The Princess' Harem
Chapter 155: Trap for Lazarus

Chapter 155: Trap for Lazarus

She looked at her parents, their faces full of hope. She knew they wanted the best for her and for the kingdom. A strong marriage was a way to guarantee Elysia’s future.

The silence from the King’s declaration stretched. It vibrated. Viana felt the warmth of the room, but also a chill deep in her bones.

This was it. The moment her two lives collided. The Viana of this life, the princess who survived and saved her kingdom, versus the Viana from before, the one haunted by shadows and driven by a secret purpose.

She considered Rayne again. He was a good man. Strong, kind, attentive. Not like Lazarus. Never like Lazarus.

Lazarus had been a viper in silk, his touch poison. Rayne’s touch was warm, reassuring. He genuinely cared.

She saw it in his eyes. She felt it in his presence. The thought of a life with him could be comforting, could be safe. A different kind of future. A peaceful one. But peace was a luxury she doubted she could afford.

Lazarus is still out there, a phantom pulling strings. An engagement, a marriage, would mean a more visible role. Less freedom to move in the shadows. Less freedom to hunt.

Then there were Joel and Reyes. Her Royal Guards. Her companions. Her... something more. She saw Joel’s rigid posture now, Reyes’s gaze fixed on some distant point.

They had chosen her. They had followed her into danger, into the unknown. They understood her in ways no one else could. Their loyalty was absolute, a quiet strength she leaned on.

If she became engaged to Rayne, what would happen to them? Would their connection shatter? Would they remain silent sentinels, watching her from a distance?

The thought twisted her gut. She valued them, their unique bond, more than she could ever admit.

She had built this team, this little family, around her. Sina and Cooper, her innocent anchors. Arden, her brilliant strategist. Joel and Reyes, her unwavering protectors.

And Rayne, now a potential ally, a potential partner. The lines were blurring, the roles shifting. She had always sought power for Elysia, for its survival.

A marriage to Valendale would achieve that. But at what cost to the delicate balance she had found within her own life, within her own heart?

The silence felt heavier now. The King and Queen waited patiently. Rayne watched her with an unreadable expression. The weight of expectations pressed down. She had defied so much, had changed so much.

She closed her eyes for a fleeting second. The decision felt like a chasm opening before her. She was Princess Viana, Queen-in-waiting.

But she was also something else. And she had to choose which Viana would answer. The future of Elysia depended on it. Her own future depended on it.

A deep breath filled her lungs, slow and deliberate. She opened her eyes slowly.

She weighed it all. The kingdom’s needs. Her personal sacrifices. Her mission.

"Father, Mother," Viana began, her voice soft but clear, cutting through the festive atmosphere like a sharpened blade.

Every eye at the table and her surroundings snapped to her. Rayne leaned forward, his posture rigid.

"Prince Rayne."

She paused, gathering her thoughts, choosing her words with precision. Each word carried a heavy significance. The past had taught her the cost of haste.

"I am honored by this proposal, Father," she continued, her gaze meeting her father’s, then shifting to Rayne’s. His blue eyes held hers, a mix of hope and anticipation.

"And I recognize the immense benefit such an alliance would bring to Elysia. Valendale’s strength is undeniable. Your courage, Prince Rayne, saved our kingdom. You stood by us when others faltered."

Rayne’s smile grew, a genuine, joyful expression spreading across his face. King Clive and Queen Isabella exchanged pleased glances. Joel’s grip on his fork tightened, a barely perceptible tremor. Reyes remained still, his eyes unblinking, fixed on her.

"Therefore," Viana continued, her voice gaining a strategic edge, "I agree to the announcement of our engagement."

Rayne’s smile widened, relief washing over his features. The King and Queen beamed.

"However," Viana added, her voice dropping slightly, a subtle signal that the true explanation was reserved for later.

"I propose that the formal engagement process, the full ceremonies and preparations, be delayed. Let us announce it, yes. Let the world know of our commitment, but let the detailed preparations span a longer period. We have much rebuilding to do, much to solidify before such a grand event can truly commence with the full splendor it deserves."

King Clive looked a touch surprised, then thoughtful. Queen Isabella, ever practical, seemed to consider the logistics.

Rayne, however, looked directly at Viana, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes, sensing a deeper motive. He knew her well enough by now to understand that her proposals always had layers.

