Chapter Eleven-Whispers of Deception

The sun barely crested the horizon, casting a golden shimmer over the harbor. The world was waking up, but inside the captain's quarters, the air was thick with tension.

Duke Yuzuru stood stiffly, his hands pressed against the captain's desk, his green eyes burning with frustration.

"I paid you a fortune. Where are my goods?"

The captain, leaning back in his chair, barely reacted. Instead, he smirked, fingers drumming lightly on the wood.

"Ah, Duke Yuzuru. A pleasure, as always."

Yuzuru's jaw tightened. "Don't waste my time."

The captain exhaled, stretching lazily. "Unavoidable delays. The Imperial King's men are crawling over the borders. Transporting 'special goods' isn't as simple as it used to be."

"Not my problem," Yuzuru snapped. "I made a deal. Deliver, or suffer the consequences."

The captain chuckled, unfazed. "Threats? From a man who can't even get his own shipments under control?"

Yuzuru's hand twitched, but before he could retort, a knock echoed through the room.

The captain's smirk widened. "Come in."

The door swung open, revealing a tall man with black hair and piercing eyes. He walked in without hesitation, his expression calm, his presence demanding attention.

The captain stood, shaking his hand with an ease he hadn't shown Yuzuru. "Alex. A pleasure."

Alex nodded and turned to the duke, offering a polite, unreadable smile. "Duke Yuzuru. I've heard much about you."

Yuzuru eyed him warily. "And you are?"

"Someone who can fix your little… predicament."

The captain chuckled. "He's the best in the business."

Yuzuru wasn't convinced. "How?"

Alex didn't answer immediately. He stepped closer, studying the duke like a man sizing up a flawed piece of jewelry. Then, he reached into his coat, pulled out a small shimmering stone, and placed it on the desk.

"This."

Yuzuru frowned. "A rock?"

"A magic rune," Alex corrected, his voice smooth as silk. "Wealth, influence, power—all in your hands."

Yuzuru scoffed. "There's no such thing."

The captain spoke this time, his tone serious. "Duke, trust Alex. He doesn't waste words."

Yuzuru studied the stone, rolling it between his fingers. There was something about it. A weight. A pull.

"And if it's worthless?"

Alex smiled. "Then I owe you more than just a shipment, don't I?"

A long silence stretched between them.

Finally, Yuzuru slipped the rune into his pocket. "I'll need more."

Alex chuckled softly. "Patience, Duke. You wouldn't want to drown in too much power at once."

Yuzuru narrowed his eyes. "Just deliver what I paid for."

"Of course."

Without another word, the duke turned and left, slamming the door behind him.

The moment he was gone, the captain's smugness disappeared. He stiffened, then lowered his head.

"I—I apologize for calling you here, Master." His voice shook slightly.

Alex placed a hand on his shoulder, gentle… at first. "All is well."

Then his grip tightened.

The captain winced, a sharp pain shooting down his arm.

"But do not forget," Alex murmured, voice soft but laced with steel. "Your place. Your silence."

The captain swallowed hard. "Y-Yes, Master."

Alex released him, sitting back in the captain's chair as if it were his own. "Now… about Duke Yuzuru's products."

The captain hesitated. "I— I've already delivered them to the neighboring kingdom, but…"

Alex exhaled, shaking his head. "Complications?"

A slow nod.

Alex smirked. "No matter. If he asks for more runes, give him one. Let him believe it will make him untouchable."

The captain hesitated. "And when he realizes—"

"By then, it won't matter."

Alex's eyes drifted to the window, a satisfied smirk tugging at his lips.

Power was a funny thing. It made men desperate.

And desperate men were so very easy to break.

Morning came too soon. The grand dining room felt heavy, not just with the weight of the food but with something unspoken lingering between Father and Grandfather. Father's eyes held something dangerous—something I had never seen before. He stared at Grandfather with an intensity that made the air feel colder.

Mother, on the other hand, was unbothered, smiling gently as she fed me. "Say ahh, Kibo," she cooed, holding up a small spoon.

I opened my mouth, letting her feed me, but my mind was elsewhere. My body still ached from last night's failed attempt at using mana. The memory of slamming into the wall made me wince.

Grandfather, breaking the silence, suddenly chuckled. "My grandson is adorable."

Father's expression didn't change. He just nodded, eyes still locked onto Grandfather. "Yes. He is."

Awkward. I had no idea what was going on, but thankfully, Mother was more interested in making sure I ate than whatever silent battle was happening.

Then, Father spoke. "Kibo, I have something to tell you."

