The carriage rolled through the stone streets of Valtoria, its wheels rattling softly against the cobblestone. Moonlight filtered through the windows, glinting off the silver edges of the door handles. The atmosphere inside was calm now — heavy, but calm.
Ragnar sat by the window, staring blankly at the passing buildings. Yuuki sat beside him, hands folded neatly on his lap, his eyes half-closed in thought. Light sprawled across the seat opposite them, arms stretched out, legs crossed, a lopsided grin creeping back onto his face — his way of pretending the tension was gone.
Vincent sat near the front, arms crossed, his posture stiff.
For a long while, no one spoke. The sound of hooves and distant city chatter filled the silence.
Finally, Vincent broke it.
"Did you have to push things that far?"
His tone wasn't angry — just tired. Concerned.
Ragnar didn't look away from the window.
"Yes," he said simply. "I wanted him to feel it — the guilt. Every word, every decision. He needed to feel what he's done."
Yuuki nodded quietly beside him, his tone calm but disappointed.
"Especially because we now know he had a choice. He wasn't forced into this. He just chose the easier path."
His voice carried that soft, restrained anger — the kind that burns cold instead of hot.
Vincent's eyes flicked toward them through the reflection in the window.
"You could've gotten yourselves killed talking to him like that. He's still the king."
Light leaned back, smirking faintly.
"If he was going to kill us, he would've done it already. Besides…" he stretched lazily, "…every greedy adult is like this. Not our first time dealing with them."
Yuuki gave a small laugh — humorless, but real.
"Light's right. Authority's predictable. They fear chaos, they fear change… and they'll sell anything to avoid it."
Ragnar finally turned from the window, his dark eyes calm again, though the faint shadow of anger still lingered.
"We didn't cross the line, Vincent. We just told the truth."
Vincent sighed heavily and rubbed his temple.
"Yeah, but sometimes the truth gets you killed, kid."
Ragnar's lips curved slightly.
"Then we'll make sure we're the ones holding the blade."
That earned a snort from Light and a shake of the head from Yuuki.
The rest of the ride was quieter — less heavy, more tired. The adrenaline was fading, replaced by exhaustion.
When the carriage finally stopped at Yuuki's house, Vincent opened the door.
Yuuki stepped out first, bowing slightly.
"Thanks for the ride. And… for not yelling at us too much."
Vincent smirked.
"You'd just outsmart me anyway, so what's the point?"
Yuuki chuckled softly, then looked back at Ragnar.
"Get some sleep, alright? Tomorrow's the mock battles. You'll need that brain of yours to not explode from overthinking."
Ragnar grinned faintly.
"I don't overthink."
"You just over-plan," Light teased.
Yuuki rolled his eyes and waved as he disappeared into the night.
Next stop was Light's. The boy jumped out before the carriage even stopped fully, stretching as if the world's weight never touched him.
"See ya, Vinny! And you two, don't go crying in your sleep, okay?"
Ragnar chuckled, leaning his head back.
"Says the guy who snores louder than a dragon."
"That's a power move, not a flaw," Light shot back before closing the door with a grin.
Vincent smiled faintly as the carriage rolled toward Ragnar's home. The silence now was different — not tense, not angry. Just… quiet.
"You really scare people sometimes," Vincent said suddenly. "That look you gave the princess… I thought she was gonna faint."
Ragnar shrugged.
"People like her only understand fear. It's the only thing that makes them listen."
Vincent didn't reply. He just nodded slightly, staring out at the moon.
"Just… be careful out there, alright? You're strong, but strength makes enemies faster than it makes friends."
"Yeah," Ragnar murmured, eyes softening a little. "But I've already made peace with that."
When the carriage finally stopped in front of his house, Ragnar stepped out, his body aching from the day's stress.
"Thanks, Vincent," he said quietly.
Vincent nodded.
"Get some rest, kid. You've earned it."
The carriage rode off into the distance, the faint glow of the lantern fading into the night.
Ragnar trudged inside, the wooden door creaking softly behind him. The moment he entered, the silence of his home wrapped around him like a blanket.
He didn't even bother to light the lamps. He tossed his jacket on the chair, kicked off his boots, and dropped onto the bed face-first.
"What a damn day…" he muttered into the pillow.
His body was drained, but his mind wouldn't stop running. Images of the throne room flashed again — the king's trembling voice, the nobles' disgusted glares, Aurora's terrified eyes.
And somewhere, beneath all that chaos, one name came to mind.
Queen.
Queen — or as Ragnar liked to call him, Queeny.
He wasn't just an ally. He was one of the few people Ragnar could talk to freely. Their conversations were a strange mix of strategy, sarcasm, and banter — Queen always seemed to understand Ragnar's thoughts before he even said them.
And though the man was unpredictable, even dangerous at times, he was the only one who could make Ragnar laugh when the world felt too heavy.
'I can't wait to tell him about today, Ragnar thought, staring at the ceiling. Maybe he'll have advice… or maybe just one of his stupid jokes.'
The thought brought a small smile to his face — the first genuine one all day.
His eyes grew heavier as exhaustion set in.
The stress faded. The anger dulled.
And before he drifted off, a final thought crossed his mind — something lighter, something that made the corners of his lips lift again.
"Tomorrow's the mock battles…" he whispered to himself. "Let's see if anyone except my friends try to challenge me."
The night air was cool, the moonlight spilling softly through his window as Ragnar's breathing slowed, steady and calm.
Outside, the wind rustled the trees, carrying faint echoes of laughter — the city alive, the world turning, and tomorrow waiting.
For now, Ragnar slept peacefully.
Unaware that peace was the one thing his future would never give him.
---
The sun had barely risen when Ragnar's alarm started buzzing like a dying insect. He groaned, rolling off the bed.
"Up already?" a familiar voice teased.
Ragnar blinked sleep from his eyes and saw Merlin leaning against his doorframe, arms folded, a knowing smirk on her face.
"Mock battles today," he said while pulling his jacket on. "Can't afford to be late."
Merlin stepped forward, helping him fix his collar like she had when he was younger.
"You look nervous," she said.
Ragnar shook his head. "Not nervous. Just… ready."
Merlin tilted her head. "And how did your meeting with the king go?"
Ragnar sighed. "He had a way to win the war — but he won't use it because it'll make him look weak afterward. Said it would 'leave the kingdom vulnerable.'"
Merlin's eyes hardened. "So he's choosing peace over the safety of children"
Ragnar glanced up at her, surprised. "So you think I was right to confront him?"
"Of course," she said firmly. "You can't build peace on cowardice, Ragnar. Sometimes, standing up to power is the right thing to do — even if it earns you enemies."
He smirked. "Guess I got that from you."
Merlin chuckled softly. "You got the attitude from me. The recklessness? That's all you."
Ragnar grabbed his bag, the faintest spark of excitement flickering in his chest. "Can't wait to see who I get to fight today. The mock battles are gonna be fun."
Merlin smiled as she watched him head out. "Try not to destroy the arena this time."
Ragnar laughed over his shoulder. "No promises!"
The morning air was crisp as he stepped outside, the academy banners waving in the distance.
After everything that happened — the king's betrayal, the growing darkness in the world — the mock battles felt like a welcome escape.
Just one day to breathe. To fight. To forget.
And maybe… to smile again.