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The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the royal hunting grounds. The beast, now subdued by the power I'd unknowingly unleashed, stood in silent reverence, its gaze never leaving mine. I could feel the stirrings of something ancient, something wild within me—an energy that had been lying dormant for too long.
Lucien rode up to my side, his face pale with concern, though he tried to mask it with a forced smile. "Your Majesty, that was... unexpected."
I nodded, still focused on the divine beast that stood before me. Its power pulsed, a rhythmic beat that felt like the beating of my own heart. It was as if we were connected—tethered by an invisible thread. "It wasn't just unexpected. It was inevitable."
"You've awakened something within you, something much stronger than any of us realized," Lucien murmured. "But be careful. Power like that... it's dangerous."
I knew he was right. The raw energy that had surged through me earlier had felt like an uncontrollable storm—ferocious and untamed. But for the first time, I didn't fear it. I felt like I was meant to wield it.
"Lucien," I said, my voice low and steady. "Do you know what this beast is? Alistair mentioned it before, but I need to know more."
Lucien's face grew more serious, his usual light-hearted demeanor replaced with something more somber. "It's a divine beast, Your Majesty. These creatures are tied to ancient bloodlines—ones that haven't been seen in centuries. They aren't just animals; they're conduits of immense power, power that only the rightful heir can harness."
I raised an eyebrow, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to fall into place. "And you think I'm the rightful heir?"
He hesitated for a moment before nodding. "You have the bloodline, Your Majesty. That's why you were able to tame the beast, why it bowed to you. But this power... it's not something you can control easily. The Empress—"
Before Lucien could finish his thought, a voice interrupted us. "Impressive," said the Crown Prince, riding up to us with his usual confident swagger. His silvery hair gleamed in the setting sun, and his sharp eyes were fixed on me with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine. "But power like that will make you many enemies, Your Majesty."
I turned to face him, my expression unreadable. "Perhaps. But I'll be ready for them."
The Crown Prince dismounted, his boots making a soft thud as they hit the ground. "You've already made one enemy," he said, his gaze flicking to the divine beast. "The Empress won't be pleased with this display of power. She's worked hard to suppress anything that could rival her."
I felt a flash of irritation, but I forced it down. "I'm not interested in pleasing her," I replied coolly.
His lips curled into a sly smile. "I didn't think you would be. But be careful, Your Majesty. The Empress is not someone you can simply challenge. She has eyes everywhere."
---
The Crown Prince's words lingered in my mind long after the hunt had ended. As I rode back to the palace, the divine beast at my side, I couldn't shake the feeling that the game had just begun. The Empress was a formidable foe, but she was not the only one who held power in this kingdom.
---
The next few days were a blur of court politics and hidden schemes. Despite the Crown Prince's warning, I couldn't stop thinking about the divine beast and the power it had unlocked within me. But I couldn't afford to get too comfortable. The Empress's spies were everywhere, and if they found out what had truly happened in the woods, it would only be a matter of time before she took action.
I spent most of my time in the palace's private library, studying ancient texts that spoke of divine beasts, bloodlines, and power. It was there that I stumbled upon something that made my blood run cold—a prophecy.
"The one who controls the divine beasts will rise above the Empress, but the cost will be great. Only the pure of heart can survive the trials that await."
I slammed the book shut, my breath coming in sharp gasps. The trials? What did that mean? And what price would I have to pay to control this power?
---
Later that evening, as I sat alone in my chambers, a soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. "Enter," I called, my voice steady.
The door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside. It was Alistair, his dark robes flowing behind him like shadows. His piercing eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I felt the weight of his presence.
"You've been busy," he said, his tone almost amused. "Studying the old texts, no doubt?"
I nodded, feeling a strange mix of unease and curiosity. "I found something—something that mentions trials and costs. Do you know anything about it?"
Alistair's expression darkened, and he stepped closer. "The prophecy is not something to be taken lightly, Your Majesty. It's a warning."
"A warning?" I repeated, my voice sharp. "What kind of warning?"
He hesitated, his gaze flicking to the divine beast, which had been quietly standing in the corner of the room. "The trials are designed to test your resolve, your worthiness to wield such power. But they come at a cost, and the cost is not always something you can bear."
I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. "What do you mean?"
"The trials will push you to your limits, Your Majesty. They will force you to choose between your desires and your duty. And if you fail..." He let the words hang in the air.
I swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on me. The divine beasts, my power, my bloodline—it was all connected to something far greater than I had realized. And if I was going to survive, I needed to be ready for whatever was coming.
---
As I looked at Alistair, something in his eyes shifted—a flicker of something darker, something that didn't quite match the persona he had shown me. It was then that I realized: he wasn't just here to help me. He was a player in this game, and like everyone else in this palace, he had his own hidden motives.
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End of Chapter 12
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