I'm not sure if you remember Lord Magnus Crowell but he's mentioned a bit in Chapter 11 and Chapter 20. He's a little bag of shits I hate writing him but the plot must continue sigh.

Also, i really wanna address your ALL of your comments but I'm too excited to post this and i'm scared my brain will lose focus replying back. I do wanna mention one thing tho bc this seems to be a recurring topic in the comments but LOL I haven't thought that far into murdering a main character...maybe. IDK BUT THANKS FOR IDEA! HAHAHAHA

Seeing everyones support to me as an author is so heartwarming, I just love knowing you all would support me no matter what happens. I'm unreliable asf but for you guys - I will get this story done!

TRIGGER WARNINGGGGGGG: course language, uncomfy uncomfy stuff AHEAD!

"I see you remember me," he crooned, licking his dry lips in a way that made her skin crawl. His gaze raked over her, oozing with ill intent.

Back when her father was king, Crowell would frequent the castle as an esteemed member of the court and heir to the Crowell family fortune. Aside from official meetings, she would often find him lurking in the hallways, a lewd look on his face that her younger self didn't quite understand.

But now, It was clear as day and it was disgusting.

"I never forget traitors," Stella said coolly, biting back the bile rising in her throat. She straightened her posture, refusing to let him see her discomfort. "What are you doing here?"

Crowell's grin widened, his ego inflating at her acknowledgment. "I have business to discuss. Official matters." His eyes glinted dangerously, the predatory edge in his gaze sharpening. "But meeting you – well that's just an added bonus,"

"The high commander isn't here," she snapped, her voice firm, though she felt an icy chill slide down her spine. She knew Crowell's type too well—always the opportunist, always preying on perceived weakness.

She was in no mood to entertain his theatrics today. Brandon wasn't here, none of the platoon members to her understanding was here. She was hungry, she was tired and this slimy bastard was the last person she wanted to see.

She tried to walk past him, desperate to put as much distance as possible between herself and his sickening presence. But he moved quickly, stepping into her path.

"Now, now, Your Highness. Where are you off to in such a hurry?" His voice was light, mocking, but his gaze bore into her with a hunger that made her blood boil.

Disgusting freak.

Stella's patience snapped. Her head shot up, her hazel eyes burning with a fierce intensity that made Crowell hesitate. For a brief moment, she saw a flicker of fear in his expression—so quick it was gone before she could savour it.

"I said," Stella bit out, her voice steady, her words cutting through the air like shards of ice, "The high commander isn't here. I suggest you find a time he is in before you trespass his castle."

"His castle?" Crowell's laughter erupted, a boisterous sound that echoed through the hallway. "My, how the mighty have fallen. The Solarian Princess, now a guest in her own home."

She didn't respond. The truth was bitter enough. This was Brandon Silver's Palace. The High Commander's castle. No longer her home but rather her prison. There was no dwelling on it until the High Lord and the Drakari were eradicated, this was no longer The Sun Palace.

Her hand tightened around the book she held in her grip as Crowell's laughter subsided into a chuckle.

"So," he mused, stepping closer, "you've submitted to him, then? I suppose even the proudest lioness bows to the hunter." His tone shifted, dripping with lecherous glee. "I wonder, does the high commander share his trophies? Perhaps he wouldn't mind if I borrowed his plaything-"

The words barely left his lips before his hand darted out, gripping her wrist with a boldness that sent her fury roaring to life.

Stella reacted instinctively as she dropped the book and grabbed his wrist in turn. Her other hand shot out, twisting his arm in a swift and deadly motion that forced him to bend over with a yelp of pain.

"Don't fucking touch me," she hissed, her voice trembling with controlled rage. A bit more rotation and she would snap his arm right out of its socket, a satisfying thought that crossed her mind multiple times in the last 5 minutes.

But before she could twist any further, a strange sensation flared from her wrist. A tingling, burning ache that spread from her arm up. Her muscles froze, her grip faltered, and her hold on him slackened. She gasped as her body betrayed her, releasing Crowell against her will.

He straightened, rubbing his wrist with a mixture of amusement and triumph. "My my, that was close," he sneered. "They weren't lying when they said you'd grown dangerous,"

Her mind screamed for action, to strike him down where he stood – break his neck, but her body remained unresponsive. She could only watch in disgust as Crowell stepped closer, his rancid breath invading her space.

"You know," he murmured, his tone sickeningly intimate, "I've always had my eye on you. Even back when you were just a naïve little princess. You've only become more… enticing." His eyes flickered down at her body, a lustful and lewd smirk on his face that made Stella want to wipe it right off his damn face but her limbs remained frozen as if bounded by some unseen force.

One punch and she could knock out his lights but dammit why couldn't she move?!

