Chapter 66

Chapter 66
Randolph's POV.

"Land Ho!" the lookout man hollered.

1 took out my spyglass and glimpsed at the island ahead.

It's been hours since we left the shores of Tyr, hours since I left Princess Emily in the Great Cabin, having watched over her until she slept off, and joined the crew on the main deck.

The captain had inquired about our my destination, and I told him Azalea. Now, at last, there she stood. Above us, silhouettes of birds flitted across the sky as first stars twinkled into existence.

Prepare the lines!" the captain's voice rang out. "Ease the sails and slow her down!"

The crew sprang into action, uncoiling the thick ropes and securing the sails. Soon, the ship glided forward, hauled by the gentle current.

The salty breeze thickened with the scent of damp wood and seaweed as we neared Azalea's harbor.

"Drop anchor!" the captain called

A heavy splash followed as the heavy metal plunged into the depths of the sea, sending ripples across the water's surface. The ship rocked slightly, and after a moment, settled into place.

"We've arrived Azalea," the captain muttered, turning to me.

Torches flickered in the forest bordering the harbor, betraying the presence of Azalea's night guards as they surveyed the foreign ship.

Yet the Nirian officers, all of them lycans, remained unbothered.

"Thank you," I said, also turning to the captain.

"Do you need any assistance?" he asked.

"Not much, just a canoe to transport the princess and me to shore."

At my request, the captain gave a subtle nod before signaling his men. They moved with practiced efficiency, lowering the Jacob's ladder, preparing and also lowering the boat.

I made my way to the Great Cabin. The moment I pushed open the door, I froze at the sight before me. Not only had Princess Emily woken up, she had turned the entire place into chaos.

Chairs laid overturned, maps and scrolls scattered across the floor, and a broken goblet leaked wine onto the wooden planks. She was sprawled on the bed, laughing wildly as she ripped apart the sheets.

I let out a muffled curse as I dashed after her. "Princess Emily. No!"

She thrashed again like in the courtyard, but I tightened my grip.

Ignoring her protests, I carried her out of the cabin, onto the main deck.

Under the wary stares of the officers, I lowered us into the boat and took up the oars. I started paddling and as soon as we neared the shores, I heard the captain's voice ring out.

"Weigh anchor and prepare for sail!!"

The vessel swayed and slowly drifted away from the docks. I turned my attention back to the shore, focusing on each stroke of the oars, cutting through the dark water with practiced precision.

Princess Emily was calm again-tugging at her dress and staring into the distance.

Ahead, the torchlights from the Azalean guards illuminated the shores. They stood rigid, assessing us, waiting for any sign of threat as we approached.

The moment the boat scraped against the sand, I secured the oars and stepped out, pulling Emily with me. Her legs wobbled beneath her, but I tightened my hold. She was in no condition to walk on her own.

"Identify yourself," one of the guards called out, stepping forward. He gasped as beams of his torchlight flickered across my face. "Randolph?"



The royal bell sounded in the distance as our carriage pulled up before the castle's terrace. Footsteps inched closer from the mansion, guards scooting into position, and then emerged King Thane and Queen Larissa clad in their sleepwear.

"Where's she?" Queen Larissa cried.

I alighted from the carriage and guided Princess Emily down. Giggling, she staggered, and clung to me.

Luna Larissa gasped. "Emily!" She hurried down the stairs and pulled her daughter into her arms. "Goodness gracious, you're really here!" she cried.

Princess Emily only giggled in response, her fingers toying with the folds of her mother's gown as she led her away, into the mansion.

King Thane stepped toward me, his stone gaze locked on mine. "I learned about what happened in Cathena," he spoke.

A wave of melancholy swept through me.

1 arched forward in a bow and straightened. "It was the child you saw that night in Tyr, my lord."

"But I heard the invaders were lycans."

"The child..." I hesitated. "He's half-lycan, half-werewolf. He has grown into a powerful ruler. King Calix commands the largest lyçan army."

"King Calix? Is that his name?"

"Yes, my lord." I paused, watching as sadness flitted across his face. I pondered whether to tell him or not. "He is her mate."

No! Let me go!" Princess Emily's voice rang out from within the castle. Thus, our conversation quickly ended.

The next day, at rioon precisely, Madame Severine arrived Azalea. She resumed her treatment from where she had left off in the hamlet.

