Chapter 1 #2
I didn't know what Victoria was planning. But none of it mattered anymore.
Because Cedric didn't believe me. He never loved me. Maybe to him, I was just an obstacle—standing between him and Victoria. If Victoria weren't his brother Arcales' wife, they'd probably be together already. The thought made my heart go completely cold.
No. I couldn't give up. I still had the baby. My hands protected my belly. I had to escape. Had to get away with the child. When he was born, Cedric would understand I hadn't lied.
Heavy footsteps echoed outside the cell. I looked up to see Serena standing outside the bars.
"What are you doing here?" I glared at her coldly. "Get out!"
"My queen," guilt colored her voice. "Please, let me explain. The child you carry truly is His Majesty's. I'm sorry I hurt you with lies, but Lady Victoria threatened my life, forced me to say those things..."
I froze, staring at Serena in disbelief.
Serena sighed. "I couldn't bear the guilt. And I heard Lady Victoria plans to kill you. You've been branded a traitor—no one will believe you now. But I can't let you die because of my lies..."
She paused, then continued. "So I've arranged everything. Tonight, I'll help you escape, take you somewhere safe to have the baby. Then His Majesty will understand the truth."
I looked at her, emotions tangled.
The kingdom's most respected White Witch. A woman who never lied. But she'd just lied—because her life was threatened. So could her words now be lies too?
But I had no choice except to trust her. For the baby, I had to escape.
"Fine," I bit my lip, protecting my belly as I stood. "I'll trust you. Once."
Serena opened the cell door, used illusions to deceive all the guards, and led me out of the palace and into a dense forest. My heart pounded wildly.
It was late night. Moonlight filtered through the canopy in scattered patches. I followed Serena through the trees, barefoot on the cold earth, every step agony.
Deeper and deeper. Quieter and quieter.
Too quiet.
"Where are we going?" I stopped, looking around warily.
That's when I heard Serena's voice—no longer warm. Sharp now. "The time has come, Your Majesty."
"Serena, what are you—" Before I finished, she flicked her hand. A powerful force struck the back of my neck.
My consciousness plunged into darkness.
When I woke, I was bound to an ancient stone altar.
Rough ropes cut into my flesh. I struggled, wounds tearing with pain. Hooded figures surrounded me in a circle, chanting obscure spells. Black magical light swirled through the air like poisonous snakes coiling around the altar.
"Let me go!" I fought desperately. "What are you doing to me!"
No one answered. They just kept chanting, voices rising higher, faster.
That black magic... Black Witches!
"Get away! Ahh—" Massive pain hit me. My body convulsed. The wolf in my chest howled madly, nearly dying from the agony.
"Scream all you want. No one's coming to save you, dear sister." A familiar voice rang out. Victoria emerged from the crowd, slowly removing her hood. In the moonlight, her delicate face twisted with a crazed smile, eyes burning with madness.
"Victoria, have you lost your mind?" I gritted my teeth. "You're working with Black Witches? What the hell do you want?"
"What do I want?" She laughed—a sharp, piercing sound. "Your death, of course!"
She approached and leaned down. That face contorted with hatred. "Why? Why does an ugly freak like you get to be Luna? I should be Luna! Me!"
She reached out, jabbing hard at my birthmark, nails nearly embedding in my flesh. "I should be this kingdom's most noble queen! It's all Arcales' fault for dying so early! And then the Moon Goddess chose you—you hideous creature—for Cedric!"
"You're insane..." I stared at her, unable to believe she'd harbored such vicious thoughts all along.
"I'm not insane!" She laughed coldly. "I've waited for this day too long! Once you're dead, Cedric will finally see me! I'll become his queen!"
I trembled all over. Survival instinct made me beg. "Victoria, for the sake of us being sisters, spare me and the child. I can disappear forever, swear never to come back. Cedric cares so much about you—if I'm gone, he'll make you queen quickly..."
"Still pretending?" She stared at me like a hissing snake. "Even pregnant with a bastard, he couldn't bear to execute you! As long as you're alive, he'll never truly see me!"
