Third-person POV

General Aurelian moved with precise, measured steps, his head bowed in deference as he entered, Hunter mirroring his respectful stance beside him. Across the room, seated with poised elegance yet exuding an undercurrent of menace, was Queen Jella.

She wasted no time. Her piercing gaze settled on Hunter, voice laced with irritation.

“Did something else happen after she broke the camera?”

Her tone left no room for hesitation.

Hunter straightened, exhaling sharply. “Something very strange did, but… I’m not entirely sure how to explain it.”

Both Jella and Aurelian exchanged wary glances before the queen leaned forward, her impatience evident. “Explain however you can,” she ordered, eyes narrowing.

Hunter clenched his jaw, running a hand through his dark locks. He had debated whether he should bring this up at all—it sounded utterly ridiculous, even to him—but the more he replayed the scene in his mind, the more he was convinced that what he had witnessed was not normal.

“At first, everything was going as planned,” he began, voice firm but laced with an edge of unease. “After Electra destroyed the camera, I did as you suggested. I provoked her. I said things that would make her react emotionally—how she had no experience of a mother’s love, how she was hated by everyone around her, including her own family, and how she was unfit for the throne. Just like you advised, I kept digging into her insecurities, hoping she’d slip up.”

Jella nodded approvingly. “And?”

Hunter hesitated for just a moment before continuing, his voice slightly quieter.

“Then… something changed. One moment, she was just glaring at me like usual, but then suddenly—her eyes changed. I’m talking completely changed, Queen Jella. Her usual bright blue eyes became… different. Like gold, almost glowing, with a ring of fire inside them. And it wasn’t just her eyes—her entire expression shifted. It was like she wasn’t just angry anymore; she was—” he paused, searching for the right word, “—predatory.”

Aurelian’s brows furrowed, his arms crossing over his broad chest. “Predatory?”

Hunter nodded firmly. “I swear, I’ve never seen anyone look at me like that before. It wasn’t just anger. It was something… darker. It felt like she was looking at me the way a lion looks at a gazelle—like she wasn’t debating whether to fight, but rather whether she should tear me apart.”

The room fell into silence.

Aurelian remained unreadable, but Jella’s expression shifted ever so slightly, a flicker of something passing over her face—something unreadable.

Hunter pressed on, knowing very well that he sounded ridiculous. “I know how this sounds, but I’ve spent enough time around people to know when something isn’t normal. And Electra Vale? She isn’t normal. Whatever that was… it wasn’t just a fit of rage. It was like something else inside her had momentarily taken control.”

Aurelian exhaled deeply before glancing at the queen. “Your Majesty, what do you make of this?”

Jella was silent for a long moment, her fingers drumming lightly against the armrest of her chair.

Queen Jella remained still for a moment before suddenly letting out a soft, almost amused laugh. The unexpected sound echoed through the room, making both General Aurelian and Hunter exchange confused glances.

Hunter, frowning, tilted his head. “Your Majesty?”

Jella wiped an imaginary tear from the corner of her eye, then turned her sharp gaze toward Hunter, her amusement still lingering in the curve of her lips. “When you arrive in Elmeria, dear brother-in-law, do yourself a favor—try not to be alone with Electra for too long.”

Hunter’s confusion deepened. “Why? What exactly do you mean by that?” He hesitated before adding, “Does this mean your majesty knows what could have happened in the office with her? The change in her eyes, the way she looked at me…? Is there a reason?”

Jella’s expression remained unreadable, her amusement turning into something more calculated. She stepped forward, pacing slowly before them, her fingers tracing the embroidery of her gown in thought.

Then, she spoke with deliberate slowness. “Tell me, now that you’ve both seen Electra up close, do you notice any resemblance between her and me? Are there any similarities at all?”

Aurelian was the first to respond. He took a moment, as if considering his words carefully. “To be honest, I’ve always found it strange how little the two of you resemble each other. Not just in looks, but in presence. I always wondered if she was really your child because you both look nothing alike.”

Hunter nodded. “Exactly. I thought about it before, but now that you bring it up… she doesn’t look like you at all, and she barely even has any resemblance to the king, from the pictures I’ve seen of him.”

Jella’s lips curled into a knowing smirk. “Precisely.”

Aurelian frowned, sensing that she was about to say something truly damning. “Your Majesty… What are you implying?”

Jella exhaled, as if she had waited a long time to say these words. “I’m saying, dear General, that that thing is not my daughter.”

