CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR
DANIEL'S POV
Something did not feel right.
Ever since Prince Raymond openly supported King Adrian's visit to the covenant, a strange uneasiness had settled deep inside my heart.
I could not explain it.
But I knew Raymond was not a man who changed overnight.
People like him always had a reason behind every smile.
Still, I tried to focus on the positive.
For the first time in history, a human king had been invited into the covenant.
If everything went well, it could become the beginning of peace between our worlds.
That alone was worth hoping for.
The following morning, I left the covenant before sunrise.
Several servants from the Snake Pack accompanied me, along with a few horses prepared for the journey.
Surprisingly, Raymond chose not to come.
Instead, he volunteered to remain behind and oversee the final preparations for King Adrian's arrival.
"I want everything to be perfect," he said with a polite smile.
Everyone praised his dedication.
But somehow, that only made me more suspicious.
Before I left, the Queen gathered the witches and gave strict instructions.
"No hunting."
"No rituals."
"No displays of dark magic."
The witches were visibly unhappy.
But they obeyed.
King Adrian was still human.
The Queen did not want him frightened during his visit.
Several hours later, we reached the outskirts of the human kingdom.
I immediately spotted my father's convoy.
Expensive vehicles lined the road while royal guards stood at attention.
King Adrian stepped out the moment he saw me.
A smile appeared on his face.
"Daniel."
I smiled back.
"Father."
For a moment, I forgot all the complicated truths surrounding our relationship.
To me, he would always be the man who raised me.
The man who taught me how to ride a horse.
The man who sat beside me when I lost my mother.
The man who never treated me differently despite the truth of my birth.
I pulled him aside privately.
"There are a few things you need to know."
His expression became serious.
I explained everything carefully.
"The covenant is hidden deep inside dangerous territory."
I pointed toward the distant forests.
"Cars won't help us there."
King Adrian glanced toward the vehicles.
Then nodded.
"I expected as much."
"Also," I continued, "you cannot bring your royal guards."
His eyebrows rose.
"None of them?"
I shook my head.
"The fewer people who know about the covenant, the better."
I lowered my voice.
"Besides, ordinary humans are not permitted inside. The only reason you were granted permission is because of your connection to me."
King Adrian sighed.
"I understand."
After giving instructions to his guards, he mounted one of the horses.
Soon, our journey continued.
The road became more difficult as we approached the covenant.
The dense forests swallowed the sunlight.
Ancient trees towered above us.
Several times I noticed King Adrian looking around curiously.
The hidden world of witches fascinated him.
By the time we arrived, the welcoming preparations were already complete.
And honestly—
Even I was impressed.
The entire covenant looked magnificent.
Beautiful banners decorated the pathways.
Rare flowers lined the entrance.
Musicians played soft welcoming melodies.
Tables overflowed with food and gifts.
And standing at the center of everything—
Prince Raymond.
He greeted us warmly.
"Welcome, King Adrian."
The King smiled immediately.
"Prince Raymond."
I watched carefully as the two men shook hands.
Raymond appeared respectful.
Friendly.
Charming.
Everything I knew he wasn't.
Yet my father seemed genuinely pleased.
Throughout the welcoming ceremony, Raymond rarely left his side.
Whenever King Adrian asked questions, Raymond answered politely.
Whenever the King needed something, Raymond provided it immediately.
The elders praised him.
The servants praised him.
Even my father praised him.
And that worried me.
A lot.
After the formal introductions ended, King Adrian was escorted to a luxurious guest chamber.
The room overlooked the sacred baobab tree.
The view alone was breathtaking.
Once everything was settled, I finally left to find Tanya.
As expected, she was waiting for me.
The moment I entered her chamber, I noticed the concern in her eyes.
"You don't trust him either, do you?" she asked quietly.
I already knew who she meant.
Raymond.
I sat beside her.
"Tanya..."
She folded her arms.
"That man is planning something."
I wanted to reassure her.
To tell her everything would be fine.
But deep inside—
I shared the same fear.
Still, I placed a hand gently on her stomach.
Our child moved slightly beneath my touch.
Instantly, some of my worries faded.
I smiled.
"You should not stress yourself."
Tanya rolled her eyes.
"I'm carrying a child, Daniel. Not losing my intelligence."
I laughed softly.
For a moment, the tension disappeared.
Then I wrapped my arms around her.
And held her close.
Later that night, after Tanya had fallen asleep, a quiet knock echoed against my chamber door.
I opened it cautiously.
My eyes widened.
"Jerry?"
My former bodyguard stepped inside quickly.
His expression was unusually serious.
"I need to speak with you privately."
Immediately, I knew something was wrong.
I led him farther inside.
"What happened?"
Jerry lowered his voice.
"After you left, King Adrian questioned me."
My heart sank.
"About what?"
"My marriage."
I sighed heavily.
Of course.
There was no hiding it anymore.
"He asked how I met Tammary."
Jerry rubbed the back of his neck.
"And why I lied to him."
"What did you say?"
"The truth."
I waited nervously.
Jerry smiled slightly.
"He forgave me."
Relief washed through me.
At least one problem had been solved.
But Jerry wasn't finished.
His expression darkened again.
"That's not why I came."
Immediately, my stomach tightened.
"What is it?"
After a brief pause, Jerry spoke.
"After I left the King's chambers, I saw Prince Raymond."
My eyes narrowed.
"What about him?"
"He was sneaking through the covenant."
I sat upright instantly.
Jerry continued.
"He kept looking around as if he didn't want anyone to notice him."
"And?"
"I followed him."
My pulse quickened.
Jerry's next words made my blood run cold.
"I watched him enter King Adrian's chambers."
Silence filled the room.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then I asked quietly:
"Did you hear anything?"
Jerry nodded.
"Most of it."
My heart pounded harder.
"What did he say?"
"He asked King Adrian for permission to visit the human kingdom someday."
That surprised me.
But not enough.
There had to be more.
Jerry nodded again.
"There was."
I waited.
Then he spoke the words I had been dreading.
"Raymond promised to help the human kingdom."
"How?"
"With sacred herbs from the baobab tree."
My entire body froze.
The sacred herbs were among the covenant's greatest treasures.
The Queen would never casually offer them to outsiders.
Something was definitely wrong.
Very wrong.
After Jerry left, I remained awake.
Unable to sleep.
Unable to think clearly.
Part of me wanted to wake Tanya and tell her everything.
But she was already carrying enough worries.
So I stayed silent.
Instead, I made a decision.
Tomorrow morning—
I would speak to my father directly.
I would warn him about Raymond before it was too late.
Outside my window, the moon disappeared behind dark clouds.
A strange chill ran through me.
For the first time since arriving at the covenant—
I felt afraid.
Because deep inside...
I had a feeling that Raymond had already made his first move.
And by the time the sun rose—
The damage would already be done.
END OF CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR