Chapter 78: The Tables Turn
Raphael’s lips curled into a wicked smile as he traced a finger down Lirian’s exposed collarbone.
The guards looked on, unsure whether to be amused or horrified at their prince’s audacity.
"You really thought you could co here and threaten with re papers?" Raphael said smoothly.
"Oh, my dear, you underestimate . Now, let’s see how defiant you are without your little tricks."
He stepped closer, his hand moved to the neckline of her dress.
But before he could make his next move, the air around her shimred like heatwaves.
"What—" Raphael’s voice faltered.
In an instant, the soft curves of Lirian’s body lted away, replaced by the tall, muscular body of Kael.
His eyes glead with the light from the chandelier as he lood over Raphael, smirking.
"Well, Your Highness," Kael said, mockingly. "This wasn’t what you were expecting, was it?"
Raphael stumbled back in shock, his hands instinctively reaching for the desk to steady himself.
The guards froze, their weapons half-raised as they gawked at the sudden transformation.
"You... You dare deceive ?" Raphael hissed, recovering so of his composure.
Kael chuckled, adjusting the collar of his shirt where the fabric had shifted from the magical disguise.
"Oh, I wouldn’t call it deception. More like... strategy. Though I have to admit, the look on your face was worth every second."
The guards exchanged nervous glances but remained rooted to the spot, unsure of how to react.
"Stand down," Raphael barked at them, though his voice shared uncertainty.
Kael took a step closer, radiating nace.
"Wise choice. Now, your highness, you’re coming with ."
Before Raphael could respond, Kael’s hand shot out, gripping the prince by the front of his tunic.
With a muttered spell, the air around them rippled and folded inward.
"Stop him!" one of the guards shouted, but it was too late.
Kael and Raphael vanished into thin air, leaving behind a stunned silence.
They reappeared in the heart of the forest, where a small campfire crackled beneath the boughs of ancient trees.
Gabriel, Pedro, and the real Lirian stood waiting.
Raphael stumbled as they landed, his boots sank into the soft earth.
He wrenched himself free of Kael’s grip, glaring at the mage with real venom in his eyes.
"What is the aning of this?" Raphael spat, brushing dirt from his tunic.
Gabriel stepped forward.
"The aning, Raphael, is that your gas are over."
Raphael’s gaze moved to him, then to Lirian, whose icy stare sent a chill down his spine.
"Ah, the happy couple," he sneered. "What do you think you’re accomplishing here? Kidnapping a prince? Do you have any idea what this will cost you?"
Lirian crossed her arms, unimpressed.
"Spare us the theatrics. You’ve been caught, Raphael. And now, you’ll answer for what you’ve done."
Raphael laughed.
"Caught? By you? Don’t make laugh." He raised his hand, summoning a pulse of fire magic that crackled like lightning around his fingers.
But as he attempted to unleash it, the magic fizzled out, vanishing into the air like smoke.
His eyebrows furrowed and he opened his mouth.
"What have you done?" he demanded, raising his voice.
Kael smirked, leaning casually against a tree.
"Did you think I’d bring you here without preparing for your little tricks? My magic is suppressing yours. You’re powerless, Raphael."
The prince clenched his fists, darting between them.
"You’ll regret this. All of you."
Gabriel stepped closer, "No, Raphael. You will regret everything you’ve done. The lies, the betrayals, the tornt you’ve inflicted on innocent people."
Raphael scoffed. "Innocent? Like you, Gabriel? Don’t make laugh. You’re a fugitive, a man who abandoned his duties, who—"
Gabriel grabbed him by the front of his tunic, lifting him slightly off the ground.
"You don’t get to lecture ," Gabriel growled. "Not after what you’ve done to Lirian. To my wife."
Raphael’s smirk disappeared, replaced by fear. "She’s not—"
"She’s not what?" Lirian interrupted, stepping closer.
Her voice was cold as snow.
"Not soone worth protecting? Not soone worth respecting?"
Raphael glared at her but said nothing.
Pedro, who had been silently watching the exchange, finally spoke.
"You know, it’s funny," he said in a lighter tone.
"For soone who’s always prided himself on being untouchable, you’re awfully quiet now."
Gabriel released Raphael, letting him stumble back.
"You’re going to make this right," he said firmly.
"You’re going to clear my na and ensure Lirian’s safety. And you’re going to do it without any more of your sches."
"And if I refuse?" Raphael sneered, though his bravado was clearly fading away in the air.
"Then I’ll make sure you never cast another spell, never sche another plot, and never hurt anyone again. Do you really want to test , Raphael?"
The prince hesitated, moving between them.
For the first ti, he seed to realise the situation.
"What’s your plan?" Raphael finally asked.
Gabriel crossed his arms.
"You’ll announce publicly that the charges against were fabricated. You’ll issue a royal pardon, clearing my na entirely."
"And what makes you think I’ll do that?" Raphael countered.
"Because if you don’t, every secret you’ve worked so hard to bury will co to light. And trust , Raphael, the world will tear you apart once they know the truth."
Raphael’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched.
But he knew he was outmatched.
"Fine," he said through gritted teeth. "I’ll do it."
Gabriel nodded.
"Good. And one more thing—stay out of our way. If I catch you interfering with ylo or any of his plans, I won’t be so forgiving next ti."
Raphael’s lips curled into a smile.
"You’ve made your point. Now, if you’re done threatening , I’d like to leave."
Kael smirked, stepping aside.
"By all ans. But rember, Raphael—we’ll be watching."
The prince straightened his tunic.
Without another word, he turned and began walking back toward the distant glow of the city.
"Prince, where are you going?" Pedro asked him.
"To the castle...my knights will be looking for ."
"And who gave you the permission to-?"
"Wait...wait...what are you all planning to?"
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