Furious Queen

The sound of hooves and clinking armor broke the quiet of the clearing. Lior paused mid-swing, his sword lowering as his sharp eyes turned toward the approaching group. A small squad of men clad in gleaming armor, bearing the emblem of the kingdom of Aetherium, entered the clearing.

The old man's gaze darkened as he stepped in front of Lior, shielding him without a word. His hand hovered near the hilt of the dagger strapped to his side, though he didn't draw it.

The man in the lead dismounted from his horse with a practiced grace, his polished boots crunching softly against the grass. He approached with a stiff posture, his gaze flicking briefly to the old man before settling on Lior.

Bowing slightly, the knight spoke, his tone formal but tinged with dissatisfaction. "Your Highness," he said, the words forced. "The King has requested your presence at the palace. We are here to escort you back."

Lior frowned, his small hands gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. "Why now?" he asked, his voice calm but sharp. "I'm training."

The knight straightened, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I do not question the King's orders, my prince. I only follow them."

The old man stepped forward, his presence alone enough to make the knight hesitate. "The boy is in the middle of something," he said, his voice low and steady. "If the King wanted him back so badly, why send soldiers instead of coming himself?"

The knight stiffened but didn't rise to the bait. "The King's will is not for me to question," he said curtly. "We are only here to ensure the young prince's safe return."

Lior sighed, his frustration evident. "It's not like I have a choice, do I?" He glanced at the old man, his expression both apologetic and defiant. "I'll go."

The old man's jaw tightened, but he nodded, resting a hand briefly on Lior's shoulder. "Fine," he said gruffly. "But remember, you're more than just the King's son. Don't forget who you are."

Lior nodded, his resolve firm even as he handed his sword to the old man. "I won't."

The knight gestured to his men, and one of them stepped forward, leading a smaller horse to Lior. The boy climbed onto the saddle with practiced ease, his back straight and his expression unreadable.

The old man watched silently as the group began to ride away, his sharp eyes lingering on the emblem of Aetherium emblazoned on their armor. Only when they disappeared into the trees did he let out a heavy sigh.

"Stay strong, Lior," he muttered to himself, turning back toward the clearing. "You'll need it."

The Aetherium Palace

The grand doors of the King's court slammed open with a resounding crash, making the gathered nobles flinch and turn toward the disturbance. The Queen strode in, her gown flowing behind her like a stormcloud. Her piercing glare was fixed on the King, who sat on his throne at the far end of the hall.

The King frowned, straightening in his seat as the murmurs of the court quieted. "What is the meaning of this, my Queen?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with irritation.

The Queen stopped in the middle of the hall, her hands clenched at her sides. "You know very well why I'm here," she snapped, her voice echoing in the vast chamber. "What do you think you're doing, bringing your bastard son back to the palace?"

The King's expression hardened, but he kept his tone calm. "Watch your words, my Queen," he warned. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

The Queen scoffed, taking a step closer. "Don't play games with me, your Majesty. The whole palace knows! You sent for him—your illegitimate son. The boy you promised would never set foot in these walls. What about your word to me?"

The King leaned forward, his frown deepening. "I said I was sorry," he said, his voice quieter but firm. "This wasn't an easy decision, but it had to be done."

"For the future of the kingdom," the Queen interrupted, mocking his tone. "Is that what you're going to say? That old excuse again?"

The King rose to his feet, the authority in his presence silencing the few murmurs that had crept back into the court. "It's not an excuse. It's the truth," he said, his voice steady. "Lior is… unique. His potential is unmatched, and this kingdom will need him one day. You know that as well as I do."

The Queen's jaw tightened, her glare unwavering. "And what of our son? The rightful heir?" she demanded. "What does it say to the court, to the nobles, to the kingdom, when you bring that boy here? It undermines everything we've built, everything we've worked for!"

The King sighed, the weight of his choice evident in his expression. "I'm doing what's best for Aetherium," he said. "Lior and Kael both have roles to play. This isn't about favoritism or betrayal—it's about survival. If we want this kingdom to thrive, we need every advantage we can get."

The Queen stared at him for a long moment, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. "You may see this as strategy," she said coldly. "But don't think for a second that I'll forgive you for breaking your promise."

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and stormed out of the court, her departure as abrupt as her arrival.

The King remained standing, his gaze fixed on the doors long after they'd closed. Around him, the nobles exchanged uneasy glances, their whispers beginning to rise again.

The King's voice cut through the noise like a blade. "Leave us," he ordered.

One by one, the courtiers filed out of the hall, their curiosity unsatisfied but their fear of the King stronger. When the doors closed behind the last of them, the King sat back down, his shoulders heavy with the burden of his choice.

He leaned back in his throne, his fingers drumming against the armrest. "I only hope," he muttered to himself, "that I haven't made a mistake."