Chapter 6 ROYAL TENSION

Athalia’s transformation stirred the courts of both kingdoms.

Even Queen Isolde who was Adrian's mother, renowned for her beauty, remarked privately that Athalia looked “enchanted.”

Some nights Adrian lay awake watching her sleep and wondering what miracle had shaped her into this divine version of herself.

Yet there was one person who did not fall under the spell.

It was Prince Eric.

He admired Athalia’s new appearance, but admiration was not love. His heart remained stubbornly loyal to Emelia.

When he looked at his fiancée, he saw his future. When he looked at Athalia, he only saw duty and politics.

Athalia despised that and her envy twisted quietly inside her, poisoned and festered.

Princess Athalia had always believed she understood ambition. She had grown up studying every rule of court politics, every whisper of noble alliances and every gesture a queen might make. But the ambition she now felt inside her was sharp, burning and impatient, yet different.

It came from the pact she had made with sorcery, a force she had invited into her life without truly knowing its reach.

People listened to her a little longer, their eyes lingering as if drawn by something they could not explain. Her voice carried farther, her beauty was already admired and seemed to draw admiration in a way that felt unnatural and slightly uncomfortable, even to her. But Athalia did not question it but welcomed it.

What unsettled her most was how this new influence sharpened her feelings toward others especially toward Prince Eric.

That quiet strength of his irritated her more now than ever. Worse, every mention of Eric now felt personal.

Every achievement of his stabbed her ego like a warning she refused to hear.

“He’s not doing this for the kingdom,” she muttered one afternoon, pacing her chambers. “He’s doing this to overshadow Adrian. To steal what should belong to him.”

Her maid, Lira, pretended to arrange jeweled pins on a velvet cloth. “Your Highness… I don’t think Prince Eric considers Adrian a rival.”

“That’s because he doesn’t need to,” Athalia snapped, turning sharply. “Everyone already favors him. The queen trusts him more and the nobles support him without question. The people literally adores him.”

Lira hesitated. “But… Eric acts fairly. He doesn’t speak against Adrian.”

“That’s what makes him dangerous,” Athalia replied. “His silence wins sympathy. He appears pure while Adrian appears complicated.”

It was not true, but Athalia believed it.

The sorcery fed her insecurities and magnified them until fear felt like truth.

The Royal twin wedding alliance drew the entire kingdom.

Eric invited the commoners, a gesture Adrian tried to oppose, but King Jeremy approved with pride.

It was a moment of unity between Arrandelle and Seatopia. The streets overflowed with cheer and celebrations of their most cherished royal families.

But beneath the beautiful decorations, the music, and the cheers of the people, something darker stirred.

Athalia stood at the center of the grand hall, radiant in gold silk with her hair braided with pearls. She looked flawless, like a dream carved into human form.

But her eyes…held something hungry and something sharp.

Athalia married Adrian out of duty and perhaps comfort. But even standing beside him, her gaze drifted too often toward Eric and toward the life she thought she deserved.

Eric felt it the moment he stepped into the hall.

Adrian sensed and the awareness deepened his resentment.

“Congratulations brother,” he told Adrian, forcing a polite smile. “I am happy for both of you.”

Adrian nodded stiffly. “Thank you, brother. It is… a great day for you too.”

But his voice wasn't convincing. He looked restless, almost as if he feared something was slipping through his fingers.

Athalia curtsied gracefully

“Prince Eric,” she greeted. “I trust your marriage will be pleasant?”

“I’m quite sure it will” he answered politely avoiding her eyes.

“Cheers to a perfect marriage sister,” Emelia said lifting her glass beside him.

Athalia smiled. It was an elegant and practiced curve of her lips.

But her eyes remained cold.

“Of course, dear sister,” she replied softly.

Eric sensed the tension but didn’t understand it.

Emelia did and tightened her hands around his arm.

Later that night, as the celebrations faded and lanterns flickered along the palace balconies, Adrian found Athalia standing alone.

She stared at the sky as if waiting for something.

“You disappeared,” Adrian said gently as he approached.

“I needed air,” she replied with her voice low. “This palace is… overwhelming.”

He stepped beside her. “Is everything all right? You’ve been quiet all day.”

Athalia didn’t answer immediately. She kept her gaze fixed on the moon.

“Adrian,” she said finally, “tell me something honestly.”

“Anything.” he replied quickly

“Do you… trust your brother?” she asked

Adrian stilled. “…Why do you ask?”

“Didn’t you notice everyone does,” she whispered, still not looking at him. “Everyone sees him as the perfect, noble and generous one. And ofcourse, perfect for the throne.

Even your father looks at him differently.” Her jaw tightened.

Adrian’s heart gave a painful thump.

She took his hand.

“Listen carefully,” she murmured. “Your place and your future is not secure. Eric is loved and the people’s favorite. And if the king listens to the people, you could lose the throne.”

Adrian’s breath caught. “Father would never…”

“Are you sure?” she cut in sharply. “Because I have seen how kings change. I have seen how love becomes weakness.

She stepped closer. “Power belongs to those who seize it, Adrain.”

Fear flickered through him. It wasn’t fear of her, but of how deeply her words made sense.

“What are you saying?” he asked quietly.

Athalia stepped closer.

“I am saying,” she whispered, “that Eric must be removed from your path.”

Adrian’s whole body went cold. He stepped back as if struck.

“No,” he said quickly. “No, Athalia. He is my brother. I won’t harm him.”

Her expression did not change.

Se simply watched him calmly and patiently, as though she knew he would bend eventually.

“You misunderstand,” she said softly. “I am not asking you to hurt him. I am asking yo to protect your birthright. You cannot be king with him standing in your way.”

“And you want me to do what?” Adrian demanded with his voice unsteady. “Push him aside? Exile him? He’s done nothing!”

“Nothing?” Athalia laughed quietly. “He has everything including your father’s love, the people’s loyalty and even my sister’s heart!”

Adrian looked away with jaws clenched.

That was the wound he didn’t want to admit.

Eric had always seemed to receive the things Adrian wanted most and effortlessly.

Athalia placed a hand on his chest as he felt his heartbeat.

“You deserve more,” she whispered. “You deserve everything. And I will help you take it.”

But Adrian stepped back again for he was shaken by her words.

“You keep saying this. This is wrong.” he said

“Is it?” she asked gently. “Or are you simply afraid because you know I am right?”

"Was she?"