ELLA'S POV
The grand hall is filled with an eerie silence as a servant enters, carrying the beautiful crown of king of alpha kings. With a graceful bow, she places it on the ornate table where Princess Hellen is lighting candles in a precise pattern. The servant quietly leaves, leaving us in the room.
"Now I need the blood from both sides, and I'll start the incantation," Princess Hellen declares, her voice sending a shiver down my spine as she fixes me with a wicked smile. Her slender fingers wrap around a small knife resting on the table.

I swallow nervously, knowing what is to come. I hate the sight of blood, let alone the thought of being cut.
Feeling my fear rise, King Reagan, reaches for my hand and squeezed it reassuringly, his gaze filled with love. I notice Princess Hellen's eyes flicker towards our interlocked hands, a hint of anger flashing in her expression. But I am not going to pull away from my mate just because she is jealous.
Yesterday, she had returned to the guest quarters nearly an hour later after I left the palace, venting her frustration at everyone and slamming doors. It was clear to me that she didn't achieve whatever she had set out to accomplish with one of my mates. Despite this, I couldn't resist asking King Kian about it this morning, and I was relieved when he didn't lie to me. He admitted that Princess Hellen had indeed visited his quarters last night, but solely to discuss about lifting the curse. While this explanation didn't entirely clarify why Hellen returned back to her quaters in anger, I chose not to press him further about it and risk appearing like a possessive and irrational lover.
King Aleric takes the knife from princess Hellen and makes a tiny cut on the palm of his hand. He steps forward and holds his hand above the small sigil and drops of his blood drip inside.
His wound heals instantly after he pulls back his hand. He hands his brother, Kian, the knife and he repeats the same process that appears painless to them. He heals just as fast.
King Reagan takes the knife from his brother his eyes meeting mine with a gentle smile.

"Let me help," He says softly, while tightening his grip on my hand.
I nod grateful that it is him who is to perform the ritual cut rather than Princess Hellen. His touch is warm and steady, calming my racing heart.
A sharp intake of breath escapes me as he makes a precise cut on my palm. I wince at the sting, feeling the warmth of the blood well up from the wound.
He relinquishes his hold on my hand so I can step forward and hold it over the sigil.