"A delayed engagement," King Clive mused, stroking his beard. "It is unconventional, but understandable given Elysia’s current state. It allows us to focus our resources on recovery."

He looked at Rayne.

Rayne nodded slowly, a knowing glint in his eyes. "I agree, Your Majesty. Princess Viana’s wisdom is clear. A prolonged engagement will allow both our kingdoms to prepare thoroughly for such a significant union."

He then turned to Viana, his gaze unwavering. "I accept your terms, Princess Viana. Let the world know of our coming union. And let us take the time necessary to build the strongest possible foundation for it."

Viana offered him a small, conspiratorial smile, a silent acknowledgment that he had grasped the unspoken message. The tension in the dining hall eased. A murmur of conversation resumed, cautiously at first, then growing louder.

Joel and Reyes, who had been holding their breath, subtly relaxed. A flicker of something akin to relief, or perhaps quiet approval, crossed Joel’s face. Reyes’s lips curved into the barest hint of a smile.

***

Later that evening, after the last of the festival vendors had departed and the palace had settled into a quieter rhythm, Viana summoned her closest confidantes to her private study.

Joel, Reyes, Arden, and Kaley entered, their expressions a mix of curiosity and anticipation. Rayne was not present; this was for her inner circle, for the true plan.

Viana sat behind her large oak desk, a map of Elysia and its surrounding territories spread out before her. The candlelight flickered across their faces, casting long shadows.

"Thank you for coming," Viana began, her voice low and serious. "What happened tonight, the announcement of my engagement to Prince Rayne... it is part of a larger strategy. A necessary deception."

Joel frowned, and Reyes watched her, his silence always a question. Arden adjusted his spectacles, his analytical mind already whirring. Kaley, usually so open, looked perplexed.

"Lazarus," Viana stated, her eyes hard.

"He thrives in the shadows. He believes Elysia is weak, isolated. He believes his manipulations are unseen. This announced engagement, however delayed, will force his hand. It will appear to him as a rapid consolidation of power between Elysia and Valendale. A strong, united front he did not anticipate. It will make him believe he is losing control, losing his opportunity. And that," she leaned forward, her voice a dangerous whisper, "is when he will make a mistake. He will step out from the shadows. He will try to disrupt this union, to create chaos, to strike at us openly."

She paused, letting the implications sink in. "And when he does, we will be ready. This engagement is a trap. A lure to draw him out into the light, where we can finally hunt him down."

Joel’s eyes widened, a slow grin spreading across his face.

"A brilliant move, Princess," he murmured, admiration clear in his tone. "Using his own arrogance against him."

Reyes gave a single, firm nod. "It fits his pattern. He always believes himself superior."

Arden’s eyes glowed with understanding. "The public declaration will send ripples through his networks. The delay in ceremony provides the window for him to act, thinking he has time to intervene."

Kaley, however, looked concerned. "Princess, deceiving the people... using such a sacred bond as a tool... is it wise? Will it not bring ill fortune?"

Viana met his gaze, her expression unwavering. "Kaley, this is not a deception of the people, but of a monster. A necessary evil to bring about a greater good. The future of Elysia, the very balance of this land, depends on Lazarus’s downfall. This is war, and sometimes, war demands cunning."

She then looked directly at all of them, her voice softening, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her tone.

"I understand what this announcement means, particularly for you two. Your loyalty, your feelings... I see them. I value them more than words can express. This is a pretense for the world, not for us. My trust in you remains absolute. Your positions by my side, your importance to me, none of that changes. This is a sacrifice I ask of all of you, for the kingdom, for our future. It is not about personal relationships, but about securing Elysia’s very existence."

Joel met her gaze, his expression softening from strategic approval to something deeply personal.

"Princess," he said, his voice husky, "we understand. Your fight is our fight. Whatever you ask."

Reyes simply placed a hand over his heart, a silent, unwavering pledge.

Arden bowed. "My mind and my intelligence network are at your command, Your Highness. We will prepare for Lazarus’s inevitable move."

Kaley, though still troubled, took a deep breath. "Then, Princess, my prayers, and the temple’s blessings, will be upon this venture. May the light of Elysia guide our deception and root out the darkness."

Viana felt a wave of gratitude. She had laid bare her most audacious plan, and they had met her with understanding and unwavering support.

The pretense of an engagement was set. Now, they waited for Lazarus to fall into their trap.