Coming of Age (2)

The grand hall was a dazzling sight. Gold and silver accents gleamed under the chandelier light, while crimson and royal blue banners hung from the walls, creating an atmosphere of opulence and tradition. The air was filled with the soft hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the melodic sound of stringed instruments playing in the background. It was a celebration of the highest order—elegant and poised. But for me, it felt like a suffocating spectacle, each moment an excruciating reminder of the duty that awaited me.

The guests had already begun to trickle in, their lavish attire a sea of silks and velvet. Nobles from every corner of the kingdom filled the space, their jeweled necklaces and glittering crowns catching the light, each one eager to witness the young prince's coming-of-age ceremony. From the royal families of neighboring lands to influential merchant leaders and respected knights, it was a gathering of power, wealth, and prestige. I could feel their eyes on me, assessing me, waiting for me to step into the role I had no desire to take.

A hand rested gently on my shoulder, and I turned to see Marcus, his usual grin finally returning, though it was tinged with something deeper—something I couldn't place.

"Ready to face your destiny, brother?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of amusement but also a trace of seriousness that made me wonder if he knew something I didn't.

I gave him a forced smile. "I suppose I'll have to be."

As we stood there, greeting the arriving guests, one by one, I was met with polite bows and heartfelt congratulations. The most notable of them was Duke James Hart, his sharp eyes scanning me for a moment before offering a smile that looked almost too practiced. "Prince Kaizen," he said, his voice deep and rich with the weight of his influence. "I can already tell you'll do your family proud."

His daughter, Madison, was beside him, her eyes glimmering with curiosity as she gave me a courteous nod. 

Madison Hart stood beside her father, Duke James Hart, her presence unmistakable even among the sea of nobility. Her white hair, almost silver in its hue, cascaded in soft waves down her back, catching the light with every turn of her head, giving her an almost otherworldly glow. Her purple eyes, striking and intense, seemed to pierce through the crowd, yet they softened whenever they met mine. There was an air of quiet power about her—no doubt from being part of one of the top 10 families in the kingdom, a family with influence second only to the royal house itself. The Hart family had always been a force, and Madison was no exception.

She was beautiful, of course, but it wasn't the kind of beauty that demanded attention. Her features were sharp yet elegant, and there was something about the way she carried herself that made her stand out in a room full of opulent silks and glittering jewels. She exuded confidence, a strength I admired even though it often made me feel like I was drowning in my own uncertainty.

When our eyes met across the room, there was no mistaking the familiarity between us. We had known each other for as long as I could remember—long before the royal titles and the weight of duty began to define our lives. Madison was different from the others in this hall. While everyone else saw a prince with a crown waiting for him, she saw me—just Kaizen. She had always been a steady presence, like a calm harbor in the middle of a storm.

"You look well, Your Highness," she said, her voice soft yet steady, as though she could feel the tension in my shoulders. Her smile was warm, genuine, and it immediately made me feel like I wasn't alone in this suffocating room. "I hope the celebrations are everything you deserve."

I forced a smile, but it was one I didn't fully mean.

"Thank you, Madison. You look as radiant as ever."

Her lips curved into a smile that was just for me, a smile that held no pretense, no expectations. It was the same smile she had always given me, even when the kingdom and its politics were nothing more than distant shadows in the background. I wanted to stay in that moment, forget about everything that was waiting for me, and just be with her—the friend I had known for so long.

"You know this isn't easy for you," she said, her voice quiet, just enough for me to hear over the chatter of the crowd. "But remember, you don't have to do it alone. You've always had me, Kaizen."

Her words hit me in a way I wasn't expecting, and for a fleeting moment, the weight on my shoulders lightened. I didn't know if I would ever be ready for the crown, for the expectations, for everything that came with my name—but Madison's unwavering presence, her belief in me, was something I didn't take for granted. She had been there since we were children, long before the weight of a kingdom was thrust upon me.

