The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 226: Delay is death.

Chapter 226: Delay is death.

Ren and Kaisun were led swiftly to the King’s tent. There was no time to waste, they needed to carve out a decisive strategy before the clouds thickened or night claimed the sky. As soon as Ren caught sight of Gloria, she rushed forward and embraced her.

"Oh, my sister. Look at you," Ren whispered, clutching her tightly.

She had missed her more than words could shape. Days and nights had once been woven together in Gloria’s presence, waking to see her pull the curtains, trading thoughts, eating together, facing struggles, laughing, and learning lessons. Ren had taken her under her wing, passing on everything she knew. Then, without warning, fate had torn Gloria away, pulling her down a path none of them could follow. A soon-to-be Queen of the seven Kingdoms.

As they held each other, Gloria felt something unfamiliar, a rhythm, faint but steady, thudding softly from Ren’s belly. She froze, pulled back, and looked down, startled. The realization struck her before any greeting for Alpha King, Kaisun, could form on her lips.

"You’re pregnant!" Gloria gasped, tears welling in her eyes. "And I wasn’t there to take care of you..."

Her voice trembled on the edge of a sob when Kaisun cut in with a grin, trying to lighten the moment. "Ah, hey, Princess! I’m here too, you know!"

Gloria blinked and jolted back to the present. She turned toward him quickly, her expression softening. "Your Majesty, I’m glad to see you back," she said with heartfelt sincerity, though disbelief still flickered in her gaze. She could hardly fathom that Reneira had braved the void to rescue him... while carrying two lives inside her.

They exchanged warm greetings before gathering around the strategy table. The air inside the tent was heavy with purpose, but for a moment, it was pierced by something rare, joy.

King Benkin sat in silence, his gaze resting on Ren with awe. He was going to be a grandfather, before surrendering himself to the judgment of the Fae Court.

"You are giving me an extraordinary gift," he told the couple, his voice thick with wonder. A radiant smile lit up his weathered face, as if, for a heartbeat, he had forgotten the grotesque beasts that plagued their world.

Ren blushed, heat blooming across her cheeks. She didn’t know whether to feel joy or sorrow, joy that he would live long enough to meet his grandchildren, or sorrow that she would lose him not long after.

"I am fortunate, Your Highness," Ren said gently. "But tell me, how is Lord Alekin? Should he not return to Jaigara?"

There was concern in her voice. Alekin had only one hand now, what place did he have in a battlefield like this?

The King’s expression softened with quiet reverence. "He will be fine. Pay a visit to him later. Your uncle sees things that I cannot. His mind is sharp, sharper than most. I need his strategies. If we managed to corner the vampires in their den, it was by his design, but it cost him an arm."

But it wasn’t the only strategy that bound Alekin to the King. He had fought beside him in every war. He was more than a brother, he was Benkin’s enduring strength, both in battle and in spirit.

A sudden voice from outside broke the moment, announcing the arrival of Sigaros and Rail.

The flap of the tent opened, and the two entered. Kaisun immediately rose to his feet and strode over to embrace his godson.

"You reckless fool," he muttered, hugging Rail tightly. "How could you be so bold as to march into the Witch Island?"

He released him with a scolding shake, but his eyes glimmered with relief. He motioned for Rail to sit beside him before turning his gaze on the wizard.

"You’ve proven your loyalty, I see?"

Sigaros offered a cold smirk, his voice as flat as winter steel. "I already told you why. I want a world that’s normal. Free from monsters."

Kai gave a small nod, accepting that answer. He reached for a red marker and placed it firmly on the map. "Now that you’re here, we can begin. This location, right here, is where we must trap the giant vampire lord."

His finger landed on a jagged region near the borders of Qowen, a place notorious for its treacherous cliffs and unforgiving terrain. The mountains there were brutal, sharp, crumbling ridges and winding paths that could break a man’s ankle just by looking at them. Perfect for a deadly ambush.

"I have a suggestion!" Gloria’s voice rang out as she raised her hand.

Kai turned to her with interest, tilting his head. "Go on. I’m listening."

Gloria gave Ren’s hand a quick, reassuring squeeze and stepped up to the war map. Her presence was confident, sharp like a blade freshly honed.

"The location is well chosen," she began, pointing at the mark Kai had made. "But I propose we go further, don’t just trap the giant. Break his magical armor, chain him alive. Then summon the lords and the court sorcerers. Let them see him for what he truly is, a desperate wretched, and decide what’s to be done. We demand a ceasefire."

Kai grinned, a proud spark lighting his eyes. He glanced at Ren, his voice touched with amusement. "Looks like the two of you think alike."

Gloria threw a playful wink at Ren, the bond between them shining quietly beneath the weight of strategy and war. She knew Ren’s mind, scheming when it was necessary.

"Are you planning to test them?" Sigaros asked, his tone edged with disapproval. He clearly wasn’t thrilled by the proposal.

"What do you mean, test them?" King Benkin interjected, his voice calm but his eyes sharp with curiosity. A blaze of light kindled in his gaze the moment he noticed the wizard’s grim expression, Benkin longed to see their enemies dead, and he was not alone.

Sigaros didn’t flinch. "If you spare them, this war will never end," he said bluntly, the same way he had spoken the first day he joined their ranks. "Mercy is a delay. Delay is death."

"Who said we intend to spare them?" Ren’s voice cut through the air like ice shards at the edge of rocks. It was as cold and unyielding as the black steel on her husband’s hip.

Sigaros bowed his head in quiet reverence. "So, that’s the plan."

Ren gave a small nod. "Yes. We’ll invite them to negotiate and kill them all. They’ll come with the same intent. We simply don’t strike first."

Across the table, Rail’s lips tightened into a hard line. He stared at her, his face unreadable. "And do we have the power," he asked slowly, "to chain them all?"

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