(Sebastian's POV)
The castle never slept.
Even in silence, it breathed—groaning under ancient stone, whispering through cold hallways, pulsing with magic long buried.
Sebastian stood in the highest tower, his dark cloak billowing behind him as he stared across the valley. From here, he could see nothing but forest and fog. The villages were distant specks, and the market towns? Unimportant.
He liked it this way.
"Your Highness," came a voice, smooth and sarcastic. "You know, watching the clouds doesn't make them disappear."
Sebastian didn't turn. "Neither does listening to you talk."
A chuckle followed as Commander Kael Darion stepped into view, hands clasped behind his back. Tall, built like a soldier, and the only man in the entire kingdom who dared speak to Sebastian like an equal.
That's because Kael wasn't just a soldier. He was the General Commander of the Crown Guard, Sebastian's childhood sparring partner, and now—his most trusted friend.
Kael walked to the balcony, nodding toward the horizon.
"Another complaint came in this morning," he said. "A healer from Windholt claims a witch cursed her child."
Sebastian's jaw clenched. "And?"
Kael shrugged. "No curse. Just a rash. Probably mushrooms."
"I told them. Any confirmed witch—"
"—is to be executed. Yes, we know," Kael said, slightly bored. "But not every sneeze is sorcery, Sebastian."
The prince didn't reply. He didn't need to.
He could feel Kael's eyes on him.
"You're tense," Kael added with a smirk. "Is this about your sister's wedding?"
That got a reaction.
Sebastian rolled his eyes and stepped away. "Elara is handling it. She doesn't need my opinion."
"Maybe not," Kael said casually. "But I hear her fiancé is rather charming. Handsome. Kind. Good with horses. Everything you're not."
Sebastian glared.
Kael laughed. "Alright, alright. I'll stop. But you really should go easier on her."
As if on cue, the door to the tower creaked open.
Princess Elara swept in, her long gown swirling around her feet like a storm cloud. She raised an eyebrow.
"Are you two gossiping about me again?"
Kael bowed dramatically. "Always, Your Highness. It's the highlight of our mornings."
Elara rolled her eyes and looked at her brother. "Father wants to see you."
Sebastian's face hardened. "Now?"
"Yes," she said, then softer, "He isn't doing well today."
---
(A Few Moments Later — Throne Room)
The air was heavy with incense, but it didn't mask the bitter scent of sickness.
King Alderic, once a towering force in the kingdom, now sat hunched on his throne—eyes sunken, skin pale. The fire beside him crackled in quiet defiance.
Sebastian stepped forward, Kael at his side.
"You asked for me," he said.
The King's voice was low but sharp. "I hear the outer villages are stirring. Talk of witches. Talk of fear."
Sebastian nodded. "We're watching closely."
"Not close enough," Alderic growled. "The people are nervous. If they lose faith now, everything we built will crumble."
Kael's eyes flicked toward Sebastian.
"And what of Elara's betrothal?" the King continued. "That alliance must go through."
"It will," Sebastian said. "But we need to be careful. The kingdom has enemies—especially after your conquests."
The King coughed, then leaned forward. "My enemies are nothing compared to what's coming if we let magic rise again."
There was silence.
A long, cold silence.
Then:
Sebastian said, "There's something in the air."
Kael turned toward him. "You feel it too?"
Sebastian didn't answer. He just looked out the window, toward the trees.
Where a raven had flown earlier.
And a girl he didn't know yet was about to become his biggest problem.