The Third Prince Of Darkness

(Evangeline's POV)

"So, is this the reason you're asking for my help?" I asked Umala.

"Y-yes. Ethan said he would talk to you about this. Didn't he?" Umala asked me.

"We talked. That's why I'm now deciding whether or not to help you. Normally, it would be ridiculous for me to even consider using the leverage that would ruin Yavein and remove him from the struggle for the throne. But because Ethan asked me, I'm still here talking to you. Do you understand?" I asked.

In truth, this was a lie. I didn't possess the power or leverage to remove Yavein from the struggle for the throne whenever I wanted. I could only threaten him because I had some of his former lovers and concubines under my control, but that alone wouldn't be enough to take him out of the game.

Of course, I had long-term plans to defeat him, but with the support he currently had from both the people and the nobles, my task would be difficult. However, now thanks to Ethan, I had an excellent opportunity in front of me, and I couldn't afford to miss it.

"I understand, Princess. But if you help me, I will do anything for you. I just don't want to go back to that dark and terrifying bedroom again..." Umala said.

"Hah... Alright, I'll help you," I said, which made Umala smile brightly. "But I have one condition" I added, causing her to adopt a serious expression once more.

"What is it, Princess?" she asked.

"I will have to use my only leverage against Yavein for you, and this will put both of us in danger in the long run. If Yavein ascends to the throne, there will be nothing even Ethan can do to save you. That's why we need to work together and create new leverage against Yavein." I explained.

Umala recognized the seriousness of my words, and determination sparked in her eyes. "When I said I'd do anything, I meant it, Princess" she said.

"So, we have a deal, right?" I asked one last time.

"We have a deal, Princess..."

As Umala left the room, a mix of determination and fear was evident on her face. Watching her leave, I realized just how critical this moment was. In this covert war against Yavein, Umala's support might be more valuable than I initially thought. But this was a significant risk. As Ethan had said, if we didn't make the right moves with Umala, neither of us would escape Yavein's wrath.

Once I was alone in the room, I took a deep breath. Under the dim light, I tried to gather my thoughts. Yavein was cold-blooded and ambitious. I knew his dark sides and weaknesses well, but still ,plotting against him was always a dangerous game.

My gaze fell on a thin envelope on the table. It contained a secret letter from Ethan. I hadn't opened it yet because my conversation with Umala was a more urgent matter. Now, I carefully picked up the envelope and opened it.

The letter was written in Ethan's concise style. He spoke of Yavein's recent movements, the support he had garnered, and the importance of the alliance with Umala. But between the lines, Ethan's trust in me and the strategic moves he expected from me were clear.

As I read the letter, a plan began to take shape in my mind. I started seeing Umala not just as a pawn, but as one of the strongest cards I could play against Yavein. But to perfect this plan, I needed more.

I decided to review the information I had on Yavein's former lovers and concubines once more. While I couldn't fully control them, I could tarnish Yavein's reputation by leaking the right information at the right time. I needed to think of other moves to strengthen this plan.

I sat down at the small writing desk in the room and began drafting a strategic list. I was listing steps that would protect Umala and, at the same time, create new leverage against Yavein. This was like a chess game, and I had to plan my moves carefully.

After completing my plan, I gracefully extinguished the candles on the table and made my way to the bed. Before falling asleep, I looked out the window at the dark sky. The coming days would be challenging, but challenges had always meant new opportunities for me. I had risked everything in this battle against Yavein.

Slowly closing my eyes, I replayed the details of my new strategy in my mind and began to prepare myself for the new struggle. This night was not the first step on my path to victory, but it was a crucial one.

----

(Ethan's POV)

Days have passed since I left the Tamerid Empire, and we have finally reached the capital of the Asina Kingdom. The journey took longer than expected because we encountered many difficulties along the way. The horses fell ill, the carriage wheels broke, bandits attacked, or tree logs blocked our path.

All these issues seemed suspicious to me, but since I had finally arrived at the palace, I decided to overlook them for now. After all, everything had been going perfectly according to my plans recently.

For the first time in my life, I began to feel this good. Everything was going well, and my ascension to the throne was now certain. Ultimately, the only thing left was to eliminate the pests. Now, all I needed to do was to execute the tasks I had previously set out to do. After that, I had to remain a bit more passive and slowly kill the snake before it woke up.