"I know," I murmured, my gaze lingering on her purple eyes. "And I'm grateful for that."

She gave me a knowing look, her smile a mixture of sympathy and understanding, before stepping back to join her father. But even as she disappeared into the crowd, her presence lingered with me, a reminder that no matter what happened in that grand hall, I wasn't truly alone. Not while Madison was there.

More guests approached—people I didn't know, people who only recognized my name and title, not the person standing before them. Their words were all the same: "Congratulations on your sixteenth birthday, Prince Kaizen. May the future be kind to you." Their voices were sweet, but I couldn't shake the feeling that they were simply going through the motions, participating in this parade for their own gain. It felt hollow.

As the evening wore on, my father, King Demitri, took the stage. He was a tall, imposing figure, draped in a long cloak of deep green and gold, the crown upon his head gleaming in the light. His presence commanded the room, his gaze powerful as he surveyed the sea of guests. He raised his glass, a gesture that instantly silenced the crowd.

"Today," he began, his voice deep and resonant,

"marks a milestone not just in the life of my son, but in the future of our kingdom. Prince Kaizen has grown from a boy into a young man, and soon he will take his place among us as an heir to our kingdom. I am proud of the man he has become and the great future he will forge for Valeria."

A round of applause echoed through the hall, but it felt distant to me. My father's words, though sincere, only deepened the sense of isolation I was already struggling with. I was standing on the precipice of a future I never asked for, and though the crowd cheered, I couldn't shake the feeling that they were celebrating a version of me that wasn't truly mine.

King Demitri continued, his eyes now fixed on me. "Kaizen, you will one day carry the weight of this kingdom on your shoulders, but I know you are ready. You have been trained, prepared, and guided by those who love you. The future of Valeria is in your hands. May you rise to meet it, as your forefathers did."

His words were a declaration, a moment that marked the beginning of something I wasn't ready to embrace. The applause that followed was louder, more insistent. But I didn't join in. Instead, I found my gaze drifting to my mother, Queen Anastasia, standing gracefully at his side. Her silver hair gleamed under the light, and her emerald eyes were soft yet filled with a strength I had always admired. She watched me intently, her expression a mixture of love and concern.

When the applause finally subsided, she stepped forward, her voice calm yet full of warmth. "Kaizen, my son," she said, her words carrying a deeper meaning than any praise could. "You have always been our light, the one who has inspired hope in our kingdom. I am so proud of the man you are becoming, but more than that, I am proud of the heart you carry within you. Never forget that."

The sincerity in her voice sent a wave of emotion through me, but I swallowed it down. I couldn't afford to let them see me falter—not now, not when everything felt like it was falling apart.

Lastly, Marcus stepped forward, raising his glass to me with a grin that was both teasing and filled with brotherly affection. "To Kaizen," he said, his voice light but carrying a weight I didn't expect. "The future of Valeria, whether he likes it or not."

The crowd laughed, and for the briefest of moments, I almost forgot the tension in my chest. But as the laughter died down, Marcus's gaze softened. "You've always been my brother, Kaizen. No matter what happens, you'll always have me."

It was a rare moment of vulnerability from him, and it caused my chest to tighten. But before I could respond, Connor joined us, his usually composed demeanor replaced by something else—something I couldn't quite place.

"Kaizen," he said quietly, "today isn't just about you becoming a man. It's about everything that comes after. Whatever choice you make, know that you're not alone in it."

 I smiled—only just enough to mask the uncertainty I felt burning in my chest. 

The grand hall continued to shine with its gilded decorations, an extravagant celebration of a milestone I didn't want to reach. Despite the clinking of glasses and soft conversations that filled the air, the room felt stifling. Every congratulatory smile and whispered compliment only reminded me that I was standing at the edge of a future I never chose.

I had been holding on for hours, pretending to smile, pretending to enjoy the attention. But the weight of it all was getting unbearable. The speeches, the bows, the congratulatory gestures—it was all too much. It wasn't the celebration I had hoped for, and it wasn't the life I wanted.

