Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1554 - 153 : Stronger Together

*Adelaide*

I felt my shoulders sag as I made my way up to the palace.

It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy the long hours I spent at Queen Lena’s school. On the contrary, I enjoyed it quite a bit. It was already very rewarding to go and see the bright, hopeful eyes of the students.

It was my calling to take over as the new dean of Queen Lena’s school. I knew it was my place and a great honor.

Still, I didn’t quite feel ready.

I wasn’t ready, technically. That was why I was going there so often nowadays. I was still being groomed to assume the role. It would likely be another couple of years before the previous dean retired anyway.

I had time.

I let myself in through the front entrance and was immediately greeted by a couple of maids who helped me out of my jacket and shoes. One took my bag so it could be taken up to my bedroom.

It was past dinnertime. Lately, we hadn’t been eating together as a family. I remember my parents making it a point to do so in the past. With me preparing to take over as leader of the magic school and my brother preparing to become king, we really hadn’t been able to eat together very often.

A few maids and servants were milling about, but since it was fairly late, there weren’t many. I took a deep breath and twirled in the middle of the hallway. I giggled lightly at the childlike movement.

It didn’t seem that long ago when my brother Aiden and I would skip through these long hallways, pretending to know the people in the elaborate paintings adjoining the walls.

Things were so much simpler back then.

“Still aspiring to be a fairy princess, Addie?”

I whirled around, embarrassed to be caught dancing around in the hallway like a toddler. I relaxed and rolled my eyes when I saw who it was.

Aiden was leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed as he watched me. I could tell he had just gotten out of a meeting by the neatly pressed clothes he was wearing.

It was still strange to see him this way, dressed as the future king that he was. I still saw him as nothing but my twin brother, who used to tease me relentlessly when we were small.

“I am a fairy princess, so show some respect, Brother,” I retorted teasingly.

Aiden pushed himself off of the wall and chuckled as he approached me. As he had done so many times before, he reached out and mussed my hair.

I narrowed my eyes up at him and swatted his hand away playfully. “Why do you always act so much older than me?” I demanded. “We’re the same age.”

“Then why am I so much bigger?” he asked innocently.

“Probably because you tried to take all of the nutrients for yourself while we were in the womb,” I said, jabbing him in the side with my elbow.

“And somehow, you were the one who ended up with the insanely powerful magic,” he quipped lightheartedly.

I just laughed, knowing that there was no malice at all behind our teasing. It might have been an issue between some siblings that one had power and the other didn’t, but my brother and I thankfully had no such resentments between us.

I think we largely had our parents to thank for that. They made sure to highlight both of our strengths. I might have been the magic wielder in the family, but Aiden was extremely bright and clearly a gifted strategist and diplomat. He would be a fine king.

I smirked at my brother. “Are you going to ask Melinda to dance at Mother and Father’s anniversary celebration tomorrow?”

Aiden glowered at me. “I’ve told you that I’m not interested in romantic relations at the moment,” he said firmly. “I’m far too busy for that, and you are too.”

My jaw dropped. “You don’t get to tell me that,” I snapped. My face turned red as I remembered when he caught me making out with some diplomat’s son during the last party.

Aiden shook his head but then laughed, reaching out to ruffle my hair again. “Can you blame me for being a little protective?” he asked rhetorically.

I grinned softly, shaking my head. He knew well that I could be protective of him too. We were essentially best friends. I imagined that that was the case for other twins as well.

I was looking forward to this party all week. I knew that many of Egoren’s highest-ranking officials would be there with their families.

That meant Revelle would be there as well.

I stood next to my parents and brother. The party was in full swing, but there were still people streaming in steadily. I bowed respectfully to the top general’s family, trying not to stare too openly at his son, Revelle.

Revelle had the clearest, greenest eyes I had ever seen. They were dark like forest leaves but extremely vibrant. It was impossible not to stare when I saw the golden flecks in his eyes shimmer. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

My brother narrowed his eyes, which made it easier to break my gaze away.

I gave Aiden an exasperated look before offering Revelle a small but shy smile.

He was just smiling back when the sound of shattering glass pierced through the ballroom. People screamed as bits of glass rained down over everyone, along with mysterious figures clad completely in black.

