Chapter 63 – First Acts of Sabotage

Silence had become a weapon.

Since the incident with Lyssa, Kaelian lived in a state of constant tension. He had saved her — yes — but at the price of doubting her for the first time. Though she swore loyalty, though her eyes reflected the agony of a betrayal she claimed not to have committed, a crack had formed. And in this court, a single fracture could become a fatal chasm.

Kaelian stood in the observation tower above the central library, his leather-bound journal open, his thoughts tangled in strategies and countermoves. His fingers stained the page with ink at a furious pace, betraying his agitation. There was no peace now. Only the anticipation of the next strike.

A flicker of wind stirred the candle flames. Kaelian didn't need to turn to feel the presence behind him.

"You don't seem surprised."

Dorn Valek, a lean figure cloaked in shadow, stepped out from the corner of the chamber, hands clasped behind his back.

"You move like a hawk, Counselor," Kaelian said, his voice low. "Silent, but always ready to strike."

A thin smile tugged at Valek's lips. "I take that as a compliment. Did you hear what happened in the kitchens this morning?"

Kaelian frowned. He had not yet received word of any disturbances.

"A fire. Claimed to be accidental. Three servants injured. One of them responsible for preparing the princes' meals." Valek walked toward the desk, then added, "Theor narrowly avoided poisoning… or perhaps you were the intended target."

A glint of danger lit Kaelian's eyes. He stood slowly.

"Sabotage… and I'm to take the blame?"

"For now, no. But whispers grow quickly in these walls." Valek placed a scroll on the desk. "Witness testimonies. A servant saw a small, veiled figure near the rare ingredients before the fire."

Lyssa.

Kaelian's fists clenched. Was she being used again? Or…?

"You knew this would happen. Why come to me?"

"Because I prefer a clever bastard alive over a legitimate fool on the throne."

Valek's eyes bore into him. The unspoken pact between them was beginning to take shape. The counselor sought to back whoever could shape the future — but first, Kaelian had to survive the present.

**

That evening, the Court celebrated.

A grand ball in honor of Prince Theor's symbolic victory in the royal jousts against secondary heirs. A night for merriment... or for striking from the shadows.

Kaelian entered, dressed in sober but refined attire. Extravagance would only draw more attention. It was better to move unseen. Still, eyes followed him like drawn blades. The bastard was no longer invisible.

He had barely stepped into the marble salon when Theor appeared, flanked by two smug young nobles.

"The king's mutt dares to show his face… and without a leash," Theor mocked.

Kaelian offered no response. It wasn't time — not yet. He walked across the hall in silence, taking mental note of every face, every whispered word.

Lyssa stood alone near a marble column, hands clasped, her pale dress striking a sharp contrast with the suffocating splendor of the ball. When her gaze met Kaelian's, she took a tentative step forward…

But stopped.

Something had shifted.

A scream tore through the music.

Then another.

The crowd parted at the center of the hall. A nobleman collapsed, writhing violently, foam bubbling at his lips.

"Poisoned!" a voice shouted.

"Call the healing mages!"

Chaos erupted. In the confusion, a guard pointed a trembling finger.

"It was her! She served the cup!"

Lyssa.

Kaelian lunged without hesitation. He grabbed her by the wrist and shouted above the growing panic, "No one leaves! The poison could have been spread further!"

The distraction worked — Lyssa avoided immediate arrest. But the eyes of the Court now burned into them both. Suspicion was no longer a whisper. It was a storm.

**

In the deserted corridors of the northern wing, Kaelian dragged Lyssa into a quiet alcove.

"Tell me the truth. Was it you?"

"I swear on everything sacred — no! I didn't even touch the tray. Someone called me away at the last moment to change assignments."

He searched her face. Fear shone in her eyes — raw, unfeigned. Unless she was the best actress the Court had ever seen.

He exhaled sharply.

"Someone used you. Again. And if I don't act soon, next time it'll be me lying on the floor."

Then, something clicked. The pieces aligned. Two failed poisonings. Two incidents of misdirection. And both times, the trail pointed toward either him or Lyssa.

Someone wanted them eliminated — or at least discredited — together.

His mind steadied.

"We're not waiting for the next trap. This time… we strike back."

**

The next day, Kaelian convened his inner circle: two academy students, a palace servant, and an informant bought at a steep price from the criminal underworld.

Together, they retraced every step.

"The poison used last night was made from royal apothecary ingredients. Restricted access only."

"One name signed out those vials last week: Sir Renwald."

Renwald. Theor's right-hand man.

Kaelian's lips curved into a chilling smile.

"Then we sabotage the saboteur."

**

That night, beneath the full moon, Kaelian and his small team infiltrated the royal magical laboratory's archives. Dressed as apprentice mages, they altered one of the official registry scrolls. Now, Sir Renwald's name appeared next to a forbidden potion vial — stolen from the restricted section.

Then, in the Provost's study at the Academy, they accidentally dropped the scroll during a routine inspection.

By dawn, the Court buzzed with scandal.

Sir Renwald was arrested for trafficking forbidden magical substances. Theor attempted to intervene, but the accusations spread like wildfire. The noble houses murmured. The Court watched.

Kaelian had done more than clear his name.

He had delivered a blow to the foundation of his half-brother's power.

But satisfaction was fleeting. In this world, there was no room for joy. Only the next move.

**

That evening, alone in his chambers, Kaelian lit the blue flame of his magical mirror. The mist shimmered, and a rough, distant voice emerged.

"You're moving fast, my illegitimate prince. But you're starting to attract the eyes of those even Dorn Valek cannot protect you from."

It was Master Elgorn.

"I saw what you did. Clever. But dangerous. The real game begins now. Are you ready?"

Kaelian leaned forward, eyes cold with resolve.

"I'm not here to survive, Master. I'm here to rule."

**

Cliffhanger – End of Chapter 63

In the shadows of the throne room, a hooded figure slipped out silently, a sealed letter clutched in gloved hands.

Its contents read:

"The King's bastard has survived two attempts. He is becoming a threat.

Activate the White Shadow.

This time, he must not walk away."

The true assassin had been unleashed.

And Kaelian had no idea what was coming.

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