Aurein's POV
"I couldn't stop myself anymore, General Voltaire," I said with a trembling smile, my heart hammering violently in my chest. "I like you. I admit it."
I waited.
I waited for him to say he felt the same.
I waited for him to look at me the way I had been looking at him all this time.
But—
Instead, I was shoved back.
Not harshly, not violently—but just enough to make me lose my balance and stumble a step away from him.
"General?" I asked in disbelief.
I lifted my gaze to his face, and before he even spoke, I already knew—something was terribly wrong. His expression was rigid, conflicted, almost wounded.
"Why did you do that, Prince Aurein?" he asked, confusion heavy in his voice.
My fingers tightened around the crystal pendant at my chest as fear crept into my bones.
"I don't know anymore, General Voltaire," I said shakily. "No matter how hard I try to stop these feelings, I can't. I keep searching for you. I keep thinking about you. I know it's wrong. I know it's forbidden. I know we shouldn't—but what am I supposed to do?" I whispered weakly.
He turned his gaze away, his jaw tightening as he slowly shook his head.
"I—I'm sorry for what I did, General," I continued, my voice breaking. "I'm sorry if I took advantage of what happened. I know you're not interested in me. I know you only like women—"
My words died.
Because suddenly—
His hands were on my cheeks.
And then his lips were on mine.
Warm.
Soft.
Real.
The world stopped as his kiss brushed against me with impossible gentleness—before he pulled back just as quickly.
"General Voltaire..." I breathed, completely stunned.
"I don't understand it either, Prince Aurein," he said quietly, his voice tangled with inner turmoil. "I'm confused about what I'm feeling too. Like you said, it's wrong—damn it..." he muttered before turning his back to me.
I only stared at his silhouette beneath the moonlight.
He looked unreal. Ethereal. Untouchable.
"I'm angry at myself," he continued, his voice low. "I've been trying to suppress whatever these feelings are because I know they're wrong. I've been fighting it—but after what you did... I didn't know what else to do except kiss you back."
I smiled faintly and pressed my fingers against my necklace.
"It's too soon for me to say that I love you," he said slowly, "but I'm already in a place where I want to protect you. To take care of you. To make you smile when you're sad. I want to see you all the time. I want to tease you endlessly—feelings I can't even explain. Feelings I know are wrong... but feel far too good to deny."
"General..." I whispered, tears slipping free as I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him from behind.
I couldn't hold myself back anymore.
My face pressed into his back, my tears soaking into his uniform as my chest shook.
"Prince Aurein..." he said softly, then let out a deep sigh. "Aurein..."
I smiled.
Even though he couldn't see it.
For him to call me by my name—without the word Prince—felt like the most precious thing in the world.
"General Voltaire..." I whispered. "I'm sorry if I still want to call you my General."
He gently took my hands from around his waist and turned to face me.
I looked up at him.
He was smiling slightly now—softly—but the concern in his eyes was impossible to miss.
"Do you understand what will happen if we're caught, Aurein?" he asked.
I nodded slowly.
"I know," I said. "But I'm willing to hide this for as long as I can. I will love you where we cannot be seen."
He placed his right hand gently on my head.
"I don't want you to be harmed," he said firmly. "As much as possible, we must act normal in front of everyone. No one must ever know about us. If punishment is inevitable, let it fall on me—but never on you. Do you understand?"
"I don't want you to be punished either, General Voltaire," I said softly. "I'll try... I'll act normal."
And then I rested my head against his chest.
His arms wrapped around me carefully, lightly—
And I knew, without a doubt, that I would never forget this night for the rest of my life.
* * *
Third Person POV
Meanwhile, as the grand celebration continued in full splendor, Serena remained standing at the center of the elevated stage, bathed in warm golden light, addressing the vast sea of people before her.
"To my beloved citizens of Ardentia," Serena said gently, her voice steady and graceful, "I promise that I shall become a faithful, humble, and just queen who will serve you with all my heart. I will strive to match the devotion and care shown by our beloved Queen Crysta, and I will hold her as my guiding example so that peace and order may always reign in Ardentia."
Thunderous applause erupted throughout the courtyard. Waves of admiration poured from the crowd—but behind Serena's radiant smile, her eyes quietly darted across the gathering, searching with growing unease.
