Rafael sat in the dimly lit corner of the bar, the flickering candlelight dancing on the scratched wooden table. The glass of wine in his hand was nearly empty, but he wasn’t in a rush to refill it. His dark, piercing eyes stared blankly at the crimson liquid, searching for answers he knew he would never find. The revelation that the child Annette carried wasn’t his felt like a dagger stabbing into his chest. He was shattered, but the cold anger coursing through his veins kept him grounded. The betrayal felt like a poison slowly spreading, burning every corner of his mind.Caesar, ever loyal, sat across from him. He wanted desperately to ask why his master looked so broken, but he didn’t dare disturb the silence. Instead, he cautiously broke it with a soft question. “Sir, have you considered returning to the capital?”Rafael lifted his gaze slightly, his dark eyes meeting Caesar’s. He didn’t respond immediately, allowing the question to hang in the air. Finally, after a long pause, Ra

After the argument with Rafael, Annette followed Frederick into his study. She sat on the intricately carved wooden chair, her pale fingers gripping its arms tightly. The warm glow of the setting sun filtered through the large window, but the orange light failed to reach her skin. Annette’s eyes, usually brimming with confidence, now stared blankly at the floor, lost in a fog of emotions she couldn’t quite name.“Uncle...” Annette’s voice finally broke the silence, soft and almost trembling. She raised her troubled face toward Frederick, who stood tall in front of her. “Did I make the right choice... divorcing Rafael?”Frederick tilted his head slightly, a gentle smile softening his usually stern face. He stepped closer, lowering himself slightly to meet Annette’s eyes, his tone soothing like a father consoling a child. “My dear Annette,” Frederick began, his voice calm and persuasive, “there is no better decision than this. You are a Hurbret. Our name carries dignity that must be pre

The capital city of the Carlies Kingdom buzzed with a rare energy. The main streets were packed with citizens who had traveled from all corners of the kingdom. Flags and banners fluttered on street poles, while children ran around waving small flags in the kingdom's colors. The sweet aroma of street food mingled with the crisp midday air, creating an atmosphere of excitement.On balconies overlooking the streets, women waved with wide smiles, while men spoke animatedly about the arrival of someone they believed had long disappeared—the Swordmaster, also known as Duke Rafael De Carlies.Inside a sleek black car, Rafael sat silently, gazing out at the throng of people lining the streets. Their joyous faces didn’t seem forced; they looked genuinely thrilled at his presence. But Rafael couldn’t shake the skepticism gnawing at his mind.“Caesar,” Rafael said softly, his voice almost drowned by the cheers outside. “Are they truly waiting for me?”Caesar, seated in the front, turned his head

The luxurious chamber fell silent after the heated exchange. King Tremos stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his emerald eyes locked sharply on Rafael as if trying to decipher every detail of his son’s expression. Finally, Tremos took a deep breath, his voice lowering from its usual commanding tone.“So, what is it that you want?” Tremos asked, at last, his voice calm but still cold. “Do you wish to be king?”Rafael, who had been standing nonchalantly with his hands in his pockets, raised an eyebrow, as though surprised by the question. Slowly, a thin, meaningful smile curled on his lips. He didn’t answer right away, letting an awkward silence stretch between them. Finally, with a casual motion, he stepped away from the sofa, standing tall in front of his father.“Yes,” he answered firmly. “Restore my status. I am still your son, am I not? Isn’t it time I replaced you? Though times are changing, the title of king might not hold the same significance in the future. Even so, I’l

A week had passed since Rafael left the Hurbret territory, and chaos had begun to unfold. The once-thriving trade guilds collapsed one after another. Goods failed to arrive on time, and trading partners gradually withdrew their support. Meanwhile, wild beasts from the forests, which had previously kept their distance, began attacking nearby villages. Farmers lost their fields, and residents started abandoning their homes in search of safety elsewhere.In the grand but now hollow Hurbret manor, Baron Frederick paced back and forth in his study. The once-confident man now bore a somber expression, deep lines of worry etched across his forehead. Reports piled up on his cluttered desk, none of them bearing good news."Why is this happening?" Frederick muttered in despair, staring blankly at the scattered papers.In the corner of the room, Marquess Greyson Yrewich sat with a tense expression. His fingers massaged his temples, his tired eyes reflecting his growing frustration. As a landlord