The King leaned forward, his face inches from Damon's. "Do you understand?""Yes, Your Majesty," Damon said, his voice trembling slightly.The King leaned back in his chair, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Good. Now, tell me about your preparations for the Trial of Wisdom."Damon forced himself to focus on the King's questions, pushing the chilling implications of their conversation to the back of his mind. He answered the King's questions as best he could, trying to appear confident and composed.****After what seemed like an eternity, the King finally dismissed Damon. "You may go, Damon. I will be watching you."Damon bowed deeply and backed out of the room, his heart pounding in his chest. As he walked through the palace corridors, he felt as if he were being watched, as if the King's eyes were still upon him.He couldn't shake the feeling that he had just been tested, that he had been found wanting. The King's words echoed in his mind, "Those who win must also die."He realiz

The Great Hall of the Royal Palace was ablaze with light and sound. Banners bearing the royal crest hung from the rafters, and long tables groaned under the weight of roasted meats, glistening fruits, and flagons of wine. It was the celebration feast after the grueling Third Trial, and the air should have been filled with joy. But beneath the surface of revelry, a palpable tension simmered. Damon entered the hall, his face etched with a weariness that belied his outward composure. The events of the trial, particularly Tharon's blatant cheating and the subsequent exposure, had taken their toll. He knew that the political landscape of the court had shifted, but he couldn't yet grasp the full extent of the changes. He spotted Lykos standing near a window, a goblet of wine in his hand. Lykos seemed detached, as always, his gaze fixed on the distant city lights. "Lykos," Damon said, approaching his brother. "Enjoying the festivities?" Lykos turned, a flicker of something unreadable in

"Excellent," Damon said. "I need your advice on how to navigate the legal and political complexities of the court. The Queen's actions have created a constitutional crisis, and I need to understand my options."Elias nodded. "I will study the relevant laws and precedents, Your Highness. I will provide you with the best possible advice."His third choice was Seraphina, a young woman with a rare gift for empathy. Seraphina could sense the emotions of others, and she could use her gift to understand their motivations and their intentions.Damon found Seraphina tending to the royal gardens."Seraphina," Damon said, "I need your help. I'm trying to understand the people in the court, their hopes and their fears. I need your gift of empathy. Will you join my inner circle?"Seraphina looked up, her eyes filled with compassion. "I am honored by your offer, Your Highness. I have always believed in the power of understanding and compassion. I accept.""Thank you, Seraphina," Damon said. "I need

While Damon was meeting with the lords, Elias was poring over ancient records and charters, trying to verify Aerion's claims. He spent hours in the dusty archives of a nearby monastery, searching for any evidence of royal corruption.Finally, he found it. A faded document, tucked away in a forgotten corner, confirmed that the original charters had indeed favored Aerion's family. There was also a cryptic note, hinting at a "generous contribution" made by Kael's father to the royal treasury.Elias rushed back to Damon, his face flushed with excitement."Your Highness," he said, "I've found proof! Aerion's claims are true. The Silverwood Forest was rightfully his, but the King was bribed by Kael's father to change the ruling."Damon's expression darkened. "So, the feud is based on royal corruption. This is even worse than I thought.""What do we do now?" Valeria asked, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "Do we expose the King's corruption? That could destabilize the entire kingdo

He knew what Damian would have done. Damian would have embraced the power, used it to crush his enemies, and build his own empire.But Damon was different. He couldn't turn his back on the suffering of the people. He couldn't ignore the injustice that plagued the kingdom.He stood up from the bench, his resolve hardening. He knew that he had to fight, even if it meant risking his own life. He had to stand up for what was right, for the sake of the kingdom and its people.He walked back towards the palace, his steps firm and purposeful. He was no longer afraid of his past. He was ready to face the future, whatever it may hold.****Unbeknownst to Damon, he was being watched. A figure lurked in the shadows, his eyes fixed on the Prince.The figure was a man named Kaelen, a skilled assassin hired by Silas to eliminate Damon. He was a master of disguise, a silent killer who could blend into any crowd.Kaelen had been following Damon for days, studying his movements, waiting for the perfec