"Even now I can see the defiance in your eyes, such a turn-on," He drawled, his greasy finger reaching out, caressing the side of her face as Stella gritted her teeth. "Look at me, Your Highness,"

His words rang in her ear and as if her mind had no will over her body, she turned her head to face him. Crowell's eyes glimmered erotically as his smirk widened knowing whatever he had done to her was working to his advantage.

Crowell was not a wizard. He was just a filthy creep. How he had gotten his hands on this type of magic was still a wonder.

The Sun Sceptre could dispel this cheap trick, she had read its capabilities were far beyond anything any fairy or wizard could use innately. If she could summon it, she could break this spell easily – if only the damn sceptre responded to her!

"You'd make a lovely addition to my collection. The former princess – Solaria's most beautiful flower." He grinned crookedly as she fought hard against his spell. "So many men wanted you, you know that? Such disappointment when news of your death was announced,"

His words made her want to throw up.

Crowell's hands brushed her side, his fingers dragging themselves down to her waist as Stella shuddered under his repulsive touch. His smirk only seemed to widen at the look in her eyes, unable to react.

His pudgy hand gripped her hip, making her want to knee him right in the family jewels but dammit her body wouldn't move!

He leaned closer, his greasy face right up to hers as he whispered, "Oh how I'd love to be the one to break you,"

Stella gritted her teeth, her jaw tensed but her body still refused to follow her own will as she desperately looked for a way to break free.

"Crowell," a voice like frost and steel rang out, stopping Crowell in his tracks.

Stella's heart leapt at the sound, a reaction she would question later. Relief coursed her body at the sound of his voice cutting across the hallway, a notion she never thought she'd ever experience with a man she hated so much.

Crowell's smirk faltered, replaced by a fleeting flicker of annoyance. "Ah, High Commander Silver," he drawled, attempting to regain his composure. "I was just showing the former princess my hospitality,"

Stella stared at him as Crowell stepped aside. He was dressed in his commander uniform, black cape fastened over his shoulders and his blade inactive in it's sheath.

His eyes were indifferent and cold as they flickered from Crowell to Stella's blank expression. "What are you doing here Crowell? I don't recall a meeting being arranged," He asked coldly, almost too tired to even bother with addressing Crowell and what he was up to.

Crowell chuckled nervously. "I came to see Lieutenant Hale." Riven wasn't here. None of the platoon was. Stella could tell he had come here just to seek her out as an ulterior motive.

If he had properly arranged a meeting with Riven, he was well aware no one was going to be here today at the castle and since the former princess couldn't leave the palace, he thought she'd be an easy target.

He just didn't calculate the commander's early return.

"But the princess and I were just..catching up, isn't that right Your Highness?" He stepped closer to her, his fingers brushing Stella's hip as if to taunt her as she stiffened, unable to break his fingers from the charm he had her under.

Brandon's detached eyes lingered Crowell's greasy fingers on her hip but they betrayed neither irritation nor interest in what the filthy bastard was doing. Brandon Silver had no reason to react, Stella knew he didn't give a shit about her – that much he made abundantly clear.

But with everything that happened, the change in his gaze, the way he acted yesterday with a hint of what seemed like compassion. Maybe, just maybe he would come to her rescue just this once.

"If your business is done, I suggest you see yourself out Crowell," He murmured in an even tone, as if Crowell's bold action didn't bother him a fraction.

Crowell was daring, that much was obvious. High Commander Brandon usually never gave a damn about the filthy things Crowell was up to. No one in the High Lord's court did. His taunting of the former princess should be no different.

Besides, once the high lord is done with her – Crowell could buy her for a fair price.

Crowell's grin widened at Brandon's lack of reaction as if he had gotten permission to carry on. "Of course, Commander. Always a pleasure."

Stella's chest tightened, desperation clawing at her as she stared at Brandon. She needed him to stop this—to do something, anything. Was his moral compass truly so broken that he would let Crowell humiliate her like this?

Brandon's gaze flicked to hers, empty and unreadable. Her heart sank. There was no spark of outrage, no flicker of anger—only a detached, clinical coldness as if the soft gaze he had yesterday was nothing but a ruse.

Without a word, he turned on his heel, his cape sweeping behind him in a dark arc as he headed toward the west wing of his study.

No. No, don't leave me!

Her thoughts screamed, but no sound escaped her lips. Her body remained rigid, under Crowell's control, her helplessness suffocating. She felt herself spiralling into panic, her mind firing desperate flares in an attempt to break free.

And then, his voice cut through the hallway like a blade.

"Princess," Brandon said over his shoulder, his tone clipped and sharp. He didn't even glance back. "Go back to your room."

Stella's heart thundered as her body instantly obeyed. The command broke Crowell's hold, her feet carrying her forward automatically, with her movements mechanical and detached.

She brushed past Crowell, ignoring the irritation in his expression, her gaze fixed ahead. Her body moved past Brandon as well, his presence radiating a suffocating, controlled intensity.

