The Attack on the Crown Prince

The chaos erupted outside the Summit chamber like a storm tearing through a fragile façade.

Screams echoed across the grand halls and into the open courtyards, where the Tournament platform had been set up for the final matches of the day. The orderly hum of spectators and participants devolved into panic as people scrambled for safety, their elegant gowns and polished boots now stained with dust and debris. Calista Faremont stood at the edge of the platform, her hands clasped to her chest, her expression wide-eyed and trembling.

To an outsider, she appeared every bit the innocent heroine caught in a moment of terror. But Delphia, rushing out from the Summit chamber, caught the way Calista's eyes darted across the chaos: calculating, assessing.

For a fraction of a second, her mask slipped—a flicker of irritation crossed her face when Alaric hesitated near her, his hand reaching instinctively for his sword. The Crown Prince turned to Calista, his voice steady despite the surrounding pandemonium. "Stay close to me. I'll protect you." Calista's voice wavered, her hands clutching his arm. "Of course, Your Highness. I trust you completely." But her grip was too firm, too controlling, as though she was positioning herself rather than leaning on him for protection.

Delphia's heart pounded as she scanned the scene. The Royal Guards were pouring into the area, their swords drawn and shields raised, but the attackers—masked and moving with precision—were already closing in. Her eyes caught a blur of movement near Alaric.

A masked assailant darted forward, their hand glowing with the telltale light of a high-level spell, aimed directly at the Crown Prince.

Time seemed to slow, the energy crackling in the air as Delphia's breath caught in her throat.

But it wasn't Calista who saved the day, like the novel had written.

Zypher, who was prepared for this, emerged from the chaos like a tempest, his maroon eyes blazing with determination. Without hesitation, he thrust his arm forward, a shield of shimmering energy erupting between the attacker and the Crown Prince. The spell collided with the barrier, bursting into a shower of sparks that illuminated the panic-stricken faces of the onlookers.

"Get behind the guards!" Zypher barked at Alaric, his tone sharp and commanding. The Crown Prince hesitated, glancing back at Calista, whose grip on his arm tightened. "But—"

"Now!" Zypher's voice brooked no argument as he deflected another spell with a quick precise gesture, sending it careening harmlessly into the stone wall. He stepped forward, his presence a beacon of control in the pandemonium. With a final push of magic, he sent the nearest assailants sprawling, creating an opening for the guards to usher Alaric to safety.

Delphia arrived at the platform just as the guards closed ranks around the Crown Prince. Her gaze locked onto Zypher, who was battling the remaining attackers with a calm ferocity that left her both awed and terrified. "Zypher!" She called out instinctively, her voice cutting through the cacophony. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her chest tight with fear. She had told herself she would stay composed, but the sight of him in the midst of danger shattered her resolve.

Zypher turned at the sound of her voice, his expression softening for just a moment. He gave her a small, reassuring smile. "I'm fine," he mouthed, his lips curving upward.

But the moment of relief was short-lived.

A flash of light caught Delphia's eye, and her heart plummeted as a rogue attacker—one she had thought was down—rose to his feet, his hand glowing with another spell. The rogue's eyes locked onto Zypher, and before anyone could react, he unleashed the spell, a violent burst of energy that struck Zypher squarely in the back.

"Zypher!" Delphia screamed, her voice raw and desperate as she watched him stumble forward; She was unfamiliar with the sound coming out of her own mouth. He collapsed to his knees, then crumpled to the ground, his body unnervingly still.

The world around her blurred.

She barely registered the Royal Guard cutting down the rogue attacker, the shouts of the crowd, or the hurried footsteps of those rushing to restore order. All she could see was Zypher lying motionless on the ground.

Delphia ran to him, faster than she ever imagined she could run, dropping to her knees roughly beside his body, pain racing through her legs. Her hands trembled as she lifted his upper body onto her lap, her tears falling freely onto his face.

"Zy…pher," she choked out, her voice breaking. "No, no, no! Don't you dare do this to me! Please…" She cried over him, unrestrained.

Many were unaccustomed to this sight of her. They never thought that the cold 'Delphia Vosswell' could shed tears for anyone other than the Crown Prince.

Her fingers pressed against his chest and neck as she was frantically sucking in air, trying not to faint, searching for any sign of life on him. Should I perform CPR? Was the only thought running through her head over and over again.

The seconds stretched into an eternity, each one more agonizing than the last. Her vision blurred with tears, her mind racing with fear and regret.

And then, a faint twitch.

His hand moved to cover hers, his fingers weak but steady as they curled around hers.

He coughed softly, his chest rising with a shallow breath. "Delphie…" His voice was barely audible, but it was enough to send a wave of relief crashing over her.

"You're alive," she whispered in relief, her tears falling faster as she clutched his hand. "You're alive!" She couldn't help but to cheer.

A faint grin tugged at his lips, even as pain etched lines across his face. "That… that spell. It's what killed me last time," he murmured, his voice hoarse but tinged with wry humor. "But I came prepared. Soft armor… under my clothes. Just in case."

Delphia let out a shaky laugh, her relief overwhelming. She leaned down, pressing a kiss to his forehead, then his lips, her hands cupping his face. "You scared me," she said, her voice trembling. "You scared me so much. I thought I would lose you."

Zypher's grin widened, though his exhaustion was evident. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his eyes softening as he looked up at her. "But I told you—we're changing things this time."

