Chapter 181: The Proposal

“You seem to be struggling, little princess. Shall I help?”

Elise’s hand flew to the collar around her neck, her fingers tracing the cold metal with bitter realization. ’Useless. Just as I thought.’

She didn’t scream. Didn’t panic. Her voice, when it came, was steady—a blade of calm in the storm of her fear.

“What do you want, Lich?”

A dry chuckle echoed through her mind. “You cannot stay here forever, can you? I am simply offering… cooperation. Solaria has already dared to capture you. That means they are confident in handling Melium’s response. You will become a burden to your kingdom, Princess. A liability. A weakness to be exploited.”

Elise’s jaw tightened. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides.

“I would rather die than rely on a rotting corpse like you.”

The Lich’s amusement didn’t fade. If anything, it grew.

“You seem unaware of your situation, princess. This room is saturated with holy magic—wards, blessings, every protection the Solarian temple could muster. And yet here I am, speaking with you, touching your thoughts.” A pause, heavy with meaning. “The serpent who guarded you is gone. Your knight is broken and imprisoned. There is no one left to protect you. This is an opportunity I cannot waste.”

Elise’s heart hammered against her ribs, but she forced herself to breathe. Forced herself to think.

“Then do it.” Her voice rang out, clear and defiant in the silent room. “Go ahead. If you could act, you would have done so already. You’re just talking—trying to frighten me. But I understand now.”

Silence. The Lich said nothing.

Encouraged, Elise pressed on, her words gaining strength.

“I understand your influence. You need fear to reach me. To weaken my mind, to make me vulnerable. That’s why you’ve always been able to touch me—because generations of my family have passed down their terror. They were afraid, and that fear became a door. A door you walked through whenever you pleased.” She took a breath, steadying herself. “But there, in Melium, protected by my homeland’s wards and my family’s strength, you couldn’t touch us. We weren’t afraid. And without fear, you were powerless.”

The silence stretched, heavy and oppressive.

“And I…” Elise’s voice trembled slightly, but she forced it steady. “I left that safety. I ran from Melium, and I was terrified. Of course I was. Everything was new and dangerous, and you used that fear to kill my guards, to haunt my dreams, to make me feel hunted every moment of every day.”

She met the darkness beyond her window, her eyes blazing.

“But I see you now. I understand your game. And I am not afraid anymore. Your manipulation won’t work on me.”

The Lich was silent for a long, terrible moment. When his voice returned, it was different—cooler, harder, stripped of its mocking amusement.

“Clever girl.” The words held no warmth. “But understanding does not equal immunity. You may have pierced my veil, but you are still here, still trapped, And soon, the Solarian court will decide your fate.”

A pause, heavy with promise.

“And when your hope finally breaks… I will be waiting.”

The presence withdrew—Enough for Elise to breathe again, to feel the weight of her own body, the thud of her heart, the cold metal against her throat.

She sagged against the window frame, her legs threatening to give out.

’I did it… I actually stood up to him.’

The sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor outside—measured, unhurried, deliberate. Elise straightened immediately, her back pressing against the wall, her hands gripping the window frame for support. Her heart, which had just begun to slow, hammered anew.

’Someone’s coming. Guards? Or something worse?’

She forced herself to breathe. Forced herself to stand tall despite the trembling in her limbs. Whatever came through that door, she would not greet it on her knees.

The lock clicked. The door swung open.

The magical lamps in the corridor blazed brighter as the door opened, as if greeting the one who entered. The man stepped inside, and Elise knew immediately—this was someone accustomed to being noticed, to being the center of attention.

He was young—perhaps mid-twenties—with features that seemed carved by an artist’s hand. Hair the color of spun gold framed a face of aristocratic beauty, and his eyes… his eyes were the most striking thing about him. A shade of blue so deep it was almost violet, they held an intelligence that was both sharp and carefully veiled. His posture radiated confidence—not arrogance, but the easy certainty of someone who had never doubted his place in the world. His clothing was immaculate: rich fabrics in Solaria’s colors, tailored to perfection, every detail speaking of wealth and power.

