"Eat more just look at you! You weigh less than a chicken leg!"
"I swear, if you feed me one more spoon of porridge, I'm going to explode," Astra groaned, leaning back against the pillows. "You've been stuffing me like I'm a dumpling during festival."
Kaen raised an eyebrow but finally relented, setting the bowl aside. "Fine. But don't blame me when the wind knocks you over."
Astra sighed in relief, then pounced on her chance. "Kaen… now that I'm full and alive again, how about letting me go see my friend? I told you everything right?"
Without a second thought, Kaen folded his arms and turned away. "No. Not happening. I've said it before, you're staying right here."
"Kaen—!"
He picked up the bowl and walked toward the door. "No more mischief. I'm locking the door from the outside." Kaen's voice was calm but firm as the lock clicked into place. He turned around and found Ryoma already waiting in the corridor, leaning against the wall, silent as ever.
Their eyes met, and without a word, they began walking side by side down the dim hallway.
"You heard what she said?" Kaen finally asked, his voice low.
"She mentioned someone named Kriya," upon hearing no response, Kaen continued. "He was with her when they got lost in the forest, trying to find a way out. He saved her from the bees… tried to treat her wounds."
Ryoma didn't interrupt.
"She doesn't remember how she ended up in that cave," Kaen went on. "According to her, Kriya was injured by the demon Yuyan. After that… everything turns hazy."
The corridor fell silent for a moment before Kaen spoke again, quieter this time. "She said his spiritual power wasn't that strong, But his Muscle strength was incredible. And…" Kaen hesitated. "According to her, he had the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. And while they were together, he spent half of his time using his spiritual power to suppress the venom—and the most of the time… simply staring at her."
Kaen exhaled slowly.
"I said when we found her… she was completely alone. So now she truly believes he was killed by Yuyan."
Ryoma's eyes narrowed. His expression hardened into something sharp and dangerous as his fists clenched at his sides. "It's good that she believes that," he said coldly.
Then he turned abruptly toward Kaen. "How did he find out we're here?"
Kaen flinched at the sudden edge in his voice. "Ryoma—calm down."
"Calm down?" Ryoma snapped. "How do you expect me to be calm? Should I welcome the return of a disaster with a smile?"
He dragged a hand through his hair, breathing hard. "From now on, we move carefully. Pretend nothing happened—just like we did for the past two years. Forget everything like you know nothing." His gaze sharpened as it settled on Kaen. "And Kaen… don't make a single move without me knowing."
Kaen nodded silently.
Ryoma didn't wait for a reply. He turned and strode off down the corridor, his steps quick and restless.
Kaen watched him go, letting out a long, weary sigh. Under his breath, he muttered,
"Heavens… is this the return of a storm… or the beginning of something even worse?"
————
"Your Highness, please don't go in there!" Zuzu pleaded, hurrying after him. "His Majesty has been furious ever since our return was delayed. Let me speak in your place—" But the prince walked on, unbothered, his steps calm and firm. His long cloak trailed behind him, brushing the polished floor.
The faint clink of his boots echoed through the corridor, breaking the heavy silence. Guards stationed along the hall immediately dropped to one knee as he passed, their heads bowed low while his silken hair caught the golden torchlight as it swayed gently.
Zuzu followed closely, anxiety written all over his face. "If you speak to him now, he might—"
The prince stopped before the Grand doors, two towering slabs of obsidian wood carved with roaring dragons, twisted vines, and burning swords. The guards at the entrance immediately dropped to their knees.
The prince turned slowly to Zuzu, placing a hand on his shoulder, A faint smile curved his lips.
"You've protected me enough. I won't let you take the blame again. I was the one who caused the delay."
"But Your Highness," Zuzu whispered, voice shaking, "you could be punished—"
"I know." The prince's smile didn't fade, but his voice grew firmer. "Still, this is mine to face. Now will you stop worrying?"
Zuzu's lips parted, his expression tight with worry still swallowing his words unable to argue, he lowered his head with silent acceptance.
The prince turned back to the door, inhaled once, and pushed it open. The heavy creak filled the corridor like a warning bell.
As soon as the prince stepped inside, the heavy doors creaked shut behind him, Without hesitation, he lowered himself into a formal bow, one knee raised, the other grounded, a hand across his chest and the other resting on his knee.
"With the heavens' blessing, glory to all life; before divine witness, I offer my sincerity; beneath the moon above and the sun behind, My greetings to His Majesty, The Emperor," he spoke firmly, his voice steady despite the chill in the air.
A deep silence followed, thick, unmoving, and sharp enough to slice through breath. The grand hall stretched ahead in shadowed stillness, pillars towering.
Then came the sound.
Footsteps.
Measured. Unhurried. Each step echoed against the marble, deliberate enough to announce itself. With every stride, the air seemed to grow colder, heavier. The prince did not lift his head—but he felt it. That presence. That gaze, sharp and unforgiving, bearing down on him like a blade poised at his throat.
At last, the man before him spoke. His deep voice cut through the silence without effort.
"So… the Prince remembers that he is the Crown Prince of Shenghara," he said coolly. "Not some stray wandering about like a commoner."
The words struck harder than steel. The prince's fists clenched against his knees, knuckles whitening, yet he kept his head bowed.
"My apologies for the delay," he said quietly. "Despite your direct orders. I am prepared to accept any punishment."
The footsteps drew closer—then stopped right before him.
"Punishment?" The emperor scoffed. Green eyes burned as he began to circle the kneeling figure, slow and deliberate.
"A week late. No word. Disobedience of orders. Escaping the palace walls for an entire month under the excuse of a mission supposedly given by your master before he entered deep meditation." His lips curled. "A lie."
He paused, voice dripping with mockery. "You did it because you wanted to—what was it?" Another pause. "Spend time with the citizens? Get to know them?"
The prince finally raised his head. "I only wanted to understand their lives. Even a little. Just once. And I thought this was an opportunity I shouldn't let slip."
The emperor laughed—a dry, hollow sound that held no warmth. He turned sharply, his robes sweeping the floor.
"Understand?" he repeated. Then he leaned in, his voice dropping into something cold and cruel. "And what exactly will you do for the citizens you claim to care for?"
His gaze sharpened.
"You can't even see them… with those cursed eyes of yours."
The words landed like a slap.
The prince's breath hitched. For a heartbeat, the world seemed to tilt. His lips trembled before he could stop himself, the word slipping out raw and unguarded—
"Father…"