I walked down the hallway toward the meeting room—the place where we usually gathered to discuss official matters, either among ourselves or with other kingdoms.

I was fully dressed in my royal ceremonial attire: a dark blue military-style suit, polished black dress shoes, and a scabbard hanging at my side. I was prepared—at least outwardly—to meet the people of Elizabeth Island, the most highly respected royals in the entire dynasty.

I stopped in front of the brown double doors, each carved with intricate flowers and symbols I didn’t recognize. Two royal guards stood rigidly on either side, noses tilted upward, weapons held with practiced pride.

“Open the door,” I commanded.

They bowed slightly and pushed the doors wide.

The room was already filled with royal officials from both Elizabeth Island and my home, George Island—including both kings. They were speaking in hushed tones, tension already thick in the air. I quietly made my way to an empty seat and sat down.

King Jerome—my father—cleared his throat, snapping everyone’s attention toward him.

“My son is here. Now the meeting between Elizabeth and George may proceed.”

“Good. Now we can get to the point,” King James of Elizabeth said.

Silence fell. Heavy. Expectant. I could feel the tension, though I didn’t yet understand it. I didn’t have time to, either, because King James spoke again.

“We, the people of Elizabeth, have come with a proposal.” His voice cut the silence cleanly. “We want your daughter…” He paused, scanning the room slowly before leaning back in his chair. “To marry our prince.”

My eyes widened—and so did everyone else’s from George.

He can’t be serious. He can’t be serious. He can’t—

“But King James…” my father began, but James held up a hand.

“No buts. Your kingdom is in debt to mine. It’s either the marriage, or I reduce George to ashes. You choose.”

I clenched my fists beneath the table. He was exploiting our weakness—everyone knew how much of a tyrant King James was. He treated even fellow royals as peasants.

But marriage to his son…?

The rumors alone were enough to freeze blood. No one had ever seen him in daylight. He never attended royal gatherings, balls, or weddings. All we knew was that King James had a son—and that was enough to terrify anyone.

“We cannot allow this,” Sir Jeff snapped, slamming his fist on the table.

“Sir Jeff is right,” Duchess Maria whispered, her voice heavy with despair. “She’s just a child…”

King James laughed—a short, cruel sound.

“I’m not asking. I’m informing you. Accept it, or say goodbye to your kingdom.”

“No.”

The word tore from my throat as I slammed my fist onto the table. All eyes shot toward me—even King James’s.

“Prince Luca,” King James drawled, irritation sharp in his tone, “do you have something to say?”

“You can’t do this,” I said, standing abruptly.

He chuckled darkly. “I didn’t ask for your opinion, Prince Luca. It isn’t needed.”

“You’re right,” I said, voice trembling with anger, “my opinion means nothing. But when it comes to my sister Julia—my opinion is everything.”

He narrowed his eyes, studying me. I didn’t back down. I couldn’t. If Julia was at risk, I would burn the world before letting him touch her.

“Control your son, Jerome,” King James hissed.

“My apologies, King James,” my father said quickly. He turned to me. “Luca, please sit. Calm down.”

Calm down? In this situation?

Impossible.

I ignored him and looked straight at King James.

“What if there is a substitute?” I asked. “Someone else who can go in her place. Someone who isn’t my sister.”

King James tilted his head, as though trying to read the truth beneath my words.

“And who,” he asked slowly, “would replace your dear sister?”

“Me.”

A wave of stunned silence swept the room. Every stare burned into me—shock, disbelief, fear. Only King James looked unreadable.

“Luca, what are you saying? Sit down,” my father snapped, but I didn’t move.

I held King James’s gaze.

Waiting.

“Very well,” he said at last.

My heart twisted painfully.

“No, King James, please—” my father tried again.

“I didn’t force him,” James cut in smoothly. “He offered himself. I accept.”

I felt my father’s stare like a blade against my back, but I couldn’t look at him. If I did, I would break.

King James smirked. “Perhaps you will even learn to tame the demon in him.”

