The air turned heavy all of a sudden as they stared at each other, tension vibrating between the two like a silent storm.
Lucifer broke the silence with a low, sinister chuckle.
"No need to be scared, Kaelen. I just need your help, that's all."
Kaelen frowned, his golden eyes narrowing. "Are you sure about that?"
"I am," Lucifer replied smoothly, his expression unreadable — his tone too calm, too precise.
Kaelen reclined on his throne, his pride swelling. "Then what is the plan?"
Lucifer smiled faintly, his sharp fangs glinting through the darkness. "Ah, plans such as this… require patience. You'll know when the time comes."
Before Kaelen could respond, the air rippled violently. Shadows converged around Lucifer like a living shroud.
"I'll be in touch," he said, his voice echoing as he vanished into the dark rift.
His laughter lingered — cold, knowing, and venomous.
Then, as his presence faded, his voice whispered faintly through the void:
"Every king serves a greater crown — even when he believes himself a ruler."
Kaelen exhaled sharply, the meaning lost to him. "Joke on, fool," he muttered, unaware that the game had already begun — and he was the pawn.
---
Meanwhile, within Wilfred's Domain, the sunlight spilled softly through the trees.
Olivia was already at her training grounds, visibly excited — this wasn't combat training today.
Instead, she would be learning something new. Something simple, yet vital.
Edith was setting up the equipment nearby, her gentle hands arranging ropes, leaves, and small survival tools upon a flat stone.
Under a blooming tree, Olivia sat cross-legged, plucking at a wildflower branch that dangled above her.
The scent of grass and dew made her smile. "It's so pretty here," she whispered, almost forgetting she was supposed to be training.
A short distance away, beside the flowing stream, Leofric and Wilfred stood in quiet discussion.
Leofric broke the silence first. "So… she'll have to find the crystals on her own?" His brows furrowed.
"Yes," Wilfred replied, his tone calm, but his eyes distant.
Leofric clenched his fist. "But there are dangers out there — people who want her dead!"
"That's why she's being prepared now," Wilfred answered, eyes following the ripples in the stream.
Leofric's frustration showed as he raked his fingers through his hair. "Prepared or not, I can't just stand and watch her walk into danger."
Wilfred turned to him, his gaze calm but firm. "Do you know why the late Queen entrusted her to you, Leofric?"
Leofric glanced toward Olivia, then back. "To protect her."
"No," Wilfred corrected gently. "To guide her — not to stand in her way."
For a moment, they locked eyes, the stream whispering softly between them.
Leofric sighed. "Then when will she be ready?"
"When she begins to hear the whispers," Wilfred replied.
"Whispers?" Leofric echoed quietly, his voice low with uncertainty.
Wilfred nodded. "The voice of destiny always calls before it arrives. When she hears it… she'll know her path has begun."
Leofric looked back at Olivia, determination flashing in his eyes. "Then we'd better train her well before that day comes."
---
"Are you ready?" Edith asked as she approached with a warm smile.
Olivia nodded eagerly. "Yes!"
"Good. Today, we'll learn wilderness survival."
Olivia tilted her head, her face curious. "What's that?"
"It means learning how to adapt to your surroundings — how to survive when you're far from home," Edith replied.
"Why do I need to learn this?" Olivia asked, her lips twisting into a pout.
"So that you can survive when you're out there alone," Edith explained softly.
Olivia blinked. "Alone? You'll be with me, right?"
Edith hesitated for a moment, her smile faltering. She knelt down, brushing a stray strand of hair from Olivia's cheek.
"I can't always be with you, dear. One day, you'll have to walk your own path."
Olivia looked down, silent for a while. "Then I'll learn fast," she said finally, her small voice filled with quiet resolve.
Edith smiled, warmth returning to her eyes. "That's my brave girl."
As the sun descended behind the trees, Wilfred and Leofric watched from a distance.
Wilfred whispered, "The first step toward destiny is often the hardest."
Leofric nodded faintly. "Then may she walk it strong."