I stood in the corridor of the sickbay, listening to Princess Emily's screams as they dipped her into freezing water, attached leeches to her skin, and gave her various herbs and purgatives. She thrashed and thrashed and at some point, they had to restrain her to a chair using heavy chains.

Queen Larissa turned away, unable to watch. Her hands pressed tightly over her lips to stifle the sobs that arose in her throat. King Thane stood rigid, his face devoid of emotion, though his clenched fists betrayed his turmoil.

Minutes turned into hours, and hours into days-yet nothing seemed to work. Princess Emily only grew paler, her Maughter turning to exhausted whimpers, her vivid blue eyes turning into vacant pools.

Gradually, she became a shadow of herself.



Leia's POV.

It's been one month since the princess and my mate left Tyr. The castle has grown irrevocably quiet, the once lively atmosphere now reduced to an unbearable stillness.

The laughter that used to echo through the corridors is gone, replaced by a sudden silence so heavy it presses against my chest.

At night, I find myself staring at the door, half-expecting Randolph to walk in, his familiar scent filling the room, his voice calling my name. But he doesn't.

I'd sit by my window, staring at the moon, wondering if he's looking at the same sky, if he misses me the way I miss him.

Sleep does not come easily-not when every dream leads me back to him, and every waking moment reminds me that he is gone.

tried to be strong, to push away the longing that gnawed at my heart, but the ache remained. A part of me is missing, taken away with him the moment he stepped into that carriage.

As for my cousin, Calix. At first, he acted as though her absence didn't bother him.

He even summoned the council and canceled the Luna ceremony. But as the days went by, he became a shadow of himself. I even caught him, once, grasping at her clothes and crying.

Why does love hurt so much?

"My lady, breakfast has been served," a voice called softly from the threshold of my bedchamber, pulling me from my reverie.

I turned to find my handmaid standing there, her expression gentle yet Vexpectant. A faint smile touched my lips.

"Thank you."

With one last glance at my reflection, I stepped away from the vanity and made my way to the dining hall.

Yet even this morning, the atmosphere of the dining hall was of no better ambiance.

Calix sat at the head of the table, his expression unreadable. He toyed with his fork while I poked at my meal-the both of us lost in our thoughts.

Han cleared his throat. "We should play a board game after meal. What do you think?" he suggested, attempting to liven up the atmosphere.

Before anyone could answer, footsteps echoed into the room. A footman entered, carrying a tray of letter. He stopped beside Calix and bowed. "A letter from Azalea."

"That should be mine." I jumped to my feet and reached for it, my heart already pounding.

Calix stood as well, eyeing the envelope with barely contained interest. "Are you certain, Leia? Perhaps I should take a look."

Wordlessly, I turned the letter in my hands, revealing the stamp-Randolph's name pressed on it. "You see?" I said, unable to contain my grin. "It's from my mate. It's mine."

Chuckling, I hurried to a quiet corner, my fingers trembling as I tore open the envelope. My breath hitched as I pulled out the letter and began to read.

My Dearest Leia,

It feels like an eternity since I last held you in my arms, since I last heard your voice or felt the warmth of your presence beside me. Every night, I find myself reaching for you in my sleep, only to wake up to the cold emptiness of my chambers. I miss you more than words can convey.

We arrived in Azalea safely, but I haven't been able to write until now. The moment we set foot in the castle, everything turned to chaos. At first, I thought Princess Emily was feigning the illness, but as we journeyed to Azalea, I realized it was no act of pretense anymore-She is truly sick.

They've bled her with leeches, plunged her into ice-cold baths, and forced tonics down her throat that leave her gasping for air.

The castle, once a place of grandeur, now feels like a prison where hope is fading.

I wish you were here-not because I want you to witness this suffering, but because I need you. Your presence, your strength, the way you always manage to ground me when everything around me is falling apart. I long to return to you, but until Princess Emily recovers, I cannot leave her side.

Please, my love, write to me. Tell me how you are, tell me anything, just so I can hold on to something beyond this misery.

carry you in my heart always.

Forever Yours, Randolph.

"Well, what does it say?" Calix asked, almost impatiently.

"She wasn't pretending," I murmured.

"What?"

I simply stretched the letter to him. Calix hesitated for a fleeting second. Then he collected it and stepped toward a corner.