My parents were quick to take action, barking orders to guards and starting to evacuate guests. My mother rushed forward, sizzling magical energy pouring from her palms as she faced off against two of the shadow figures.

Aiden and I went back-to-back as we braced ourselves to fight. My brother was a powerful fighter. He was trained by my father and some of the strongest warriors in Egoren. He sliced his sword through the air, taking down shadow warriors one by one with frightening precision.

“Aiden,” I hissed through my teeth, gesturing toward the suspicious-looking pair pushing their way through the crowd and heading toward the door leading further into the palace.

Aiden craned his neck after elbowing another shadow warrior in the face. His eyes narrowed on them. They looked to be the leaders of the operation. They had thick blood-red patterns etched along the chests of their black uniforms.

Aiden nodded to me meaningfully, and we raced after them. Mother and Father glanced at us in concern, but they were preoccupied by their own fights. Worry gripped my chest, but I had to trust that they could watch each others’ backs. They had for over twenty years by this point.

They would be okay. Aiden and I had to focus on stopping the suspicious shadows.

My mind raced as my brother and I chased after our enemies. Why had they come? The fact that they were leaving the ballroom made me think they were searching for something.

Was this really just a robbery?

Aiden cursed under his breath and quickened his pace, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. My eyes widened in horror when one of the figures turned down the hall and headed down the stairs leading into the underground secret passage.

“The dragon staff!” I gasped urgently.

I wasn’t as fast going down the steps in the dark tunnel, but my brother didn’t slow down at all, practically flying down them in order to protect the ancient weapon that our mother used to protect not just our world but also the Dragon Realm.

We couldn’t fail to protect it.

Aiden and I burst through the door leading into the secret room where our family treasures were kept. Right in the center was the gorgeous dragon staff, which hadn’t been used in a couple of decades. It stood proudly in its glass case, propped up on a golden stand, glimmering in the dim lighting.

I shot my hand out, creating a glimmering forcefield around the powerful weapon. Just as the translucent wall formed around it, Aiden kicked one of the dark men straight in the back, sending him to the floor. His partner whirled to face my brother, charging ferociously.

Aiden wasn’t perturbed. He dodged the man easily, and the two traded punches and kicks.

I was so focused on protecting the staff with the forefield that I almost didn’t notice the other man scramble to his feet and attempt to take me out. I turned to find my parents between me and him. My father swung his sword at our enemy, my mother at his side, her hands sizzling with energy.

A swarm of guards suddenly appeared, coming at the enemies from all sides. Both dark men were tackled and restrained.

“You won’t get away with this!” one screamed as he was chained up. “We will always support our fallen leader, Pyroth!”

Fear nearly took me to my knees at the name. We knew it well. It was a name that still haunted my family.

There was no questioning it. These frightening men were part of the extremist group that had followed Pyroth.

“It’s alright now, Addie,” my mother said, setting a hand on my shoulder. “We’re safe now. You can drop your shield.”

I hesitated briefly, but Father and Aiden echoed the suggestion. They gave me concerned looks, knowing that this was likely taking quite a toll on my body. I dropped my shield, immediately feeling my shoulders slump as soon as I did.

I was barely aware of the chaos going on around me as I recovered from the sudden intense use of my power. Aiden was at my side in a flash, one arm around my shoulders to support me. He was tense and glowering at our prisoners as it was decided they would be detained in the underground prison while investigations were done.

I was suddenly exhausted and slumped to the ground. Our parents kneeled in front of me, concern etched on their features.

“I’m fine,” I assured them. “Just tired. It will pass soon.”

We were the only ones remaining in the treasure room. I looked at my parents. It suddenly hit how lucky we all were to be alive. Pyroth’s followers were dangerous and powerful, and we had survived their attack.

My mother seemed to feel the gravity of our situation as well and pulled me into her arms, hugging me tightly. She sighed with relief. I hugged her back without hesitation, letting her maternal warmth soothe me.

My father wrapped his strong arms around us both. Aiden followed suit, and we all clung to each other.

We had a new enemy, but I had so much hope as I was held by my family. We were a powerful unit and would get through this.

Together, we could get through anything.