Forbidden Mate Legacy

Kael kind of teleported back to his quarter. 

The moment Amelia stepped into the dormitory common area, she was met with an unmistakable crackle of tension in the air. Heated voices clashed, sharp and biting, as if the walls had absorbed the lingering hostility. She barely had time to process what was happening before Serah's cutting tone rang through the common area.

"Goodness, Rael, for someone with the brainpower of a rock, you sure have a lot to say."

Rael smirked, leaning lazily against the doorframe, utterly unbothered. "And yet, here you are, hanging onto my every word. Are you that starved for entertainment, Witch?"

Serah scoffed. "Hardly. But I do enjoy watching you trip over your own arrogance."

Eryk and Marcus, after sneaking from their own dormitory, are comfortably sprawled on one of the couches, exchanging amused glances. They looked far entertained, like spectators watching a particularly engaging duel.

"I have to admit," Marcus mused, "Dormitory Seven is never boring."

"Never," Eryk agreed.

Amelia sighed, shaking her head as she moved past the ongoing verbal battle. She had gotten used to the constant bickering of Rael and Serah. It was like an unsolvable puzzle–endless and oddly amusing.

But the room's true source of tension stood on the far side. A tall, elegant witch stood at the end, her presence as regal as it was suffocating. Her silvery-blue robes shimmered under the light, the intricate embroidery marking her as someone of high status. But it wasn't just the way she carried herself that made Amelia's skin prickle-it was the way the woman's icy green eyes fixed directly on her.

Unwavering. Unforgiving. 

"Princess," Raenar's smooth voice cut through the noise, his tone calm for the storm brewing in the room. "Meet Lady Velora. My betrothed."

Betrothed. 

Amelia had heard the rumors, whispers about the witch queen arranging a marriage for Raenar, but she hadn't given it much thought. Now, standing face to face with the woman in question, she realized how much of a problem this was about to become.

Velora's lips curved into a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "So, you're the Human Princess?"

There was something in her voice….mocking, dismissive.

Amelia straightened, refusing to let herself be rattled. "And you must be the one stirring up trouble the moment you arrive."

Eryk let out a low whistle.

Marcus grinned.

Velora tilted her head, unfazed. "I was merely curious. After all, the human princess seems to have ... quite the influence on certain people here." Her eyes flickered toward Raenar, Eryk, Serah before returning to Amelia, assessing.

Ah so, that's what this was about.

Amelia knew jealousy when she saw it. Velora didn't see her as a threat–she saw her as an obstacle.

Raenar, to his credit, remained as unreadable as ever. "Velora, we agreed this would not be an issue."

Velora let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Did we? Forgive me, My Prince, but I don't recall ever agreeing to tolerate unwelcome distractions."

Amelia clenched her fists hard. There was no mistaking it now–Velora was here to make her life difficult.

Rael, who had been quiet for too long, suddenly grinned. "You know, I like her. She has just the right amount of venomous."

Serah rolled her eyes. "Of course, you do. You thrive off chaos."

Before Amelia could respond to Velora, a new presence entered the room. 

The air shifted.

Kael. 

He stepped out of his quarter, his hair still damp from a fresh bath, droplets clinging to his dark strands, trailing down his sharp jawline, down to the nape of his neck. His usual composed expression remained, but his presence dominated the space.

Velora's eyes flickered toward him, her interest piqued. And just like that, her attention shifted. "Prince Kael. You must be prince Kael," Velora said smoothly, her previous hostility toward Amelia vanishing.

"I've heard much about you. But I wasn't prepared for how handsome you are. I might need a moment to recover. It's a delight to finally meet you in person."

She moved toward him, the glow of the light highlighting the silk of her robes as she openly admired him.

Kael spared her a glance. He gave a single nod in acknowledgement but offered nothing more. His focus was somewhere else. His eyes landed on Amelia, whose face was tight with agitation. And that was what caught Kael's attention.

Velora's attempt at engaging him in conversation was swiftly ignored. The smile on her lips faltered ever so slightly.

Raenar, watching carefully, said nothing. He turned on his heels and left the room. And Velora, unfazed by his presence, made herself at home.

Settled comfortably on a chair, her presence now a looming disruption. 

Serah's hatred was visible on her face. She didn't even try to hide it.

Her twin brother, Eryk, normally one to enjoy chaos like Rael and Marcus, was not amused. His smile was missing, his gaze unreadable.

Marcus, however, had firmly chosen a side. He moved closer to Amelia as if to protect his Crown Princess.

Velora, keenly aware of the unspoken alliances forming in the room, only smiled. "So," she said, voice dripping with feigned sweetness, "Who do I have to talk about getting proper accommodations? I'll be staying here now, after all."

Eryk exhaled slowly, muttering under his breath, "This is going to be a disaster. let's go Marcus." and then they left.

Amelia, done with this entire situation, had had enough. She turned on her heel. She was leaving. If Velora wanted a battle, she'd find a different day for it.

And as she stepped to her quarters, she felt Kael's gaze linger on her. She didn't dare turn back. And it left her skin burning.