CHAPTER 205: SEPHRINA [5]

The Elven soldiers weren’t there to mess around.

The moment Velyrian opened the door, they all barged in and took control of the situation.

And now, even without their will... Velyrian, Akmair and Sephrina were all taken to the capital city.

The carriage moved slowly as they sat quietly within it.

Sephrina was holding Akamir’s hand while Velyrian sat on her other side.

In front of them were the two royal guards, staring at them without blinking.

’The fuck is happening now.’

Akamir thought, trying to wrap his head around the event.

It all happened so fast that he couldn’t understand it.

One second they were leaving a peaceful evening and the next they were dragged back to the Capital City.

’Did Lewin find something?’

Akamir thought, his mind turning grim.

’What is he up to?’

The carriage wheels clattered over the cobblestone road, the steady rhythm only making the silence inside feel heavier.

Sephrina’s grip on Akamir’s hand was tight, her thumb rubbing against his knuckles unconsciously.

She didn’t say a word, but the tension in her shoulders said enough.

Velyrian, on the other hand, looked more irritated than afraid.

His eyes kept darting to the guards opposite them, as if he was calculating exactly how long it would take to knock them out and make a run for it.

Akamir leaned back against the seat, forcing his body to relax even though his mind was far from it.

’I need to find a way to run or kill all of them if things get out of hand.’

Truth be told, Akamir could really kill all of them without much problem.

For instance, the elven soldiers were nothing but ordinary elves with fancy armour.

’But what if Lewin is different....’

Akmair couldn’t be sure if Lewin had the same abilities as Sephrina or not.

’He was the centre of whatever Kros did, after all.’

He glanced out the narrow carriage window.

The familiar streets of the capital passed by, but there were more patrols than usual.

Every corner seemed to have a pair of guards.

’So it’s not just us,’ he thought grimly.

The carriage slowed.

The heavy gates of the royal keep loomed ahead, torches lining the path like a trail into the jaws of a beast.

Velyrian finally spoke, his voice low. "If this is Lewin’s doing, he’s either desperate... or stupid."

"Maybe both," Akamir muttered.

Sephrina shifted uncomfortably but didn’t speak.

The carriage passed through the gates without stopping, the guards on duty saluting sharply as they entered the inner courtyard.

When the door opened, more soldiers waited—each armed, each wearing the crest of the royal family.

One of them stepped forward. "By order of His Majesty, you are to be brought before the throne. Immediately."

Akamir met the man’s eyes for a brief second.

There was no malice there... but no warmth either.

"Lead the way," Velyrian said, his tone calm.

They all got out of the carriage as they looked around the place.

The palace was what Akmair remembered when he visited Sephrina.

’So, they haven’t changed anything even in the dream?’

Akmair then looked to the side where a line of maids holding baskets waited for their arrival.

When they all moved past them, they took out the flower petals and showered them with it.

The petals drifted down in soft reds and whites, catching in Akamir’s hair and sliding off Velyrian’s shoulder.

It would’ve been beautiful... if not for the rows of armed guards flanking the path.

Sephrina kept her eyes forward, her hand still tight in Akamir’s.

The flower petals clung to her golden hair, making her look like some untouchable figure out of an old story.

The doors swung open before they reached them, revealing the main hall.

Tall pillars lined each side, banners of deep blue and silver hanging high above.

And at the end of the hall, on the dais beneath the crest of the elven kingdom... sat the throne.

Lewin was already there.

Not lounging, not smirking. He was just sitting perfectly straight, his hands resting lightly on the arms of the chair.

His gaze fixed on them the moment they entered.

The line of guards parted as they approached.

When they finally stopped a few steps from the throne, Lewin spoke.

His voice was smooth, carrying easily through the hall.

"You’ve been busy."

Velyrian didn’t flinch. "You dragged us here for small talk?"

’Come to think of it, Velyrian and Lewin were of the same age group.’

Akmair thought as he stared at the blonde-haired man.

Lewin’s eyes shifted away from Velyrian towards them.

When he saw Sephrina holding Akamir’s hand, rage lit up in his eyes.

But controlling himself, Lewin stood up.

"Call a priest."

