Chapter 7

The Crown Prince's wing was cold as usual.

No one burned lanterns, candles or any form of fires in his chambers unless ordered.

No maids or servants roamed about for no reason at all, even the guards kept a respectable distance out of fear rather than formality.

No one spoke unless spoken to.

As usual it was solemn but not peaceful.

Wangyeon preferred it that way but even he knew silence had its own voice. One that whispered when he was alone.

He stood barefoot before a tall mirror, staring at his own reflection. The red mist curled faintly around his shoulders — he didn't summon it but he couldn't control it either, It came and went as it pleases.

"You don't belong here," he said to himself in the mirror.

Later That Morning

The throne room buzzed with ministers — all speaking of grain levies, border tensions, and military training but King Wang Feng waved it all aside.

"Enough politics," the king barked. "Where is the prince?"

Wangyeon entered, draped in his ceremonial black. His face was blank but his mind was wondering why the king had summoned him to the court. The king never involved him in any official matters even though he was the crown prince. All the king wanted him to do was train, train and become stronger. All his teachers ever taught him was military strategies.

"You summoned me, Father." He greeted and bowed.

The king studied him.

"You're growing stronger. I heard you destroyed a royal statue during your last training session."

"It was weak." Wangyeon replied.

The king smirked and looked at the boy. 

"Strength is not control" he said.

"Yes , your majesty " 

"Good. Let them fear you. Let them remember who commands the heavens child."

Wangyeon said nothing.

"You will oversee the next field inspection in the north," the king added. "Take your brother."

"What?! Wanghain was usually the one to oversee inspections." Wangyeon blurted 

"And that's why he is going with you, it's high time you learnt " the king replied.

"He is not—" the prince was interrupted 

"—You will oversee it!" The king said.

Wangyeon nodded stiffly and turned to leave.

He seemed to have left his silence Ib the court because long after he left they all remained silent.

.

That Night – The Garden Pavilion

Wangyeon sat on the edge of the koi pond. The water was frozen and the stars above were bright, but he didn't look up to watch them.

Wanghain appeared behind him, footsteps light.

"The King gave you a new responsibility. That's good." He said. From his voice Yeon could tell that he was smiling ear to ear as usual.

"No, He gave me an order" Wangyeon muttered.

"Still he trusted you enough to make you go on an inspection ."

Wangyeon turned his head slightly.

"Do you?" He asked. "… do you trust me?"

Wanghain's smile was soft.

"More than anyone."

Wangyeon looked away quickly, as if ashamed of wanting to believe it.

This made Wanghain smile.

Later – Wanghain's Private Chambers

"The king started giving him your responsibilities, you have to get stronger fast, I heard that that moon brat has reached the third level in his cultivation already and that's what made the king do this." The queen said despicably.

Wanghain said nothing has he unrolled a scroll soaked in blood ink — stolen from the dungeons and written in a tongue no longer spoken out loud.

The ink trembled as he whispered to it. The candle lights flickered and went off and deep beneath the palace, something stirred in response. 

The queen smiled has she watched the amount of power surging in her son but some go she remained blind to the black hollow void that was forming in his hands.

"Forgive me, Yeon-ah," he murmured. "But the crown doesn't fit you. It never did."