" Aurein... where are you?" She thought anxiously. "I'm going to run out of things to say and you're still not here!"
But with Aurein still absent and time slipping through her fingers, she had no choice but to continue entertaining the vast audience before her.
"Because this celebration was lovingly prepared for Prince Aurein and me," Serena said sweetly, "I would like to offer you a song—one that I hope will stir your hearts."
The crowd fell silent as she began to sing.
The moment her voice filled the air, the audience slowly closed their eyes, completely entranced. Her voice was light and soft, gliding gently against their ears like a tender caress. It carried comfort, warmth, and an almost magical calm that settled deep into every listening heart.
Yet inside Serena's thoughts, a very different message thundered.
"I swear I will grab you by the hair the moment we're alone, Aurein! Where have you disappeared to?! You took far too long to come back!" She snapped internally, seething with frustration.
And still—
Behind her irritation, she continued to smile sweetly before the entire kingdom, playing the perfect, enchanting Serena for all to see.
* * *
Aurein's POV
"Wait—I just remembered," I blurted out, dread flooding my chest. "I was supposed to give a speech for everyone! Serena only helped me escape so I could look for you," I said anxiously.
"Really?" General Voltaire asked. "She actually did that?"
"I mean... she said she wasn't really helping me," I clarified quickly. "She only returned the favor because she felt guilty for breaking my necklace," I added.
General Voltaire shook his head lightly and let out a low chuckle.
"By the way," he said, his tone suddenly more serious, "never mention any of this to Serena."
"I know," I said quickly. "I won't tell her. But I'm sure, she'll probably notice it. She's smart. Too smart."
"But if she ever does something to me that you might see," he continued, concern threading through his voice, "I just want to remind you—don't let it hurt you."
I couldn't help but laugh softly.
"Serena is impulsive," I said with a smile. "She'll do everything she can to charm you. I know that. But I also know better now. At least, I understand how you truly feel about me."
"Come," he said gently. "Let's go back."
"I think that really is the best thing to do," I replied with a playful sigh. "Serena is probably furious with me by now for disappearing this long. She probably wants to yank my hair out. I can feel it coming," I joked.
"Let's go, Aurein," he said.
And with that, we walked side by side back toward the palace courtyard, where the lights, the music, and destiny itself waited for us once more.
* * *
Third Person POV
Hidden within the dense shadows of a thick, tangled bush, a lone figure had witnessed everything that had just unfolded between Prince Aurein and General Voltaire.
He stood frozen in disbelief.
His heart shattered quietly inside his chest as the truth carved itself into his soul.
"Why not me?" Rowan whispered, his voice trembling with disbelief. "Why him, Aurein?" he said hollowly, his eyes unfocused as he stared into the distance.
A deep, unsteady breath left his lips as he clutched his chest, as if a thorn had pierced straight through his heart.
"If there is anyone worthy of your heart, it should be me, Aurein—not that commoner," Rowan murmured darkly. "I even dreamed that when you finally become King of Ardentia, you would abolish the law that forbids love between two men... or two women. I was prepared to take you from Serena if the day ever came that you were to be married. I wanted to marry you. Because it should have been us..." he said.
His throat tightened as he swallowed hard, barely containing the fury surging through him.
"I will not allow you to belong to General Voltaire or to anyone else, Aurein," Rowan said coldly. "You should belong only to me."
And in that moment—
Pure hatred ignited in his eyes.
Hatred for General Voltaire.
* * *
Aurein's POV
At last, General Voltaire and I reached the palace once more. There, we chose to part ways—he returned to his post at the front of his army, standing once again as its unshakable pillar, while I slipped back to where Serena stood, just behind the stage.
The moment she noticed me, she shot me a deadly glare—one that clearly meant she wanted to stab me on the spot.
I could only lift both hands and gesture an exaggerated apology for my long disappearance.
She turned back to the crowd and spoke with flawless composure.
"Thank you all very much for listening to my song," she said gently. "And now, Prince Aurein is here to deliver his special message to everyone."
The courtyard erupted with applause.
As she stepped down from the stage, she immediately marched straight toward me.
"Where did you even go?!" she hissed under her breath, visibly holding herself back from striking me. "Do you know I nearly had to start dancing just to cover for you? You're infuriating, Aurein!" she whispered furiously.
