Iru stood frozen.
Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably, blurring the burning ruins before him. His chest felt hollow—as if something vital had been ripped out long ago.
With trembling fingers, he slowly put on his black glasses.
To hide his eyes.
To hide his guilt.
His heart had already shattered the moment the past resurfaced.
---
{Flashback — Iru as a Child}
The royal garden was quiet.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dancing gently on the stone paths.
Two children sat together.
Ashryn's father—still just a boy—sat on the grass, staring up at the sky. Iru approached him slowly.
"Iru," the boy said suddenly, smiling.
"I'm going to be a king in the future."
Iru tilted his head.
"That's obvious," he replied flatly.
The boy laughed, then turned to him, eyes shining.
"There's only one person I want at my side."
Iru blinked.
"Who?"
The boy reached out and placed his hand over Iru's chest.
"That's you," he said warmly.
"My best friend."
Iru's eyes widened.
"I promise," he said after a pause, voice firm,
"I'll be with you—no matter what happens."
The boy smiled.
"What's your dream, Iru?"
Iru answered without hesitation, his voice calm… chilling even for a child.
"To become the greatest navy officer.
To protect people."
The boy's eyes sparkled.
"That's so like you," he said.
"I wish you the best."
Iru frowned slightly.
"You never told me your name."
The boy stood proudly.
"My name is Iku Witherfall—
Prince of the royal family."
---
{Iru's Thoughts}
Iku was eight years old…
yet he carried himself like a man of twenty.
At eight, both his parents died.
Their ship sank into the ocean without mercy.
The royal family collapsed overnight.
The kingdom descended into chaos.
And then—
An eight-year-old boy stood at the center of it all.
People rejected him.
Cursed him.
Mocked him.
They doubted his strength.
His worth.
His right to rule.
But there was no one else left.
So Iku became king.
I watched him grow.
Slowly, painfully—he took responsibility beyond his years.
And little by little… people began to trust him.
At ten, he saw the true darkness of the world.
Yet instead of breaking—
He became light.
He stood shoulder to shoulder with global powers and pirates alike.
Never bowed.
Never compromised justice.
At twelve…
He secretly began opposing the Ruling Dominion.
He believed the world didn't need a single authority ruling everything.
Because no ruler—
No god—
Was wise or humble enough to deserve absolute control.