Chapter 53: A Kingdom's Celebration
592 Words
The courtyard of the Lycan castle was alive with excitement.
Torches burned brightly along the stone walls, and warriors gathered in large groups, laughing and telling the story of the battle again and again.
“The beast was huge!”
“Did you see the Moon’s Chosen blast it?”
“I swear the ground shook!”
Aria stood near the balcony overlooking the courtyard, watching everything quietly.
The victory celebration had begun.
Servants carried trays of food and drinks while musicians played lively music.
But Aria didn’t feel like celebrating.
Her eyes were fixed on the dark forest beyond the kingdom walls.
The monster’s final words still echoed in her mind.
I am only the first.
A voice behind her broke the silence.
“You should be down there.”
Aria turned.
Kael stepped onto the balcony.
Even without his armor, his presence filled the space like a storm waiting to happen.
“The people are celebrating you,” he continued.
“They should celebrate the warriors too,” Aria replied.
Kael leaned against the stone railing.
“They are.”
He glanced down at the cheering crowd.
“But tonight, you gave them hope.”
Aria sighed.
“I don’t feel like a hero.”
“You fought like one.”
She looked down at the glowing crescent mark on her wrist.
“It’s not just about fighting anymore.”
Kael frowned slightly.
“What do you mean?”
Aria hesitated before answering.
“That monster… it spoke.”
Kael nodded.
“Yes.”
“It said it was only the first.”
The wind grew colder between them.
Kael’s golden eyes darkened.
“That means Dravoryx is testing us.”
Aria crossed her arms.
“So what happens when he stops testing?”
Kael looked toward the forest.
“Then the real war begins.”
Before Aria could respond, the balcony door opened again.
Commander Roran stepped outside.
“Your Majesty,” he said respectfully.
“What is it?” Kael asked.
Roran glanced briefly at Aria.
“A group of scouts just returned.”
“And?”
“They discovered something strange in the northern forest.”
Kael straightened.
“Explain.”
Roran lowered his voice.
“There are signs of dark rituals.”
Aria’s heart skipped.
“Rituals?”
“Yes,” Roran said grimly. “Symbols carved into trees… burned into the ground.”
Kael’s jaw tightened.
“That kind of magic doesn’t come from monsters.”
Roran nodded slowly.
“Exactly.”
Which means someone…
Inside the kingdom…
Might be helping the enemy.
Silence fell across the balcony.
Aria immediately thought of one person.
Darius.
As if summoned by the thought, laughter drifted from the courtyard below.
Aria looked down.
Darius stood among the nobles, holding a drink and smiling as if the world was perfectly peaceful.
But something about his smile felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Aria turned back to Kael.
“Do you trust your brother?”
Kael didn’t answer immediately.
His gaze remained on Darius below.
Finally, he spoke.
“I trust that he always has a plan.”
“That’s not the same thing as trust.”
Kael exhaled slowly.
“No.”
Below them, Darius suddenly looked up.
His blue eyes met Aria’s across the distance.
And for just a moment…
His smile widened.
Aria felt a chill crawl down her spine.
Because in that moment, she was certain of one thing.
The danger threatening the kingdom…
Was not only coming from the forest.
It was already inside the castle walls.
- Writer
