After successfully putting three bags of corn in Julian's car trunk, Kieran straightened his body and heard the horrifying creaks from his backbone. Julian, who had just arrived from home and put two bags of potatoes on top of the corn bags, laughed out loud."You can destroy thousands of dead souls, but almost pass out carrying three bags of corn?" Julian asked, then wiped his face with a handkerchief.Kieran's mind flew back to a few nights ago when he lost control and accidentally killed his enemies. He still haunted by the regret of that day, although no one blamed him for it.As if reading Kieran's mind, Julian gently patted his shoulder. "The incident that day was unavoidable," Julian said, smiling warmly at him. "At least you did it to protect the lives of thousands of Rainvale residents. And look at the stack of harvest they gave you..."Julian pointed to a neatly arranged pile of harvest bags on his grassy front yard. Kieran shook his head smiling at the thought of how diffic
One year ago."Kieran, where are you going? We should be going together to Remirer!" Kieran's mother's gentle voice, for the first time, echoed through the beautiful corridors of their home."I don't want to go to the palace," Kieran hoisted his heavy backpack. "Besides, I want to go to Grandpa and Grandma's place. I deserve to enjoy the holiday the way I want."His mother stared at him with wary black eyes. "Something happened at school, didn't it?" she accused. "Something between you and Dravon, isn't it?!""NOTHING HAPPENED!" Kieran shouted. He didn't mean to shout, and as he saw the hurt look in his mother's eyes, Kieran immediately set down his backpack and reached out to touch her face. "I'm sorry, Ma. Nothing happened between me and Dravon. I just... I just want to go somewhere peaceful."Suddenly, his mother pulled Kieran into a hug and stroked his hair. "Since when hasn't this house felt peaceful to you, my dear?" his mother whispered, shaken. Kieran could feel his mother's t
A few days ago,In the Queen's Palace, Frostwyn North, in the realm of Varidianth.It was Elios Silverlake's first visit to the Queen's Palace in the northernmost region of Varidianth. Just a year ago, before the tragedy of Umbravale unfolded, Queen Varidianth still resided in her palace in Remirer. A classic-style palace with numerous towers and surrounded by high walls, earning it the name Ruby Citadel. It was within these walls that Seraphina and Dravon spent their childhood.However, since the tragedy in Umbravale, Queen Varidianth decided to relocate part of her government to Frostwyn, the furthest region from the Kingdom of Valorthorn. Not only in Frostwyn, but specifically in the 'north' part of Frostwyn, which consisted of icy mountains. Thus, the palace was built right at the foot of the mountain, in a position seemingly impervious to attacks from the Kingdom of Zyronox and other realms. However, according to Elios, such a position only made it easier to be cornered."Her Maj
A few days earlier, in Frostwyn.In his life of not yet twenty years, Will had never set foot in a prison. But the prison in Frostwyn was the coldest he knew. With floors and walls frozen, the air was so dry it was difficult to breathe. From distances that felt too close, Will could hear someone's groans and the sound of their breath. But he couldn't see anything except the dim lights far away.Will tightened his formal cloak, trying hard to maintain his expression as Dravon turned towards him. Whatever he felt at the moment, all the fear and discomfort he felt now, Will wouldn't show it. Because he knew Dravon was more hurt by being in this place.Nevertheless, Will's poker face wouldn't deceive anyone. Without a word, Dravon took off his torn cloak and draped it over Will's shoulder."Sorry," Dravon finally said. "For putting you in this position.""Well," Will shrugged on Dravon's formal cloak onto his back, grateful that at least the cloak was warm enough for him. "Given how dire
One day earlier, in Frostwyn.The dark sky outside his spacious room window revealed streaks of green aurora, resembling a veil from heaven.Elios gazed at the sky for a while before letting out a long sigh. He promptly shrugged off his thick coat, leaving him in a thick black sweater.The room heater had just been turned on, so the temperature in the room was still too cold. But within a minute, it would soon warm up. That's why Elios opened his wardrobe, intending to grab a comfortable T-shirt to wear. It was then he found a piece of paper on top of his neatly stacked clothes. Written in rough and messy handwriting, all in capital letters."TONIGHT, I WILL ALSO SLEEP IN THE SERVANTS' DORMITORY, YOUR GRASS. YOU CAN CALL ME BY PRESSING THE BELL BUTTON ON THE NIGHTSTAND. REGARDS, LANA."Elios chuckled at the possibility of misunderstanding the affectionate letter. But only for a moment. Because the next second, he remembered Lana's gaze on him in the Council Chamber.After twenty-nine
The room Fey referred to as Kieran's turned out to be a large chamber once occupied by his parents. With a heavy heart, Kieran walked down the corridor, inevitably reminiscing about how he used to pass through this place as a child, awake in the middle of the night due to bad dreams.Standing in front of the grand wooden door, Kieran clenched his fists. He used to knock on this door and call out to both his parents. "Pa... Ma..." Two words that would never feel the same unless he said them to summon both of his parents.After steeling his resolve, Kieran pushed the door open. A strange scent of blueberries immediately greeted him, accompanied by the dim light from the bedside lamp on the nightstand. The room was spacious, with three walls lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. On one side, devoid of bookshelves, lay a large, freshly made bed adorned with satin drapes.Approaching the nightstand, Kieran switched on the lamp atop it, casting a bit more light into the roo
Rain cascaded heavily in the skies of Valorus. The temperature plummeted outside, causing the windows to be veiled with a thin layer of mist. Yet, Dravon remained fixated on the droplets clinging to the glass before trickling down. It seemed easier than absorbing the stifling atmosphere pervading the room.His foster father, the King of Valorthorn, sat slouched on his throne, weary, observing the experts elucidate the events that had unfolded. Meanwhile, his foster brother, the Crown Prince, simply savored his wine, lost in thought."In short, Your Majesty, although both patterns drawn in Rainvale failed, they will remain active if His Highness completes the next two magic patterns," said one of the pattern magic experts, quoting from a book even children could read. Dravon struggled to stifle a yawn."Two patterns," the King reiterated after yawning. "But shouldn't there only be one magic pattern allowed to be drawn in a year?"Another expert interjected greedily. "Absolutely correct
Gently grasping the mane of his large, white steed, Dravon relished the raindrops trickling down his face. As they journeyed down the quiet roads towards the distant hill, Dravon lost track of time spent on horseback. Perhaps around three hours. Yet, he felt no weariness. For it was the first time he had ridden in a year.Though Dravon's current mount was but a large white horse rumored to be frail and short-lived, he held a deep affection for the creature. He even bestowed upon it the name Hope, aligning it with Will's name, though Will need not know. Silently resolving to ride alone more often to foster a closer bond with Hope, as he had grown too accustomed to traveling by carriage.For what seemed like an eternity, Dravon finally caught sight of Star Hill. The hill earned its name for its round, modest size, crowned with garden lights and fairy lights adorning its trees. One of the grand estates, a source of pride for the Zephyr family, the oldest and most respected lineage in Val