"What are you talking about?" I couldn't believe it. "Cedric's always loved you. Everyone knows—"
She didn't answer. Instead, she turned to the witch beside her. "Hurry up! Once you drain her power, I'll kill her myself!"
That's when I realized the witch next to Victoria was Serena! She'd been pretending all along! Everything today was their plan!
Despair wrapped around me completely. I knew I couldn't escape.
But Serena suddenly frowned. "Something's wrong. There's a power inside her resisting us... very strong."
Suddenly, even worse pain struck. I couldn't help but scream. Golden light burst from my body, sweeping out like waves. The witches screamed and fell. Victoria was thrown back, crashing hard to the ground.
I gasped for breath, feeling like my organs were on fire. Warm liquid poured from my nose. I wanted to use this chance to escape, but I was too weak. I couldn't even stand.
"Damn it!" Serena scrambled up. "We have to finish the ritual now!"
The witches closed in again, chanting faster.
Then a voice came from ahead in the forest. "Alice!"
Cedric's voice!
"Cedric!" I screamed with everything I had. "Save me! Please, save me and the baby!"
I felt him approaching. That familiar presence pierced through layers of trees like light cutting through desperate darkness.
My heart raced. Hope grew like wildfire.
He came! He finally came. The baby and I could be saved.
"Damn it!" Victoria's furious voice. Her delicate face twisted horribly. "How did he find us?"
"No time," Serena said grimly. "We have to leave now."
She immediately ordered the witches to take me with them.
"No!" Madness flashed in Victoria's eyes. "Alice dies here!"
"Are you insane? I haven't gotten her power yet!" Anger edged Serena's voice.
"Alice!" Cedric's voice was closer—just on the other side of the trees.
Tears burst from my eyes.
"I'm here!" I screamed hoarsely. "Cedric! I'm here!"
I heard branches snapping, heavy boots on soil, his labored breathing.
"No time! Damn it." Serena cursed under her breath. Black light appeared at her fingertips. The next instant, orange-red flames engulfed the entire altar, rushing toward me. Temperature shot up, searing my skin. Fire spread rapidly. The witches' figures vanished in flames and smoke.
"Help me—" My scream choked on thick smoke. Pain stabbed through my belly.
"Cedric!" I shouted desperately. "Save me! I'm here!"
A figure finally burst through the trees. In the moonlight, his tall silhouette was so clear. I nearly sobbed.
Then a weak voice spoke. "Cedric, save me..."
Victoria lay at the edge of the flames, her elaborate dress burned with holes. She reached out, looking at Cedric with those green eyes, appearing utterly pitiful. "Please, save me..."
My heart sank instantly. I knew exactly what choice he'd make.
Sure enough, without any hesitation—just like countless times before—Cedric chose Victoria. He strode over, bent down, lifted her in his arms.
"Cedric!" I screamed, tearing my throat. "Cedric, come back! I'm still here! Save me! Save your child!"
His steps paused. But he didn't look back. Holding Victoria, he walked away.
Flames burned hotter. Smoke choked me blind. My skin blistered in the heat. The smell of burning hair mixed with blood, nauseating.
But the worst pain wasn't physical. It was my heart—the heart that once beat for him. Now shattered into countless pieces. More painful than any flame.
Then I felt warm liquid running down my thighs. I felt my baby leaving me.
"No, no, baby, please don't leave me..." I struggled to reach my belly, but pain came in waves, each one tearing through my body. Blood flowed faster, nearly soaking the altar beneath me.
My wolf howled in agony inside. I knew—my child was gone forever. I'd never felt such despair. That helplessness shattered me completely.
"I'm sorry..." My voice was barely audible, tears streaming down, dripping into the blood pool. "Baby, I'm so sorry... Mommy couldn't protect you..."
Flames burned. Smoke rolled. The world collapsed. I closed my eyes in despair, letting the darkness swallow my consciousness completely.
If there's another life, Cedric—
I never want to meet you again.