Chapter 42

When it finally clicked—that the spy might be using an Invisibility spell—I reacted instantly.

“GUARDS!” I roared, my voice cutting through the festive noise like a blade.

A rush of motion followed. The Royal Guards stormed in from every entrance, weapons drawn and eyes scanning the hall for any sign of threat. Murmurs broke out among the guests, and all eyes turned toward me with expressions ranging from alarm to confusion.

“Shut the doors immediately. No one leaves this hall.”

The guards obeyed with practiced discipline. Steel echoed as they formed a defensive line along the main exits, each of them poised and alert. The once jubilant hall now carried an air of tension and uncertainty.

Beside me, Brakthar stepped forward, all four of his swords drawn in a flash of motion. His face was a mask of fury, eyes darting around the room, ready to strike.

At that moment, Gauriash rushed in with the trio from the beast market, eyes wide. He instantly fell in beside me, understanding that something far more serious was at play.

Without waiting another beat, my new adventuring team closed ranks around me, forming a protective semicircle.

I turned sharply to Cassie, and in a commanding tone that allowed no argument, I said,
“Cassie, activate your nullifying magic. Full force. Right now.”

Her eyes widened slightly, but she gave a sharp nod and immediately focused. With a deep breath, she channeled her power. The magic pulsed outward from her like a wave—an aura of pure disruption designed to suppress active spells within its radius.

The effect was instant. Several guests staggered under the pressure of the powerful nullifying field—but then, she appeared.

A hooded woman materialized right in front of me, the glint of a dagger pressed to my throat.

Gasps erupted around the hall.

Brakthar growled, his muscles tensing, all four blades rising in a blur of motion.

But I raised a calm hand.
“Stand down, Brakthar. Move behind her, slowly.”

Though his jaw tightened in resistance, he obeyed. With slow, deliberate steps, he circled around the assassin while she kept her dagger steady.

“How ... how did you know I was here?” she hissed, her voice laced with irritation and disbelief.

I smiled slightly, my voice calm, almost teasing.
“Why, hello Miss Spy. Lovely weather we’re having, isn’t it?”

Her glare intensified, clearly irritated at my nonchalance.

While I kept her engaged in conversation, I reached out silently to Draxie through our mental link.
“Next time she’s distracted—air blast, right in the face. Be ready.”

Then, to Brakthar, I whispered through the bond:
“The moment she’s off-balance, catch her. Disable her, but don’t kill her.”

Turning back to the assassin, I continued speaking casually.
“Did you forget I spoke with a girl when the banquet started? She was the manager who told me someone was acting strangely.”

Her eyes flared in recognition.

“Damn it,” she hissed. “I should’ve killed that wretch the moment—”

That was her mistake.

The moment her attention wavered, Draxie’s air-elemental head popped over my shoulder. With a sudden hiss of wind, a concentrated blast of air struck her square in the face.

She staggered back, gasping.

Brakthar moved like lightning. His massive hands grabbed her arms in one fluid motion and twisted them with such controlled force that a sickening pop echoed—her shoulder dislocated in an instant.

The dagger clattered harmlessly to the floor.

I patted Draxie’s head with one hand, soothing him. With the other, I placed a firm but gentle hand on Brakthar’s arm.
“Well done. Both of you.”

But Brakthar was still shaking with rage. His grip hadn’t loosened, and I could see in his eyes that he was considering finishing her here and now.

“Brakthar. Hand her over to the soldiers. Now.”

He growled under his breath. For a long second, I thought he might disobey. But when I met his eyes and held his gaze with a stern look, he relented. With a grunt, he tossed the wounded assassin toward the guards.

“If she tries anything, you may break the other shoulder,” I told them flatly.

The guards nodded and dragged her away.

Turning back to the hall, I raised my hands apologetically.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I offer my deepest apologies for the disturbance. Please—rest assured, the matter is now resolved.”