I had to proceed step by step, calmly executing my plans. When everything was ready, I would eliminate all my enemies with a single, powerful strike and ascend to the throne with a perfect coup. However, there was still some time left for that.

When I arrived at the palace and got out of the carriage, I looked up at the grand structure of the palace. This place now felt like home to me, a place where I felt safe. It was where almost everyone I loved lived. Of course, there were also people I didn't like living here, but they wouldn't live for much longer, anyway.

As I admired the magnificent architecture of the palace, my eyes suddenly caught sight of the black smoke rising into the sky from the back of the palace.

"Is there a fire?" I asked one of the knights beside me.

"I don't know, Your Excellency, but if you wish, I can check it out for you." said the knight.

"No, I'll check it out myself," I replied.

I looked again at the sky, tainted by the thick black smoke. The fire was likely in the extensive garden, so I headed in that direction. As I moved closer, the smell of burnt flesh, along with another unpleasant odor, reached my nose. My heart started to beat rapidly as I rushed toward the garden.

The grand garden of the palace, usually a place of peace—a paradise where nobles strolled, flowers bloomed in a riot of colors, and birds sang—was now burning.

Suddenly, a servant appeared before me, but this servant was one of the trusted ones brought by Althea from the servant guild... and they were supposed to be guarding my secret estate right now. Thinking that Althea might have sent this servant to deliver a message to me, I turned to the servant. She was out of breath, covered in dust and dirt.

"Y-Your Excellency, huh... huh... Althea... She!" The servant struggled to speak, her words coming out in disjointed phrases as she tried to catch her breath.

"What happened? Tell me already!" I raised my voice.

"L-Lady Althea... she's gravely injured, Your Excellency! Prince Liam's men... they... they..." the servant stammered.

"What?!"

At that moment, it felt as if the entire world had stopped, and all sounds had ceased. The only thing I could hear was the pounding of my pulse in my ears. It was as if I had just solved the most hard puzzle in the world. My eyes widened in horror, and it was harder to take a step than when I took my first step as a baby, but I forced myself to move. And I continued to walk toward the back garden.

In the back garden, I saw Liam and Fiona and other two sons. Behind them, I noticed my father and many knights standing at attention. At the back of the group were Fiona and her brother Huykaun, along with their servants. The only ones not present were Isabella, my mother, and my sisters.

Then, my eyes turned to the fire that was sending black smoke into the sky. It was a controlled fire, with many logs piled together. On top of the logs was a burnt corpse, far from resembling a human being anymore. It was just a piece of charred flesh, and the burning body was slowly turning to ash. But deep down, I knew who it was, though I didn't want to accept it.

My slow approach into the garden caught everyone's attention. My eyes turned in horror to the man standing beside Liam. His gaze avoided mine, and he took a few steps back, hiding behind Liam. But I saw who he was... It was Markuol himself. My eyes then locked onto Liam, who stood there with a smug, confident smirk, wider than ever before.

"Welcome, brother! We are organizing the funeral of an important knight of the kingdom. Come and join us!"He said with a disgusting crooked smile on his face

At that moment, something inside me started to break again, and my emotions began to shatter. The deep breaths I took did nothing to calm my pulse; if anything, they increased it. My heart was pumping blood as if to torture my body, which was trying to face this reality. Something I hadn't felt in a long time, something I thought I had control over, began to rise inside me...

And this time it was rising unstoppably.

"Let me go!" said the darkness within me.

I was struggling to suppress and control it.

"Free me!" the darkness demanded.

I tried to imprison and hold it back.

"This time you can't stop me!" the darkness proclaimed.

... AND HE WAS RIGHT. THIS TIME I COULDN'T STOP MYSELF. MY BODY STARTED TO CHANGE AND A DARK ARMOR BEGAN TO FORM AROUND ME. I WAS SURE EVERYONE THERE WAS LOOKING AT ME IN SHOCK, BUT THAT DIDN'T MATTER. TODAY, I WOULD KILL EVERYONE HERE!

TODAY, I WOULD UNLEASH ALL MY DARKNESS AND RELEASE MY WRATH. TODAY, THERE WOULD BE MUCH BLOODSHED, BUT IT WOULD NOT BE MY BLOOD. I WAS ANGRY TODAY BECAUSE I HAD LOST... THE WOMAN I LOVED.

"L....LİAAAAAAAAAAM!!!"

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