Years later, when the princes had grown into their teenage years, tragedy found its way into the royal palace.
Queen Cara fell ill.
Not with a simple sickness—but something far darker. A disease that defied magic itself.
The fairies tried.
The wizards searched.
The witches sacrificed.
But nothing worked.
Day by day, her light faded.
In her chamber, silence hung heavy in the air.
"My dear sons…" Cara whispered weakly, her voice trembling with each breath. "I… do not have much time left."
Tears streamed down Prince Kabul's face.
"Don't say that," he pleaded. "You have to recover. You must… There's still so much we haven't done together. So many places… we haven't seen."
Cara smiled faintly.
"Don't worry, Kabul," she murmured. "I'm not going anywhere. Even if I leave this world… I will always be with you."
Her trembling hand rose, gently wiping the tears from his cheeks.
But not everyone in the room shared his grief.
"Just die already."
The words were quiet.
Cold.
Poisonous.
Kabul froze.
Abenator stood nearby, his expression devoid of warmth.
"It's pathetic," he muttered. "Seeing you like this every day… being fed like a helpless child."
The words struck Kabul like lightning.
Rage exploded within him.
He grabbed Abenator by the arm and dragged him out of the room.
"Let go of me!" Abenator snapped, wincing as he pulled free. "Have you gone mad?! Look at my hand!"
Kabul's fists trembled.
"How can you be so heartless?"
Abenator let out a mocking laugh.
"Me? Heartless?" he said. Then he leaned closer, smirking. "And what are you? An angel?"
"She's our mother!" Kabul shouted.
"Your mother," Abenator corrected coldly. "Not mine."
Kabul's voice faltered.
"What…?"
"Even if you don't love her," he continued, "at least show some care when you're around her. She's not something you throw away."
Abenator shrugged.
"Whatever."
Kabul's eyes narrowed.
"Don't think I don't know what you've been doing," he said. "Behind their backs."
Abenator stiffened.
"You've been practicing dark magic."
Silence.
For the first time, fear flickered across Abenator's face.
"How… did you know?"
Before Kabul could answer—
A violent cough echoed from the room.
"Mom!"
Kabul rushed inside without hesitation.
Behind him, Abenator remained still—biting his nails, his expression unreadable.
"I'm here," Kabul said desperately, kneeling beside her. "Don't worry… help is coming."
Blood spilled from Cara's lips as she coughed.
"It's… alright, my son," she whispered. "There is nothing more you can do."
Kabul wiped the blood away, his hands shaking.
"I believe… we'll walk side by side again," he said, his voice breaking. "Just promise me… you won't leave me."
Cara reached for his hand and squeezed it weakly.
"Kabul… look at me."
"No," he said, shaking his head. "I don't want to hear it."
She tried to smile, even as pain consumed her.
"Listen… I know this is hard… but it is the truth…"