She didn't dare look back; the charm forced her to follow through with the command.

"Crowell." Brandon's voice dropped to a dangerously low register as he addressed the man once more. It was devoid of anger, and that made it even more chilling. "The next time you enter my castle unannounced, do not think your place on the High Court will keep you from being gutted like a pig."

The hallway fell deathly silent. Stella could feel the tension in the air, thick and crackling. Behind her, Crowell hesitated, his confidence faltering under Brandon's piercing gaze. She heard the smugness in his voice evaporate as he stammered out a reply.

"Y-Yes, sir. My apologies, Commander."

Brandon didn't reply. His heavy footsteps echoed behind her as she continued down the corridor, still bound by his command. The sound of his presence following her filled her with a mix of emotions. Relief, anger, and an unshakable sense of helplessness.

When she reached her room, she stepped inside without hesitation. Brandon was right behind her, and the moment she crossed the threshold, the door slammed shut with a thunderous rattle. The noise reverberated through the walls, making her stiffen.

Her heart pounded as she stood in the centre of the room, her breath shallow and quick. Brandon loomed behind her, his presence dark and commanding. She didn't dare turn around, not until his voice cut through the heavy silence.

"Turn around," He ordered.

Her body obeyed instantly, spinning to face him as her hazel eyes met his cold, piercing gaze. There was no warmth there, no concern. Only a storm of restrained irritation and something darker lurking beneath the surface.

"Give me your hand," he demanded, extending his own.

Her hand moved against her will, pressing her palm to his. He yanked her forward, flipping her wrist over to expose the faint, red glowing mark etched onto her wrist like a bracelet. His eyes darkened as his thumb brushed over the marking, his jaw tightening.

"A fucking mind chain spell," he muttered, his voice dripping with disdain. "That fucking bastard."

His grip on her wrist tightened, the irritation he didn't have before suddenly materialising in his gaze. He let out a dry chuckle, "Do you know what this does, princess?" He asked coldly.

A Mind Chain spell. That was not something she had ever read in the Solarian library but considering she had just been a victim of it, she had a pretty good hand in what it does. The caster had full control of the victim's mobility and free will while the victim remained aware and conscious.

What a sickening curse of dark magic.

She glared at him, unable to respond without a clear command. She wanted him to break the damn spell already so she could demand why he almost hung her out to dry like that.

He stepped closer to her, a notion that made her heart leap as he brought his head close to her neck, "This is the kind of dark magic at the Drakari's disposal,"

Her body tensed at his words, he tilted his head to gaze at her wide eyes with an almost rivetted look, "Something like this would've made you submit to me from the start," He leaned down and brought his lips closer to her jaw, his hot breath fanning her skin, making her body run hot.

She gritted her teeth, her body shuddering at his warmth. She hated how much her body responded to him. She hated him with every fibre of her being but her damn heart keeps hammering whenever he is near.

"Don't move, princess," He whispered, his voice low, mocking and full of amusement. The command forced her body still.

His fingers brushed along her bare arms, gliding down, making her body shudder in delight despite her trying to stay resistant. She couldn't move with his absolute command, forcing her to stand still. His gloved hands suddenly gripped her hips, pulling her closer as chills riddled her body.

This was nothing like the disgust she felt when Crowell touched her. This was foreign – carnal almost. She knew all he was doing was taunting her.

Everyone in the fucking realm knew the young princess of Solaria favoured the high commander's son. Her younger self was not very good at hiding her very obvious affection with her longing gazes, wide grins and cherry-red blushes whenever he was in the room.

It was so damn obvious he probably knew it as well. That's why he was using that old affection to his advantage now. Breaking her walls and weakening her morale, nothing more nothing less.

But stars, why does she keep reacting like this?! She was over him!

"You're lucky this shit is beneath me, princess. I don't need petty charm to break you," he murmured softly against her ear one last time. He let go of her and took a step back, gazing at her rigid posture and glare directed at him.

His eyes were guarded, almost like it was hiding an emotion buried deep within before he raised his arm and looked away.

"Tecna," he snapped into the communicator device in his uniform forearm, "I need a dark charm dispelled. Now."

The fairy of technology was at the Princess's door in no less than a minute. A glare on her usually blank face as she stormed in with a crystal between her fingers. Her eyes caught sight of the wicked red little incantation seared into the princess's skin and a flare of anger washed through it.

"Is this Crowell's doing?!" She demanded and Brandon remained silent but his glare gave her the answer she needed, "Who allowed him into to the castle?!" She murmured, placing the crystal over Stella's wrist. Tecna's aura wrapped around her arm for a split second before the red incantation faded out of her skin and absorbed into the crystal.

