CHAPTER FIFTY THREE
DANIEL'S POV
I should have been happy.
King Adrian's visit to the covenant had finally been approved.
Yet something continued to bother me.
My biological mother, the Queen of Witches, and my grandfather, the King of the Snake Pack, had both hesitated when I first mentioned my father's request.
They were powerful leaders.
Wise.
Careful.
People who rarely feared anything.
But for a brief moment, I saw concern in their eyes.
Then something even stranger happened.
Prince Raymond supported the idea immediately.
That alone was enough to make me suspicious.
The same Raymond who once wanted me dead.
The same Raymond who nearly sacrificed Tanya and our child.
Yet now he was supporting peace between humans and witches?
It did not make sense.
Still, after Raymond voiced his support, the elders slowly agreed.
The Queen finally gave her approval.
King Adrian would visit the covenant in three market days.
I should have felt relieved.
Instead, I felt uneasy.
The following morning, I decided to visit the Snake Pack territory.
The coronation ceremony was approaching, and there were still many things I needed to understand about my clan.
As I walked through the territory, many people stopped to greet me respectfully.
Some bowed.
Others smiled warmly.
For the first time in my life, I truly felt like I belonged somewhere.
Then I spotted a familiar face.
My former palace bodyguard.
The man who had once protected me faithfully in King Adrian's palace.
Now he stood proudly outside a beautiful home.
Beside him was his wife, Tammary.
A former servant from the Snake Pack.
And between them ran a small child laughing happily.
I smiled.
They looked happy.
Peaceful.
The kind of life most people dream about.
"My Prince," my former guard greeted respectfully.
I shook my head.
"We are friends. There is no need for formalities."
He laughed softly.
Tammary greeted me warmly before taking their child inside.
Once we were alone, my expression became serious.
"There is something important you need to know."
Immediately, he became alert.
"What is it, Your Highness?"
"My father is coming."
His face froze.
"King Adrian?"
I nodded.
"In three market days."
The man nearly choked.
"My Prince..."
I sighed heavily.
"When I first returned to the kingdom, I told my father that you resigned from your duties."
His eyes widened.
"You lied to the King?"
"I had no choice."
At the time, I could not allow my father to discover that one of his royal guards had secretly married a witch.
But now everything was different.
King Adrian would soon see the truth for himself.
"You should prepare yourself," I warned him gently.
"He deserves an explanation."
The former guard nodded slowly.
"I understand."
For a moment neither of us spoke.
Then he smiled.
"You have changed, Your Highness."
I looked at him curiously.
"How?"
"You smile more now."
His words surprised me.
Perhaps he was right.
Ever since Tanya entered my life, even through all the pain and chaos, she had changed me.
As I continued through the territory, another problem appeared.
Women.
Many women.
Beautiful daughters of noble families from the Snake Pack.
The moment they saw me, they immediately surrounded me.
Some openly admired me.
Others shamelessly flirted.
A few were bold enough to touch my arm.
"The future Python King is even more handsome up close."
"I would make an excellent queen."
"My Prince, would you join me for dinner tonight?"
I sighed heavily.
If Tanya saw this, she would burn the entire territory.
I politely rejected every invitation.
But they refused to give up.
The more I tried to leave, the closer they moved.
I was already regretting leaving my chambers that morning.
Then suddenly—
Silence.
Complete silence.
The women stepped back instantly.
Fear appeared on their faces.
Some even ran away.
Confused, I turned around.
And immediately understood why.
Tanya.
She stood a few meters away with her arms crossed.
Her beautiful eyes were narrowed dangerously.
The wind moved her hair gently.
Yet somehow she looked more terrifying than any demon.
The remaining women quickly disappeared.
None of them wanted to challenge the Lion Princess.
I could not help laughing.
Tanya glared at me.
"What is so funny?"
I walked toward her slowly.
"Nothing."
Her cheeks puffed slightly.
Adorable.
Jealous.
And completely unaware of how cute she looked.
Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around her waist.
"Daniel."
She tried to sound angry.
Failed miserably.
I pulled her closer.
"There is only one woman in my heart."
Then I lowered myself and gently kissed her growing belly.
A warm smile appeared on my face.
"And one little troublemaker."
Tanya immediately looked away.
Trying to hide her happiness.
But I noticed.
Of course I noticed.
Her heart always revealed itself through her eyes.
For a long moment, we simply stood together beneath the trees.
Enjoying a peace that neither of us thought we would ever have.
The second day passed quietly.
Until evening.
That was when Tanya and I witnessed something unexpected.
Prince Raymond was personally supervising dozens of servants.
Decorations were being prepared.
Special gifts were being arranged.
Large tents were being erected.
Welcome banners filled the covenant.
Everything was being prepared for King Adrian's arrival.
Raymond stood at the center of it all, giving orders efficiently.
"Place those flowers near the entrance."
"No, the gifts should be moved to the eastern pavilion."
"Prepare more food for the welcoming feast."
The servants obeyed immediately.
Tanya and I exchanged glances.
Neither of us trusted what we were seeing.
Raymond looked far too enthusiastic.
Far too helpful.
And that worried me.
That night, Tanya could not sleep.
I felt her shifting beside me repeatedly.
"What is wrong?" I asked softly.
She hesitated.
Then finally spoke.
"I don't trust Raymond."
Neither did I.
But I remained silent.
Because deep inside—
I had the same fear.
Raymond was planning something.
Something dangerous.
And whatever it was...
King Adrian's visit would be at the center of it.
END OF CHAPTER FIFTY THREE