Love between war

✧══════════════════════✧✧ Chapter Seven ✧🌙 The Night Before Destiny 🌙

Far away from the Kingdom of Almoor...

In Elowen—

The empire that Aria had only seen through the pages of her books...

Its towering white walls shone magnificently beneath the moonlight.

The silver flags bearing the symbol of the Thoren Family fluttered proudly atop the palace towers.

Whoooosh...

The cool night wind swept across the city of Veloria.

The capital remained awake even at this late hour.

Lanterns glowed warmly along the streets.

Children chased each other happily.

Merchants packed their stalls while laughing loudly.

Musicians played gentle melodies in the plazas.

Ting... Ting... Tinnng...

The sweet sound of harps drifted through the air.

Laughter echoed from taverns.

Life flourished here.

Bright.

Warm.

Full of hope.

Yet—

Inside the Imperial Palace...

The atmosphere was far more complicated.

✧ The Empress's Chamber ✧

The room was bathed in soft moonlight.

Tall windows overlooked the royal gardens.

White curtains swayed gently.

Whoosh...

Moonflowers bloomed beneath the balcony, their sweet fragrance filling the air.

Standing before the window was Empress Elion Thoren.

Elegant.

Beautiful.

And thoughtful.

Her long golden-blond hair flowed gracefully down her back like silk.

She wore a pale silver gown embroidered with tiny pearls that shimmered beneath the moonlight.

But tonight—

Her beautiful eyes held worry.

A worry hidden deep beneath her calm expression.

Behind her—

Knock... Knock...

The gentle sound echoed.

Elion slowly turned.

"Come in."

The door opened.

Creak...

Prince Nathan entered.

At twenty-two years old...

Nathan had grown into a handsome young man.

Golden hair.

Calm black eyes.

A gentle smile.

And on the side of his neck—

The dragon-shaped birthmark rested proudly.

Its golden lines shimmered faintly beneath the moonlight.

A symbol believed to represent prosperity.

A prince loved by the empire.

Nathan bowed respectfully.

"You called for me, Mother?"

The moment Elion saw him—

A warm smile appeared on her face.

"My son."

Nathan smiled back softly.

The kind of smile that naturally made others trust him.

Elion gestured toward the seat beside her.

Nathan obeyed quietly.

For several moments—

Neither spoke.

The moonlight softly illuminated the room.

Then Elion sighed.

"Aldmoor arrives tomorrow."

Nathan nodded.

"Yes."

"You must do your best."

Nathan smiled reassuringly.

"Mother, everything has already been prepared."

"The welcoming ceremony."

"The guest chambers."

"The banquet."

"There will be no problems."

Elion smiled faintly.

But the worry in her eyes did not disappear.

Because politics...

Was never that simple.

She slowly walked toward the window.

Her fingers lightly touched the curtains.

"Nathan..."

"When your father chooses his heir..."

Her voice paused.

"You must be prepared."

Nathan blinked in surprise.

"Mother..."

Elion turned toward him.

"The throne changes people."

"Power changes people."

"Even families can become enemies."

Nathan immediately understood her meaning.

And he frowned slightly.

"Mother..."

"Zyren is my brother."

Elion lowered her gaze.

"I know."

Nathan continued gently,

"He has never harmed me."

"He never competes with me."

"He barely speaks to anyone."

Elion sighed softly.

"Nathan..."

"You are kind."

"Too kind."

She slowly approached him.

Then gently placed her hand on his cheek.

"The greed for power creates enemies..."

"Even among family."

Nathan became quiet.

Because...

Although he wished to deny it—

History had countless examples proving her right.

After a long silence—

Elion spoke again.

"And be careful of Theon."

Nathan looked surprised.

"Cousin Theon?"

Elion nodded.

"He loves Zyren deeply."

"If anyone threatens Zyren..."

"He will never remain silent."

Nathan smiled helplessly.

"Mother."

"You worry too much."

Elion chuckled softly.

Perhaps she did.

But...

She was a mother.

And mothers worried.

Nathan slowly stood.

"I should rest."

"Tomorrow will be a busy day."

Elion smiled gently.

"Sleep well."

Nathan bowed respectfully.

Then left the room.

Click.

