"Hey, hey, hey! How did you do that? Can you do it again?" Ray asked, his voice full of disbelief.
Before I could even think of an answer, he kept going. "How did you jump without saying anything? I was worried sick about you, and I even called the guards..."
Wait, what? Guards?
Suddenly, the door burst open and light flooded the room, making everything as bright as day. A figure stood silhouetted in the doorway I couldn't make out his face, but his presence was intense.
"Prince, did you press the emergency button?" the figure asked. His voice was smooth and warm, which was weird considering how intimidating he looked.
My heart skipped a beat. Emergency button? I thought, trying to make sense of what was happening. The guy's calm voice just made everything more confusing.
But that smooth voice? It was only for Ray.
I glanced toward the door as the figure stepped into the room. The moment our eyes met, I flinched. In a split second, I felt the cold pressure of a blade against my neck. That same smooth voice from before spoke again, but now it was completely different a ice cold. Each word felt like it was cutting into my throat slowly
"Who?" he asked.
I answered in the same cold, flat tone. "Rudra ! "
I didn't need an explanation for what was happening. I could feel the tension in the air it was thick enough to cut with a knife. I knew something bad would happen if I didn't answer. My heart was racing, but I kept my expression blank, my voice completely emotionless.
"I am just…" I started, letting the words hang in the silence.
"Just what?" His voice got even colder, and I could feel the pressure building with each word. But before things could get worse, a warm voice cut through the tension from behind us.
"Valenor."
The figure's hands started trembling when he heard that name, and he quickly pulled the blade away from my neck. The tension didn't completely disappear, but at least I wasn't about to die.
Ray spoke again, his voice cracking with emotion. "He's not harmful."
"Valenor," Ray said softly, his voice heavy with meaning. "As the knight name suggests, a balance of nobility representing both peace and authority."
Valenor's voice started shaking, and I could even see tears forming in his eyes. "You... talked." His voice cracked as he continued, barely audible. "To me," he whispered. "I'll get the king."
I stood there, completely still, my expression unchanged. I couldn't really understand the emotional intensity filling the room. I could feel it the raw emotion in his voice but it was like the emotions couldn't touch me. The room felt heavy with things nobody was saying, but I could only focus on how serious the situation was.
For a second, I glanced at Ray, then looked back to where Valenor had been standing—but he was gone.
"People just disappear, don't they?" I muttered in my usual flat tone.
I turned to Ray. "Can you help me out here? I get why he put the blade to my neck. But all that emotional stuff it doesn't make sense to me."
Before Ray could answer, the room suddenly filled with people. In the blink of an eye, everything changed.
Guards in black uniforms with swords at their sides stood silently, all staring at me. Their eyes were cold and calculating, sending a clear message: "If he moves wrong... he's dead."
Then everything went completely quiet. Every whisper, every movement stopped as the king walked in.
The king's presence filled the entire space, demanding respect. He was tall and imposing, framed by golden light from the fancy chandeliers above. His dark cape flowed behind him, embroidered with silver and red threads that caught the light like fire.
His armor was covered in intricate designs that looked like they told stories of battles and victories. His face showed calm authority—the look of a ruler who'd seen it all. But that calm expression didn't last long.
Ray said just one word, but it was heavy with emotion.
"Father."
He paused, letting that single word echo in the silent room.
The king this figure of unshakable power and grandeur faltered. That calm, almighty expression melted into something raw and unguarded. His eyes started shimmering, showing just how deep his feelings ran—happiness, longing, and profound relief all mixed together.
In that moment, he wasn't the ruler of a kingdom anymore. He was just a father, overwhelmed by hearing his child's voice.
The king's vision blurred with tears as he took a shaky step forward, reaching out toward Ray. Each tear that fell seemed to carry the weight of love and regret that words could never express.
"Come here, my child," he whispered, his voice trembling and breaking under the weight of his emotions.
Ray hesitated, staring up at this towering figure who was now humbled before him. For a moment, he seemed unsure, but then he stepped forward and wrapped his small arms around the king.
The king hugged him tightly, his imposing presence softened by the vulnerability of the moment. After a few precious seconds, he gently let go and wiped his tear-streaked face.
Ray looked up and spoke again.
What he said next left the entire room in stunned silence.
Even I someone who seemed completely untouched by emotions couldn't help but pay attention.
The words Ray spoke shattered the quiet in the room.
"I request a royal adoption for him," he said with calm finality that left everyone speechless.
The king stood frozen, with his royal composure cracking for just a moment. His calm exterior was hiding a storm of emotions underneath. When he finally spoke, his voice carried years of suppressed pain.
"What was that about royal adoption?"
And with that, my journey took another crazy turn. Where was Ray leading me to heaven or hell?