The Shadow Queen Is Too Alluring—I Can't Handle This Anymore!
Chapter 41: One Crown, Two Kings

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: One Crown, Two Kings

I stepped between them—between her fallen form and the shadow that wore my face.

His eyes narrowed, just slightly. Not in surprise. In disappointment.

The Queen’s lips trembled. She was barely conscious, blood soaking through her robes, her breath shallow and broken.

I knelt beside her, brushing the hair from her face with trembling fingers.

"Liam..." she whispered, her voice like silk fraying. "Don’t... lose yourself."

I looked up—past the tears welling in my vision. My hands burned with energy. My jaw locked.

"You want me to choose?" I rose slowly, my back to her. "Then let me show you what I choose."

I wasn’t the same boy from before.

I had broken.

Twice.

Once when I thought I was weak.

Again when I realized I wasn’t.

But now?

Now I knew the truth: power without purpose is just noise.

The Queen had taught me that.

With every scar she wore for me.

With every secret she held to protect me.

With every smile she gave while dying inside.

I wasn’t going to sacrifice her.

Not because I was soft.

But because she was the only reason I hadn’t turned into him.

The wind screamed around me like the howling of a thousand forsaken oaths.

Rings of shadowlight burst from my chest, echoing like bells from a forgotten cathedral.

My runes reignited—no longer just glowing, but singing, threading through the air like veins of starlight.

My shadow rose behind me, massive, winged, crowned in flame—no longer my burden, but my weapon.

I wasn’t a mistake.

I wasn’t a clone.

I was the storm that the bloodline had been waiting for.

And I would reign, or I would burn trying.

The ground split open as the Shadow Heir launched forward, his blade drawn—aimed not at me... but at her.

And in that instant—

I didn’t hesitate.

I stepped into his path—

and struck first.

Our blades met—

But it wasn’t just steel.

It was legacy. It was rage. It was everything we could’ve been, colliding.

Lightning exploded across the sky as both of us roared—

One to destroy.

One to protect.

And only one of us would wear the crown.

To Be Continued...