I made my way outside, slipping away from the noise, seeking the quiet of the garden. The cool air hit me like a welcome relief, but it couldn't ease the tightness in my chest. I leaned against the stone railing, staring out at the stars as if they could offer me some guidance, some escape.

A small hand tugged at my sleeve, and I turned to find Mia standing beside me. Her soft, innocent face was filled with concern, her wide brown eyes reflecting the light of the stars above. At just eleven, she had already learned to read the emotions that lingered on the faces of those around her. It was one of the things I admired most about her.

"You look sad, Kaizen," she said softly, her voice as gentle as a summer breeze.

I forced a smile, but it didn't reach my eyes. "I'm not sad, Mia. Just tired."

She didn't believe me. Mia never did when I said I was fine. She took a step closer, her hand slipping into mine with the ease of someone who had always known that this moment would come, this quiet understanding between us.

"You don't have to pretend," she whispered, her small fingers tightening around mine. "I know you don't want to be here. You're doing all of this for us, for the kingdom. But I wish you didn't have to."

I didn't have the words to respond. I couldn't tell her how much I hated this life, how much I wanted to run away from it all. How much I feared the weight of the crown that was inching closer, threatening to crush me under its expectations. I simply squeezed her hand, silently grateful for her presence.

Before I could speak, I heard the unmistakable sound of Connor's voice behind us.

"Kaizen," he called, his tone softer than usual. "Mia."

We turned to face him, and for a moment, he stood there, silently watching us. His usual composed demeanor seemed slightly off, his brow furrowed with a look of concern that I wasn't accustomed to seeing on his face.

"Everyone's enjoying the party outside," Connor said, his voice holding an unusual edge of urgency. "But it's time for you two to step outside, away from the crowd. Just the two of you. I've… I've got something to do here."

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Connor hesitated for a moment before walking closer, his expression growing more serious. He placed a hand on my shoulder, looking me in the eyes with a mix of affection and something else—something I couldn't quite place.

"Kaizen," he said quietly, "whatever happens tonight, you need to stay with Mia. Don't leave her side, okay? Hold her hand the whole time."

I looked at him, confused by the urgency in his voice, but nodded anyway. "Alright, I will."

He gave me a small, forced smile, a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, before pulling me into a brief hug. It was rare for Connor to show such affection, and for a moment, I didn't know how to react.

"You've always been my little brother," he said softly into my ear, "and no matter what happens, you'll always be my little brother. Don't forget that."

I didn't say anything, but I felt a strange sense of finality in his words, as if he knew something I didn't. As if the night held more than just a celebration for my coming-of-age.

As he stepped back, he gave us both one last look, his voice carrying a mix of concern and love. "Please, Kaizen. Keep her safe. I know you will."

He gave me a smile and before I could ask any more questions, Connor was already turning, disappearing back into the castle with a hurried pace.

Mia tugged at my sleeve again, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What did he mean, Kaizen?"

I didn't know how to answer her. But I simply pulled her closer, squeezing her hand a little tighter, and led her inside to our parents.

King Demitri and Queen Anastasia were standing near the grand staircase, talking quietly. They turned as we approached, their expressions warm, but there was something in their eyes that I couldn't quite place. They looked at me as if they hadn't truly seen me before tonight, as if I were still the boy they once knew.

My father, his broad frame imposing yet filled with warmth, looked at me with an intensity I had never seen before. There was something different in his gaze—something heavy, something that made my heart race.

"Kaizen," he said, his voice deep, but there was a rawness to it, like he was trying to hold something back.

"I know this hasn't been easy for you. I know this isn't the life you would've chosen. But you've done it. You've made it to this point. You've made me proud."

I felt something in my chest tighten. My father's praise, always so formal, always so distant, now carried a depth of emotion I wasn't prepared for. I could see the pride in his eyes, but also the weight of something else—regret, maybe? Or was it fear?

