The Beast King's Heir: Stolen Before Birth
Chapter 2
Frantic with fear, Lily lunged forward and shouted at Lyra, "Do you even know who my mistress is? Stop right now, or you'll deeply regret the price you have to pay!"
Lyra only smiled. With a flick of her wrist, she cast a spell and severed Lily's tongue in one clean move. She mocked, "How dare a petty little fish with a mere hundred years of cultivation like you bark at me? Don't you know how to address an imperial consort?
"Your mistress is an adulteress. Why should I fear her?"
I stared at Lily as blood poured from her mouth. My body lurched forward instinctively. At that moment, I couldn't care about the High Priest's orders to keep the baby's identity a secret until it was born.
"Stop!" I shouted, my voice sharp. "I have not been unfaithful! This child belongs to—"
But Lyra never let me finish. She shifted forms and raked her claws across my face. Warm blood spilled down my cheek.
The searing pain made my vision blur. As I looked down at the red staining on my hand, I nearly fainted.
She sneered. "Pathetic little carp, you have weak cultivation and no manners. How dare you talk back to me?
"I only meant to drag you before His Majesty for a small reward. But since you refuse to confess, you'll learn what happens when you defy me."
She pulled a bone whistle from her clothes and blew on it.
In less than a breath, four catfolk attendants—each with 500 years of cultivation—appeared, kneeling reverently before her.
"Your Ladyship," they said in unison.
She gestured lazily. "Get up and beat this wretch until she learns her place. No one threatens me. Not ever. I didn't expect to wander into the Forsaken Wing and stumble upon a little surprise…"
The catfolk attendants grinned wickedly as they approached.
Carps were born with a fear of cats, and I was no different. Terror coiled in my chest as I shielded my belly with trembling hands. "Stay back! I'm the daughter of the Carp Clan's chief! The child in my womb belongs to His Majesty! Lay a hand on me and he'll make sure you suffer for it!"
The catfolk attendants faltered, hesitation flickering in their eyes. Their steps slowed as they glanced back at Lyra, awaiting her command.
She crossed her arms, a mocking smile curling her lips. "You don't actually believe her, do you? His Majesty bathed in blood to seize the throne, surviving a brutal struggle among nine heirs. Even the High Priest declared he would never father children.
"Yet this lonely little carp dares claim her illegitimate child belongs to him? If His Majesty had an heir, he would shout it to the world. Do you see any such proclamation? Tell me, is that not the funniest thing you've ever heard?"
The catfolk attendants chuckled darkly, emboldened, and closed in again.
"You almost fooled us," one jeered. "You think just saying it makes it true?"
"You expect us to be that stupid?"
Their rough claws tore at my clothes. One cat attendant, unsatisfied, sank its teeth into my arm and gnawed with relish.
"Mmm… Tender. Just as I thought—a carp's flesh is exquisite!"
I shrieked in agony, thrashing against their grip, but they were too strong. I couldn't break free.
Lyra clapped with delight at the sight, her laughter ringing cruelly. With a flick of magic, she forced Lily back into her true form and tossed her like a morsel to the cat attendants that were tearing into me.
"Well done," she praised.
The attendant beamed, fawning, "If not for Your Ladyship, when would I have ever tasted carp in my lifetime?
"Your beauty is unmatched, and now that you've caught this woman carrying an illegitimate, surely the title of Beast Queen is yours!"
His flattery lit her face with glee.
I could only stare, horrified, as he swallowed Lily whole, then belched with satisfaction.
"No! Don't!" I let out a piercing scream.
Lily had been at my side for decades, a constant presence with her chatter and her loyalty. I had long grown used to her being there.
And now, she was gone.
Numb with grief, I broke free of the cat attendants for one desperate instant and hurled myself at Lyra, sinking my teeth into her.
"I belong to His Majesty! The child I carry is his! He will never forgive you for this! Nor will the Carp Clan!"
She yelped at the sting, then kicked me hard, sending me sprawling. Her laughter rang out, wild and merciless.
"You think I fear a wanton slut like you? You dare insist this illegitimate child is His Majesty's? What are you besides a pretty face?
"Countless consorts with lucky fates have warmed his bed for decades, yet none conceived. And you expect me to believe it's you who succeeded? How ridiculous!"
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