CHAPTER 31— The Prince Who Bowed His Head
Night slipped away too quickly for the people of Kexzaz. Dawn hadn't even fully broken when a strange tension stretched across the capital — a tension born from rumors, whispers, and the silent footsteps of hidden agents moving through the streets.
Inside the dimly lit forest clearing where Keptyn had been cornered, the moment still lingered.
"Heheheheheh… that was how your father got tricked,"
Brick said with a wide, smug grin, hands behind his head, clearly enjoying the torment.
Standing just in front of him, Domino — the CP agent manipulating the entire scenario — watched Keptyn with cold, calculating eyes. His black jacket fluttered slightly as he spoke.
"So now," Domino said, voice slow and confident, "you have two choices, Prince Keptyn:
You either die here… and I hand your country to Brick, who will rule it with unfiltered tyranny…
or…
you follow my orders exactly."
Keptyn felt the air tighten. His fists trembled. His mind raced.
The image of his father flashed through his head — the proud king, a man who refused to bend to corruption. They killed him for that. The weight of that memory crushed Keptyn's chest.
Domino leaned closer.
"What's your answer, Prince?"
Brick cackled at the side, eager to watch Keptyn break.
For a few seconds, Keptyn stood perfectly still. No emotion. No sound. Just silence.
Then, slowly… painfully… he lowered his head.
"I…"
His throat tightened.
"I will follow your order."
Brick burst into laughter. Domino smirked triumphantly.
"Good," Domino said. He reached into his coat and pulled out a folded paper. "Take this."
He flicked it toward Keptyn, the letter fluttering down like a cursed leaf.
Brick stretched, cracked his knuckles, and began walking toward the palace path.
"Come on, Domino," he said, "we've got a kingdom to enjoy."
Domino glanced back at Keptyn one last time.
"Make sure you read that letter in the market jurisdiction tomorrow morning. Word for word.
No changes."
They disappeared into the trees.
Keptyn remained frozen in place, fists clenched, head bowed… yet his eyes burned with something far deeper than fear.
Father… forgive me.
---
{Early Morning — The Next Day}
The sun barely peeked over the horizon when the ringing of bells echoed throughout Kexzaz.
People gathered out of curiosity. Market sellers paused. Children stopped playing. Guards assembled. The entire jurisdiction's attention was captured by the raised platform in the center of the market.
A figure walked up slowly.
Prince Keptyn.
The crowd buzzed instantly.
"Prince Keptyn? At this hour?"
"Why does he look so serious?"
"Is this about the throne?"
"What's happening?"
Keptyn's expression was blank, lifeless almost. But deep inside, his heart pounded like a war drum.
He unfolded the paper Domino forced on him.
People leaned in.
He took a breath.
His voice cracked at first, then steadied.
"Good morning… people of Kexzaz."
A soft wave of murmurs answered.
Keptyn continued.
"I… Prince Keptyn of the Gaxy family… hereby announce my dropping of my kingship title…"
Gasps erupted everywhere.
"...and selling it to Brick Vand."
The crowd exploded.
"What??"
"Brick Vand?! That brute?!"
"This must be a joke!"
"He can't be serious!"
"This is madness!"
"Why would the prince do this?!"
Keptyn forced himself to continue reading.
"By this declaration… Brick Vand shall be entitled to the crown… should my brother be found unworthy of the throne…"
His hands shook as he reached the final line.
"And I… relinquish all claims to rulership."
He lowered the paper.
The silence was heavy. Then — chaos. Citizens shouting, crying, protesting. Guards unsure of what to do.
But Keptyn said nothing. He simply stepped down, face blank, walking away like a ghost.
People reached for him — asking, begging, demanding answers.
He ignored them all.
---
{Inside the Palace}
Deep within the luxurious halls of the royal palace, Brick lounged comfortably on a massive chair, legs spread out like he already owned the world.
A sweaty crew member rushed into the throne room.
"Captain Brick! He—he's reading it! Prince Keptyn is actually reading the script! Word for word! No changes!"
Brick's grin widened instantly.
"Heheheheheh… excellent."
Domino leaned against a marble pillar with arms folded, eyes sharp as blades.
Brick stood and stretched.
"We can finally start our plan."
Domino nodded.
"The kingdom is falling exactly where we want it."
Brick laughed again, loud and shameless.
"Then let the chaos begin."