CHAPTER 474: CLAIRE’S DEATH

Half an hour later she arrived at her house. She was nervous thinking of an excuse to tell Claire, and the door creaked open. "Mother, I’m back," she chimed as she stepped in. Ariel felt something crack under her feet, her eyes slowly darted around the room and her face went pale.

Ariel’s heart started pounding in her rib cage. "Mother," she screamed out. Her feet moved on their own in the room. She gasped, her hand covered her mouth to muffle her scream.

The entire house was in shambles. What happened here last night? Every piece of china and pottery was shattered on the floor. She ran around the small house checking all the rooms, but there wasn’t any sign of Claire.

Tears rolled down her eyes, with fear gripping her heart. She remembered every moment she spent with Claire, nothing could happen to her ’ mother ’.

"Mother," she desperately called. Ariel opened the back door to search the backyard. That was when she heard a weak groan. Her eyes drew to the sound. Lying in a pond of blood, Claire desperately gasped for air as life slowly drained from her face.

"Mother," A sharp shriek escaped her lips and she ran to Claire’s side. She didn’t care about her dress being ruined. Ariel held onto Claire’s body, calling out for her.

Claire’s eyes were hazy, she could barely see Ariel but felt her presence. Her hands weakly reached for Ariel’s face. Claire didn’t say any heartfelt words. Her last words were "Run," Ariel didn’t understand at first what she meant

Her heart dropped the moment Claire’s hand fell lifeless from her face. "Mother, mother," she cried, shaking Claire’s dead body, which didn’t respond. Grief took over, and her cries grew louder. The grass patch under her started to wither, just like the tree leaves. All these she didn’t notice

"Oh, there you are. I thought you weren’t coming back." She heard someone chiming behind her. Ariel’s head snapped towards the voice. A masked figure stood not too far away, holding a dagger covered in blood.

Claire’s last warning fell in place. This was what Claire warned her about. Ariel slowly stood up, her hands trembled from fear and anger. She didn’t recognise the killer, whose identity was completely hidden.

"Who are you?" She asked, her eyes glaring at the mysterious figure. The person scoffed. From the voice, she knew it was a woman. "Enough of the games, hand it over to me." The person demanded.

Ariel was left more puzzled because she had no idea what the person was talking about.

She didn’t answer, her eyes were searching for a chance to escape. Ariel wasn’t a fighter and knew she didn’t stand a chance.

The killer’s grip tightened around her blade, and she charged forward. Ariel evaded her by a slim chance and ran for the back door. "Get back here." She heard the killer bark before chasing after her

Her heart raced the same as her feet. She ran to the main entrance and escaped through the door but her pursuer was still on her tail

Everywhere Ariel stepped on the grass instantly died, and she kept on running.

A strong energy wave struck her from behind and pushed her to the ground. Blood spewed from her mouth as she fell.

"Stop running and let’s get this over with. Where is it? I can’t kill you until I get it back." Her pursuer continued rambling about things Ariel didn’t understand. Her entire body was screaming in pain. She could not stand up.

Ariel struggled to crawl away. Hey, fingers dug into the soil, the masked woman approached slowly like death. Her posture was calm, and malicious intent filled her eyes. "Since you can’t answer the question. I will just finish you up then." She sneered, her hand raised about to strike Ariel, who was helpless on the ground, completely weak.

Just before she could grab Ariel and finish the job. A strong wind struck her pushing her away until her back struck against a tree. She was disoriented and confused about where the attack came from.

The sky rumbled with a heavy presence approaching. Down the rough road, she noticed a group of knights, but her eyes zeroed in on a single man who wasn’t even in armour, rushing towards her on horseback.

His strawberry hair flew in the air with lightning erupting between the strands. She struggled to stand up, this was bad. Ariel was still on the floor barely unconscious.

Another attack came at her, but this time it was lightning. She was struck away but it didn’t kill her. Using her last strength, she summoned a rune and escaped.

Kaiden gritted his teeth and hopped off the horse, furious that the person escaped but he had more important concerns at the moment. He ran towards Ariel’s side, gently lifting her from the ground. "She is still alive," he screamed out, watching Ariel, whose consciousness was slipping away.

*******

Her eyes popped open, and Ariel’s heart was pounding fast. She was lying on a bed, and the sheets were heavy but soft. She quickly sat up; her body ached a bit, and a sharp hiss escaped her lips.

Ariel’s brows furrowed in confusion after scanning the room, what was she doing in this room again? She wondered, recognising the prince’s room at first glance. The same armour lay on the table.

She struggled to get off the bed ignoring the subtle pain that spiked through her body. She was in a different outfit, a lacy nightgown, which was the least of her worries.

Her mind was screaming at her to run away.. Ariel got to the door, and her hand reached out for the handle. Before she could pull it open. The lock clicked and it was pushed open. At the other side was the handsome cocky prince.

"Seems like the runaway princess strikes again. Where are you going, Ariel?" He sneered at her. Her eyes glared at him fiercely, which he found amusing and chuckled. He even knew her name now, she scoffed.

He was more annoying than she thought.

"Who are you calling a princess? If anything I am running from you before I get executed for something I didn’t do." Ariel bravely stood against him. Ariel was tall, making her and Kaiden almost the same height; he was just a few inches taller, but tall enough to look down at her cute, glaring eyes.

"You don’t have to worry about that, I found the culprit and they have been taken care of. You try to rest, no one would hurt you under my watch, dear princess." He chimed then closed the door behind him.

"Stop calling me princess, " she snapped, finding his cocky tone annoying. She didn’t have time for him. She had to arrange for her ’ mother’s ’ funeral.

"Why? Isn’t that what a prince’s consort is called?" Kaiden innocently blurted, acting oblivious. Ariel felt like cold water was doused on her. "What prince’s consort?" She snapped, not minding her tone.

Kaiden smiled, "You should learn to speak more kindly to your husband, I am not a very kind man." He chimed leaving her dumbfounded.

When did she get married to this narcissist?!!!