She held him close, her arms wrapped tightly around him as if to shield him from the world. For the first time since arriving in this place, she felt the full weight of her emotions—the fear, the love, the determination to protect the man who had become so much more than just a character in a book to her. And as she held him, the chaos around them began to settle, the screams fading into murmurs, the danger receding like a tide.

But Delphia knew this was only the beginning. The game had changed, and they were far from finished. Together, they would face whatever came next.

The aftermath of the attack left an almost surreal stillness in its wake, broken only by the murmurs of those who had gathered outside the Summit. The Dukes, their expressions ranging from stern to shaken, had emerged from the chamber and stood at the edges of the chaotic scene.

The crowd, once composed of the most dignified figures in the Kingdom, now bore a collective air of unease, their murmurs a steady hum of speculation and disbelief.

At the center of it all, Delphia knelt beside Zypher, her arms still wrapped protectively around him. Her rose-gold hair fell like a curtain around his face as she rested her head on his and whispered to him softly, her voice and body trembling from the aftermath of her panic. Zypher, though pale and clearly weakened, managed a faint smile, his hand resting atop hers as he reassured her with quiet words.

Duke Vosswell stood frozen among the other nobles, his sharp features softened by an expression of shock he rarely displayed. His eldest daughter—no, his heiress—had thrown herself into the fray, risking her life to protect not only himbut the Magic Tower's heir as well.

For the first time, he truly saw her—not as the reckless, imputes Delphia of the past, but as a woman who had grown far beyond his expectations.

The Crown Prince, standing nearby with Calista at his side, observed the scene with a furrowed brow. His blue eyes, always so keenly observant, lingered on Delphia's trembling hands and the tears still glistening on her cheeks. Something shifted within him; A quiet acknowledgment that the girl who had once pursued him so relentlessly had moved on entirely. "She really loves him," Alaric murmured under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.

Calista, standing stiffly beside him, glanced up, her sky-blue hair catching the light of the sun. Her lips parted as if to respond, but she hesitated. There was a strange, unfamiliar emotion flickering in her green eyes—something between disbelief and unease.

She had been so certain that today would be her moment, that her intervention would bring her closer to Alaric. And yet, here she was, relegated to the sidelines, watching as Delphia and Zypher became the center of attention. "I told you before," Calista finally said, her voice quieter than usual, "people can change." But even as she spoke the words, they felt hollow, and she found herself unable to meet Alaric's gaze.

Delphia helped Zypher into a sitting position, brushing the hair from his face with trembling fingers. "Are you sure you're okay?" She asked, her voice soft but insistent. Zypher nodded, though the effort of even that small motion was evident. "I'm fine," he said, his voice low and steady. "Thanks to you."

"You scared me so much," she whispered once more, her voice breaking slightly. "Don't ever do that again, do you hear me?" He chuckled weakly, his maroon eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "I'll do my absolute best to avoid getting hit by lethal spells, but I can't make any promises."

A faint smile tugged at her lips despite the tears still lingering on her cheeks. "That's not funny."

"I know," he said, his tone softening. "But I needed to see you smile." She rolled her eyes, helping him to his feet as his weight leaned heavily against her. "Come on. Let's get you to the guards." As the two of them moved toward the gathered Royal Guard, all eyes were on them. Whispers rippled through the crowd as Zypher straightened himself, his composure returning despite the obvious strain.

"Archmage Thorne," Alaric spoke up, stepping forward with an uncharacteristically serious expression. "You saved my life."

Zypher met the Crown Prince's gaze evenly, his own maroon eyes unwavering. "It was my duty, Your Highness."

Alaric's lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment he said nothing. Then, with a slight incline of his head, he added, "Regardless, you have my gratitude. I won't forget it." Delphia, being so close, caught the subtle shift in Alaric's tone. It wasn't warmth exactly, but there was a begrudging respect there that hadn't been present before.

Zypher inclined his head in return. "I only ask that Your Highness remains vigilant. Today won't be the last time someone tries to harm you." Alaric's gaze flicked to Delphia briefly before returning to Zypher. "It seems I'll need to rely on capable allies." Zypher's lips twitched in the faintest of smiles. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Meanwhile, Calista stood silently at Alaric's side, her usual confidence shaken. She felt as though the ground beneath her had shifted, leaving her off-balance. She had been so certain of her place, so sure that she would be the one to save the day and cement her bond with the Crown Prince. But now, as she watched Alaric exchange words with Zypher, a seed of doubt began to take root.

Delphia turned her attention back to Zypher, her hand steadying him as he spoke with the guards.

Her heart still raced from the earlier chaos, but seeing him upright and coherent was enough to soothe her frayed nerves. "Let's get you somewhere to rest," she murmured once the formalities were spoken. Zypher glanced at her, his maroon eyes softening as he took in the concern etched across her face. "Not yet," he said quietly. "There's still work to be done."

Delphia sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "You're impossible." He chuckled, the sound light despite the tension in the air. "And you love me for it."

A small smile broke through her exhaustion. "Maybe… I do."

As the sun started to dip lower on the horizon, casting long shadows across the courtyard, the crowd began to disperse. The tension lingered, but for now, the danger had passed.

Delphia and Zypher stood together amidst the remnants of chaos, their bond stronger than ever, their resolve unshaken. And as Duke Vosswell watched his daughter from a distance, a newfound respect settled over him. She was no longer the impulsive girl he had once reared. She was a force to be reckoned with—a true Vosswell in every sense of the word.