Because She has My Back! (Charlotte Katakuri x oc )

Chapter 9: Unveiling Betrayal

As the discussions within the Fey assembly continued, Lunika's uncle Henry stood off to the side, his face a mask of frustration and anger. He had meticulously orchestrated his plans, believing that he could maneuver his way into the throne by eliminating Lunika from the equation. But now, with Gerald's revelation of the ritual to determine the successor, Henry's carefully constructed scheme was unraveling before his eyes.

He watched as Lunika engaged in conversation with her cousins and the assembly members, a sense of unease gnawing at his core. He had underestimated the influence of their ancestors, the previous monarchs, in shaping the fate of the kingdom. His hopes of securing the throne were now hanging in the balance, dependent on the whims of history.

Inwardly seething, Henry's mind raced as he contemplated his next move. He had come so close to achieving his ambitions, only to have the ground slip out from under him. His gaze shifted toward Lunika, her vibrant presence a constant reminder of his failure.

As the discussions reached a pivotal point, Lunika's gaze locked onto her uncle's tense form. She had always harbored suspicions about Henry's intentions, sensing a darkness beneath his façade. Now, with the situation unfolding, her instincts screamed at her to confront him and uncover the truth.

With a determined glint in her eyes, Lunika excused herself from the group and approached Henry, her voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and accusation. "Uncle Henry, I can see that you're quite agitated by the turn of events. Is something bothering you?"

Henry's jaw clenched as he turned to face Lunika, his attempts at maintaining composure faltering. He attempted to force a smile, though it came out as a grimace. "Ah, my dear Lunika, it's just the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. The future of our kingdom hangs in the balance, after all."

Lunika's gaze bore into his, her intuition telling her that his words were a mere facade. "Is that truly all, Uncle? It seems to me that there's something else beneath the surface, something you're not revealing."

Caught off guard by her perceptiveness, Henry's composure slipped further. His eyes flickered with a mix of frustration and desperation. "You always were astute, Lunika. But what could I possibly be hiding? The situation is complex, and my concerns are justified."

Lunika's gaze remained unwavering, her tone taking on a steely edge. "Uncle, the path of deceit only leads to further darkness. If there's something you're holding back, now is the time to reveal it. Our family's unity is paramount, especially in times like these."

The intensity of Lunika's words seemed to pierce through Henry's defenses. He felt cornered, exposed to the truth he had tried so desperately to conceal. His eyes darted around the room, realizing that the assembly was watching, including the penetrating gaze of his own father, Gerald.

A cacophony of whispers spread through the room as the tension between Lunika and Henry escalated. In a fit of frustration and desperation, Henry's resolve crumbled, and he let out a guttural scream that seemed to reverberate through the very walls.

"Fine! You want the truth, Lunika? You want to know what I've been hiding?" Henry's voice cracked, and his composure shattered completely. "I orchestrated the kidnapping! I wanted you out of the picture so that I could finally claim the throne! All these years of being overshadowed by you and your father's potential and power... I wanted it to be mine! but now I find myself at our ancestors' mercy, like a desperate gambler clinging to a lottery ticket!"

Gasps of shock echoed through the room as Henry's confession hung in the air. Lunika's cousins, Beatrix, Cordelia, and Katharina, looked at their father in disbelief, their expressions a mix of betrayal and hurt. The assembly members stared in disbelief, the weight of his treachery sinking in. Lunika's heart pounded as she absorbed the truth, her suspicions vindicated in the most painful way.

Gerald's gaze bore into Henry with a mixture of disappointment and anger. The revelation of his own son's betrayal had struck him like a blade. The room fell silent as the gravity of the moment settled upon them all.

Henry's breath came in ragged gasps, his shoulders heaving with the weight of his confession. His once proud demeanor had crumbled, leaving behind a broken man who had betrayed his own blood for power.

The whispers of the assembly's exasperation and disbelief were barely audible, a testament to the shock that had gripped them all. Lunika's eyes locked onto Henry's, her gaze a mixture of anger, disappointment, and a touch of sorrow.

As the truth was laid bare, the bonds of family and loyalty were tested, and the future of Moors hung in the balance once more. The once-secret shadows had been brought to light, exposing the darkness that can fester within even the closest of kin.

Gerald's piercing gaze held steady, his voice carrying the weight of authority and disappointment as he addressed his wayward son. "Henry Moors, your actions have brought shame upon our family and our realm. You have betrayed both your blood and your honor. What say you in your defense?"

The tension in the room was palpable, the air heavy with anticipation as all eyes remained fixed on Henry. His composure had shattered, and like a wounded animal backed into a corner, he lashed out with a ferocity that betrayed the depths of his desperation.

With a surge of Fey magic far stronger than ordinary, Henry summoned forth plants that erupted from the ground, their tendrils reaching out like hungry snakes. The assembly members cried out in shock, some recoiling from the unexpected attack as the plants lashed out, injuring those unfortunate enough to be in their path.

Gerald's expression shifted from disappointment to a mixture of shock and sadness. His son's actions had taken a dark turn, casting a shadow over their family's legacy. The once-proud Henry had resorted to violence, his emotions overriding reason and honor.

Lunika's heart ached as she witnessed the chaos unfold. She understood the complicated dynamic between her grandfather and uncle, the affection that had bred a sense of entitlement within Henry. Yet, she also recognized the duty she held to protect the realm and her family's reputation.

Gritting her teeth, Lunika's eyes narrowed, and her magic surged in response. She focused on the turmoil of plants, harnessing her telekinetic abilities to manipulate the world around her. A web of vines and roots sprang forth from the ground, intertwining and weaving together to form an intricate lattice.

With a swift and calculated motion, Lunika's magical construct closed in around Henry, forming a cage that held him suspended in the air, her telekinesis abilities overpowered Henry's control of the vines he once manipulated. The room fell into stunned silence, broken only by Henry's desperate struggles and the sounds of the captured plants thrashing against their magical restraints.

Gerald's gaze shifted from his son to his granddaughter, a mixture of surprise and approval in his eyes. He had always known of Lunika's potential, but seeing her take control of the situation with such mastery filled him with a sense of pride.

Lunika's voice cut through the tension, her tone firm and commanding. "Uncle Henry, your actions have consequences. But violence and betrayal will not define our family's legacy. We must find a way to mend the wounds you have caused."

The tension in the room was thick, a palpable web woven from anger and betrayal. Henry's defiance had brought the situation to a chaotic climax, leaving the assembly members stunned and wary. Lunika's grip on her magical construct remained steady, her telekinetic cage suspending Henry in midair, a symbol of both his actions and their consequences.

But Henry's resistance didn't falter; instead, he used his last weapon — his words — to strike at Lunika's vulnerabilities.

"Don't you find yourself pathetic, Lunika. How can someone born full of flaws become a queen?"

His taunts were venomous, aimed to pierce through her armor and expose the insecurities she had carefully hidden from the world. He mocked her cursed birth, the additional mouths on her hands, her larger Fey form, and the whispers that had haunted her since childhood.

Lunika's eyes narrowed, her gloved hands clenching into fists. A storm of emotions brewed within her, a mixture of anger, embarrassment, and a burning determination to prove her worth. She had spent years building a facade of strength, deflecting the judgments of others, but Henry's words had found the chink in her armor.

"You talk of curses and flaws, Uncle," Lunika retorted, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "But I have faced my demons and emerged stronger. These very 'curses' have shaped me into who I am today."