The door closed.

And immediately—

Elion's smile disappeared.

She looked once more toward the moon hanging high in the sky.

Her eyes slowly softened.

Then she whispered—

"I only want to protect you..."

✧ Elsewhere... Inside the Knights' Residence ✧

Far from the luxurious palace chambers...

Inside a simple room—

Warm firelight danced softly.

Crackle... Crackle...

The fireplace burned peacefully.

Orange light flickered upon the wooden walls.

Milo stretched lazily.

"I hate politics."

Rohan laughed quietly.

"You hate anything involving responsibility."

Milo pointed dramatically.

"Because responsibilities are terrifying!"

Rohan rolled his eyes.

"You are the captain of an army."

"Exactly!"

Milo grinned shamelessly.

"That is already enough suffering!"

Theon chuckled softly.

But his attention was elsewhere.

On the bed—

Zyren slept.

Or rather...

He tried to sleep.

His brows were tightly furrowed.

Sweat covered his forehead.

His breathing became uneven.

Darkness.

Coldness.

Blood.

A crimson moon hung in the sky.

Its eerie red light illuminated endless darkness.

Whispers surrounded him.

Cruel.

Cold.

Merciless.

"Monster."

"Cursed child."

"He killed his own mother."

"Disaster."

Young Zyren stood alone.

Small.

Terrified.

Only ten years old.

People pointed toward him.

Fear filled their eyes.

Hatred.

Disgust.

Even—

His father...

Turned away.

Little Zyren slowly stretched his hand forward.

"Father..."

His voice trembled.

But—

Alaric never looked back.

"No..."

Zyren whispered weakly.

The scene changed.

A battlefield.

The smell of blood filled the air.

The ground was covered with corpses.

Black smoke rose into the sky.

Soldiers looked toward him fearfully.

"The War Monster..."

"Stay away from him."

"Those eyes are cursed."

Zyren covered his ears.

"No..."

The voices became louder.

"No!"

"Monster!"

"No!"

"Cursed!"

"NO!"

Suddenly—

Zyren sat upright.

"Hah!"

His crimson eyes trembled violently.

His chest rose and fell rapidly.

Sweat soaked his clothes.

His breathing was uneven.

"Hah..."

"Haa..."

Immediately—

Theon was beside him.

"Zen."

His voice remained calm.

Steady.

Warm.

Theon firmly held his shoulders.

"Look at me."

Zyren's trembling eyes slowly focused.

At first—

He looked confused.

Lost.

For a moment—

He did not look like the feared prince.

He looked like—

A frightened child.

Theon's heart ached.

Every single time.

"It's alright."

His voice was gentle.

"You are safe."

"No one will hurt you."

Zyren stared blankly at him.

As though trying desperately to believe those words.

Slowly...

Theon pulled him into his embrace.

Gentle.

Protective.

Warm.

Like he had done countless times before.

When Zyren was a child...

After nightmares...

After cruel whispers...

After punishments...

After being ignored by his father...

Theon had always been there.

Milo quietly lowered his eyes.

His cheerful face became unusually serious.

Rohan silently looked away.

Giving them privacy.

Because everyone feared Prince Zyren.

But they knew the truth.

The boy called a monster...

Had spent his entire life—

Being treated like one.

Zyren slowly closed his eyes.

His forehead rested lightly against Theon's shoulder.

Not saying anything.

And Theon...

Simply remained there.

Holding him.

As if trying to shield him from every painful memory.

After a long while—

Zyren slowly moved away.

His expression had returned to normal.

"I'm fine."

Theon sighed softly.

Because—

He knew.

That was a lie.

But he did not expose it.

Instead—

He smiled gently.

"Get some rest."

Then he looked toward the moon outside.

"Tomorrow..."

His voice became quieter.

"Everything may begin to change."

Zyren followed his gaze.

Toward the western horizon.

Toward a kingdom he had never seen.

Toward—

A girl...

Who also lived in loneliness.

Neither of them knew it yet.

But destiny...

Had already begun weaving their paths together.

Like invisible threads stretching across kingdoms.

Across pain.

Across fate.

And beneath the same moon—

One dreamed of freedom.

While the other...

Dreamed of peace.

🌙✨

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