The news spread across the continent like wildfire:
> "The exiled prince Vann is engaged to the Princess of Gold—Leila."
But behind the applause and pleasantries...
knives were being sharpened in the dark.
In the gilded council chamber,
Vann stood among the top advisers and military leaders of the Golden State,
trying to appear confident—despite the heat in their stares.
General Marius, a hard-eyed brute, was the first to speak:
> "We respect the prince's... attachment to the throne—
but will foreigners command our armies now?"
Another murmured under his breath:
> "Seth Arvahn? The man once accused of treason?
And now he's our 'strategist'?"
Then Lady Serana—Leila's advisor—fixed her icy gaze on Vann:
> "Lord Vann, we will not watch our traditions be erased…
for the sake of a princess's heart."
Seth remained silent.
Kaiden rested his hand on his sword.
Before Vann could respond,
Leila entered—dressed in white trimmed with golden threads.
She faced them all and spoke clearly:
> "This is not a marriage of emotion.
It is the beginning of a new era.
Anyone who opposes it…
opposes the future of this nation."
But her words could not smother the fire smoldering beneath.
---
That same night,
Vann met with Kaiden and Seth in a quiet wing of the palace.
Kaiden stared through the window at the training yard below.
> "I see treason in the eyes of some generals.
Marius is not alone."
Seth spoke bluntly:
> "If we don't show strength—fast—
they'll tear us down from the inside…
before we fight our first war."
Vann looked at them both and said:
> "Then we'll show them."
Kaiden raised an eyebrow:
> "How?"
Vann answered with steady resolve:
> "Tomorrow…
we gather every military commander in the training yard.
And I'll choose my war leaders—
not by rank… but by strength."
---
By morning, the arena was full.
Generals, guards, even townsfolk had gathered.
Vann stood before them and spoke loud enough for the city walls to hear:
> "If any man here believes I am just a prince come to take your gold and marry your queen—
face me now."
A deadly silence.
Then Marius stepped forward, a mocking smile on his lips.
> "You want a fight?
You'll get one, shadow prince."
It was not a fair match.
Marius was massive, a seasoned beast of war.
But Vann—
Vann had been forged in the wild,
molded by the Black Knight himself.
The fight ended with Vann's blade at the general's throat.
He looked up, voice like steel:
> "I will not rule you with rings.
I will rule you with swords.
If you stand with me—stand tall.
If you intend betrayal…
flee now, before you hear my footsteps on the battlefield."
---
The soldiers rallied behind him.
But far above, watching from her balcony,
Lady Serana whispered to herself:
> "The boy has become a king…
but even kings…
can fall."