"Mother, why did you forbid me from using my powers?"
Kalen's voice cracked, his fists clenched at his sides. His small body trembled—not with fear, but with rage.
"Look at how they treat you because of that." His eyes burned as he glanced toward the palace corridor. "Even the maids insult you without fear. You've been suffering here for twelve years."
Kalen had just turned eleven that day.
Yet today, once again, a mere servant had scolded his mother—the Queen of Drakoria—as if she were nothing more than a slave. That was the final straw.
Elysia slowly turned toward her son.
He was her only light in the cold, cruel halls of Ravencrest Palace.
Anyone who saw Kalen would never believe he was royalty. His clothes were dull and worn, his body thin from years of neglect. Even the maids' children lived better than him. That truth stabbed Elysia's heart deeper than any insult ever could.
This was her fault.
Twelve years ago, for the sake of the people of Aetherion, she had sacrificed everything—her freedom, her pride, her future. She had married Theron Ravencrest, the merciless King of Drakoria.
She thought it was a noble choice.
Instead, it became her prison.
And worse… her son was paying the price.
Still, Elysia could never allow Kalen to use his magic inside Ravencrest Palace.
If Theron discovered that the boy possessed power worthy of the crown prince, the king might forgive her betrayal from twelve years ago. He might accept Kalen as his heir.
That was what terrified her most.
If Kalen ever admired his father… if he followed that path of ambition and dark magic…
No.
She would rather be hated than let her son become a monster.
"Mom!" Kalen snapped, pulling her from her thoughts. "I'm talking to you."
She forced a smile and cupped his face gently."I know, my child. I know you're hurting because of me. I'm so sorry."
She knelt in front of him, holding his small hands tightly."Just endure a little longer. I promise you—this suffering will soon end."
His brows knitted together in confusion.
"I've arranged your admission to Grimswald College of Witchcraft & Wizardry," she said softly. "Once you leave this palace, I will never stop you from using your powers."
Her voice lowered, firm and unyielding.
"But until then, remember your promise. You must not use magic here."
Kalen shook his head violently.
"I don't want power for myself!" he cried. "I want them to respect you. You are the Queen of Drakoria, yet they treat you worse than servants."
Tears spilled from his eyes."I don't want to go anywhere. I'll stay with you. I'll protect you. I don't need any school."
Elysia pulled him into her arms, holding him as if the world might steal him away if she loosened her grip.
"My precious son," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Power alone cannot protect anyone. Knowledge is what shapes destiny."
She pressed a kiss to his forehead.
"One day, you'll understand why I chose this path… even if it means you hate me now."
Kalen didn't agree with his mother's decision.
But he didn't argue either.
He swallowed the words burning in his throat and lowered his gaze. Hurting his mother was the last thing he wanted to do. She had already endured too much because of him.
"You should rest for a while, Mom," he said quietly. "I'll be here."
Elysia smiled, relief softening her tired eyes. She nodded and leaned back against the sofa, closing her eyes for just a moment.
Kalen walked toward the study table near the tall arched window and sat down. Outside, the palace gardens stretched endlessly—yet something felt wrong.
Only minutes ago, the sky had been bathed in warm sunlight.
Now, thick black clouds rolled in from every direction, swallowing the blue above Ravencrest Palace. A sudden thunderclap echoed through the heavens, loud enough to rattle the windowpanes.
Kalen frowned.
That was fast…
Elysia opened her eyes at the sound. The sense of relief she had felt moments earlier vanished without a trace. Her gaze snapped toward the sky, her heart tightening.
No…
Her instincts—sharpened by years of survival—were screaming.
Something terrible was about to happen.
That morning, while passing through the corridors, she had overheard a maid whispering in excitement.
Queen Lysira Valestra of the Calestra Clan is pregnant again.
Lysira.
Her closest friend.The Princess of Nightfire Glen and Now the Queen of The Calestra Clan.
Nine years ago, when Lysira had been pregnant for the first time, a terrifying prophecy had shaken the kingdoms.
The daughter born of Calestra Clan will be the downfall of King Theron Ravencrest.
That prophecy had reached Theron's ears like poison.
He had launched an immediate attack on the Calestra Clan, determined to erase the threat before it could be born. But the ancient protective barrier surrounding Valestra Palace had held firm. Not even Theron's dark magic had been able to crack it.
He had lost the war.
Days later, news arrived that Lysira had given birth to a son.
Theron had relaxed instantly. The threat, as far as he was concerned, was gone. From that day onward, he never attempted to attack the Calestra Clan again.
Until now.
Elysia's fingers clenched into her gown.
If I know about Lysira's pregnancy… then Theron knows too.
Her breath hitched.
The prophecy wasn't fulfilled back then. Which means… the time is now.
Another thunderclap tore through the sky, louder than before.
"Oh gods…" Elysia whispered.
He will attack today.
The dark clouds, the unnatural storm, the sudden shift in the air—everything pointed toward one conclusion.
Theron Ravencrest was marching toward Calestra Clan.
But would he succeed this time?
Would the walls of Valestra Palace still hold against his power?
Elysia closed her eyes, silently praying.
Please… let him fail again.
Her gaze drifted toward Kalen, sitting quietly by the window, unaware of the storm brewing far beyond the palace walls.
I cannot protect everyone, she thought bitterly. But I can protect my son.
If Theron was distracted by war, this was her only chance.
I must send Kalen to Grimswald—this time.
Before Theron returned.Before the palace turned into a battlefield. Before fate caught up with them.
The thunder roared once more, as if answering her resolve.