There was a tense silence ... then slowly, cautious applause spread through the crowd. The music resumed, albeit at a gentler tempo.

Later that evening, we had a late dinner. Despite the earlier chaos, the atmosphere slowly returned to something resembling celebration. People laughed again, drank, and chatted.

When the meal concluded, the banquet slowly dispersed. People left in groups or alone, returning to their homes and estates.

As for me, I made my way back to my chambers—surrounded by new allies, bound beasts, trusted family, and the promise of a future that was anything but ordinary.

The next day was dedicated to rest and to welcoming the companions we had each chosen during the banquet. I was still half-asleep when Cassie began her morning ritual of trying to wake me up.

“Asher, get up and get ready,” she said, nudging my shoulder. “The ten concubines are about to arrive.”

Groaning, I mumbled back, “Cassie, you’re the queen and ruler of my house. Just let me sleep and handle everything, please...”

She huffed in annoyance, and that’s when I felt something odd—Cassie’s presence on my right, standing over me, but also a warm body lying on my left. Cracking open one eye, I saw Angela, still asleep under the sheets beside me.

I gave a tired sigh and closed my eye again, hoping to steal a few more moments of peace.

But no such luck.

SLAP!

Cassie smacked my backside—hard—and shouted, “Get up or I swear I’ll throw you into the bathtub fully clothed!”

“Okay, okay! I’m up!” I said, sitting upright quickly, blinking the sleep from my eyes.

Angela stirred beside me and sat up as well, yawning adorably. Soon after, the morning routine began—milk-drinking, bathing, dressing—a well-rehearsed performance by now.

Once we were properly dressed and presentable, the three of us headed to the main castle gates to receive the companions.

To my surprise, my brothers and sisters were already there, sitting comfortably in a large shaded tent, enjoying morning tea like it was a casual family picnic.

I joined them with a slight grin. “Morning, everyone. Ready for the parade of responsibility?”

They laughed, and we chatted while waiting for the chariots to arrive.

After a few long hands (roughly fifteen minutes), the first golden chariot rolled into view. One by one, they came—graceful, ceremonial, and elegant, each carrying a new addition to our expanding households.

Selene had chosen a stunning blonde girl with a soft, melodic voice—someone who clearly had both beauty and poise.

Draven had selected two concubines, both of whom were fierce-looking and well-toned—clearly warrior types.

Kaelis, ever the collector of mystery and charm, had chosen six concubines of different origins—each unique in beauty and likely in skill.

Lyra had chosen two handmaidens, both shy and sweet, their expressions full of wonder as they took in the royal grounds.

Damian introduced his first concubine, a striking girl with amber eyes and sharp wit.

Isla chose two caretakers, one older and maternal, the other young and bubbly, both meant to assist her with palace life.

And then there was me.

As the last chariot rolled in, I stood with Cassie and Angela at my side, watching as ten elegantly dressed girls stepped out, one after another. Each had been handpicked—either by Cassie or Angela—and I trusted their judgment entirely.

Some of the girls looked confident, some nervous, others curious. But all of them were beautiful, in different ways—some graceful, some strong, some gentle, some fierce.

They lined up respectfully before me, heads bowed, waiting to be acknowledged.

Cassie whispered, “Well? Say something, Prince.”

I gave her a side-glance, then stepped forward and addressed the girls, my tone warm but clear.

“Welcome. Each of you has been chosen for a reason. You are not here just to stand beside me, but to grow with me, to find your purpose, your strength, and your future. My home is now your home. You are safe, and you are valued.”

There was a moment of silence—then a collective bow from the girls, and smiles began to spread across their faces.

Angela leaned close and whispered, “You’ve gotten better at these speeches.”

I smirked. “You’ve trained me well.”

With that, we escorted the new additions into the palace grounds. A new chapter had begun—and my life, once quiet and solitary, was now bustling with new faces, new bonds, and a future full of promise and chaos.