After breakfast, Prince Leon and Joon-Woo departed for the castle.
Joon-Woo sat quietly inside the carriage, gazing out at the scenery as it slowly passed by. Forests gave way to stone roads, and before long, the towering gates of the royal castle came into view.
Once they arrived, Prince Leon led Joon-Woo to his private chambers. After making sure he was settled, the prince left without delay, heading off to attend to his royal duties.
Joon-Woo watched him go.
The sight made his heart feel heavy.
Only three days ago, Leon had been attacked and seriously injured. Yet without allowing himself proper rest, he had already returned to his responsibilities as crown prince—as if his own well-being mattered less than the kingdom.
Joon-Woo continued staring at the door long after the prince had disappeared.
Eventually, he moved toward the window.
Standing there, he looked down at the castle grounds below. Servants hurried back and forth, their arms filled with supplies, their voices low but urgent. Everywhere he looked, people were busy—each person moving with clear purpose.
Something felt different.
Later, Joon-Woo learned why.
Princess Lyra's eighteenth birthday was only two weeks away.
It was a momentous occasion for the kingdom, and preparations had begun in full force. The castle buzzed with constant activity—decorations being planned, grand halls scrubbed clean, guards reassigned, and noble families sending gifts from distant lands.
Days passed in this restless atmosphere.
An entire week slipped by.
Throughout it all, Prince Leon remained buried in his duties, leaving early each morning and returning late at night. Despite the recent attack, he refused additional rest. Joon-Woo watched in silence, a quiet unease growing in his chest.
Then—
A sudden chill ran through him.
[System Notification]
New Mission Assigned
Joon-Woo froze.
[Mission: Save the Royal Family]
Target: Princess Lyra's 18th Birthday Ceremony
Objective: Protect the royal palace and ensure the safety of Princess Lyra, Prince Leon, and the entire royal family during the celebration.
Details:
A hidden threat will attempt to disrupt the ceremony.
The danger may come from within the palace itself.
Failure Condition:
Death
Reward:
– Increased mastery over water magic
– Partial unlocking of a new elemental ability
The system's voice faded into silence.
Joon-Woo slowly clenched his fists.
"…Death," he whispered.
His gaze drifted toward the distant palace halls—to the path Prince Leon had taken earlier that morning.
A calm yet heavy resolve settled in his heart.
"If this mission decides my life," Joon-Woo thought,
"then I won't run from it."