Chapter Twenty-Nine – The Storm Beneath the Throne

In halls of gold and ash he walks, a crown not worn, but carried— A memory of fire, a future unborn, the weight of peace yet buried.

Kael stood atop the eastern tower, wind threading through his cloak, Below, the cheers of a hundred tongues sang of a king who broke—

—Not men, nor laws, but fate itself, to build a world anew, Where steel and laughter could co-exist, and the cruel were few.

But peace is a liar in silk, Its tongue dipped in wine and venom. A scroll arrived at dawn's first breath, With words to unmake a kingdom:

"To the king who never knelt, The blood you cast is stirring. What once was sealed shall now be felt— And your ghosts are no longer fearing."

Seriyah found him reading twice, the letter's words etched deep. She touched his shoulder, softly now, "What shadows steal your sleep?"

He said no words, just held her hand, eyes darker than the tide, For Kael the Bold, the laughing lord, had something yet to hide.

And somewhere deep within the wild, a figure watched the skies, A girl with hair like burning coal and mischief in her eyes.

"Soon," she whispered, tracing clouds with fingers tipped in black, "The story bends, the tale begins— And he will not come back."

To be continued...