The night air over Verdalis Castle was heavy — as though the stars themselves refused to shine on the kingdom's sorrow.
The sound of boots echoed faintly through the marble corridors. Prince Ravender and Princess Diya had just returned from Isaac's home, their laughter from dinner still clinging faintly in the halls.
But that laughter ended the moment the royal guard came running down the corridor, his armor clanging like a cry of warning.
"Your Highness! The king… he's unwell!"
Ravender's eyes sharpened instantly. "What happened? Speak clearly!"
"The royal physician was summoned — he said His Majesty collapsed in his chamber!"
Without another word, Ravender sprinted down the corridor, Diya clutching her dress as she followed.
The heavy oak doors to the king's room creaked open — and the sight before them froze their hearts.
The King of Verdalis, the man who once stood like an iron mountain, now lay weakly upon his bed, his breathing shallow.
"Father!" Diya rushed forward, kneeling beside him. Her trembling fingers brushed his cold hand. "Father, please, wake up…"
The old man's eyes fluttered open, his golden pupils dimmed with age but still filled with warmth. "My daughter… my son…"
"Don't speak, Father," Ravender said, forcing calm into his tone. "The physician will—"
The king's hand rose slightly, trembling. "No… time…"
He coughed, voice raspy. "Ravender… the winds have changed. The four kingdoms surrounding Verdalis… they've allied. They plan to crush us."
Ravender's jaw tightened. "Then we'll strike first. Verdalis still stands—"
The king shook his head slowly. "Listen… not as a prince. Listen… as my son."
Diya's tears slipped down her cheeks. "Father…"
The king smiled faintly, his fingers brushing her hair. "My little light… don't let this world taint your heart. Promise me."
"I— I promise," she whispered.
"Ravender…" The king's eyes turned toward his son. "You'll inherit more than a crown… You'll inherit the burden. Lead with your soul, not your pride."
Ravender knelt, his head bowed low. "Father, I swear… Verdalis will not fall."
The king's lips parted in a final whisper. "Then my time… has not been wasted…"
The silence that followed was unbearable.
Diya's sob broke it first. "Father…? Father, please…"
Ravender didn't speak. He couldn't. His hand stayed clenched, trembling, until the royal physician stepped forward, checking the king's pulse.
After a long pause, the doctor lowered his head.
"His Majesty has passed."
The room went still.
Even the torches seemed to flicker out of respect.
---
Hours later, the corridors of Verdalis Castle lay shrouded in stillness. No trumpets. No mourning bells. Just silence.
Prince Ravender stood by the window, staring into the mist-covered gardens.
Beside him, Isaac bowed low, his expression firm yet heavy.
"Does anyone else know?" Isaac asked quietly.
Ravender's voice was cold. "No one. Not yet. I ordered silence until I decide our next move."
"Understood," Isaac said. "But the court will notice the absence soon."
Ravender didn't respond. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the window frame.
"He was… supposed to see Verdalis rise again. He told me once that I'd see a day where even the stars salute this kingdom."
Isaac stepped closer. "And you still will, Your Highness. He believed in you. I believe in you."
For a long moment, Ravender said nothing. The candlelight flickered across his eyes — grief battling duty.
"I can't mourn yet," he muttered. "Not when the wolves are circling."
"The allied kingdoms?" Isaac asked.
Ravender nodded. "Rethan, Norwald, Eirith, and Zephros. They've signed a pact to siege Verdalis before the summer ends."
"Then we'll prepare," Isaac said firmly. "You lead. I'll stand beside you."
Ravender turned to him — and for the first time that night, a flicker of warmth softened his gaze.
"I should've known you'd say that, White Tiger of Verdalis."
Isaac managed a faint smile. "You trained me to fight, my prince. I couldn't run even if I wanted to."
A light laugh escaped Ravender — the first hint of life in the room since the king's passing.
At the doorway, Princess Diya entered, her eyes still red. She held the king's pendant in her small hands — the royal crest of Verdalis glimmering faintly in the torchlight.
"Brother," she whispered. "It feels wrong… hiding his death."
Ravender's eyes softened. "I know. But if word spreads now, the allied kingdoms will strike before we can gather strength."
She lowered her gaze. "He told me to protect my heart. But how can I, when it hurts this much?"
Isaac stepped forward, kneeling slightly. "Your Highness… I made a promise long ago — to protect you. That hasn't changed."
Diya looked at him, her lips trembling. "You already saved me once, Isaac… Please don't throw yourself into danger again."
Isaac smiled faintly. "Danger finds me whether I want it or not."
Ravender exhaled slowly. "Enough for tonight. We'll hold the funeral quietly at dawn. Only the inner circle. After that…"
His voice hardened. "Verdalis will rise again."
Isaac gave a short nod. "Then I'll be ready. Whatever you decide, I'll follow."
The prince looked toward him — eyes filled with equal parts pain and trust. "Then you'll walk beside me, not behind. When I wear the crown… Verdalis will not stand alone."
Outside, the first light of dawn began to seep through the mist.
The bells of Verdalis would not toll today.
But in their silence, the kingdom held its breath — for a prince ready to become a king,
and a warrior who would stand by his side until the very end.
---