"I'm sorry, Serena," I said quickly. "But thank you for buying me enough time."
"Enough time?" she snapped irritably. "That was more than enough! If you only knew!" Then she shoved me lightly. "Now hurry up and get on the stage!"
Just then, my father approached the two of us.
"Are you both all right?" my father asked.
"We're perfectly fine, King Lucen," Serena said with a bright smile. Her emotional shift was so swift and effortless that it felt almost like she does this every time. "I was only worried about whether Prince Aurein and his stomach were all right."
"Yes, Father," I said. "I'm fine now."
"Good," my father said. "Go on and deliver your message."
And so, I stepped onto the stage.
Before me stretched a sea of faces—citizens, warriors, generals, nobles, and royalty alike.
But the first person I saw—
No.
The first person I searched for—
Was none other than General Voltaire.
He stood tall and unyielding, chin lifted, a quiet smile resting on his lips as he looked straight at me.
Before I could stop myself, I smiled back.
Shy.
Soft.
Unguarded.
"Aurein," Serena whispered sharply beside me, "are you going to speak or not?"
I glanced at her briefly.
"I'm starting now," I whispered back.
Then I faced the crowd once more.
I drew in a deep breath and finally spoke.
"To my beloved citizens of Ardentia—our common people, our warriors, our generals, nobles, King Lexor, my parents King Lucen and Queen Crysta, and above all, Princess Serena..." I said with a smile.
I glanced at Serena again and offered her a small, teasing smile.
"Hmp!" she scoffed and rolled her eyes.
I chuckled quietly and looked back at everyone.
"Thank you for attending this celebration," I continued. "I admit, at first, I was hesitant about this event. I wondered if I was ready to take the next step as the future king of Ardentia. But seeing all of you here tonight—your presence alone tells me that your support isn't only for me, but also for Princess Serena. And for that alone, I am deeply grateful."
The crowd erupted into applause.
Once again, my gaze drifted to General Voltaire.
He was nodding in quiet approval.
And that alone made me feel lighter than I had all night.
Behind him, Dante, Ton-Ton, and Asper were clapping enthusiastically, their faces glowing with excitement.
"I know that I am still young," I continued. "Though I may now be of proper age, there is still so much for me to learn. And honestly, I know in my heart that I am not yet fully ready to be king. In fact..." I paused, steadying my breath, "I want to confess that I never truly wanted to accept this role or its responsibilities."
A ripple of confusion stirred through the crowd.
I glanced toward my parents—and toward King Lexor.
I could see the surprise in their eyes.
But they were listening.
Closely.
"At first, I never truly wanted to be king," I said quietly. "In my mind, I was never fit to become Ardentia's next ruler. Me? A weak soul who didn't know how to wield a sword, who hated war, who only wanted to be happy and free—that was the Aurein I used to be."
The entire courtyard had fallen into complete silence.
"But then," I continued, my voice steady but weighted with feeling, "something happened that changed my perspective. The Aurein who only wanted to stand alone, who never cared about others, who never dreamed of being king—he is gone. Because I met people who changed me... and the way I think."
I drew in a slow breath, fighting the tightness in my chest, refusing to let the tears escape.
"These are the people who made me believe in myself—because they believed in me first. I never realized that I had been giving them strength too... giving them the courage to push themselves further. And not long ago, my father decided it was time for me to undergo warrior training. He assigned me to none other than the war prodigy himself—General Voltaire," I said, lifting my hand toward him.
Every head turned.
Yet his stance never wavered. He stood tall and unmoved, eyes fixed solely on me, untouched by the countless gazes upon him.
"I was assigned to his army. And at first, I didn't like the idea—because I wasn't even sure I wanted to become king. I went through endless trials and brutal training. I was exhausted to the point of collapse. I felt like I was going to die. I told myself it wasn't worth it." A shaky breath slipped from me. "But I was wrong. Because the longer I trained with General Voltaire and his army, the more I felt something I had never known before... a connection."
I tilted my head upward for a moment so my tears wouldn't fall. Then I gathered myself and continued.
"Look at them. Look at General Voltaire's army. At first glance, you might think they are the least terrifying, the least intimidating among the seven armies standing here tonight. Some might even say they don't look like warriors at all. That they are rejects—people who wanted to become warriors but were never chosen."
