The prince that was promised

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did not summon you." Dorian inclined his head, his lips curving into a thin smile. "And yet, here I am. My queen is gone, my bloodline diminished, and I have come to ensure that what remains is not squandered." His gaze fell on the child in Aldric's arms. "Your daughter... our daughter. A bridge between two worlds." The king's grip tightened on Seraphina. "She is my child, Dorian. Whatever claims you believe your house has died with the queen." Dorian chuckled softly. "Did they? Let us not forget the agreement that brought our two houses together. Your throne would not stand without the strength of the Falkenrath. And now, this child... she is the culmination of our efforts." The king's nostrils flared, but he held his tongue. He turned away, focusing instead on Seraphina's delicate features. She was so small, so fragile, and yet her presence felt like a storm waiting to be unleashed. "She will grow strong," Dorian said, stepping closer. "But strength alone will not be enough. You must ensure the continuation of this bloodline. A male heir, Your Majesty. The experiment is incomplete without one." "You speak as if this is a laboratory and not a kingdom," Aldric snapped. "Aren't they one and the same?" Dorian's voice was soft, almost mocking. "The throne is a crucible, refining those who claim it into something greater-or destroying them entirely. But the child will need an ally, a brother to stand beside her. The throne has never been a place for the weak, and she... she carries a burden no one else can comprehend." "She carries my name," Aldric growled. "And that is enough." "For now," Dorian replied, his tone turning serious. "But the wolves are still out there, Aldric. They are gathering, waiting for the moment to reclaim what was stolen from them. Your daughter's blood may give her power, but power without allies is nothing more than an invitation to war." The room fell silent, the weight o