Bound To The Ice Dragon King
Chapter 179: Alina’s anger

Chapter 179: Alina’s anger

Rhea was surprised when she returned to Prince Zachary’s palace after leaving Enzo at the late princess’s residence, only to receive the unfortunate news that Princess Aria had been kidnapped by the fire controllers in Birhhan.

Although Rhea hadn’t seen Aria in a few days, she didn’t go to look for her in her palace because the Princess had informed her that she would be busy and unable to spend time with Rhea. However, ever since the day Lilac had shared Valen’s condition with them, Rhea had noticed a change in Aria, though she didn’t think Aria would be reckless enough to go to Birhhan.

And now, Aria was in Alina’s clutches. The news had just arrived, and nobody knew if Aria was alive or dead in Alina’s hands. Rhea couldn’t help but imagine the horrifying possibility that Alina had ripped out Aria’s core and discarded her body, just as she had done to the Dragon soldiers at the borders. These terrifying thoughts consumed Rhea’s mind after hearing the news.

Draven had returned only a minute ago from his meeting with the king, but he hadn’t mentioned anything about what he had discussed with King Henry for over an hour. However, they hadn’t have time to discuss it, given the news of Aria being captured by the enemy.

Currently, Rhea, Draven, and Ethan sat in the dining hall at Prince Zachary’s palace, a tense silence hanging in the air as everyone worried about the princess.

After a brief moment of silence, Draven glanced at Rhea who was seated across from him. "Would you like to go and rescue your friend?" he asked casually.

"Yes," Rhea firmly replied. However, she quickly changed her mind and shook her head. "No, I can’t. I mean, we can’t," she corrected herself. She looked up at Draven from the other side of the table. "Right now, you can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to defeat Alina, can you?" she inquired.

Rhea could tell from King Henry’s earlier words that Draven was not yet fully recovered. He was not as powerful as he once was, and he was reluctant to admit this to her. Rhea understood his pride as the legendary dragon and didn’t wait for his response. Instead, she turned her attention to Ethan.

"Ethan, has your father made a decision on what to do next to rescue Aria?" she asked.

Ethan shook his head. "Father is currently having a meeting with my brothers. They haven’t decided on a plan yet as the news just came in a few minutes ago."

With that, Rhea realized that she and Draven may not be necessary. The king and the princes would do everything in their power to bring back Aria. However, she hoped that Aria would be returned safely. The fear that Gail had made the same mistake that cost her life made Rhea worry that Aria had also made the mistake of going to Birhhan.

"I think as long as Alina knows that Enzo is in the Dragon realm, she wouldn’t dare harm sister Riana," Ethan stated.

Upon hearing this, Rhea’s worries eased. It was true that once Alina discovered that the man she loved was in the hands of her enemies, she would think twice before hurting the Princess.

"We just have to wait and hear what King Henry decides then," Rhea murmured calmly.

Draven gazed across the dining table at Rhea, his eyes filled with admiration. Rhea, known for her recklessness and impulsive nature before, was an entirely different person today. News of her friend’s kidnapping had reached them, and though lines of concern etched her forehead, she sat there calmly.

Her black eyes, framed by her striking silver hair, seemed to hold an unspoken weight. Draven couldn’t help but think that if this were in the past, Rhea would have already embarked on a daring mission to rescue her friend without a second thought. But today, there was a newfound composure about her that he couldn’t help but notice.

Unable to contain his thoughts, Draven finally spoke, "Rhea, you’ve matured a lot from the carefree, reckless girl I met months ago."

Rhea was taken aback by his words, her initial surprise giving way to a bitter smile. She replied with a hint of irony, "If this is what they call maturity, then I’ll pray to the Heavens to never make me mature again." She couldn’t help but reflect on the burden she now carried in her heart. In the past, she had barely worried about anything beyond herself, but today, the weight of responsibility and concern for Draven and her friend’s safety had transformed her in ways she never anticipated.

Even though she wanted to help bring back Aria, there was nothing she could do with her current body that wasn’t stable yet. And she wouldn’t want to drag Draven into danger because she wanted to rescue her friend. It was best to sit back and let the king handle the situation with his sons...

***

Alina stood in the middle of her ruined mansion grounds on the moonless night. Countless torches illuminated the darkness, casting eerie shadows all around the ruins. Men walked up and down as they carried out dead bodies of the men who had died at the hands of the Dragon’s attack yesterday.

Alina had only just returned from the borders, she hadn’t even changed from the red armor she’d worn to the war. How could she change when everything was burned down and her family were ruined?

Right in front of Alina was Oriana’s dead body wrapped up in a white cloth. Alina’s hand shook as she reached out to gently lift the white cloth that enveloped her niece’s lifeless body. She hesitated for a moment, her heart heavy with sorrow.

With trembling hands, she finally unveiled Oriana’s face. As the cloth fell away, a gasp escaped her lips. Oriana’s features were twisted by the brutality of her death and the unhealed scar, her body covered with bloodstains and the unmistakable stench of decay hung in the air. Alina’s gaze fell upon her niece, and her eyes brimmed with tears.

The sight was unbearable, and for the first time in centries Alina’s sorrow threatened to overwhelm her. Memories of Oriana’s childhood and their shared moments flooded her mind. She recalled the day her elder sister had entrusted her with Oriana’s care, making her promise to protect and love her as her own. Oriana had been the only family she had left. Alina had long lost her parents, even before her marriage to Enzo centuries ago. Now, Oriana, her last cherished relative, had met a horrific end at the hands of her enemies.

Alina stood motionless as she stared down at the dead body that looked twisted on the ground. She could tell her niece had suffered at the hands of her killer. Alina’s hands balled up at her side, her eyes stung with tears.

Beside Alina, the fire controllers and soldiers who stood witness to the tragic scene felt her grief in the heavy silence that hung in the air. None of them dared to make a sound in fear of what she might do in her sense of grief.

One of the fire controllers who had retreated with the rest when the Dragon threatened them, found the courage to speak, "My lady, we tried our best to go after Lady Oriana when she ran inside the mansion to confront the treacherous girl. But the Dragon was relentless in guarding the entrance, striking down anyone who dared to attempt to enter... I’m deeply sorry." He lowered his head in apology.

However, Alina’s expression twisted into one of wrath. In a surge of anger, she summoned her magic, striking the man in the stomach. Her voice was a thunderous roar as she yelled, "You’re sorry? Do you expect me to accept your apology after you allowed that abominable Dragon into my domain? You let him to slay my niece and abduct my fiance!" Her eyes blazed with fury, and her heart ached with sorrow at the thought that Draven had taken Enzo with him.

Enzo must be scared to death at the hands of those creatures. And the thought that Draven had taken him angered and terrified her at the same time. However, if Draven dared lay a hand on her husband, she would make him pay double. She had made a lot of sacrifices to let Enzo be reborn, and now that she was close enough to making him recall their past life together, Draven dared to take him away?

Alina’s hands tightened into fists as she seethed with anger. How dare he and that worthless girl enter her mansion in her absence, causing the death of her niece and taking her husband away from her?

"They will pay dearly. I will reclaim my husband and bring them to justice for killing Oriana!"

Before anyone could react, Alina vanished in an instant. The fire controllers were promptly alerted, and from her words, they understood her intentions. Not having the powers to teleport, they couldn’t pursue her. One of them urgently commanded, "Quickly, go and find Lord Azure and inform him of Lady Credan’s destination!"