Page 52 of Tricked By the Alien Prince

“I have returned, your majesty. I am ready to take my rightful place as King of our people as you have promised,” I say, my voice echoing around the large room. I purposely remind all present of the King’s vow, because once made, it is unbreakable.

Whispers reach my ears. My people hear me, and they know the truth. By law, my father must step down as ruler; I was given my Challenge, and I have successfully completed it.

I send my gaze around the room, meeting the eyes of courtiers who’ve long stayed quiet. Just what threat does my father hold over them, keeping them purposely hiding in the dark?

Fury roars through my body at their behavior. My father has not done right by our people. A ruler, a true ruler, should put his people first. He is supposed to be leading us towards the light and hope, and instead, he’s purposely kept us in the dark all this time. Each of his decisions, his laws, were all about isolating us further from those we could be allied with. All for what? So he can maintain his tight hold on power?

The very fact that he sits so high above us on his throne, forcing us to kneel before him, isn’t a choice. For years he’s stripped away our freedoms, one by one... making my people become the very thing we once despised and rebelled against - slavers.

The very beings that brought us here. The very beings that imprisoned us in this hell. The very beings we rose up against… and we have become the same monsters.

Melvall was right, under my father’s rule, we brutally use others just for pure entertainment. We force them into desperate situations, like fighting impossible odds just to access life-saving medicine… rather than simply help them.

My stomach sinks, a sickening feeling spreading through me. All the raids I’ve gone on, all those people I killed or brought back as prisoners for the fight pits—were they to defend another tribe, or were they really just to destroy a tribe gaining in strength, one that could overpower ours?

Surrounding the king are his personal guards, warriors promoted through great deeds. Only, I haven’t seen any of them join the hunters in years, searching out food. I haven’t seen them patrol the fighting pits, facing enraged males in their primes. The very males we forced to fight just so they could save their families and loved ones. The personal guards’ metal armor glitters, unlike the weaker leather of my fellow warriors, even though we are the ones who face battle and harm on a daily basis.

Though I have to wonder, if they were to draw their weapons... have they maintained them? Are they as sharp as those of us who have to risk our lives daily, or have they let them rust and become dull?

“It is true,” the King says. “You have succeeded in your quest to bring a human female before me.”

Beside me, Maya breathes in deeply. I grit my teeth as shame and guilt flood through me once again. She’s here because of me. And this talk? It’s literally rubbing salt into her wounded heart. I know how badly I’ve betrayed her.

Was it worth it?

I glance at Maya from the corner of my eye. She doesn’t have our luminae to physically show her pain. No, she keeps it strongly hidden inside in a place that no one else will ever see it. But I know her.

If given another chance, I would have never led her below the surface. I would have asked her to stay somewhere safe. Her happiness means more to me than anything, even my own life. I would have done her quest myself; finding a way to save her people without risking her.

I would have even walked away from my own people.

The thought hits me so hard, so suddenly, that I barely catch myself from falling.

For her, I’d give it all up. All my dreams of becoming King. It means nothing, without her by my side. I would not make a good leader—but she would.

Even as I think this, I know that Maya would not want me to abandon my people.

With her soft heart, she would call me a fool for leaving behind those who aren’t strong enough to fight for themselves. My people venerate strength—because, in an ideal world, it lets us raise those weaker than ourselves up so that they too may reach their dreams. That’s the true meaning of strength; not to take, but to give.

“I will get you home,” I tell her softly, words only meant for her. “I will help you free your friends.”

Her large eyes turn to me, searching mine through a sheen of liquid tears. Disbelief wars in them... but so does hope. She desperately wants someone to trust. She deserves it, and more.

“I promise you,” I state as firmly as I can. Sincerity bleeds through me, my luminae flashing with my intense declaration. “On my life, Maya, I promise that I will give you your happy ever after.”

“Tell me, Volan, how did you convince the female to follow you here?” The King asks. He leans forward, a cruel smile twisting his lips that catches my attention. “After all, you were the one that said it was an impossible task, and yet here you both are.”

I glare at him as he pulls his cloak further around him, hiding any and all his real emotions. I’m not even sure he can feel anymore, truth be told.

The male sitting before me, wrapped in shadows, is an imposter. You could claim some cyborg has replaced him, and I would believe it. He’s not my King, not anymore. He doesn’t deserve the title. And he definitely cannot call himself my father.

I raise my face and look around the room, meeting many of the courtiers’ eyes. Their luminae remain hidden, just like my father’s; all too afraid to express themselves. But like Maya, I see them, perhaps for the first time ever. I can see the tightness at the corners of eyes, the stiffness of shoulders, and the way they huddle together as if seeking protection.

“I offered to escort her as a pretense. I led her here to the kingdom through deception. She had no idea our people, our beautiful city, was even here. She had no concept of the dangers she even faced. She was naive, foolish even.”

My heart lacerates at the words I say, at the pain I further cause Maya. Protecting females, providing for them, is a vital tenant taught to even the youngest of younglings—a sacred vow that we all take. It’s time I revealed all.

“I offer myself up for judgment to our people,” I declare, my voice unwavering as I call out. It rebounds off the cavern’s walls, echoing in the silence. “Let our people decide if I am worthy to lead them. Let them see how far I am willing to go to protect them—and whether I even deserve to.”

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