Brandon crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back with an exasperated sigh, "Riven, apparently. But something tells me the arrogant bastard came here on his own volition,"

The small gem cracked, dispelling the magic in the same instance Stella felt herself regain mobility in her own body as she let out a heaved breath.

"Arrogance is an understatement." Tecna hissed, straightening up as she turned to face her high commander, "What he does with his 'comfort women' is out of our jurisdiction, but to attempt debauchery in the High Commander's domain is a step too far," She snapped more to herself as she left the room.

Stella stood where Tecna had left her, stunned and rendered speechless by what had happened.

Now comfort women was a term she had read in the old war books.

Tecna's words did nothing more than deliver more of that sickening feeling into her stomach. "He does this to other women?" She whispered, horrified and disgusted as Brandon stepped away closer to her.

He chose to ignore her words, his eyes running down her body as if assessing her state in silence. Once he was satisfied, he turned towards the door, "Do not let him touch you again, princess, the next time this happens – I won't save you,"

Stella gritted her teeth at his words. Save her?! If he didn't put her in this shitty situation in the first place, there would be no need to save her! Alo

"Answer my question, Brandon! Does he do this to other women?!" She snapped, choosing to ignore his remark about not coming to her aid.

He kept his back to her, a soft tired sigh escaping his lips, "Princess, what he does outside of my domain is none of my concern."

Stella let out an incredulous scoff, stunned at his blunt, uncaring words, "Outside your domain!? You are the high commander, what the fuck is outside your domain!?"

"I'm not about to argue with you about the way Drakar functions," He grumbled in irritation, turning to leave but Stella was swifter as she ran in front of him and slammed the door shut to her bedroom before he could make it out.

With her back against the closed wooden doors, she glared at him, "Answer the damn question, Brandon!"

His eyes shifted to a deeper shade, signifying his further irritation at her relentless questions. He slammed the side of his fist hard against the wood beside her head, making the door rattle as he stood menacingly in front of her.

But Stella didn't so much as flinch as she continued to hold her death stare. "Out of my way, princess," He breathed sharply in her face making the hairs on her neck stand.

Stella may be his prisoner, but she was not backing down, "Answer. The. Question. High Commander,"

His cheek muscle twitched in irritation before he sucked his teeth annoyedly, "I oversee this kingdom and its people – that's all my role as high commander entails," He shot back emotionlessly, "The high lord's court members, like Crowell, manage other sectors in the syndicate – hence what they do with their prisoners is not my problem,"

Was smacking him an option?

"You mean they enslave girls, selling them for their own dirty pleasures?" She hissed. Brandon gazed away much to her absolute irritation, and that set her off the edge. "And you don't care?! Drakar is your responsibility!"

"This kingdom is my responsibility, this isn't Solaria anymore,"

Brandon ensures order in the kingdom and for the people of Drakar, but what about the other people of Solaria, the surrounding villages and people who live outside the kingdom walls, were they not people deserving of protection?

She gritted her teeth, "You're fucking pathetic, you can even look after the people of this planet from shit like that, how do you call yourself a leader-"

He grabbed her jaw, shutting her up and pulling her close to his face to drive his annoyance, "You were queen for a whopping total of 5 minutes, princess, I don't expect you to understand," He spat menacingly.

It finally made sense as Stella's eyes widened. Why he called her princess this whole time. It wasn't out of respect for her former title, but rather a bit of mockery – despite becoming queen, he was reminding her that she never had the chance to rule. To him, she will always be as she was.

A childish, weak little princess.

Before she could even comprehend, she had pulled her hand back and sent it propelling at his face – slapping him hard across the cheek and making his head turn at the force of impact. His hair fell in clusters over his glaring dark eyes, and the scorching red hand print was already beginning to take shape.

"Don't you ever say that to me again!" Stella hissed, pushing past him to avoid having to face his wrath immediately after. She couldn't believe she was able to slap him let alone even slap him that hard.

It was like he let her hand make contact with him. The rush of the moment made her react and his words struck a nerve she had otherwise thought she had long ignored.

She expected him to snap at her, forcing her to submit or something along the lines of exercising his power but he never did.

He didn't even gaze back at her. Throwing open the door, nearly off its hinges Brandon stormed out. The wood slammed shut behind him with a hard thud causing the wall around it to shake at the impact.

Stella stood staring at the closed door in silence before wiping the hot tears that she had held in this entire time. Her beloved Solaria had gone to ruins and there was nothing she could do to protect her people and her planet.

It was all her fault.

BETCHA DIDN'T EXPECT THAT DID YOU? heheheheh

Yeah I threw a bit of a curve ball there because you all thought he would show some care...LOL. I love doing the unexpected mwahahahah.

She do be SMACKING him tho. That was so satisfying sorry ik he's evil bc I make him evil but god when she slapped him my heart soared. HIT HIM AGAIN!

Lots of love,

Star