My voice trembled—but I did not stop.
"But General Voltaire—the most formidable general of Ardentia, the war prodigy, the living fortress—he took them in. He gave them a chance. He trained them. Imagine, he could have had the finest warriors in the kingdom. Yet who would have thought that this great general would lead a group of so-called rascals?" I said with a faint, emotional smile.
My gaze shifted to his unit—especially to Asper, Dante, and Ton-Ton.
They were already crying.
Yet they stood tall. Proud. Struggling to remain strong and formal even as emotion overwhelmed them.
I returned my gaze to General Voltaire.
He was smiling at me.
Reassuring.
Steady.
And that alone gave me the strength to go on.
"These so-called rascals under General Voltaire's command—including the general himself—are the very reason my heart and my mind changed. They are the reason I wanted to prove myself. They are the reason I now want to accept becoming the next king of Ardentia. Because when I thought no one believed in me—I was wrong. They all looked up to me. They became inspired to be better because of me. And they treated me not as royalty... but as a comrade. As a brother. They knew I was a prince—but it no longer mattered. They became my friends."
My voice softened.
"Especially those three behind General Voltaire... Ton-Ton, Asper, and Dante. My friends."
The three finally broke.
They sobbed openly now, overcome by emotion—until General Voltaire shot them a stern glance, clearly embarrassed on their behalf.
"But what I want to say is this," I continued firmly. "Never judge anyone by how they look, how they move, or how they think. They may seem like the weakest. The least worthy of becoming the greatest army in Ardentia today. But I believe—one day—they will rise as the strongest army this kingdom has ever known."
My chest lifted with conviction.
"And the same goes for me. To those who doubt me—I promise you this: I will prove to everyone that I will become the greatest king Ardentia has ever had."
Then—
The loudest cheers of all erupted from General Voltaire's army.
My heart nearly shattered from the overwhelming warmth of their support.
And through the roaring applause, I saw my parents rise to their feet, clapping for me with pride blazing in their eyes.
I met their gaze.
And I smiled.
With certainty.
With resolve.
With the promise that I would not fail them.
Then I turned back—and I saw Serena.
She was looking up, quietly wiping at the corners of her eyes.
The moment she realized I was staring at her, she instantly scowled.
"Something just got into my eye! I did not get emotional over your boring speech!" she snapped irritably and shot me a sharp glare.
I smiled faintly.
"Wait—I'm not done yet," I said, then turned back to the crowd. "Before I forget, I just want to say something to Princess Serena," I said.
She froze.
For the first time that night, she actually looked caught off guard.
"Let's become the best King and Queen Ardentia will ever have," I continued softly. "We may have petty fights from time to time, but I believe that you will be my most powerful—and strongest—ally. The one who will stand beside me to protect this kingdom. So thank you, Princess Serena. I look forward to many more adventures with you."
That was when her tears finally spilled.
She waved her hand frantically in front of her face, her brows tightly furrowed as she tried—and failed—to keep her composure.
"You're infuriating, Aurein!" she hissed at me under her breath. "I'm not crying! There's just a huge speck of dust in my eye! This is all your fault!"
I smiled at her.
Whatever misunderstanding we had earlier no longer mattered.
Right now—
I was simply happy.
That was all I could feel.
"That is my message to everyone," I said, turning back to the crowd. "Please continue enjoying this celebration, and have a wonderful night."
The entire courtyard erupted into applause.
I stepped down from the stage and walked straight to Serena, who stood only a short distance away.
I pulled her into a tight hug.
"Hey—what are you doing, Aurein?!" she snapped irritably.
"You're the one who said we have to act the part, right?" I said with a grin. "Let's show them that we love each other."
"Hmp!" she scoffed.
"And I just want to thank you for breaking my necklace," I added lightly. "I wouldn't be this happy right now if that hadn't happened."
"Wow," she said flatly. "A while ago, you were furious at me for that."
"That was a while ago," I replied gently. "Do you want to get a drink? I never drank alcohol yet. I want to try."
"No," she refused immediately. "My real personality might come out, and they'll see how fierce Princess Serena truly is," she said as she pulled away from my arms. "Let's just enjoy the night. Hmp!"
"That sounds perfect," I said with a smile.
