The lights still shimmered across the grand hall,dancing over the faces of nobles and musicians.But for Ken, all sound had vanished the moment he rose from his seat and walked toward his father.There was a sharp gleam in his eyes — the kind that no longer belonged to a silent prince.
Ken pulled King Val Orvallis aside into one of the side corridors.The music faded behind the gilded walls,and only the flickering of torches remained —casting hard, jagged shadows over their faces.
He faced his father, breath heavy, voice cutting through the air like a drawn blade.
"You sold your daughter… in the name of politics, didn't you?"
The king didn't answer at once.His gaze was heavy, as though the words had struck a wound long familiar.The silence between them stretched —broken only by the hiss of torch flames against the gold.
Finally, the king spoke, his tone weary, burdened with harsh reality.
"Sometimes, Ken… a ruler's choices are not guided by the heart,but by what keeps the throne alive."
He turned slightly, unable to meet his son's eyes as he continued,each word sounding like a piece of pride being stripped away.
"The treasury is collapsing.Our exports have fallen.Debts keep piling up.Even noble houses can no longer fund their own projects."
A brief pause.Then came the final blow.
"We are a strong kingdom in war… but weak in gold.And sometimes, Ken — money is the last sword left to wield."
Ken's eyes burned.His fists clenched, his chest heaving.
"Do swords forge themselves from gold now?""You raised us to value honor — not to trade it for blood!"
The king didn't reply.He merely placed a hand on Ken's shoulder —a gesture stripped of warmth —and said with cold authority:
"A throne cannot survive on ideals alone."
Then he turned and walked away,his steps echoing faintly against the marble as he returned to the hall.Applause and music rose once again —welcoming him back to the stage as he lifted a glass beside Prince Ren Savina,wearing the same diplomatic smile that now felt like a mask.
Ken remained frozen where he stood,his shoulders tight, his thoughts tangled between fury and betrayal.The air itself felt suffocating —as if even the palace rejected what had just been said.
From behind, Marvin approached hesitantly.
"Your Highness… are you all right?"
Ken didn't answer.He turned sharply, his voice low but edged with restrained anger.
"Marvin, tell me.What happened to the kingdom's economy during my four years away?Everything. No lies."
Marvin hesitated, lowering his voice.
"Many things, Your Highness… strange and troubling things.Some came from within the palace,others from the noble families themselves. But—"
He glanced around, wary of ears in the shadows.
"This isn't the place to discuss it."
Ken drew in a deep breath, forcing himself to steady.Then he walked back toward the great hall, his steps slow but deliberate.
He sat quietly at one of the side tables,his gaze fixed on the royal platform.
There sat Eliana, beside Prince Ren,her soft smile perfectly practiced — and utterly hollow.The king laughed among the Savinan delegates,toasting with the men who now held his kingdom's future in their hands.
Inside, Ken's thoughts burned like fire:
"He's not just selling her…he's selling the very legacy of Orvallis."
The King's Last Confession
As Ken stood to leave,he passed behind his father and overheard him muttering to his advisor:
"It was Darius who saved us from collapse.Without him, we would've fallen long ago."
Ken froze.A tremor ran through his chest.Those words — simple, quiet — cut deeper than the last.
The End of the Celebration
When the music finally faded and the lights dimmed,Ken left the hall with firm, heavy steps.Marvin and Gray followed in silence.Outside, the night was cold,and the wind through the palace windows carried a whisper of old disappointment.
In his chamber, Ken sat behind his wide desk,candles burning low — melting away time with every drop of wax.
Marvin moved between tall bookshelves,pulling down ledgers and economic records,while Gray stood by to assist, handing over files one after another in tense silence.
Documents piled high across the table.Numbers, debts, and missing funds —each sheet another wound carved into the kingdom's body.
Ken's frown deepened with every page.
After a pause, Marvin spoke carefully:
"Your Highness…I can't give you the official records from the past four years.Access has been restricted.But… I can explain what I know — if you wish."
Ken lifted his gaze toward the window.Moonlight fell over his face,casting a cold gleam across his eyes — sharp as tempered steel.
His voice came out calm, yet resolute —more like a vow than a threat.
"If gold is the sword of this kingdom…then I'll be the one to sharpen its edge."
The echo of his words lingered through the chamber,until the last candle flickered out —and silence reclaimed the night.
— End of Chapter.