Danger awaits.

Kael's breath was heavy as he hurried through the grand palace corridors, his frustration still boiling in his veins. He could still feel the weight of the gazes on him from the onlookers at the challenge. He had to get out. The mockery, the laughter, and worst of all, the princess's amused smile replayed in his mind.

When he reached the palace gates, a pair of stern guards stood in his way. "Where do you think you're going, boy?" one of them demanded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

Kael hesitated, his heart pounding. He knew they wouldn't let him leave so easily. Thinking quickly, he held up his school badge. "I'm just a student," he said, forcing his voice to remain calm. "I just want to leave."

The guards exchanged a glance, their expressions skeptical. One of them stepped forward, towering over Kael. "You just want to leave !?"

Kael swallowed hard, meeting the guard's gaze. "Yes.....I just want to leave."

The guard snorted but stepped aside reluctantly. "Then get out of here before someone changes their mind."

Kael nodded and slipped through the gates, his legs carrying him down the grand, lantern-lit streets outside the palace as quickly as they could. The cool night air stung his skin, and he shivered, realizing he hadn't thought to bring a cloak. His mind raced as he replayed the events of the night.

By the time he reached the outskirts of the city, his pace slowed, exhaustion finally catching up to him. The quiet of the night contrasted sharply with the noise in his head. What would tomorrow bring? Would Alden seek revenge? Would the princess tell the king? He cursed himself for letting his emotions get the best of him.

When Kael finally arrived home, the sight of his small, familiar house brought a bittersweet comfort. He hesitated at the door, knowing his mother would ask questions he wasn't ready to answer. As he opened it, the soft creak of the hinges greeted him.

Inside, his mother was asleep in her chair by the hearth, her apron dirtied from a long day's work in the garden. Kael's heart tightened. She worked so hard to give them a decent life, and here he was, bringing trouble to their doorstep. Quietly, he picked up a quilt and draped it over her shoulders. She stirred but didn't wake, and he whispered, "I'm sorry, Mom."

His eyes lingered on her for a moment before he made his way to his room. He sat at edge of his bed, his body heavy with exhaustion. His mind racing with questions about what awaited him tomorrow.

Next day,

When the first rays of the dawn, a loud, insistent banging on the door shattered the stillness of Amara's home. The heavy, rhythmic thuds were followed by a sharp bang that caused the door to shake on its hinges. Startled, Amara and Kael jumped to their feet, their hearts racing with alarm.

Amara grabbed a shawl, hastily wrapping it around herself, while Kael, still groggy from the restless night, rubbed his eyes as they both rushed to the door. Before they could even open it, the door burst wide, slamming against the wall. Soldiers clad in gleaming armor, bearing the royal insignia of Ignisar stormed into the small house. Their presence filled the humble space with an oppressive aura.

"By order of the crown, we are here to apprehend the criminal Kael!" barked the leader of the group, his voice cold and devoid of sympathy.

Kael froze, his blood running cold at the accusation. Amara's eyes widened in disbelief, her gaze darting between the soldiers and her son.

"Criminal?" Amara's voice trembled. "There must be a mistake! My son hasn't done anything wrong. He was home last night!"

The soldiers ignored her protests. "Kael, son of Rhys Alistair, you are accused of assaulting Lord Alden Vyrell, son of the Royal Court Chamberlain. You are to be taken to the palace for questioning and judgment."

Amara's legs gave way as the weight of their words sank in. "No! There must be some mistake!" she cried, clutching at the soldier's arm. "Kael is a good boy. He couldn't have done this!"

Kael's fists clenched as anger flared within him. He stepped forward, his jaw tight. " It's okay mom, I'll be fine."

The soldiers closed in, grabbing Kael by the arms. He didn't struggle against their grip but one of the guards shoved Amara aside as she was stopping kael from being taken. That's when Kael roared, his fury seen. He broke free from their hands and for a brief moment, he swung his fist, landing a punch squarely on the soldier's jaw, sending him staggering away.

"You will not touch my mother!" Kael screamed, his voice trembling with rage.

The other soldiers quickly subdued him, their grip like iron as they pinned his arms behind his back. The guard Kael had struck, now furious, returned the blow with a sharp punch to Kael's stomach, making him double over in pain.

"Stop it.....!" Amara screamed, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face. "Please, don't.... don't do this."

Kael looked at her, his vision blurred with pain. "I'm sorry, Mom," he murmured, his voice thick with guilt.

The soldiers dragged him toward the waiting criminal cart outside, his feet scraping against the ground as he resisted. Amara followed, begging and pleading with the guards, but they pushed her back each time she tried to get close.

"Please, he's just a boy!" Amara cried, her voice hoarse. "He doesn't deserve this!"

Kael's voice cracked as he called out to her, "Mom! I'll be fine! Don't cry, please!"

But as he was thrown into the cart and the heavy iron door slammed shut, the reality of his helplessness settled over him. He pressed his forehead against the cold metal bars, watching as his mother fell to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

The cart began to move, the wheels creaking as it carried him toward an uncertain fate. Kael's heart ached as he listened to his mother's cries fade into the distance. Her warnings not to fight echoed in his mind.

What if he had stopped himself ?!.

What if he could chose another way to unleash his frustration which was piled over for years?!.

He dropped down on his knees, sobbing quietly. He didn't know what awaited him at the palace, but one thing was certain that in anyway he had to find a way to survive for his mother's sake.