father on either side, Mother beside them.
"It's starting," Adrian said.
Horns sounded. The arena gates slowly opened.
First came our kingdom's warrior—a burly man radiating powerful Alpha energy.
Then the other gate opened.
Cedric walked out.
My breath caught.
He wore simple combat gear, his dark blue eyes sharp in the sunlight. Even from this distance, I could feel the powerful aura emanating from him.
His gaze swept the stands, finally landing on me. He smiled—I could see his determination.
I looked away instinctively.
"Begin!" the referee shouted.
Both men shifted. Two massive wolves faced off in the center of the arena. Cedric was larger, his muscular lines clearly defined, his entire body radiating power. The golden wolf involuntarily stepped back, seemingly intimidated.
The golden wolf pressed its claws into the ground, growling. It attacked first, incredibly fast, claws tearing through the air toward Cedric. Cedric dodged sideways, counterattacking with a swipe at his opponent's belly.
The two wolves collided with a dull thud. They rolled on the ground, dust flying, fangs and claws clashing with piercing shrieks.
Cedric moved more fluidly. He avoided lethal strikes while looking for openings. Finally, he found one—his fangs sank into his opponent's hind leg.
The golden wolf yelped but immediately reacted, violently throwing Cedric off.
Cedric slammed into the arena wall with a thunderous crash. But he instantly flipped to his feet and lunged again, catching his opponent's throat. One squeeze and the fight would be over.
First round. Cedric won.
But his shoulder now had a deep gash, blood pouring out, staining his black fur red.
He lay on the ground, panting heavily.
He had no time to rest.
"Second round!" the referee announced.
The second warrior entered immediately—a speed fighter, moving almost too fast to see.
The fight began again.
This one was more intense.
The warrior's speed was incredible. Cedric tried to catch him, but he dodged, his claws leaving wounds all over Cedric's body.
Back, abdomen, thighs...
Blood sprayed.
But Cedric didn't retreat. His eyes locked on his opponent, searching for an opening. Finally, when the warrior attacked again, Cedric suddenly changed direction, his entire body slamming sideways.
The warrior hadn't expected it. He flew backward, hitting the ground hard. Cedric pounced, fangs finding his throat.
Second round. Another win.
But he had even more wounds now.
"Third round!"
"Fourth round!"
Every fight was brutal. Every fight left new injuries.
By the fifth round, he was covered in blood. His black fur was soaked, heavy and matted. His movements had slowed noticeably, breathing labored. Every step left bloody prints on the ground.
But his eyes remained just as determined.
The fifth warrior entered—one of our kingdom's strongest. If Cedric were healthy, he'd win easily. But now, injured and exhausted...
"He won't make it through this one," Adrian said with a smile.
My fingers clenched my skirts. I couldn't speak.
The fight started.
The warrior's attacks were fierce and precise, every strike aimed at vital points. Cedric barely dodged. I could tell he'd slowed down. He was reaching his limit.
Sure enough, the warrior's claws raked across his abdomen. The sound of tearing flesh was sickeningly clear. Blood gushed out instantly.
Cedric's body slammed into the ground, raising a cloud of dust.
My heart lurched. I jumped up, crying out his name. "Cedric!"
Cedric didn't surrender. He struggled to stand, front legs trembling as he pushed himself up. But his back legs buckled, and he collapsed again. Blood poured from the abdominal wound, quickly pooling beneath him.
He seemed to hear me. He looked back, and I saw clearly the determination in his eyes.
As if saying, "I'll win this contest. I'll prove it to you."
My heart hammered against my ribs.
The next second, he surged to his feet and launched himself at his opponent again. This time, he completely ignored his injuries.
His opponent's claws tore across his back, ripping away chunks of flesh. But he clamped onto the warrior's foreleg and wrenched hard. The warrior lost balance. Cedric pounced, fangs closing on his throat.
Fifth round. He won again.
But when Cedric released his opponent, his entire body shook violently.
He shifted back to human form, collapsing on the ground, gasping for air, eyes closing weakly. Wounds covered every inch of him, blood streaming from countless gashes, nearly forming a pool beneath him.
"Sixth round!" the referee called.
No.
Enough! This had to stop!
I shot to my feet.
"Stop the contest!" My voice tore through the air. "Stop it now!"
Everyone froze, staring at me.
"Alice, the contest isn't over. Cedric hasn't yielded," Father said.
"I said stop!" I was nearly screaming. "He'll die if this continues!"
The referee looked uncertainly at Father.
Father was silent for a moment, then finally nodded.
"Contest suspended," the referee announced.
Cedric lifted his head to look at me, his eyes full of... hope. He seemed to want to say something, but when he opened his mouth, blood spilled out.
"Quickly!" Father stood. "Doctors! Get him to the infirmary immediately!"
Doctors rushed into the arena, carefully lifting him.
I watched them carry him away, blood dripping the entire way, leaving a horrifying trail on the ground. In that moment, my heart felt like it was being roasted over flames.
I forced myself not to think about it, but I couldn't control it. Even after servants brought me back to my room, I still couldn't calm down. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Cedric lying on the ground.
