The prey of The Darkness

'Allow me to take my leave.'

Lothar didn't care about Arihan. One who doesn't believe in his granddaughter wasn't required to serve her closely.

Generally, Orla would have let Arihan go but today. She grunted, "Did I allow you, General Darwin?" If people don't understand smoothly, she knows to control them with power.

As a part of the kingdom Anka and a general in the army, Arihan has to obey her. However, he knew where it was going and he wasn't going to agree with the queen.

He unsheathed his sword as he turned around. Presenting the sword with both hands, Arihan was stubborn in his decision, "I would prefer to take my last breath rather than follow a different lady." He wasn't going to keep his promise to a different lady.

Lothar snorted. He didn't want a knight who would doubt her granddaughter.

Orla watched the young man in front of her. She could put him in the dungeon for defying her and threatening her with his life. And she knew well he would gladly accept the punishment and death instead of following Alora.

Thus his punishment was going to be what he didn't want to do. At the same time, he would keep his promise without his awareness.

"General Darwin, you will be grateful to me all your life." There was a smugness and arrogance in her tone. She looked at the small table where an envelope was lying on it.

Arihan accepted the unsaid command and sheathed back his sword. He picked up the envelope and took the letter out.

It was a royal edict from the queen to General Darwin. Arihan's lips twitched before he even read the letter.

Lothar became confused without understanding what his wife was up to. He didn't want this man to protect his granddaughter. They had many outstanding knights to choose from.

Arihan read the letter and controlled himself from crumpling it. He was appointed as 'fake' Princess Alora's trainer to teach every outdoor activity and the cultivation of her power.

As if it wasn't enough to infuriate him, he was also responsible to teach her how to handle the royal court which should have been the task of a royal member. Then he should help… He didn't want to think more.

The worst part was, that ignoring or declining the edict was a punishable offense. It won't just reduce him to a commoner and throw him into the dungeon, his whole family will lose the title and power over dukedom.

His protruding nerves on his backhands and forehead were getting prominent. He could still stand against the queen but he didn't want his actions to affect the centuries of fame of his family.

He turned around and Orla pointed to the chair for him to sit. The discussion about Alora's intense training started.

Lothar often interrupted so that they wouldn't make his granddaughter sick of the palace but his wife won over him.

After some time, Arihan's attention shifted, sensing the struggles, and cries from somewhere. He saw Queen and King calm so he realized only he was hearing it.

'How?'

When the displeased king noticed Arihan's attention shift, he was oddly worried about his granddaughter. He suddenly recalled, "Alora doesn't have a protection spell."

At the same time, Arihan couldn't ignore it. He stood up hurriedly, "I should take a look." He ran out, trying to identify the location.

Lothar rushed out towards Alora's room. Orla sighed watching her husband. If anything has to go bad, her husband always thinks something will happen to Alora. She got up and went out slowly to see what was happening.

Arihan stood in front of little Princess Alora's bedroom. Despite guessing the fake princess was inside, he pushed the door open and saw her pale on the bed, struggling as if somebody was choking her.

He went to her and shook her shoulders hard, she gasped awake and before he could say anything, a resounding slap landed on his cheek.

The 'wild' was added with the fake tag. However, he realized she didn't have a nightmare but she had become the prey of the darkness.

But why?

He looked at her eyes filled with tears and fear. She had no power, she wasn't the real princess so why are those people following her?

Her tears dried, yet he found himself staring into her sparkling gem-like eyes as if she was charming him.

"Child, it's just a nightmare. It's all over," The king coaxed her.

Arihan's cold, daunting voice sounded in the room, "It wasn't."

Freya glanced at the man. The young general of the Anka army. They had battled side by side, Freya respected the man for letting her be on the front line without doubting her capability. Anyway, her priority was her sister so she went to serve the water

Alora sniffled shaking his head, "Grandfather, h-he touched me… inappropriately a-and tried to choke… choke me to death."

"Nonsense," Orla grunted at the door of the room. She was furious, assuming Alora made a big scene by a mere nightmare. "General Darwin was with us. He sensed your struggles and reached you." She snapped at Alora.

The king was dissatisfied with his wife's behavior when Alora was frightened, "Orla!!" Orla fell silent knowing her husband got really angry.

Alora stopped sniffling and looked at the man in military uniform. He stood straight and tall with his eyes on the windows. His cheek was red due to her strike yet he didn't flinch.

She lowered her head. She was still finding her neck and wrist sore. How could it be a nightmare?

Eugenie rushed into the room and went to Alora. "Alora, what happened?"

Worried to the bones, Zander stood at the side without crowding Alora.

Alora held her mother's hand and confessed, "Mother, I saw those obsidian eyes again." She sniffled helplessly without knowing how to make them believe, "Mother, it wasn't my imagination."

Everyone's expressions changed except one, Arihan. Orla didn't show her worry, Eugenie embraced her daughter. Zander blamed himself for forgetting to put a protection spell in her room.

Orla's voice resonated in the room, "General Darwin, notify your father."

Arihan couldn't help but glance at Alora who didn't react to hearing 'Darwin.'

"Arihan, ask Duke Darwin to see me tomorrow," Zander added. They need to find the man as soon as possible.

Arihan again glanced at Alora who was sniffling in Eugenie's arms. He wasn't sure if he was disappointed by getting no reaction or disappointed seeing everyone address the strange lady as Alora. He responded to Orla and Zander and left the palace immediately.

Eugenie coaxed his daughter without telling her the complete truth. "I will sleep here with you tonight. Nothing will happen." She wiped her tears and hugged her again.

Orla interjected, "Alora will sleep in my chambers." Her unyielding voice silenced everyone.

Alora looked at her father who was helpless in the queen's presence. As a mother, Eugenie wanted to be with her daughter but she and Zander were tied down.

Fourteen years ago, Orla allowed them to leave the court on the condition that they should listen to everything Orla decides for Alora when she comes of age.

Unwillingly, Alora followed Orla to her chambers. Lothar sat beside Alora while Orla silently lay down next to Alora on the bed.

Orla wasn't against Alora, she liked her, her innocence, her laughter, her care, and her concerns. Alora wasn't like the princesses in the palace who pretends to win her favor. However, Alora has lived in a protected environment prioritizing family and finding little happiness. Thus she had no idea about the world out there.

So it was very important to make Alora strong to survive in the cruel world she will have to face the next day.

Hence Orla wasn't going to spoil her like the other four, While those four be her emotional support, she was going to make her the queen everyone will respect, love, and also fear.