A soldier bowed before he ran to call one.

In the meantime, Lewin kept on staring at Sephrina.

His gaze was so intense, it made her hide behind Akamir.

"Don’t worry." Akamir reassured her. "You will be fine."

She just nodded in response.

Soon after, a priest rushed into the room as he bowed towards the king first.

He was a fat elven man with long pointy ears, wrapped in a deep red robe.

"What help can I provide, Your Majesty?" he asked, with a bow.

"When is the best time for marriage?" Lewin asked, looking at him.

’No way...’

I immediately tensed up as I grabbed Sephrina’s hand tightly.

The priest blinked in surprise, then smiled like he’d just been handed the juiciest gossip in the kingdom.

"Ah... marriage," he said, rubbing his hands together. "A blessed union must be planned according to the stars, Your Majesty. The moon cycle, the season, the—"

"Fast," Lewin cut in, his voice sharp. "Tell me if it can be done as early as possible."

The priest froze.

His eyes darted between Lewin, Akamir, and Sephrina. "T–That is... highly irregular—"

"I didn’t ask for a sermon." Lewin’s tone left no room for argument.

The priest swallowed hard and nodded quickly. "Yes, Your Majesty... It can be done. The omens are... acceptable."

’Acceptable my ass,’ Akamir thought, fighting the urge to roll his eyes.

Sephrina’s grip on his hand trembled. Akamir could feel it—fear and disgust.

Lewin stepped down from the dais, closing the distance slowly.

"Sephrina," he said softly, like they were alone. "You belong here. Not out there, running around with..."

His eyes flicked to Akamir, and the smile he gave was venom. "...strays."

Akamir didn’t reply as he kept on staring at the man. He gathered spirit energy in his hand.

Guards shifted their stances, hands brushing weapon hilts.

"She doesn’t know what’s good for her," Lewin said. "But I do."

Akamir smiled faintly, tilting his head. "And you think forcing her will make her love you?"

Lewin’s jaw tightened, but he turned away, addressing the priest. "Prepare the ceremony. Now."

Velyrian stepped forward to block their path. "Have you lost your mind!" he snapped. "She is a child!"

"So what!?" Lewin snapped back. "I have loved her since the day she was born!??"

He then pointed at Velyrian. "I have been taking care of her for almost forty years just for this one day!!!"

Akmair felt Sephrina’s hand tremble violently.

He squeezed Sephrina’s hand gently, leaning closer to whisper so only she could hear.

"Stay calm. I won’t let him have you."

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, her fear eased.

Lewin’s breathing grew heavy, his nostrils flaring as he glared at Velyrian like a predator denied its prey.

"You’ve been nothing but a thorn in my side," he hissed. "Always getting in the way. Always—"

"She is my daughter, you fucker!" Velyrian snapped. "You think I would let you touch her?"

Lewin’s expression twitched, his composure slipping for the first time.

"Enough." He turned toward the guards. "Restrain them."

The soldiers moved instantly, stepping forward with hands on their weapons.

"Last warning, Lewin," Akamir said quietly, his eyes locked on the elf king. "Call them off."

"Who are you?" Lewin asked, frowning. "What are you even doing in my kingdom?"

Akamir’s lips twitched but he got a crucial information.

’So, he thinks this World belongs to him now?’

Suddenly Akamir remembered one more thing.

The words of Nayomi right before all this happened.

’The Greater One and Lewin are fighting for control.’

What if...

What if this world was made solely to keep Lewin busy?

What if Kros had already taken over Lewin’s original body?

"I was always keeping myself in check in the real world!" Lewin said, his voice raising. "But not now! She will be my bride whether she likes it or not!"

The temperature in the hall seemed to drop.

The guards hesitated, their instincts screaming at them to stop, though Lewin’s order still hung in the air.

’Can I kill him?’

Akamir thought, ignoring all the other thoughts.

Akamir’s fingers flexed, spirit energy pooling in his palm like a silent storm.

Just when tension was reaching its peak, Akamir felt something abnormal.

He looked back at Lewin as he pointed at Velyrian.

’Don’t tell me....’

If Sephrina could create anything from her mind...

What if—

"Velyrian, move!!!"