I had to see him! Not because I'd forgiven him, but... but he was a king. If something happened to him here, it would cause unnecessary complications.
Yes. That was it.
I took a deep breath, lifting my skirts as I walked through the corridors to where Cedric was staying. But as I reached for the door, I hesitated again.
Should I really go in?
My wolf howled frantically in my chest.
He's our mate!
He's hurt! He needs us!
"Shut up," I said internally. "Have you forgotten how he hurt us?"
But he was fighting for us!
He loves us!
"That doesn't erase what he did! Don't forget—in my last life, his abandonment killed us in that fire! And our baby!" I bit down hard, my breathing growing heavy.
My wolf whimpered.
Then why are you standing here?
I froze.
Yes... why was I standing here?
"Alice? Is that you?" A familiar voice came from behind.
I turned to see Caspar standing at the end of the corridor.
"Caspar..." I felt suddenly awkward. "What... what are you doing here?"
"I came to see His Majesty." He approached, studying my face for a long moment before offering a weary smile. "Congratulations on finding your family. You look... as beautiful as I imagined."
He paused, then continued, "You seem happy. That puts my mind at ease."
"Thank you for your concern," I nodded. "Father and Mother have both been very good to me."
Caspar watched me, silent for a moment.
"Alice," he said suddenly, "perhaps I shouldn't say this, but I want you to know—during the two months you were missing, His Majesty nearly lost his mind."
My body went rigid.
"The day you disappeared, Cedric went looking for you.
I don't know what happened, but when I found him, he was gravely injured with no will to live.
I barely convinced him to keep living by invoking your name.
The next three days, dragging his wounded body, he frantically searched the forest for any trace of you," Caspar's voice was soft.
"Everyone begged him to rest. He wouldn't. He said he wouldn't stop until he found you. "
Caspar sighed before continuing. "Finally, he found large amounts of blood where you'd disappeared. We all thought you were... he completely despaired. Believed he'd caused your death. He held a dagger to his own heart, wanting to atone with death."
My breath stopped. I'd never imagined Cedric had nearly killed himself for me.
It didn't seem like something he'd do—he was always so cold, so rational.
But I also knew Caspar wouldn't lie to me. My heart ached with a feeling I couldn't describe. I opened my mouth to speak but no sound came.
Caspar looked into my eyes. "Alice, I know he's done terrible things, hurt you badly. But his love for you is also real. I've never seen him lose control like that."
My eyes burned.
"Do you want to see him? He's badly injured. The healers said... if you'd stopped the contest any later, he would have died in that arena."
"I'll leave now so you can decide. Of course, don't force yourself." With that, he nodded and walked away. I stood there, fingers gripping my skirts tightly.
The restlessness in my chest grew stronger.
Go.
Go see him.
Just once.
I took a deep breath and pushed open the door. Moonlight streamed through the window. I saw Cedric lying in bed.
His entire body was wrapped in bandages—barely any intact skin visible. His face was deathly pale, forehead covered in cold sweat, breathing shallow and labored.
I walked to the bedside, looking down at him.
Even though he'd hurt me, I still couldn't completely let him go.
"Why..." I murmured. "Cedric, why would you do this..."
"Because... I love you."
A weak voice.
I jerked my head up to see he'd opened his eyes.
Those dark blue eyes were exhausted, but seeing me, something sparked in them.
"Alice..." His voice was hoarse. "I love you. I'll prove my love to you. Prove I'm worthy of courting you again."
Hearing those words, the emotions I'd been holding back finally exploded.
"You're insane!" My voice trembled. "Do you know you almost died?"
"I know." He spoke with difficulty, each word seeming to drain him. "But if I didn't do this, how can I make you believe I'm serious..."
He tried to lift his hand, but it fell limply back down.
"I'm sorry..." He closed his eyes, tears sliding from the corners. "I shouldn't have doubted you. Shouldn't have let Victoria hurt you. Shouldn't have stayed silent when everyone accused you. Shouldn't have made you face all that alone..."
His voice grew weaker.
"I love you. I've loved you for so long, but I kept running from it. I used my father's tragedy to convince myself I couldn't love you. I told myself you were just duty, just an obligation..."
"Not until I lost you did I finally understand—I'd already fallen in love with you.
Without you, living has no meaning." He opened his eyes, looking at me with desperation and pleading.
"Please, give me one more chance. Let me spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Let me prove I truly love you."
Tears streamed down my face.
His words, his eyes, everything he'd done for me...
My defenses crumbled bit by bit.
But images from my past life surfaced—that fire, him carrying Victoria away, his back to me as I called out in desperation. He never looked back.
I looked at him, my heart feeling crushed. I forced back tears, making myself sound more heartless. "I don't need your compensation. I don't want anything more to do with you. Rest and recover. When you're healed... leave."
I turned toward the door.
"Alice..." His weak voice came from behind, heavy with despair.
I didn't look back. If I did, I'd weaken.
I hurried from the room, closing the door behind me. Leaning against it, I finally broke down, covering my mouth to muffle my sobs.
Why...
Why did my heart hurt so much? Why, when I should hate him, couldn't I help but ache at his words?