Just before dawn, Ken reached a hill not far from the castle and its courtyard. He stood there, his gaze firm, and said with a hard expression:
"I left you in the night… and now I return with the sunrise. It's time for conquest."
He descended the hill with steady steps, heading toward the castle courtyard. As he neared the gate, the guards blocked his path. One of them shouted:
"Who goes there?! Identify yourself!"
Ken kept walking calmly, then smirked with disdain.
"Really?"
The guard faltered, taking a step back, then barked again, more sharply:
"Stop! Don't come any closer!"
Ken's voice thundered across the courtyard:
"You dare raise your voice at the Fourth Prince? I won't waste my time arguing. Take my horse and let him rest."
One guard reached for his sword, but his companion grabbed his arm, whispering urgently:
"You fool, it really is the prince."
The first froze immediately, and both of them stepped aside.
Ken strode into the courtyard, his steps unwavering, his eyes scanning the walls and paths of the castle with an unreadable expression. From behind the curtain of a tall window, a hidden gaze watched him, though he didn't notice.
Inside, the servants began to gather, whispering in shock. Ken called one of them over and ordered:
"Prepare a bath."
The servant bowed quickly and hurried away. Ken sat down slowly, his eyes drifting over his desk, his bed, the sofa, even the window… as if reclaiming the details of a place he had abandoned long ago.
Before long, the servant returned.
"Your Highness, the bath is ready."
Ken bathed, and when he emerged, he requested two guards. They arrived moments later, standing stiffly before him. Ken fixed them with a sharp stare.
"I'll be sleeping now. I don't want to be disturbed. If anyone enters without my permission…"
He paused, then continued coldly:
"…you'll both lose your posts."
The guards stiffened and answered in unison:
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Ken then turned to the servant.
"By the way, where are my siblings?"
The servant bowed.
"Your Highness, the first, second, and third princes left on a hunting trip. As for Princess Eliana, she is still asleep."
Ken's brows knitted.
"And where is my servant, Marvin?"
The servant hesitated before replying:
"He was dismissed by the head butler three days after Your Highness vanished, on the grounds of failing to perform his duties."
Ken's face darkened with fury, his voice sharp as a blade:
"And who gave the head butler the right to decide that?! Listen well… find Marvin, and tell him that Prince Ken summons him."
The servant bowed deeper.
"As you command, Your Highness."
Ken stretched out on his bed and slipped into a deep sleep.
Elsewhere in the castle, whispers spread quickly among the servants and guards about the return of the Fourth Prince.
One maid whispered nervously to another:
"Could it be true? Has he really come back?"
The other gazed into the distance.
"He has… but he's changed."
The first frowned.
"Changed a little? No—completely. His looks, his tone, even his presence."
The second sighed softly.
"And I think that change will only become clearer when Their Highnesses, his brothers, return."
End of Chapter Four.
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