Morning sunlight poured across the white marble courtyards of the Levicious Imperial Palace.
Servants moved quickly along the long corridors, carrying chests, scrolls, clothing racks, and furniture.
Today was unusually busy.
Because a prince was moving.
Inside Prince Kyle's residence, the servants worked tirelessly to pack everything.
Kyle sat on the edge of his bed, watching the chaos unfold.
Servants folded robes.
Others carefully packed books.
A few even carried entire pieces of furniture.
Kyle rubbed his forehead.
"I didn't realize I owned this many things."
Joshua knelt beside a large wooden chest, carefully placing folded clothes inside.
"You are a prince, Your Highness."
Kyle sighed.
"Apparently a very spoiled one."
Joshua smiled slightly.
"Yes."
Across the room, Luis Stark stood near the door, arms crossed.
His expression remained calm, but his sharp violet eyes carefully observed every servant.
Security had increased drastically.
More than twenty imperial guards now patrolled the surrounding halls.
Kyle glanced at Luis.
"You look tense."
Luis didn't move.
"I always look tense."
Kyle chuckled.
"Fair."
Marcus stood near the window again, watching the palace grounds below.
His gaze remained sharp and calculating.
Kyle leaned back on the bed.
"So I'm officially moving to the inner palace."
Joshua nodded.
"Yes."
Kyle frowned.
"That sounds important."
Luis answered calmly.
"It is."
Kyle looked at him.
"Explain."
Luis stepped closer.
"The inner palace houses only the royal family."
Kyle blinked.
"…So my brothers are there."
Luis nodded.
"Yes."
Kyle groaned quietly.
"Oh great."
Joshua tilted his head.
"Is something wrong?"
Kyle sighed.
"My brothers probably hate me."
Joshua looked confused.
"Why?"
Kyle scratched his head.
"Because the old Kyle was… useless."
Marcus spoke quietly.
"That reputation will not disappear quickly."
Kyle nodded.
"Exactly."
Luis looked at him carefully.
"But you are not the same person."
Kyle smiled faintly.
"Let's hope they notice."
Joshua closed the chest and stood up.
"All your belongings are packed."
Kyle stretched his arms.
"Then let's move."
Luis nodded.
"The emperor arranged your new residence personally."
Kyle raised an eyebrow.
"That's suspicious."
Marcus chuckled quietly.
"Your father is testing you."
Kyle sighed.
"Everyone is testing me."
Joshua smiled softly.
"Because everyone is curious."
Kyle stood up.
"About what?"
Joshua looked directly at him.
"The new Prince Kyle."
—
The group left the residence shortly after.
Several imperial guards escorted them through the palace.
Kyle walked in the middle of the group, observing everything carefully.
The imperial palace was enormous.
Tall golden pillars lined the corridors.
Beautiful paintings decorated the walls.
Huge windows allowed sunlight to flood the halls.
Kyle whistled quietly.
"This place is ridiculous."
Joshua nodded.
"The Levicious Empire is the strongest empire on the continent."
Kyle rubbed his chin.
"I should probably start acting like royalty."
Luis smirked slightly.
"That would be new."
Kyle pointed at him.
"Rude."
Marcus chuckled softly.
The guards eventually stopped in front of a massive golden gate.
Two elite palace knights stood guard there.
Their armor shone brilliantly in the sunlight.
One knight stepped forward.
"Prince Kyle Gray."
Kyle raised his hand.
"That's me."
The knight bowed.
"Welcome to the inner palace."
The gate slowly opened.
Kyle stepped inside.
And immediately stopped.
"…Wow."
The inner palace was even more beautiful than the outer palace.
A massive garden filled the center of the courtyard.
Crystal fountains sparkled beneath the sunlight.
Cherry blossom trees gently swayed in the warm breeze.
White stone paths curved elegantly through the garden.
Kyle stared in amazement.
"I could get used to this."
Joshua smiled.
"It's peaceful here."
Luis nodded slightly.
"And heavily guarded."
Kyle glanced around.
Indeed, elite knights stood silently throughout the courtyard.
Each one carried a sword.
Each one watched the area carefully.
Marcus whispered.
"No assassin would enter here easily."
Kyle sighed in relief.
"That's comforting."
Just then—
A voice echoed across the garden.
"Well, well."
Kyle turned.
A tall man with golden hair slowly approached them.
His posture was confident.
His sharp blue eyes carried a hint of amusement.
He wore elegant royal clothing decorated with silver embroidery.
Kyle recognized him immediately.
Prince Edward Gray.
The second prince.
And the most famous warrior in the empire.
Edward stopped a few meters away.
His eyes scanned Kyle from head to toe.
Then he smiled slightly.
"You look different."
Kyle blinked.
"…Everyone keeps saying that."
Edward crossed his arms.
