chapter 9

Years passed, and the once-mighty king, who had reclaimed his throne through war and sacrifice, ruled alone. His heart had never healed from the loss of the woman he loved, and he kept his vow—never taking a queen, never fathering an heir. His kingdom thrived, but his soul remained burdened by the past.

Yet, fate had already chosen the next ruler Among the royal bloodline, the king's brother had a son—a young man of both noble heart and sharp mind. Raised in the shadows of great warriors and leaders, the prince had grown into a skilled diplomat, a fearless fighter, and a leader who understood that power alone did not make a ruler—wisdom did.

The king saw something in his nephew that reminded him of himself in his youth—before war, before loss, before the weight of a kingdom had hardened him. And so, as his years waned, he named his brother's son as his heir, placing the fate of the kingdom in younger hands.

A Love That Would Shape the Future

But the prince was not alone in his journey. At his side was a woman of fierce loyalty and unmatched intelligence—a noblewoman who had fought alongside him in the kingdom's greatest trials. She was not just his love; she was his equal. Unlike the lonely path of the old king, the prince had found someone who would stand beside him not only in love but in rule.

Their bond was different from the tragedy of the past. Theirs was a love that endured beyond war, beyond loss—a love that promised a new era of strength, compassion, and unity. On the day of the coronation, the old king watched from his throne one last time. The weight of his reign, his victories, and his regrets settled upon him. As he placed the crown upon his nephew's head, he saw in the young couple something he had long lost—hope.

With his duty fulfilled, the old king stepped away from the throne, retreating into the solitude he had chosen long ago. His kingdom was safe, his legacy secure, and at last, he could rest.

And so, a new age began. A king and hisqueen, bound not by war and sorrow, but by love and the promise of a future brighter than the past.

As the new king and queen ushered in an era of peace, prosperity flourished across the kingdom. The young ruler, wise beyond his years, governed with justice and fairness, and by his side, his beloved queen brought light and warmth to the people. Their love was strong—unlike the tragic past of the old king, this time, the throne was not a place of loneliness but of partnership.

Yet, fate is cruel to those who wear the crown.

As the years passed, whispers of an ancient curse began to spread among the elders—that no king of this land would ever keep his beloved by his side for long. The tale had been buried in time, but history itself told the truth.

The old king had lost the woman he loved in battle

His predecessor had lost his queen to betrayal.

And now, a shadow loomed over the young king's happiness.

Despite dismissing such fears, tragedy came like an unstoppable storm.

A Treacherous Plot and an Irreversible Los s

A foreign enemy, one who had been waiting in silence, sought to end the kingdom's prosperity. A well-orchestrated assassination attempt targeted the royal family. Poison slipped into the queen's chalice during a grand feast, and before anyone could act, she collapsed in the arms of her horrified king.

He begged the heavens, the gods, and fate itself to spare her. But just like the kings before him, he was forced to watch as the life drained from the woman he loved. No battle, no army, no power could stop what had already been set in motion.

As she breathed her last, she whispered, "Live for me." But how could he? The world that had once seemed bright had shattered into darkness.

The kingdom mourned, but none grieved like the king. He, who had once believed he had broken the cycle of sorrow, had only proven that no king of this land was meant to keep his beloved. The throne, for all its power, carried an unbearable price