The King's Curse

Chapter Seven

The days turned into weeks as Kael and Lyra traveled through the ruined landscapes, always moving, never staying too long in one place. The Oathbound knight, whose name Kael had learned was Sir Alistair, accompanied them with his unyielding loyalty. Despite their often tense silence, Kael had come to appreciate the knight’s presence. His wisdom, though seemingly cold at times, was invaluable.

Kael couldn’t shake the weight of the crown. It pressed against his brow like a constant reminder of his responsibility, of the power and curse he now carried. He had tried to keep his mind focused on the road ahead, but every step felt like he was walking deeper into the unknown.

One evening, as they camped near a river, Kael sat alone by the fire, his fingers tracing the silver filigree of the crown. Lyra approached, her footsteps soft against the grass.

“Something on your mind?” she asked, settling down beside him.

Kael sighed, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames. “I don’t know if I can carry this burden much longer. The crown, it’s—” he paused, his words faltering. “It’s pulling at me, Lyra. Every day, I feel myself slipping, as if the power inside it is trying to drown me.”

Lyra studied him silently, her eyes softening. “I’ve seen it, too. The way the crown changes you. But Kael... you’ve been given a choice. You can either let the crown define you, or you can define what the crown means. It’s your call.”

Kael turned to her, his eyes searching hers. “What if I don’t want any of it? What if I just want to live a normal life, free from all this... chaos?”

“You can,” she replied, her voice steady. “But sometimes, the world doesn’t give us that choice. And if you walk away now, the enemies who are already hunting you won’t stop. You’d have to run for the rest of your life.”

A shudder ran down Kael’s spine. He had already learned that lesson all too well. There was no escaping the curse, not without facing it.

“I don’t want to be a king,” Kael whispered, the words heavy with truth. “I don’t want to rule over anything. But I have to protect what’s left of Eldrith. I have to make sure it doesn’t fall into the hands of someone worse than those who’ve already tried to claim the crown.”

Lyra smiled, her expression a mixture of warmth and sadness. “Then you don’t have to be a king, Kael. Just be the person who does what’s right. The world needs that more than it needs a king.”

Kael nodded, feeling a surge of clarity he hadn’t had in weeks. It wasn’t about being a ruler—it was about standing firm in his choices, regardless of the power that came with the crown. He had already lost so much. He wouldn’t lose himself, too.