Shift In Fate

The court was still buzzing with whispers and tension as King Ry's gaze settled on the black cat beside Princess Jhonye. His brow furrowed, but he masked his thoughts, keeping his face unreadable. The room held its breath, waiting for his next words.

"And you are?" King Ry asked, his voice calm but with an undertone of curiosity that suggested he wasn't one to miss even the smallest details.

The cat glanced up lazily at the king, and then with a smirk, Fareth's voice, lazy but commanding, echoed through the hall. "Just call me Young Master."

A ripple of surprise moved through the court. Young Master? Many of the officials exchanged puzzled glances, but there were a few old monsters who seemed to understand what was happening not everyone in this world remained ignorant of the past. Their eyes widened, though they dared not speak. The old official, Lin, remained motionless, his expression calm yet contemplative.

Before the court could fully digest what had happened, a high-ranking official, his robes immaculate and adorned with medals, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, perhaps this means we no longer need to proceed with Princess Jhonye's engagement," he suggested, his voice eager. "Regardless, our kingdom of Myril may be able to stand on its own once again." He was afraid of saying the wrong words as he also thought of a childhood legend.

A murmur of agreement passed through the room. Other officials nodded, visibly relieved. The alliance through marriage had been a necessary but unappealing compromise for many. Now, with the Young Master here, things had changed.

King Ry turned his sharp eyes toward the official, still deep in thought. "You speak hastily," he cautioned. "But there may be truth in your words." He paused, then addressed the room. "Let's hear it—what say the rest of you?"

Another official, bolder than the rest, spoke up, "With respect, Your Majesty, the engagement to Heaven's Child Ziyu of the Star Grotto Heaven was forged in desperation. Our kingdom has been at a disadvantage, but this…" He glanced briefly at Fareth, "This may allow us to recover."

The room hummed with a mixture of excitement and disbelief. The tension was slowly dissipating, replaced by a sense of possibility. Some of the younger officials smiled openly at the thought of avoiding war and still securing the kingdom's future. Although ignorant they dare not speak up once those elders remained shocked.

King Ry's gaze was steady as he looked back at his daughter. "Princess Jhonye, do you wish to be freed from this engagement?"

For a moment, Jhonye hesitated. She had always known her father as a sharp ruler, calculating and cautious, and it was strange to see him consider such an unorthodox path. But after everything she had witnessed, after the vision and the strange connection she felt to her kingdom's past, something had changed. The weight of the decision pressed on her, and though confusion lingered, she felt a small fire ignite within.

"Yes, father," she said quietly but firmly. "I wish to carve my own path."

The king studied her for a long moment. His eyes were searching, but there was no reproach in them. Finally, he gave a nod, one that carried both approval and finality.

"Very well," he declared. "I hereby decree that Princess Jhonye's engagement to Heaven's Child Ziyu is null and void." His voice echoed in the hall, sending a wave of shock through the officials. A few gasped openly, while others exchanged wary looks.

"Your Majesty!" one of the elder officials protested, stepping forward. "Are you certain? The Star Grotto Heaven will—"

"We will deal with them," King Ry interrupted, his voice sharp and unyielding. He raised his hand, silencing further objections. "This is a matter for kings and gods, not something to be debated in this court."

There was a stunned silence, broken only by the faint sound of Fareth's soft laughter, which echoed eerily through the hall.

As the court began to realize the weight of the king's decision, Fareth stood up, stretching lazily, as if the monumental decision just made was nothing more than a passing moment of amusement for him. His golden eyes flickered, catching the light, and for a brief moment, there was an unmistakable sense that this 'Young Master' was far more dangerous than anyone could yet comprehend.

King Ry's eyes were still fixed on Fareth, intrigued but guarded. He wasn't sure what game this young master was playing, but he was smart enough to know that refusing would be a fatal mistake.

With a final glance at the officials, Ry turned back to his daughter. "Princess Jhonye, you have your freedom. But know this—freedom comes with responsibility. I expect you to prove your worth in the days to come."

Jhonye nodded, her uncertainty hidden beneath a veneer of determination. "I will not fail you, father."

The court slowly began to return to its usual hum of activity, but the shock lingered in the air. As they exited the hall, Old Official Lin caught a glimpse of the black cat again, his expression unreadable.

Fareth padded silently beside Princess Jhonye, his eyes half-closed as if disinterested in the events that had just unfolded. But deep within those golden irises, there was the glint of something ancient and powerful—something that had only just begun to stir.