His destined mate

Ethan's POV

The cool air drifted through the castle grounds and reminded me of the night everything changed-the night Derek plunged a dagger into my heart, shattering the fragile peace we had built. It was the lies that haunted me, memories I couldn't escape.

Laughter filled the air at one of our big dinners years ago. The nobility had gathered, retoasting to prosperity, unaware that real chaos was hiding just beneath it.

Emily had been charming, her enthusiasm an enthusiasm that charmed everyone but only Derek's eyes held danger-a bubbling jealousy that soon boils over Flashback to the party

The hall was alive with music and merriment, twinkling lights on the stone walls, playful shadows. I had felt invincible that night, sitting across the table with Emily next to me, her presence welcome for inspiration in leadership. "Ethan, you have to stop for a while!" Emily smiled, pushing me playfully. I had smiled back, his enthusiasm infectious, but Derek's eyes were shining across the room which made my stomach churn. "Isn't it time for a toast?" Derek announced as he rose to his feet, his voice booming over the music. The room fell silent as all eyes turned to him. "With the family!" He raised his cup and announced it. "We were chained together a darkness that wanted to tear us apart as hard as anything!"

The dignitaries cheered, but I sensed a hint of malice in his words. Emily smiled, eyes rolling, completely oblivious to the storm brewing in Derek's heart. Later that night, as the celebration continued, I noticed Derek lingering over Emily. I brushed it off as brotherly love, but I felt something. I could see her weaving through the crowd, a predator stalking its prey. "Stay close, okay?" I said wrapping my arms around Emily's waist. "I don't want to lose you in this madness." "I'm not going anywhere, Ethan," she replied with a reassuring smile. But my instincts told me otherwise. As the night wore on, I lost sight of Emily for only a few moments, and that was all that was needed. When I saw her, she and Derek were laughing, nodding, whispering secrets I didn't know. "Emily!"

I pushed a group of strangers and called. When I reached them, Derek's arms were casually draped over his shoulders. "What's going on?" I asked, my voice tight. "Just sharing a joke," Derek replied, his smile masking his innocence. "Isn't that right, Emily?" He looked at me, his face turning from amusement to uncertainty. "Yes, I'm just kidding, Ethan. You're going too far."

Ethan's POV (present day)

It had all opened up so quickly. The next few days are filled with anger and heartache. Derek had enjoyed my pain and spread words to complete my humiliation. "I think you've lost your touch, bro," he laughed at our last throne room confrontation.

"This country needs strength, not your pathetic loyalty to a woman who doesn't like you." The nobles had gathered, their eyes lowered as our argument grew heated. I felt the walls closing in and my faith in my brother shattered before my

eyes.

"You're an outcast, Derek!" I screamed, my words festering with frustration. "You have betrayed, you will never destroy the kingdom again!" "They've been kicked out?" he asked.

Derek laughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the rock room. "Do you think this is the end? You will regret it this day, brother, I will rise again." Exile Flashback

The council had met and passed a law. Derek was an outcast, but when I left I saw the malice in his eyes-a promise to come back stronger and more vengeful than ever. "Enjoy the throne as much as you can," he had said with malice in his eyes.

"Emily will be mine. You're looking into it." And he was right. His absence caused Emily's behavior to turn violent. With the responsibilities of being a future princess, she indulged in pleasures and threw extravagant parties. Bianca's POV

From the sidelines, the tensions in the country were palpable. I'd seen Ethan and Emily's relationship slowly deteriorate, as if her laughter didn't bring pleasure but only pain. Group after group, scandal after scandal pushed these further. The whispers grew louder among the nobles, and soon, Emily, whom he had once admired, became the cause of the rift. "Ethan," I said softly one evening as I sat meditating in the library. "You can't let his actions define you. You are still the king." He looked up, dark eyes of indecisive pain. "What good is it if his partner betrays him?" "You have to meet him," I insisted. "You can't hide your feelings. It will eat you alive." "I don't want to hear his excuses," she said, her words laced with sadness. "He chooses violence over loyalty."

Ethan's POV

Even though I made the decision, I knew I couldn't hide the truth forever. With each passing day, Emily's indifference pushed me closer to my breaking point. The realm slipped through my fingers, and Derek's shadow grew. One night, after a particularly wild encounter.

"Emily, this has got to stop! You are disgracing the crown!" He turned to me, his eyes hurt by the opposition. "Why should I care? You are the one who is no longer in touch with reality!" "They've lost their hands?" he asked. I spoke, disbelief filling my voice.

"I'm trying to protect us! To protect the kingdom!" "Why should you protect us?" he asked. He shot back. "From life? I'm tired of living in your perfect little world!" The battle raged, and words were hurled like swords, each striking deeper than the last.

Laughter and music echoed behind him, and I felt the weight of everything-my brother's betrayal and violence-fall away. **Bianca's POV is the best guy** The next morning, as I looked out into the distance, I saw these about the battlements of the castle. "It's getting worse," he said quietly, his voice heavy.

"I can feel Derek is back in the air." I approached him, worry written on my face. "What are we going to do?" he asked. "You prepare for the worst," he said. "When he comes back, we have to be ready to meet him.

I will not tear it for the rest of my life." Just then an angel appeared, panting and wide-eyed. "My Lord! Strange sightings have been reported along the border. Shadows fly at night." My heart pounded. "Derek..." he said.