He stepped into the room, and behind him, servants entered with silent efficiency—bearing trays, setting up a small table, arranging cushions with practiced precision. They moved around Elise as if she were part of the furniture, their eyes fixed on their tasks, their presence barely acknowledged.

The young man stopped before her, a smile curving his lips—polite, charming, and perfectly controlled.

“Princess Elise of Melium.” His voice was warm, cultured, perfectly modulated. “Welcome to the Solarian Kingdom. I do hope you’re finding our hospitality… comfortable.”

Elise’s eyes narrowed. Recognition flickered through her exhaustion, through the lingering aftershocks of her confrontation with the Lich. The golden hair, those distinctive violet-blue eyes, the unconscious authority in every gesture—there was only one person this could be.

“Prince Valdris of Solaria.” The words came out flat, devoid of the courtesy his title deserved. She was too tired, too shaken, too aware of the collar around her neck to play diplomatic games. “What do you want from me?”

The prince’s smile widened slightly—not offended, if anything, amused by her directness.

“Such a pleasure to be recognized, Your Highness. Though I must say, you cut straight to the heart of things.” He gestured gracefully toward the table the servants had arranged—a porcelain tea set steaming with fragrant brew, delicate pastries arranged on a silver platter. “But surely we can dispense with business for a moment. You’ve had a difficult journey, and a trying captivity. Please, sit. Refresh yourself. We can talk properly once you’ve had a chance to… recover your composure.”

Elise didn’t move. Her eyes remained fixed on him, wary and watchful.

The prince sighed softly, a sound of theatrical disappointment. Without waiting for her response, he settled himself onto the cushions arranged around the low table, crossing his legs with practiced elegance. One of the servants immediately moved forward, pouring tea into a delicate cup and placing it before him.

“I understand your suspicion, Princess.” His voice was gentle now, reasonable. “You’ve been through much. Hunted by a Lich, betrayed by your own family, captured by soldiers who should have been allies.” He lifted his cup, inhaling the steam with evident appreciation. “But I assure you, I am not your enemy. Quite the opposite, in fact.”

He took a sip, his blue-violet eyes meeting hers over the rim of the cup.

“I am here to offer you a choice.”

Elise’s eyes widened slightly as the pieces clicked into place. Prince Veldris. Second prince of Solaria, third in line after Crown Prince Caelum who currently led the kingdom’s forces against the demon army and young Prince Derius, only eleven years old.

She remembered the reports now. Veldris was known for his calm demeanor, his unshakeable confidence, his skill in navigating the treacherous waters of court politics. And beneath that placid surface, ambition simmered. With Caelum on the battlefield and Derius too young to rule, Veldris saw opportunity. The throne of Solaria might be within reach, if he played his cards right.

But what did he want from her? She was a prisoner, collared, powerless—a liability, not an asset.

Elise forced her voice to remain steady, though her mind raced. “What could a prince possibly want from me? I’m nothing but a prisoner now.” She gestured at the collar around her neck, at the barred windows, at the elegant cage they’d constructed around her. “Chained. Watched. Trapped in this… gilded cell.”

Veldris’s expression softened with something that might have been regret. He set down his teacup with a quiet clink.

“My apologies if the accommodations are… uncomfortable. But surely you understand the need for precautions.” His blue-violet eyes met hers. “The thing that hunts you is no ordinary enemy. The collar is as much for your safety as for ours.” A pause. “Though I admit, the presentation leaves much to be desired.”

Elise studied him, searching for deception in those striking eyes. She found none—only patience, and something that might have been genuine consideration.

She nodded slowly, acknowledging his point. The Lich’s presence in her mind moments ago proved the danger was real. Whatever protections surrounded this room, they hadn’t kept him out.

Veldris seemed to take her nod as acceptance. He lifted his teacup again, taking a slow, deliberate sip. The silence stretched, comfortable for him, agonizing for her.

Then he spoke, and the world tilted.

“Princess Elise.” His voice was calm, measured, as if discussing nothing more consequential than the weather. “I would like to offer you marriage.”

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