Then—
We both turned when we heard loud shouting.
Serena and I froze in surprise when we saw General Voltaire's army lifting Ton-Ton off the ground as if they were about to toss him across the courtyard. Ton-Ton, meanwhile, looked absolutely terrified.
"Poor Ton-Ton," I said with a laugh. "He's always getting bullied by his own comrades."
* * *
Third Person POV
The morning after the grand celebration, Aurein stood at the heart of the training grounds alongside General Voltaire's army.
Steel rang against steel as synchronized bodies moved in perfect discipline. The warriors were locked in tight formation, their boots striking the earth in rhythm as they carried out their sword drills with unwavering focus. Aurein stood among them, matching their movements, his posture steady, his grip firm—every motion guided by the sharp, commanding presence of General Voltaire.
From the elevated edge of the grounds, Voltaire watched them closely, his keen gaze missing nothing.
Today, Serena didn't want to join the training and allowed General Voltaire to stop guarding her for the time being. She told him that she wishes to remain inside the palace to rest and relax—though in truth, she was quietly keeping watch over everything.
"That's it! Yes—correct your force! Again!" General Voltaire commanded.
"Hya!"
Slash!
The formation moved as one, blades cutting through the air with precision under his guidance.
"Excellent! Your form is sharpening. I can see the improvement," he said firmly. "Again!"
"Kya!"
A quiet hum of approval escaped Voltaire as he stepped forward, moving alongside Aurein—standing beside him, facing opposite directions. He turned his head slightly toward Aurein, whose eyes were focused straight ahead, his expression serious and composed.
Aurein flicked a glance sideways.
Their eyes met.
Voltaire was smirking.
Caught off guard, Aurein instantly looked away, lowering his head to hide the smile threatening to betray him.
"Well done, Prince Aurein. You're truly improving with the sword," General Voltaire said smoothly as he continued walking down the formation.
Aurein said nothing. He kept his head bowed, unwilling to reveal the warmth blooming in his chest.
They had both agreed—this could never be seen by others.
Yet no matter how carefully they hid it, some things could never go completely unnoticed.
At Aurein's side, Asper subtly nudged Dante with his elbow and gestured with his chin toward the prince. Behind them, Ton-Ton lifted both eyebrows at once, clearly catching the same unspoken tension. The three of them exchanged quiet smiles.
They didn't know what truly existed between Aurein and Voltaire. But they saw enough to understand that something was being hidden.
And that was enough.
As long as General Voltaire and Prince Aurein were happy, they were content to leave the truth alone.
"Stand straight," General Voltaire ordered.
The warriors—and Aurein with them—instantly straightened their posture.
"You all heard what the Prince said last night, didn't you?" Voltaire said.
"Yes!" the army answered in unison, while Aurein frowned faintly in confusion.
"That you are rejects... rascals..." Voltaire added mockingly.
Aurein immediately shot him a sharp glare.
"Did I give you permission to look at me?" the general barked. "Eyes forward!"
Aurein snapped his gaze straight ahead at once.
Voltaire paced slowly around the formation, his footsteps steady against the packed earth as every warrior stood rigid with discipline.
"And I expect you to prove him right," he said, his voice firm. "That my army—our army—will be the greatest of all. Is that clear?"
"Yes, General Voltaire!" the warriors roared with conviction.
"Good. We will not stop until every one of you becomes an exceptional warrior," Voltaire declared.
As he moved, he passed once more beside Aurein.
And this time—so subtly it could have been mistaken for coincidence—his fingers secretly brushed against Aurein's hand.
Aurein stiffened instantly, lips pressed tight as he fought the instinct to react. His breath caught. He swallowed hard, allowing the brief, forbidden touch to linger only for that heartbeat as Voltaire continued walking past him.
When the general's back finally faced him, Aurein's thoughts screamed silently:
You're the one who told me to act normal—yet you're the one deliberately making my heart race!
Voltaire turned back toward the formation, his face once again unreadable—stern, unyielding, every inch the strict general as if nothing had happened at all.
As if he hadn't just touched Aurein in secret.
Aurein stared at him, unable to stop the soft smile forming on his lips—his heart aching with the memory of the man he longed to kiss again someday.
"Prince Aurein has put pressure on you now," General Voltaire said seriously, lifting his chin with pride. "So live up to it. The army of General Voltaire will be the best—not only in Ardentia, but in the entire world!"