Then, something unexpected happened. He stepped forward, placing both hands on my shoulders and pulling me into a hug—a tight, fierce embrace I had never felt from him before. It was an embrace that spoke volumes, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe.

"I love you, Kaizen," he whispered, and the words—those words I had longed to hear—brought a lump to my throat. "I love you more than you'll ever know, happy birthday my son."

I froze. My father had never said those words before. Not once. And now, here they were, whispered into my ear with a tenderness I never expected.

Queen Anastasia, my mother, ever graceful and composed, wrapped her arms around both of us, her voice a soft murmur against my ear. "You've always been our light, Kaizen," she said. "No matter what happens, you will always have a place in our hearts. We're so proud of you. Happy birthday"

Her words wrapped around me like a blanket, a moment of warmth in the midst of everything that felt cold and uncertain. I could feel my chest tighten with emotion, and for a second, I wanted nothing more than to stay in their arms forever, to not face the night that awaited us.

Marcus joined us then, a smile on his face—yet it wasn't his usual smile. It was strained, as if he, too, understood the weight of the moment.

"Kaizen," he said, his voice light but carrying an undertone of something deeper, something more vulnerable.

"Whatever happens, just know I'm here. We've always been brothers."

He gave me a quick, tight hug before stepping back. But his smile wavered, his usual bravado faltering for just a second.

"I'll be right here," he added, his tone softer than I had ever heard it. "You're not alone, Kaizen. No matter what comes next."

Mother and Father both hugged us one more time, their voices overlapping, murmuring the same words of love and reassurance. "Stay with Mia," my mother said, her eyes filled with both concern and unwavering love. "And don't let go of her. Promise me."

"I promise," I whispered, feeling the weight of my promise settle on my chest.

I took Mia's hand in mine again, squeezing it as we turned to leave the castle. The night air was cool against my skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of the moment we had just shared.

We stepped outside, the air smelling of freshly cut grass and the distant scent of roses. But just as I began to relax, a sudden, unmistakable rumble echoed from inside the castle. My heart skipped a beat. 

What did Connor mean by his strange request? Why was he so insistent on me staying with Mia? same with mother and father... he loves me? he has never said that before..

For the first time that night, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe there was a way to carve my own path in the world, to escape the suffocating expectations that surrounded me. But only if I was brave enough to face the unknown, to trust in the ones who believed in me.

For now, I stood in the quiet of the garden, away from the crowd, with only Mia beside me. The future loomed over us, uncertain and daunting, but as long as she was there, I felt like I might just have a chance.

"Let's stay here for a while. " I said softly, my eyes lifting to the stars above. 

A shooting star passed overhead. 

Shooting stars are always so precious, most stars stay in their spot of the sky, but shooting stars do as they please. They are the freedom of stars. I can't help but close my eyes and picture myself as that shooting star.

*BOOM

An explosion woke me from my thoughts

"Kaizen what was that?" Mia said frightened.

"I dont know Mia"

I grab her hand and immediately got up

*BOOM

Another cracking of the sound echoed, 

The sight before us was a nightmare come to life. The grand courtyard, once filled with laughter and joy, now stood shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by the inferno that consumed the castle. The flames twisted and roared, licking the sky, as if trying to tear it apart. Guests who had been in the midst of celebration were now caught in the chaos, their bodies twisted in terror as the heat began to scorch the air. 

"Kaizen, wha- what's happening?" Mia's voice trembled, but I couldn't answer her.

All I could do was stare at the flames. 

*BOOM

Another explosion rang out, but I couldn't hear it. The noise of the world faded, replaced by a deafening silence in my mind. I stood there, frozen, my gaze locked forward. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, but the world felt distant, fading away like the last embers of a fire. Everything I knew—gone up in flames. I wasn't looking at my home, but hell... The embodiment of my hell.