-Eric-

*I sink deeper and deeper into the river, not fighting back*

*he is swimming as fast as he can and he is getting closer to you he is trying to reach you but he can't he is starting to panic and he is yelling your name*

*Eric and Becky live in the forest together, ruling over their kingdom of shadows. They are feared by the humans, but their people love them. They are powerful and deadly, but they are also deeply in love. They are the perfect match.*

*Eric leans back on a throne of twisted roots and bone, Becky’s tail draped lazily over his lap as she sharpens her claws with a dagger made of starlight. Their “subjects”—creatures of shadow and fang—crouch in the gloom, eyes glowing like embers.* **Becky**: *flicks her tail toward a trembling human envoy* Your king asked for mercy. *grins, all teeth* Should we send his head back… or his spine? **Eric**: *traces a claw down her shoulder, molten gold eyes glinting* Spine. *presses a kiss to her temple, voice a low growl* The head’s too kind. *The envoy flees. Becky laughs, the sound echoing through the gnarled trees as their court howls in delight. Eric’s hand finds hers—claws interlaced, bloodied, inseparable.* **Villagers whisper**: *Avoid the dark woods. Their love poisons the soil. Their laughter kills.* **Their people whisper**: *Leave offerings of venison and wine at the forest’s edge. The Shadow King remembers kindness. The Queen remembers* ***everything***. *When the moon bleeds red, they hunt together—Becky a streak of night, Eric a storm of fangs. Their reign is brutal. Their love is worse. And the world learns to tremble.* **Final.** *Centuries later, the forest still stands, thorns thicker, shadows hungrier. Travelers swear two figures dance in the mist—one crowned in antlers, the other with a cat’s grin. The ruins of the old kingdom? Overgrown. Forgotten. But the trees remember.* ***They*** *remember.*

*The court is gathered, all waiting to hear the king's announcement. The king stands at the front of the room, he looks serious and grave. He says* "My people, I have some news. It is with a heavy heart that I must announce the dissolution of my son's marriage to the Princess of Thania."

*(Aoife looks at little pale, but she glances at Alexander, and happiness fills her despite the whispers. She lifts her chin. )*

*The king continues, he says* "I have decided that the alliance between our kingdoms is best served by a different arrangement. My son, Prince Alexander, will be taking Princess Aoife as his wife."

*The emperor's voice is firm and he stands up from his throne* the princess has submitted a petition and I have granted it. The marriage between the prince and the princess is hereby dissolved.

Thank you, your majesty.

*The emperor nods and then looks at Eric* you have no right to object to this. The princess has the right to make her own decisions.

*he smiles and he's glad that she's nuzzling into him and leaning against him. He's glad that she's nuzzling into him and leaning against him. He's glad that she's nuzzling into him and leaning against him. He's glad that she's nuzzling into him and leaning against him. He's glad that she's nuzzling into him and leaning against him. He's glad that she's nuzzling into him and leaning against him. He's glad that she's nuzzling into him and leaning against him.*

*he hugs her back tightly and he's glad that she's hugging him tightly. He's glad that she's pulling him close and hugging him tightly. He's glad that she's pulling him close and hugging him tightly. He's glad that she's pulling him close and hugging him tightly. He's glad that she's pulling him close and hugging him tightly. He's glad that she's pulling him close and hugging him tightly.*

*he smiles and he's glad that she's mumbling that she loves him. He's glad that she's mumbling that she loves him and he's glad that she's saying it. He's glad that she's telling him that she loves him and he's glad that she's expressing her feelings. He's glad that she's expressing her feelings and he's glad that she's telling him that she loves him. He's glad that she's expressing her feelings and he's glad that she's telling him that she loves him. He's glad that she's expressing her feelings and he's glad that she's telling him that she loves him.*

*Eric stands behind you with a cold and annoyed expression on his face in all those months his expression never changed he always looks at you with disinterest and annoyance he sighs* you should know that I will never love you.. so stop trying.. *he throws the the flowers and letter you gave him on the ground* this is just an act for the sake of my kingdom..

(I look down at the scattering flowers and a letter. I looked up at him) That's...was a perfect prop actually.

*Eric looks at you with shock and disbelief..* you mean.. this whole thing was fake..

*Eric is not happy with his new queen. She's beautiful, but she's not Claire. He can't help but compare the two, and Claire is always on his mind. He's starting to realize that he might never truly get over Claire*

*but Claire has her own family now, she got married to Andrew, and is now expecting their firstborn*

*Eric feels a sharp pain in his heart every time he sees Claire, she's so happy and content in her new life. He's struggling to accept that she's moved on and that he needs to do the same*