Cheers exploded across the training grounds, loud and full of fire.
Meanwhile, Aurein looked around at the warriors, at the strength, discipline, and unity before him—and smiled.
He had never felt this deeply alive.
Only moments passed before one of King Lucen's messenger arrived, abruptly stealing everyone's attention. General Voltaire turned toward the visitor, his brows knitting in quiet confusion.
"What brings you here?" the general asked.
"I have come to inform you that His Majesty requests your presence for a meeting," the messenger said with a formal bow.
"A meeting?" General Voltaire echoed.
"For me alone?"
"For you and all of the other remaining six generals of Ardentia," the messenger clarified.
Aurein and Voltaire exchanged a brief look before the general turned his focus back to the messenger.
"May I come with you?" Aurein asked.
"I apologize, Prince Aurein, but His Majesty wishes to speak only with the generals," the messenger said.
"Very well," General Voltaire replied. "I shall go at once."
The messenger bowed again and departed swiftly. Voltaire turned back to his warriors, his commanding presence reclaiming the air.
"Resume your training. I will attend to the King," he said.
Then his gaze shifted to Aurein."Prince Aurein, please oversee the training in my absence," General Voltaire added.
Aurein could only nod, cheeks puffing in mild frustration as he watched the general turn away and leave.
"Hm? I wonder why all the generals were summoned," Ton-Ton said curiously.
"Perhaps it is important news—something we need to prepare for," Asper said.
"O-oh no... what if—what if war is coming?" Dante exclaimed nervously. "Am I even ready for that?"
Aurein let out a quiet sigh. In his mind, questions spiraled endlessly. Why were only the generals summoned? What could be so urgent that even he was excluded? Unease settled deep in his chest, stirring his restless heart.
And with that restlessness came a dangerous idea.
If he was not allowed to attend the meeting... then he would simply have to sneak his way into it.
He was about to leave when someone noticed him.
"Where are you going, Prince Aurein?" Ton-Ton asked as he instinctively grabbed Aurein's sleeve.
"I—I'm just going somewhere private to relieve myself," Aurein said quickly. "I want to pee."
"Should I go with you?" Ton-Ton offered earnestly.
"No, you might regret it," Aurein said with a playful grin. "Just handle the training for now."
Asper, Dante, and Ton-Ton nodded in agreement as Aurein slipped away.
For him, as the next king of Ardentia, it was essential to know what this meeting was truly about.
"This could be connected to the rebellion that Rowan told me which is threatening our kingdom. I must be prepared," Aurein murmured to himself as he hurried through the corridors.
* * *
Inside the grand council hall, the seven valiant generals of Ardentia had gathered—General Voltaire, General Zavier, General Almiro, General Hector, General Hans, General Fredrein, and General Lysandra.
They sat around a circular table, and at its very center stood King Lucen, presiding over the meeting with solemn authority.
"I summoned all seven of you for an important announcement," King Lucen said.
The generals straightened in tense anticipation.
Meanwhile, hidden behind the thin wall at the far end of the hall, Aurein pressed his ear carefully against the surface, listening with bated breath.
"What could this be about? Father called every general... this must be serious," Aurein whispered to himself.
Inside the hall, King Lucen continued.
"I want to ensure that every warrior is ready for any war that may arise—especially since we never know when it will begin," the king said. "Therefore, to test the strength of each army, I have decided to hold a competition between all divisions."
A ripple of shock swept through the table.
"A competition between all the armies?" General Zavier said with a sharp grin. "Now that sounds like something I would enjoy."
"This will finally prove that my army is the strongest," General Fredrein added confidently.
"Do not be so sure, General Fredrein," General Almiro countered. "We will not fall behind."
"This is an excellent way to measure discipline and readiness," General Hector said seriously. "I support this decision."
"At last, our time to shine has come!" General Hans declared with excitement. "This will be the moment my army earns its place in Ardentia's spotlight."
"My division consists of female warriors," General Lysandra added coolly, "but do not mistake that for weakness. We will compete equally against the men—and surpass them if necessary."
At once, all eyes turned to General Voltaire, who had remained silent.
