Episode 20

Damian and Esmeralda arrived at her palace after their outing.

"Thank you, Damian, for an amazing day. I'm glad we had the chance to hang out and reconnect," Esmeralda expressed her gratitude.

"Same here. It was my absolute pleasure, princess," Damian replied warmly.

Silence fell upon them as they gazed into each other's eyes. However, their moment was abruptly interrupted by Ezra's presence. Emerging from the palace's main entrance, Ezra's stomach churned at the sight of Damian and Esmeralda standing there. He harbored a deep resentment, wishing to tear out Damian's heart.

"As I live and breathe, Ezra! It has been years since we last met," Damian greeted cheerfully as soon as he noticed Ezra's presence.

"Hi, Damian," Ezra greeted through gritted teeth.

"It's getting quite late, and I think it's time for the princess to come inside," Ezra suggested, eager to see Damian gone.

"Of course," Damian replied, kissing Esmeralda gently on the cheek. "See you soon, princess."

"Goodnight, Damian," Esmeralda replied with a smile as she ascended the stairs to join Ezra.

Damian got into his car and drove off.

"You seem to have enjoyed your time with him," Ezra said, burning with jealousy as he followed Esmeralda down the hallway.

"It was harmless, and besides, Father arranged it. What did you expect me to do? Not show up?" Esmeralda stopped walking and turned to face him.

"I see," Ezra replied, his anger boiling within him.

"And besides, I thought you never wanted to speak to me again," she added.

Ezra scoffed. "You don't even understand me," he retorted, turning to walk away. But she grabbed his arm.

"Then explain to me what you want me to do, Ezra. Because at this point, I am lost and confused. I love you and want to be with you, but you rejected me, remember?"

"Do you think I wanted to do that? Do you not understand what being next to you does to me?" Ezra said as he walked closer to her, pinning her back against the wall. She felt his warm breath on her face, his lips mere inches away from hers.

"I want to rip off your dress, carry you into the forest, and have my way with you," Ezra whispered. Esmeralda's breath hitched, and she felt a surge of desire. His smoldering gaze held hers.

"Do you even know the many things I could do to you? The countless ways I could please you," Ezra whispered, inching even closer as his lips grazed the tip of her nose.

"I want you to be my mate, but I know it's only possible in my dreams. You are a princess, and I am nothing but the king's errand boy," he confessed, turning to walk away.

"No, please wait, Ezra. You are not just an errand boy to me. To me, you are the light in this dark and lonely world," Esmeralda pleaded.

His heart skipped a beat upon hearing those words from her lips.

"Goodnight, princess," he said, walking away and leaving her alone in the hallway.

**ESTERIA**

"Her Ramava is unlike anything I have ever felt. She is the result of dark magic, a progeny that defies natural laws by her very existence."

"So, what do you suggest we do? Expel her from the school? Does she even understand the extent of her powers?"

"No, sir."

"Then we shall do nothing and keep this information to ourselves. She must remain oblivious to her true potential. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir. I must also inform you that the king has developed a particular fondness for the girl," Miss Bubble added.

"Fondness?" the principal questioned.

"Yes, sir. A romantic fondness," Miss Bubble clarified.

"I see. Keep me updated on any developments. You may leave now," Principal Muggleworth dismissed her.

Miss Bubble bowed and hurried out of the principal's office. Principal Muggleworth was the head of the School of Magic in Esteria. Lily's presence in the school had caused a stir amongst the students and faculty. She excelled in all her classes, surpassing both her peers and teachers with her Ramava abilities. Additionally, her special connection to King Aiden raised numerous questions about her existence and presence in Esteria. Principal Muggleworth did not welcome the unwanted attention and knew he would have to speak with Lily soon to assess the true extent of her powers. His suspicions grew, as such immense power shouldn't exist.

Lily's academic excellence triggered jealousy among some students and intimidated her teachers, leading some students to seek ways to humble and humiliate her. Particularly, the three witches who had cursed her during Aiden's coronation. With the newfound favor the new king bestowed upon Lily, she became the hot topic of conversation throughout the entire school.

***

Aiden's Palace

"Your Highness, don't you think you're moving too fast?" Fabian uttered, his eyebrows furrowing as he watched the servants scurrying in and out of the bedroom that King Aiden had ordered to be cleaned and arranged for Lily.

"She is critical to my plans to unite Esteria."

"I understand your grace, but we don't know who she truly is. For all we know, she could be a spy sent by your enemies."

"Oh, don't be ridiculous, Fabian. You have an overly troubled mind."

"But, your grace..."

"Enough!" said Aiden, interrupting Fabian before he could complete his statement. "I have felt her power—it is intoxicating. It's unlike anything I have ever encountered. Look at this," said King Aiden, raising his hand and showing Fabian his magical ring.

"This is my teleportation ring, one of the most powerful artifacts in all the realms." Fabian gazed at the ring, then back at Aiden.

"She can teleport without this. To her, it's nothing but a trinket. Don't you understand? With her by my side, the entire world and all the realms would be within my reach," Aiden said with a satisfied smile.

"Trust me, old friend. I know what I'm doing. With her powers and my vision, I will reshape Esteria into a realm of greatness," King Aiden declared.

"What's the plan then? Get her to fall in love with you, and then what?" asked Fabian, anxiously awaiting an answer.

"Make her my queen," Aiden replied, a dreamy look in his eyes.

"Your grace! Have you lost your mind?"

"On the contrary, Fabian, I have found my heart."

"With powers like Hera we can remake this world into something truly remarkable. But I cannot do that if she doesn't trust me, I need her to need me and trust me." Said Aiden as he placed a hand on Fabian's shoulder.

"You can't be serious!" Fabian protested.

"I am the king! I can do as I please."