"You survived an assassination attempt."
Kyle shrugged.
"Apparently that makes people interested."
Edward chuckled.
"Maybe."
Joshua lowered his head respectfully.
"Greetings, Prince Edward."
Luis bowed slightly.
Marcus remained silent.
Edward's gaze shifted toward Luis.
"The commander of the Levicious Knights."
Luis nodded.
"Yes."
Edward's eyes moved toward Marcus.
"And the assassin."
Marcus answered calmly.
"Former assassin."
Edward raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting company."
Kyle crossed his arms.
"You're surprisingly calm about this."
Edward smirked.
"My little brother suddenly becomes competent overnight."
Kyle frowned.
"…Little brother?"
Edward grinned.
"You forgot?"
Kyle sighed.
"This body remembers things I don't."
Edward laughed softly.
"You really did change."
Kyle tilted his head.
"Are you here to insult me?"
Edward thought about it.
"Maybe a little."
Kyle groaned.
"I knew it."
But Edward suddenly became serious.
"I'm also here to warn you."
Kyle raised an eyebrow.
"About?"
Edward stepped closer.
"The Shadow Court."
Kyle's expression darkened.
"You know about them."
Edward nodded.
"I've fought them before."
Marcus looked slightly surprised.
Edward continued.
"They're not ordinary assassins."
Kyle sighed.
"I noticed."
Edward's eyes became sharp.
"If they're targeting you…"
He paused.
"…then someone powerful wants you dead."
Kyle crossed his arms.
"Any guesses?"
Edward shook his head.
"Too many possibilities."
Joshua looked worried.
"Will they attack again?"
Edward smiled faintly.
"Not inside the inner palace."
Luis nodded.
"The security here is unmatched."
Edward glanced at Luis.
"Even so."
His voice grew quieter.
"Be careful."
Kyle rubbed his neck.
"My life became very complicated very quickly."
Edward chuckled.
"Welcome to the royal family."
Suddenly—
Another voice echoed through the garden.
"Brother."
Everyone turned.
A young man with long silver hair walked slowly toward them.
His expression was calm.
His pale gray eyes carried a quiet intelligence.
Prince Jonathan Gray.
The youngest prince.
Jonathan stopped beside Edward.
His gaze fell on Kyle.
"You truly survived."
Kyle sighed.
"…Yes."
Jonathan studied him carefully.
For several seconds.
Then he spoke quietly.
"You're different."
Kyle rubbed his face.
"Please stop saying that."
Jonathan smiled faintly.
"But it's true."
Kyle looked at both of his brothers.
"Well."
He spread his arms.
"Here I am."
Edward laughed.
"The prodigal prince returns."
Kyle frowned.
"Prodigal?"
Jonathan answered softly.
"That's what the nobles call you."
Kyle groaned.
"That's not flattering."
Edward smirked.
"You wasted years doing nothing."
Kyle shrugged.
"I'm making up for lost time."
Jonathan nodded thoughtfully.
"Good."
Kyle blinked.
"…That was supportive."
Jonathan smiled slightly.
"Because I prefer this version of you."
Kyle relaxed slightly.
Maybe his brothers wouldn't be enemies.
Edward suddenly spoke again.
"Your new residence is over there."
He pointed toward a beautiful mansion on the far side of the garden.
Kyle turned.
The building was large and elegant.
White marble walls.
Tall windows.
Golden decorations along the roof.
Kyle whistled.
"That's mine?"
Edward nodded.
"For now."
Kyle frowned.
"…For now?"
Edward grinned.
"The emperor loves tests."
Kyle sighed.
"I'm starting to notice."
Jonathan stepped closer to Kyle.
"Be careful, brother."
Kyle nodded.
"I will."
Jonathan's pale eyes flickered slightly.
"Because something strange is happening in the empire."
Kyle tilted his head.
"Strange?"
Jonathan lowered his voice.
"Something ancient is awakening."
Marcus stiffened slightly.
Luis frowned.
Kyle crossed his arms.
"That doesn't sound good."
Jonathan answered softly.
"No."
Then he turned and walked away.
Edward followed him, but before leaving he looked back at Kyle.
"Train harder."
Kyle groaned.
"Everyone keeps telling me that."
Edward laughed.
"Because you're still weak."
Then the two princes disappeared into the palace gardens.
Kyle stared after them.
"Well."
He looked at Luis.
"They're not as terrible as I expected."
Luis nodded.
"They're strong."
Kyle smirked.
"I'll catch up."
Joshua smiled brightly.
"I believe you will."
Marcus glanced toward the distant mountains beyond the palace walls.
His expression slowly darkened.
Because far beyond the capital…
Deep within an ancient forest…
Something massive moved beneath the earth.
And its glowing red eyes slowly opened.
The real threat to the Levicious Empire…
…had finally awakened.