"Are you nervous, General Voltaire?" General Zavier asked with a teasing smile. "Your army is still inexperienced. You can withdraw if you wish—we wouldn't want you to be embarrassed."
He tilted his head mockingly.
"We all know you are the strongest among us. But your warriors? They are not ready."
Voltaire's jaw tightened. He remained silent, forcing himself not to rise to the provocation.
Behind the hall...
"A competition?" Aurein whispered in shock—then excitement flickered in his eyes.
But as he lingered there, something stirred near him. A faint movement echoed from a nearby crate. Aurein's gaze sharpened, suspicion narrowing his eyes.
He stepped closer... then suddenly flung the box open.
"Serena? What are you doing here?" Aurein exclaimed.
"Shh!" Serena cried immediately.
Inside the grand meeting hall, the atmosphere was tense with anticipation. Torches flickered against stone walls etched with the legacy of past victories, their flames casting long dancing shadows across the chamber where the generals stood convened.
"My warriors are prepared," General Voltaire declared firmly. "They will never surrender. We will prove that we are the ones who will emerge victorious," he said.
A satisfied smile formed on General Hector's lips. "That is what I admire about you, General Voltaire. You never back down just like your father, General Orion," he said with pride.
General Lysandra leaned forward slightly, her sharp eyes narrowing in calculation. "May I clarify something," she asked calmly. "Each army consists of fifty warriors—except for General Voltaire's unit, which has one additional member: Prince Aurein. Is the prince officially participating in the tournament?" she asked.
Silence settled momentarily over the hall.
"I am not allowing Aurein to take part in this competition," King Lucen said firmly.
General Voltaire turned toward him at once.
"I hope you understand my decision, General Voltaire," the king continued. "I do not wish for anyone to think that Aurein is being favored simply because he is the prince. I refuse to let whispers taint the outcome—whispers claiming that your army won because the prince stood among your ranks. The judgment must remain clean. Pure. Fair," he said with quiet authority.
General Zavier folded his arms. "And with all due respect, Your Majesty," he added, "the prince only recently began his training. Is it not possible that he may be overwhelmed by the intensity of the tournament? I do not mean to belittle him—only to safeguard his well-being. He could be placed in danger," he said.
"I have considered that as well," King Lucen admitted. "I know Aurein wishes to prove himself. But I also know that this is not yet the proper moment for him to enter a trial where seasoned warriors will clash," he said.
Unbeknownst to them, their words had not gone unheard.
Hidden beyond the meeting hall doors, Aurein stood frozen as every sentence reached his ears—every doubt, every denial. His chest tightened.
And he was not pleased.
"I want to participate," Aurein said sharply. "I refuse to be treated as though I am inferior to the other warriors," he added.
Serena turned toward him. "They're not wrong," she said carefully. "Are you truly prepared? You're not that good with sword yet." she asked.
"I will train harder," Aurein insisted. "I will give everything I have. I want to join. I want to prove to them that I am not weak. And I want General Voltaire's army to win—because they are being underestimated. Especially by that General Zavier," he said heatedly.
Back inside the hall, King Lucen's eyes narrowed.
"I hear voices nearby," the king said. "Do you hear them as well?" he asked.
The generals nodded in unison.
King Lucen rose from his seat and strode toward the door at the rear of the hall—the hidden entrance from which the voices echoed. He pushed the door open.
His brow furrowed.
"Aurein? Serena?" he said. "Why are you here? Have you been listening to our meeting all this time?" the king asked.
The two instantly fell silent, their argument dissolving into stunned stillness as they faced the king.
Aurein inhaled deeply before stepping forward.
"I know you wish to have this meeting with the generals, but, I want to know what's happening as the future king of Ardentia. I heard everything, Father," he said, his voice steady. "And I cannot accept it. I want to participate in the tournament. I am asking for your permission," he said with unwavering conviction.
Serena looked at him in disbelief.
"You want to compete?" King Lucen asked.
"Yes," Aurein answered without hesitation. "I want to prove that I am not a weak prince. That I am worthy. Please allow me to fight under General Voltaire's army," he said, his determination burning openly in his eyes.
He held his father's gaze without flinching.
"I will not back down from this," his stare seemed to declare. "Please, Father," Aurein said softly but firmly. "Grant me permission to fight and join General Voltaire's army for the competition."
End of Chapter 21