Something to tell? What could he possibly need to say to a one-year-old? Wait—don't tell me this is an engagement talk. I mean, I wouldn't mind, but I'm literally a baby.

Father signaled the maids and butler to leave. My stomach twisted as I watched them exit.

Is this serious?

Once we were alone, Father turned to me. "Your grandfather will be taking care of you from now on."

I froze.

The words didn't make sense at first. They felt distant, like an echo in my mind.

Mother's grip on me tightened, and when I looked up, I saw tears welling in her eyes.

Why?

Did I do something wrong? Did they not want me anymore?

My past clawed its way back up. The feeling of being abandoned. The pain of being unwanted. My hands trembled, my breath came out shallow.

"No…" I wanted to scream, but I couldn't.

Mother held me close, her voice breaking. "Papa and Mama love you so much, Kibo."

Then why? Why are you giving me away? What did I do wrong?

Father's face softened. "We aren't abandoning you, Kibo. But you are special. You need to become strong. And Grandfather will teach you how."

I looked at Grandfather, then back at Father.

It won't take forever," Father continued. "We will always visit."

I wanted to protest. To say I didn't care about being special or strong—I just wanted to stay with them. But… the way Father looked at me, the way Mother's body trembled as she held me… they weren't doing this because they wanted to.

They were doing this because they had to.

Mother kissed my forehead. "Mama will always come to see you, my baby."

Her voice was shaky. Her eyes were red.

In that moment, I felt utterly helpless.

Outside the Mansion

The black carriage was polished, reflecting the cold morning light. Two black horses stood ready, their breath visible in the crisp air. Sylvie and Tanaka, my maids, watched me with sad eyes.

Mother held me close, unwilling to let go.

Father stood in front of Grandfather. His voice was steady, but there was something in it I had never heard before—desperation. "Take care of my son. And don't abandon him."

Grandfather didn't hesitate. "I never would."

But Father cut him off. "I hate you. I despise you. But please… don't die."

Grandfather simply smiled. "Don't forget about the spies. Be careful of the Imperial King."

Father didn't respond. He just looked at Mother, then at me, his expression unreadable.

Grandfather approached, his presence calm yet firm. "I'll take care of him."

Mother finally let me go, her fingers lingering on my hair. "Teach him well," she whispered, then added with a sad smile, "And make sure he eats his vegetables."

I blinked. Out of all the things she could have said, she chose that?

Grandfather chuckled. "I will."

He lifted me into his arms. I turned to see Father standing beside Mother, their eyes filled with sorrow.

Mother kissed my forehead one last time. "I will always love you, Kibo. Be strong."

Grandfather placed me in the carriage, sitting beside me. He ruffled my hair gently. "I'll take care of you, kiddo."

I tried to smile. "Okey… Gaga."

His eyes softened, and he patted my head again. The carriage started moving.

I turned to the window. Mother waved, tears glistening in her eyes. Father stood beside her, face tense. Sylvie and Tanaka also waved, looking heartbroken.

I clenched my fists.

I won't be that weak boy again.

I will get stronger.

I will protect my family.

And then—

BOOOOOM.

The explosion ripped through the air.

The force of it was monstrous, a wave of fire and destruction that tore the carriage apart, sending flaming debris flying in every direction. The shockwave thundered through the estate, knocking people to the ground.

For a moment, there was nothing. Just the sound of burning wood and the heavy silence that came after devastation.

And then—

A scream.

"KIBO!"

Luna's voice shattered the stillness, raw with terror. She didn't think—she ran, her body moving before her mind could process what had happened.

Ryuu stood frozen, his eyes wide in horror, watching as the flames consumed what remained of the carriage. His fists clenched, his entire body trembling.

Sylvie and Tanaka stared in shock, their faces pale, unable to breathe, unable to look away.

The front gates were nothing but splintered ruins now, smoke rising from the wreckage.

Everything was chaos.

And far away—

Deep within a dense forest—

A woman stood hidden in the shadows. Her black attire, tight-fitting and layered with belts and pouches, blended seamlessly into the night. A mask covered most of her face, revealing only a pair of piercing, unfeeling eyes.

In her gloved hand, she held a small, glowing communication orb.

"The mission is complete," she reported in a voice devoid of emotion.

A deep, authoritative voice answered from the other end. "Good." A pause. "Return."

She inclined her head slightly. "Understood."

The orb dimmed, its glow fading into darkness.

Without hesitation, the woman turned, vanishing into the forest without a trace.

The silence that followed was absolute.

As if nothing had ever happened.

As if Kibo had never existed.