Death to Power
Copyright© 2025 by TheSmartOne
Chapter 32: A Smile That Freezes
Kaden stopped in front of his carriage, ready to return to the Warborn household.
But before he could open the door, someone was already standing there—unexpected, but at the same time ... not surprising.
Meris Elamin.
Kaden tilted his head slightly, his voice calm, “Do you need something?”
Meris smiled brightly, almost too brightly. “We didn’t get the time to really talk because of that dickhead Nuke. That’s why I came—to propose something.”
And without waiting for a response, she vanished from her spot in a blur of speed and reappeared in front of him, softly grabbing his hand.
“I want to invite you to my house for a small tea session. We’ll have all the time to talk and ... bond,” she added, the last word slipping out with a blush blooming across her pale cheeks.
It would’ve looked cute—to anyone else watching.
But for Kaden?
‘Fucking eerie. What’s wrong with this girl? ‘ he thought as he took a step back instinctively, putting distance between them.
But Meris didn’t let up.
She followed with the same bright, innocent smile.
“Do you agree? I’ll even show you our family household—you’ll love it, I swear!”
She was being persistent. Pushy, even.
Kaden shook his head. “I’m sorry. I don’t have the time.”
And just like her, he didn’t wait for her reply.
“I have to prepare for Fokay. I can’t afford distractions. But if we meet there ... I’ll gladly accept your invitation.”
He said it all in one breath, then stayed quiet.
Meris stood there for a moment before smiling again. “I have your word then, Child of Blood?”
Kaden nodded once.
“You do.”
She grinned, turned back to her carriage, and walked away. As she stepped up, her voice drifted behind her like perfume.
“Let’s make it unforgettable then.”
She entered the carriage. Moments later, it vanished into the night.
Leaving Kaden alone.
He sighed quietly, finally climbing into his own carriage and slumping lazily into the seat. And just as he was about to begin processing everything that had happened tonight—
DING.
[You have completed the quest.]
[You chose to walk away and not fight when your fiancée was being humiliated.]
[It was ... disappointing, to say the least.]
[You did not act like a true Warborn. Not like your title, the Child of Blood.]
[You have gained nothing.]
[And you will not receive any penalties either.]
Kaden stared at the system prompts silently.
He knew he could’ve acted differently—like his father would have. Stepped in and made a scene.
But he didn’t.
And he didn’t regret it.
“Father and Mother were right,” he murmured, voice soft, unfazed that the quest had given him nothing.
Instead, he leaned back, expression thoughtful.
“So that guy was trying to read us. Trying to see what triggers us...”
He smirked faintly.
“Didn’t he realize that when you try to read someone, you have to be ready to be read in return?”
It was almost funny. But still ... exhausting.
Having to play a part. Having to measure your responses.
His smile faded. His expression cooled into something flat and empty.
“He must want something—or wants to do something to us, if he’s willing to go that far.”
It wasn’t surprising that Kaden saw through Nuke’s little game.
To read the complete story you need to be logged in:
Log In or
Register for a Free account
(Why register?)
* Allows you 3 stories to read in 24 hours.