Love's cruel game

Arriving at a dim room which immediately got lightened up with a snap of Zephyris finger. Which made Owen's jaw drop, "Beautiful." He muttered subconsciously, the prince smiled, happily.

"You can leave," he commanded, and all his guards that were present disappeared into thin air. Owen was shocked, and his sister Lyra held his hand in fright.

Zephyris frowned a little, jealousy playing on his face, and Owen started sweating. "Are you okay, sister? They are gone. Be calm," he comforted her and smiled at the King.

"Remember, you have something to say," Owen said, bringing Lyra back to her senses as she released Owen's hand and bowed to the king. "Your Highness, I'm afraid I'll have to refuse this engagement of ours. I don't want to marry," she confessed, her voice barely audible.

"I'm already married, Your Highness, and I'm pregnant with my husband's child. I beg for this engagement to be canceled tonight," she added shakily.

Silence took over the room for about five minutes. Owen could see the King was deep in thought, but keeping them waiting without responding was torturous.

"I'm happy you were brave enough to confess this, Princess Lyra," Zephyris cheered happily. "But at the same time, what you did has consequences you will have to pay for, or someone might pay for it. As for the engagement, it won't be canceled," he said, causing Owen and Lyra to raise their heads in confusion.

"Pardon me, Your Highness. Please, what do you mean the engagement won't be canceled?" Owen asked, sensing something was wrong.

Zephyris turned his back and looked at the moon through the window, smiling.

"Owen, I have some questions for you. Will you answer them honestly without lying? Can you do that?" Zephyris asked as he faced Owen.

Owen froze and swallowed hard, with different thoughts running through his mind. He didn't know what to do but managed to say, "Yes, I will."

King Zephyris smiled joyfully and then gazed at Lyra. "Let's test how much your brother loves you."

Owen looked at Zephyris, not liking the games he was playing now. It hurt him not having the upper hand here.

'Fairy, wherever you are, you better come out,' he screamed mentally, hoping it could listen to him this time. But no, the fairy didn't appear.

"Would you replace your sister instead and get engaged to me instead of her? Can you do that?" Zephyris asked.

Owen froze. Marriage and engagement weren't part of his plan for this mission. What was his mission, he asked himself. He had planned for a peaceful life, but it never came.

He looked at his sister and then at the King. "No, I can't replace her..." Owen answered hesitantly.

"Even if it means killing her unborn child? Who knows, a boy or a girl," Zephyris smiled as his crimson eyes shone.

"You are crazy," Owen shouted. He wasn't expecting the turn of events to be like this. He thought after the confession, he would let her go as long as he did whatever he wanted.

But he was naive, he sighed.

"Answer quickly, time is running," he muttered.

Owen looked at his sister as he shivered, her eyes red with tears streaming down non-stop. He clenched his hand and gazed at Zephyris' grinning face. It made him want to punch the bastard.

But Owen smiled as he laughed, "As expected from the mighty King. Very beautiful, don't worry. I accept to marry you, King Zephyris, and be your bride or pet, whichever suits you," he said finally.

Zephyris smiled as he licked his lips seductively. "Your sister and her husband will be sent away to another kingdom with enough food and money," he exclaimed.

Then he clapped his hands, and ten maids came in with red and black robes and a veil attached to a crown, along with enough jewelry.

'He had this all planned, this bastard is moving as quickly as he can,' he thought to himself.

Just then, a notification popped in front of him on a holographic screen.

[Congratulations host, you have completed the first phase of the mission. 'Save Princess Lyra and her baby from death.']

'Huh? Is that you, Indigo?' Owen mentally asked, surprised.

"It is me. Anyway, I have been busy lately, and I got everything settled," Indigo announced.

"I left, and you are getting married. Isn't that good news?" the fairy shouted mockingly.

'What a waste, I'm getting engaged, why don't I just enjoy the moment. It's not wrong doing that, right?'

"It depends on how you roll, Prince Owen." Indigo chuckled and winked at Owen.

Meanwhile, maids who arrived with his gown bowed and Owen was taken aback by the gown grandeur. It was a majestic, androgynous ensemble, fit for a prince.

The main attire was a long, flowing robe with billowy sleeves, made of a rich, velvety material in a deep, midnight blue hue. The robe was adorned with intricate silver embroidery that resembled the night sky, complete with delicate stars and crescent moons.

Immediately they got him dressed up. Around the neckline of the robe, a delicate lace ruffle added a touch of whimsy, while a matching silver belt cinched at the waist, accentuating Owen's slender figure. The gown's train followed behind him like a river of darkness, with subtle, shimmering threads that caught the light.

To complete the look, a delicate, bejeweled mask was placed over Owen's eyes, adding an air of mystery and allure. His hair was styled in loose, flowing waves, framing his face like a work of art.

As Owen gazed at his reflection, he was struck by the gown's transformative power. He looked like a creature from a fairy tale, a prince of the night, ready to captivate Zephyris' heart.

He knew Zephyris had planned this from the start, 'he is one step ahead of us, without him knowing it,' he thought as he shivered.

The maids left the three individuals. Lyra looked at her brother, shocked by the transformation. And again, she was shocked that the King wanted to marry her brother.

Meaning his eyes were on him, and her marriage with her was just to pull this brother of hers out of the shell, Lyra gasped at the realization.

"Sebastian, take Lady Lyra to a secure place, and your life's on the line if anything happens to her," he ordered, and a shadow appeared and took Lyra with him.

Owen now left with the king, he sighed as he waited for the king to talk. But everywhere remained silent.

Owen's eyes met Zephyris, as one can bet, this King was biting his lips as he stared at Owen, enjoying every moment and thankful Owen didn't say a word.

"You are the pure perfection of beauty," he said and smiled.