The Veil of Darkness
Chapter 73: Kenric Got Punished

Chapter 73: Kenric Got Punished

The morning came early and just like that, Annalise and her husbands set out to continue with their journey to Lakeshire after they had their breakfast and bought some food for their journey.

For most of the morning, Annalise sat alone inside the carriage while reading her books. Every now and then, either Kenric or Valerius kept coming next to the carriage window to chat with her and make sure that she was doing fine. As for Lord Damian, he was still ignoring her like a plague.

By the time noon appeared and they finally stopped for a break, they had reached the outskirts of the Enchanted Forests - one of the deadliest and biggest forests in the entire Seelie Empire.

She climbed down from the carriage and found her husbands tending to their horses, Valerius was feeding them a special herb to keep them in good health and full energy even after half a day of a long journey.

Kenric noticed her and came to stand beside her as they both watched Damian scouting the area to make sure it was safe for them to take a break. "You have a worried look on your face. What is it?"

Annalise turned her attention toward him as she spoke, "Are we really going to travel through this forest? I have heard so many rumors about this place." She didn’t try to hide her worry and neither did she pretend that she wasn’t afraid of entering such a mysterious place.

Kenric was about to answer her but Damian beat him to it, his harsh and cold voice once again pointed at her as he commented, "As long as you won’t go around creating troubles for us, we will be able to get through this place just fine. Besides, stop thinking with that mundane mind of yours, Princess. Unlike you people from the Seelie Empire, me and my brothers are capable enough to handle such small issues."

He didn’t even spare a single look in her direction as he brushed past her while aiming those hurtful words at her. However, she finally had enough of his attitude. Her body moved on its own accord and she ended up grabbing his arm as he was walking past her.

Her action ended up surprising both of them, and she wasn’t really sure if she was more surprised than him. They just stood there standing in silence as they stare at each other. Their gazes were locked together and once again she felt something stirring inside her as their souls came into contact.

Previously, she was unable to tell exactly what sort of thing she kept feeling every time she was around one of her husbands, but now when she had some sort of understanding about the soulmate bond that she was sharing with Valerius, she could sense that the same feelings were also related to Kenric and Damian whenever they came in co tact with her.

Her soul seemed to yearn for the two of them just in a similar manner as it did for Valerius. The only difference was, that Kenric seemed to be reciprocating those feelings while there seemed to be some sort of hesitation from Damian which wasn’t there until a few days ago.

"What is it, Princess?" His tone was still as cold as before, and for a moment, she even thought that it sounded even colder than before for some reason.

When she first came to live with them after their marriage, he used the term ’Princess’ to address her, and at that time, it sounded like he was taunting her only because of her title as the Princess of the country. But as time passed and they became a little bit closer, his tone became warmer, and the taunting disappeared from his tone.

However, now when he called her ’Princess’, it was neither filled with warmth nor taunt, instead, it just sounded like he was spitting the word in utter distaste.

Even though she kept telling herself that he won’t be affected by his cold treatment, she couldn’t deny that every time he spoke to her in that manner, she felt like something was breaking inside her.

She slowly lowered her hand, letting go of his arm as she turned her head away, not being able to look at his accusing eyes anymore. "I’m sorry for being nothing more than a burden on you all." She didnt wait further for any of the men to speak as she turned around and walked away from the three of them.

*****

Kenric had Damian pressed against a tree trunk but he knew that this victory was short-lived as he only had been able to take his brother by surprise as reg latter was too occupied with watching Annalise’s departing figure.

Just like he thought, Damian immediately pushed him away with a surge of his dark energy which almost had Kenric landing on his ass on the ground. He would have almost got punched next but thankfully, Valerius decided to intervene right at that moment and stopped Damian before he could have hit him.

"Enough. Both of you!" Valerius’ sharp voice was filled with immense power, the air turning chilly immediately as his eyes took over a silver sheen. Neither Kenric nor Damian tried to disobey the direct command from their Crown Prince.

"Damian, this is the last time I’m reminding you to behave in front of her. Don’t keep going against my order." Valerius’ commanding tone was directed at Damian who gave a curt nod with an angry expression on his face before he too disappeared somewhere deep into the woods.

And then, Valerius’ entire attention was on Kenric, something that immediately made the latter regret his action of attacking Damian. "Who allowed you to attack your own brother?" Those deep silvery eyes penetrated him like daggers.

"Brother, I..." Kenric opened his mouth to defend himself even though he knew it won’t work, however, he didnt get the chance to do so as Valerius declared his judgment. "Stay away from Annalise for the next twenty-four hours."