So the king wanted to see me… for something related to Aether.
The same man who had killed my brother.
But… for what?
—That leaves me with more questions than answers —I muttered—. When will I be able to see him?
—First I have to inform him that you've awakened —Aria replied—. If you want, I'll go right now.
—Yes, please… that would be good.
—Then I'll be back soon.
She gave me a faint smile before leaving.
She moved fast. Too fast for someone who was, in theory, just a servant. Light, precise… almost as if she were trained.
The door closed.
Silence.
And with it…
The thoughts.
The tournament.
My brother.
Elijah is… the strongest.
No.
Was.
How could he have lost like that?
Aether didn't even touch him.
It made no sense.
None of it did.
That man… there was something about him.
Something that didn't fit.
As I thought, other images forced their way in.
Training.
Laughter.
His voice.
As if my mind refused to accept what had happened.
As if he were still there.
I felt a tear slide down my cheek.
I wiped it away quickly.
Footsteps.
Someone was coming.
The door opened slightly and Aria peeked inside.
—The king is ready to receive you. Come with me.
—Alright.
I stood up and followed her.
We walked through long corridors, one after another.
The palace was… excessive.
Vases that probably cost more than my house.
Paintings of people I didn't know, all with serious expressions, almost watching every step I took.
The echo of our footsteps bounced off the polished floor.
We passed so many corridors I eventually lost track of direction.
I couldn't tell if we were taking detours…
Or if the place was simply that big.
Finally, we stopped in front of a door.
Nothing special.
Simple wood.
Almost disappointing for something belonging to a king.
Aria knocked softly.
—Come in —a deep voice answered from inside.
Before opening, Aria turned to me.
—You'll go in alone —she said quietly—. I can't accompany you. Be respectful… and bow when you greet him.
I nodded.
—Don't worry. I know.
Still… I swallowed.
Aria opened the door.
I stepped inside.
And it closed behind me.
The room was… simple.
Too simple.
Nothing like the rest of the palace.
No excessive luxury, no loud decorations. Just what was necessary.
And, in front of me…
The king.
Sitting.
Watching me.
The moment I saw him, I reacted instinctively. I lowered myself, dropping to one knee.
—Your Majesty.
—Ren —he said calmly—. There's no need to kneel. You can stand.
I obeyed immediately and stood up.
—How are you feeling? Have you rested well?
—I'm fine, Your Majesty… —I hesitated—. Though I might have rested too much.
The king let out a faint chuckle.
—Perhaps.
But his expression shifted immediately.
It became more serious.
Heavier.
—You don't know why you're here, do you?
I shook my head.
—No, Your Majesty. All of this… has taken me by surprise.
—I assumed as much.
A brief pause.
—First of all… I want to offer my condolences for your brother.
Something tightened in my chest.
—Elijah would have been a valuable member of my court.
I lowered my gaze slightly.
—Thank you…
Silence lingered a moment too long.
And then—
—But that's not the only reason I called you.
I looked up.
—After his death —he continued— Aether was declared provisional winner while we investigated what happened.
I nodded slightly.
—As you know, killing in the tournament results in immediate disqualification.
—Exactly —I replied—. So… Aether must have been eliminated, right?
The king didn't answer immediately.
That was already a bad sign.
—The problem —he said at last— is that we can't prove it.
I frowned.
—What?
—Aether killed your brother… without leaving a trace.
My stomach tightened.
—The investigations concluded that the cause of death was cardiac arrest. No wounds. No signs of magic. Nothing.
My mind went blank.
—He didn't even move during the fight.
I clenched my fists.
—Then…
—Officially —the king continued— it was a natural death.
Silence.
—And therefore… Aether will be named court mage.
—That can't be —I blurted out—. Are you telling me the man who killed my brother will be part of your court?
—Yes.
One word.
Cold.
Final.
I felt like I couldn't breathe.
—No… —I murmured—. This can't just end like this…
The king watched me in silence.
As if he had been expecting that reaction.
—No —he repeated—. It shouldn't.
I looked up.
Something in his tone had changed.
—And it won't.
My heart skipped.
—What do you mean?
The king stood up slowly.
His footsteps echoed softly as he approached.
—There are things… —he said— that cannot always be resolved officially.
He stopped in front of me.
Too close.
He lowered his voice.
—That's why you're here.
I swallowed.
—Why am I here?
The king leaned in slightly.
And whispered:
—I need you to kill him.
—Kill him?… Me? —I repeated, barely believing it.
The king didn't look away.
—Yes. You.
I swallowed hard.
—You don't want revenge? —he continued— You shouted in front of everyone that you would kill him.
I clenched my teeth.
—That… was in the moment —I muttered—. I didn't think… I'd actually have to do it.
The king walked slowly around me.
—Then tell me, Ren… —his voice calm, almost soft— are you going to allow your brother's killer to take his place in the court?
I didn't answer.
I couldn't.
—Are you going to let this end like this?
—No —I said at last—. But… there has to be another way. Everyone saw what happened. They know it wasn't natural. You could accuse him.
—Without evidence —the king cut in— there is no accusation that will hold.
I frowned.
—You're the king. You can do something.
The king shook his head slowly.
—Not as much as you think. The court of mages has more power than you realize. I grant the title… but they decide many things.
That stunned me.
—So… you don't control them?
—Some. In certain matters.
Silence.
—Then send one of your mages —I insisted—. Why me?
The king stopped in front of me.
—Because this is not just an order.
His eyes locked onto mine.
—It's an opportunity.
Something shifted inside me.
—In two weeks, there will be a ceremony —he continued—. That day he will be officially appointed.
He paused.
—That same day… you can take everything from him.
He didn't say "kill him."
He didn't need to.
—I'll give you instructions —he added—. You only need to be in the right place… at the right time.
I clenched my fists.
—I don't know if… I want to do it.
The king tilted his head slightly.
—Of course you do.
Silence.
—If you do nothing —he continued— Aether will go unpunished.
Each word landed heavier than the last.
—And your brother's death… will mean nothing.
That hurt.
More than I expected.
I lowered my gaze.
My breathing became uneven.
My mind… a mess.
But in the end…
—…Alright —I murmured—. I'll do it.
The king nodded, satisfied.
—Wise decision.
He stepped back slightly.
—Go home. Rest. You will receive further instructions in the coming days.
I nodded… though I wasn't sure about anything.
I turned to leave, but stopped.
There was something else.
Something important.
—Your Majesty…
—Yes?
—My brother's body… —my voice wavered slightly—. I want him to have a burial.
The king nodded without hesitation.
—He will. Don't worry.
I exhaled slowly.
—Thank you…
I hesitated again.
—And… his sword. Do you have it?
The king fell silent.
Too long.
—The sword… —he repeated.
Something was wrong.
—The one he carried in the fight… has disappeared.