Married To Darkness-Chapter 431: Alaric’s Sudden Ability

Back in Wyfmoor, the compound had gone still.

"And who is this?... Who are you?"

Steel clinked faintly in the hands of guards nearby, but the real weight in the room was the air itself—charged with suspicion, with unspoken questions.

Thalia stood in the center of the corridor, her cloak tattered, dirt on her cheeks, eyes bright with the sting of long-traveled nights.

And beside her, standing too casually for comfort, was a Sebastian with a hunter’s build and a smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Alaric stepped forward slowly, eyes like storm clouds. His voice was low, but carried the weight of command.

"I’m a hunter," immediately Sebastian said said with ease.

"He helped Heappal and I," Thalia said, her words quick, defensive.

Alaric’s gaze turned razor-sharp. He looked between them. "What are you doing here?"

The man—Sebastian, though no one had asked for a name—shrugged with effortless bravado.

"I brought her to you because that was what she wanted."

Thalia blushed.

Behind Alaric, Prince Embrez stood silent, arms crossed, eyes watchful. He didn’t interrupt, but the flick of his glance showed he was listening to every word.

Alaric turned his attention fully to Thalia now, eyes boring into hers.

"Why did a hunter bring you?"

Thalia hesitated. Her voice, when it came, was soft—barely above a whisper.

"He... said he wasn’t hunting us anymore. He helped me carry Heappal to a physician. We didn’t have another choice."

She glanced at Sebastian as if unsure whether she’d made a mistake.

By Alaric’s side, Salviana gently touched her husband’s arm. Her hand was light, her expression calm, trying to reel him in—remind him of mercy. Her presence grounded him. It always had.

Alaric exhaled slowly, then returned his gaze to the smiling hunter.

"What do you want?"

Sebastian gave a lazy grin.

"Maybe..." he drawled, "I wanted to bring all of you in to the king at once."

Thalia gasped.

The atmosphere snapped taut.

Before the others could react, Lucius was suddenly behind Sebastian, silent as a curse. His black umbrella cast a looming shadow over them both. His presence chilled the air.

His voice was smooth as silk—but stained with something cold. "I could rip your neck off."

Sebastian turned his head with mock astonishment.

"Ohhh... dangerous," he said, widening his eyes in mock fear. "How dramatic."

Thalia gasped and took a step back. Her eyes widened as if finally seeing the truth.

"He’s a wizard! You shouldn’t kill him" she blurted. "He—he used magic back there. That’s how he helped us escape the hunters And he used it to help me find all of you!"

Lucius didn’t blink. His grip tightened slightly on the umbrella’s handle. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

Alaric straightened. His voice was quieter now, but all the more lethal for it.

"Salviana, my love," he said, brushing a hand to her back, "Take the girls inside. We need to have a... conversation with this one."

Salviana didn’t move at first. She looked at him, her brown eyes locking with his in silent dialogue. Be careful. Be fair. Don’t forget who you are.

He gave her the smallest of smiles and leaned forward to press a kiss to her forehead.

"I’m always rational," he murmured.

She gave a slow nod, then turned to the girls—Jean, Sarah, Emma, and Thalia. With a graceful gesture, she ushered them toward the corridor. Their shoes echoed softly as they began to leave.

Just as the women reached the archway, Sebastian raised his voice lightly behind them.

"See you soon, damsel."

Thalia froze mid-step.

Jean turned, scowling. Sarah blinked in disbelief. Emma muttered something under her breath. Even Salviana paused, her lips tightening.

Alaric’s jaw tensed.

Lucius tilted his head slowly.

"You really do have a death wish."

But Sebastian only smiled wider.

The women left, reluctant but trusting. And now the air in the hall turned cold and heavy.

It was time for answers. For truths.

And maybe... find faster solution for the reckoning that had been chasing them all.

The doors closed behind the women with a solid echo, and the remaining air turned cold.

Sebastian stood in the center of the great room, arms still loose at his sides, wearing that same maddening smile.

The new clothes didn’t fit his style at all—but he looked entirely too relaxed.

Lucius loomed near him, the dark aura of his umbrella like a noose waiting to tighten. Embrez leaned against a column, fingers twitching idly against the hilt of his blade. Alaric stood silent, unreadable.

"Talk," Alaric said finally. "Why are you here? Why would a hunter risk his own neck bringing a target home?"

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, then swept his hands into an exaggerated bow.

"Fine, fine. If we must go the dramatic route... I suppose I’ve fallen in love."

The words hung in the air like an explosion in slow motion.

Lucius blinked. Embrez frowned. Alaric’s brows twitched slightly.

"With Thalia," Sebastian added casually, placing a hand on his chest. "A strange and strong girl. Brave, too. She took my cloak and heart the first time we met. Very spirited. I like that."

Lucius scoffed loudly. "Alaric, he could be a spy,"

"A dangerous one," Sebastian retorted.

"You’re a wizard. That means nothing here, I can still snap your neck," Lucius warned.

Sebastian yawned as if he was bored and didn’t believe, "Have you ever met a wizard?"

Samion said immediately, "We have a wizard."

Alaric glanced toward the corner near the fireplace, where an elder man had been quietly observing everything until now—tall, with curly brown hair and eyes too old for his face.

"Manni," Alaric called calmly.

Manni shifted uncomfortably as all eyes turned to him. He stepped forward, rubbing his sleeve awkwardly.

"I don’t know if I haven’t but you all need to stop pointing out my identity this easily," he muttered.

"What are you doing with bloodsuckers and vampire-tainted royalty, Manni?" Sebastian asked, grinning devilishly. "Or have your neck been promised to be snapped into submission."

The room changed instantly.

Lucius moved so fast it was a blur, umbrella swinging with intent. Manni’s eyes lit up, runes flickering along his fingertips. The insult was more than offensive—it was war.

Sebastian barely had time to blink before Alaric stepped forward, and in one breathless moment, something surged from him—a ripple of force, unseen but undeniable.

The very air shuddered, and before Sebastian could be hit, he was yanked backwards, out of reach.

He landed hard against the wall, coughing as he slid down.

Everyone froze.

Lucius’s umbrella hovered mid-air. Embrez stared, brows furrowed. Manni’s magic fizzled, lips parted in shock.

Sebastian coughed again, looking up with a grin.

"Well, well, Your Highness. That was impressive."

But no one was looking at him anymore.

All eyes were on Alaric.

"You’ve been hiding that," Lucius said flatly.

"I didn’t know you could do that," Embrez added, folding his arms slowly.

"My lord," Manni gasped looking proud.

Alaric didn’t answer. He turned back toward the center of the room and said simply,

"We will keep him close. Watch his behavior. If he truly means no harm, we’ll know soon enough."

"I’m not planning to leave my damsel," Sebastian said from the floor, brushing dirt off his shoulder. "And if it’s alright with all of you, I rather like the idea of being kept close."

Lucius rolled his eyes so hard it looked painful. Manni muttered something like "lunatic" under his breath and disappeared into the shadows of the wall again.

The men remained still, the tension easing only slightly.

What disturbed them wasn’t Sebastian’s arrogance.

It was what Alaric had just revealed—and what it might mean.

Is he truly a demon?

"When can we eat?" Sebastian asked.