The air in the room turned colder, the seriousness of her words sinking into both men. Hunter’s eyes narrowed; the pieces of an invisible puzzle suddenly shifted in his mind.

“Not your daughter?” he repeated slowly. “Then what the hell is she?”

Jella turned her gaze to the large window, staring outside at the garden of the Aurelian estate. Her voice dropped, but it was clear.

“She is a mistake. A monster. Something that should have never been born, and that is why I plan on getting rid of it, and why you’re both helping me.”

Aurelian stiffened. Hunter, for the first time in a long while, felt something crawl under his skin—something akin to unease.

Hunter, clenching his jaw, took a step closer. “Are you saying Electra isn’t even human? Is that it?”

Jella exhaled softly. “For the sake of protecting the Elmerian royal family, all I will say is this—Electra must be removed. Permanently. For good. How and why she’s a monster is left for me to know, and for you to simply accept.”

Hunter didn’t flinch at the statement. He simply nodded, deciding that it would be in his best interest not to ask any further questions.

“So, I should continue as planned?” he asked, carefully masking any emotion in his tone.

Jella’s eyes locked on his, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. “Yes, Hunter. I already set up the meeting, so do a good job impressing the council, every one of them. They are already wary of Electra, so give them the final push they need to see that she is not fit to be Queen. And once the decision is made… well, let’s just say that accidents happen all the time, don’t they?”

Hunter smirked, a quiet understanding passing between them. “Consider it done.”

Turning away from him, Jella’s gaze landed on Aurelian, who was watching the exchange with unreadable eyes.

“Aurelian,” she addressed, her voice shifting into something lighter, almost conversational, “I trust you have not forgotten our arrangement?”

Aurelian inclined his head respectfully. “Of course not, Your Majesty. My daughter’s and Prince Hunter’s engagement is an honor to our house. I will ensure she is prepared for the responsibilities that come with being the future queen of Elmeria.”

Jella hummed, considering his words for a moment before she leaned forward slightly, her gaze narrowing just a fraction. “Good. Then send her to Elmeria.”

Aurelian blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “You mean now?”

“As soon as possible,” Jella corrected. “She is to be the future Queen. She should start familiarizing herself with the kingdom that will soon be hers. It will be beneficial to have her presence established early, don’t you agree?”

Aurelian straightened, pleased that the queen was keeping to her word. “Understood. I will find a school for her to transfer to immediately.”

Jella, however, seemed unimpressed by that response. She drummed her fingers lightly against the nearest table, deep in thought, before her lips curled into a sly smirk.

“Tell me, Aurelian,” she began, “does your daughter have a bold personality?”

Aurelian’s brows furrowed, and though his expression remained composed, there was a flicker of confusion in his gaze. “I would say she has been well-trained to handle herself in any environment, Your Majesty, but may I ask why you’re inquiring?”

Jella’s smirk widened. “Because instead of sending her to just any school in Elmeria, why not send her to Elysium Girls High?”

The room stilled for a moment.

Hunter’s smirk faltered as he turned to Jella with mild surprise, while Aurelian took a second to process the suggestion.

“Elysium?” Aurelian repeated, eyes narrowing slightly. “Is it by any chance the same boarding school princess Electra attends?”

“Precisely,” Jella affirmed smoothly. “It would be good for your daughter to know her enemy, wouldn’t you agree?”

Hunter chuckled under his breath, shaking his head slightly. “Clever.”

Aurelian, now seeing the queen’s reasoning, nodded. “Yes, I do agree. If Iris is to be queen one day, it would be best for her to observe Electra firsthand and to understand her flaws. In fact, they could even end up being friends if she wishes to take that route.”

Jella leaned back, clearly pleased. “Exactly. I want Iris to be a shadow in her everyday life, to challenge her, and to make her slip. We will use her own school and her own environment to ensure she fails.”

Hunter, still watching Jella carefully, smirked. “And if Iris does more than just challenge her?”

Jella’s gaze flickered with amusement. “Then we will let nature take its course.”

Aurelian chuckled. “I will inform Iris immediately. She will be in Elmeria before the next school term begins.”

Jella gave him a satisfied nod before standing from her seat. “Good. Then, gentlemen, I expect results, and I hope there won’t be any disappointments.”

Hunter and Aurelian bowed their heads in understanding, and Jella smiled, already picturing the day the throne of Elmeria would finally be under her control.

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