Chapter 18: The King's Judgment and The Final Oath
I. The Scandal and The Stand
The discovery of Baron Renwick's death sent a controlled wave of shock through the palace, carefully timed by Evan's actions. The initial investigation—influenced by Evan's subtly planted evidence—concluded the Baron died during a drunken, provoked altercation. Evan's reputation for having a short temper as the 'new' Prince provided a convenient cover.
Prince Theron was the only one who saw the truth. He recognized the pattern: a calculated, precise removal of a minor problem just as the Sacrificial Magic clock demanded it.
Theron (Internal Monologue): He uses his violence to mask his timing. He is a predator, cloaking his most necessary, brutal acts in the guise of his public persona. He is utterly compromised, yet utterly effective.
Theron's agents reported that the dagger was placed perfectly to suggest Renwick was the aggressor. The assassination was flawless, serving Evan's survival with zero political cost.
II. The Formal Appointment
The scandal was quickly overshadowed by the highly anticipated final ceremony of the Royal Guard Competition. King Alaric, pleased by the talent demonstrated in the Test of Mind and the Test of Skill, presided over the court.
The King formally announced the five Royal Guards of the Third Prince, citing their strategic minds and martial excellence:
Captain William (The Shield): Appointed for proven loyalty and field strength.
Captain Lysandra (The Shadow): The master of stealth and intelligence.
Captain Anya (The Archer): The master of precision and focus.
Captain Valerius (The Aide): The master of composure and internal affairs.
Captain Cassian (The Sentinel): The master of defensive strategy and Stand.
III. The Grant of Authority (The Mini-Army)
The King then delivered the final, unprecedented decree, solidifying Evan's power and the Guards' unique status—the addition of the dedicated squads.
King Alaric (Addressing the court): "The Third Prince, having shown Strategic Acumen and Oratorical Command in securing the North, requires protection befitting his new status. Therefore, I decree that each of the five Royal Guards shall be granted command of a ten-person dedicated squad from the Royal Garrison—soldiers of their choosing, sworn to the same oath of ultimate loyalty."
The court was stunned. This decree instantly gave Evan a loyal fifty-person elite force—an army within the army, answerable only to him and the King.
Queen Alessa's face remained placid, but her eyes narrowed with frustration. Prince Theron's face was the picture of cool, strategic defeat; Evan had just built an impenetrable wall against his spy network.
IV. The Oath of Exclusive Loyalty
The King then administered the final oath—the critical moment establishing the Guards' chain of command.
King Alaric (to the five Guards): "You swear your life and your sword to the service of the Third Prince, Evan Thomson?"
Five Guards (in unison): "We swear."
King Alaric: "Do you swear to obey his command as your first and absolute duty, followed only by the command of the King?"
Five Guards: "We swear."
King Alaric: "And do you swear to receive no commands from any other member of this court—Queen, First Prince, Second Prince, Minister, or General—for the duration of your service?"
Five Guards (Voices ringing with conviction): "We swear, Your Majesty!"
The oath was final. Evan had his team, his shield, his intelligence network, and his private army.
V. The Final Challenge
Evan, now standing beside his five sworn Guards, had achieved complete strategic security. He had successfully completed Kaelen's training and survived the Magic's deadlines.
The King, looking at his youngest son with a mixture of pride and apprehension, delivered the final, high-stakes assignment.
King Alaric: "The war with Volkar is imminent. Alexander prepares the armies, but the political battlefield is still fractured. Evan, your success in the North proves your Mastery of Influence. I appoint you to the Supreme Council for Internal Affairs with a mandate: Secure the remaining fractured political elements in the capital and dismantle the final Volkar infiltration cells."
This appointment placed Evan at the highest level of government, directly challenging the spheres of influence held by Alexander (Military) and Theron (Intelligence). The war for the throne was no longer fought with whispers; it was fought with absolute authority.
The first arc was complete: Evan had mastered his curse, secured his survival, and established an untouchable power base. The war against his brothers—the true power struggle for the heart of the Kingdom—was about to begin.
This concludes the first arc.