I start to pull back my hand after losing a few drops of blood but Princess Hellen's hand closes around mine with a firm grip.
"Your blood is supposed to be more," she declares with a wicked grin in her eyes. I have no doubt she just wants to prolong my pain.
Reluctantly, I allow her to guide my hand back over the sigil, watching as a few more drops of blood drips into the container until she is satisfied.
I step back as king Reagan makes a cut on his palm and allows a little of his blood to drip into the container as well. His wound heals immediately, the skin knitting back together as if untouched by the blade. Meanwhile, my own wound continues to bleed.
I feel king Aleric's hand go around my waist and pull me closer to his toned body. The side of my body presses against the hard muscles of his chest. And once again my body floods with a strange, pleasurable sensations. His enchanting scent lulls away the dull pain of my wound.
"I'll have the palace doctor treat your wound after this." He whispers just as princess Hellen picks up a folded parchment from the table and holds it out for me to take.
"This is the reverse spell for the spell that was cast by those wretched rouges. You must read exactly what I have written and will the words to manifest into reality." she explains.
I take the parchment with my good hand, unfold it and take a deep breath before beginning to read the incantation aloud.
"May thy hands of fate cleanse spilled blood and restore peace to kings. May the light of day bless thee with clarity and renewal. May this spell wane with each new moon. May thy authority stand firm."
As I read the candles flicker wildly, their flames dancing erratically as if in response to the power of the ritual.
After I am done reading, princess Hellen chants some more incarnations before taking the small sigil and dumping the blood around the smooth surface of the crown. Suddenly, the orbs at the crown's top illuminates in a brilliant golden light and remains that way.
"It has never lit up since...since the death of our father," King Kian exclaims in amazement.
Princess Hellen wears a triumphant smile.
"I told you I am the best sorcerless." she boasts.
King Reagan leans down and presses a gentle kiss to my forehead as if to thank me.
"Does this mean that the curse has been lifted from the crown as well, and now it can be worn?" I question.
"Yes, thanks to you." King Kian says looking thrilled too.
I notice Princess Hellen's smile fade into an angry expression before she quickly masks it with a composed expression.
************
Princess Hellen and Asher waits at the door of our servant room, whispering to each other in low tones just as the palace doctor finishes treating my wound. I wonder what is it they are doing here. It's not like any of them cares about me.
I start to tense as the old doctor gathers his things and heads for the door. Princess Hellen immediately starts approaching.
"Your Highness, your servant's wound has been treated. She should rest and avoid any further straining on that hand." the old doctor says bowing respectfully to Princess Hellen.
"Thank you, Doctor. You may leave us now." Princess Hellen tells him coldly and and he steps out of the room, leaving my anxious self alone with princess Hellen and Asher.
Princess Hellen approaches my bed with a mocking laugh. "Look at you," she sneers. "Suffering for their mistakes, all in a desperate bid to prove your worth to them."
"I didn't offer my blood to prove anything. I did it out of love for my mates," I retort, meeting her gaze. I am not going to entertain her jealousy anymore.
"I have made it clear before, the Alpha kings belong to me," she says, her tone rising. "Yet you continue to provoke me at every turn."
"How can they be yours when they are my mates?" I retort, refusing to back down.
Her eyes blaze with anger and with a sudden motion, she strikes me across the face, sending me sprawling to the ground in pain.
"You are not fit to be with any of them," she spits. "They are powerful kings, and they deserve a queen who understands royalty, not a lowly human servant like you."
"I can learn," I insist, pushing myself up despite the throbbing ache in my cheek. "I can learn anything."
"Learn?" she scoffs and laughs. Asher joins in her mocking laughter.
"Some qualities are inherent, human, and you, a mere peasant, will never be suitable even as their mate. The moon Goddess must have made a mistake."
"What do I have to do to make you accept their rejection and leave this kingdom?" She asks. She wants me to reject my mates so that she can use the opportunity to be with them!
"You are even less deserving of their affection," I counter. "I will not leave my mates for you or anyone else."
Her fury ignites at my words, and her slender hand darts to my throat, gripping it tightly. I gasp in panick and pain as she squeezes. Guess provoking her wasn't the best idea.
"I am not here to negotiate with you to leave them," she hisses, her wolf's claws grazing my neck. "I'm informing you."
If I am not careful what I say, she might loose it and snap my neck. I must find a way past her to reach the door and escape to my mates.
"Let's ....talk nicely if you have something.. to say. " I suggest, struggling to get out words through my hurting throat. "If you want me to leave my mates.... You have to name your price."
"I knew it," she retorts sharply, her grip tightening. "Someone like you, is just after them for their riches."
I nod in agreement and she finally releases her hold.
"Well, how much are you asking for?" she inquires mockingly, giving me a chance to inch more closer to the door.
"And what are you willing to offer?" I ask, making a run for the exit, but she moves quickly. Grabbing my hair from behind and slamming me against the wall with brutal force. The impact knocks the breath from my lungs, and I sink to my knees.
"You wretch!" she screams, her grip tightening around my throat again.
At that moment, a loud knock reverberates through the room like my salvation, startling all of us.
"We are busy at the moment. Return later," Princess Hellen barks in response.
"I'm afraid this cannot wait, my lady," Sir William's voice insists from the side of door and I feel hope.
After a long moment of consideration, Princess Hellen releases her hold on me, and I slump to the floor, clutching my aching throat.
She signals to Asher to open the door, and she complies.
Sir William enters the room and his eyes widen upon seeing me on the ground, but then his features regain composure immediately, as if he has seen nothing amiss. He presents a note to Princess Hellen.
"The kings extends an invitation to your servant, Ella, for dinner, as a gesture of gratitude for helping to lift their curse," he announces before bowing and departing quickly.
Seems like I'll have to bargain for my life myself.
"If I don't show up for that dinner, my mates will know something is wrong." I inform Princess Hellen who responds with a contemptuous snort.