I swallowed hard. Everyone knew the rumors—how the prince of Elizabeth had been born with a demon sealed inside him, how it sometimes surfaced and drove him out of control. That was why he never left the castle. Why he wore a magical suppressing ring.

“But I want something in return,” I said. “You must promise never to threaten my family or my kingdom again. Stay away from them forever.”

He snickered but nodded. “I promise. And you know a king always keeps his word.”

“I do. And I hope you understand the consequences of breaking such a promise.”

He hummed in approval. We understood each other perfectly.

I could feel my father and the officials watching me with heartbreak in their eyes. I didn’t dare turn toward them.

“Luca…” my father whispered, but I cut him off.

“That’s final, Father. My mind won’t change.”

“You leave for Elizabeth tomorrow,” King James said.

The words hit me like a blow, but I kept my face still. I nodded.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

I bowed and left the room.

It wasn’t until I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling in silence, that the weight of my decision crashed down on me. Tomorrow, I would be leaving my home—my family, my friends, my kingdom.

My chest tightened painfully.

The door burst open. A young woman in a raven-black gown rushed inside, eyes red with tears.

“Mother?” I sat up.

She hurried to me, sitting on the bed and pulling me into a trembling embrace. She tried to hide it, but I felt her crying.

“I guess you heard,” I murmured.

She nodded, hugging me tighter. I stroked her gold-colored hair, trying to steady her.

“I’m sorry, Mother. I had to.”

“I know, Luca,” she whispered. “I know.”

She pulled back, her eyes puffy and glassy. “I feel like I failed you. Like I failed as a mother. I can’t protect you from this.”

“Don’t say that.” I cupped her cheeks, wiping her tears. “There was nothing anyone could have done. Not even Father.”

She sniffed, took my hand, and pressed a kiss to it.

“You’re going to be okay… right?”

I nodded, though fear curled in my stomach. I didn’t know if I would be okay.

“Please take care of Father,” I said softly. “He needs you. What I did hurt him, but I didn’t have a choice.”

She nodded, squeezing my hand as she fought more tears.

“Rest, my son. You’ll need your strength for tomorrow.”

“I will.”

She stood and hurried out—because staying would only break her further.

As for me… sleep refused to come. I lay awake, staring at the ceiling, terrified of the dawn. Terrified of what awaited me in Elizabeth.

All I could do was hope—hope that tomorrow wouldn’t destroy me.

I stared hopelessly at my reflection in the mirror as the maid worked through my hair.

It felt like my life was ending—like the world was collapsing in front of me while I was forced to watch, powerless to stop any of it.

“I’m finished, my prince,” the maid said softly, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I met her eyes through the mirror. Her expression was heavy with sadness, and she looked one breath away from crying.

I was leaving for Elizabeth Island today.

The thought alone made my skin crawl. Part of me wanted to scream, cry, beg them not to send me… but the man inside me knew I had already made the choice. And I couldn’t take it back. I had to face whatever awaited me there.

“My prince,” a voice called from the doorway.

Both the maid and I turned to see a royal guard standing at attention just outside the room.

“May I come in?” he asked.

I nodded. He stepped inside, bowed, and then straightened.

“It’s time for you to go, Prince Luca. The royal guards of Elizabeth have arrived.”

My chest tightened. “You may leave,” I managed.

He bowed again and left.

I exhaled shakily.

“Please go as well, Lydia. I need a moment alone,” I told the maid.

She nodded quietly and slipped out, closing the door behind her.

I walked to the window and peered down. The Elizabeth carriage waited in the courtyard, draped in their royal flag. Two mounted guards flanked each side, another pair in front and behind. All wore black uniforms with their faces concealed, but the Elizabeth insignia glinted clearly on their chests. There was no mistaking where they were from.

I drew in a slow breath and returned to my dressing table. My hand hovered over the ash-silver signet ring resting there—the emblem of my home, my kingdom. The only piece of George I was taking with me.

I slipped it onto my middle finger, braced myself, then stood and walked out of the room.

Downstairs, outside the palace gates, the carriage waited like a silent threat. I stared at it, exhaling a long breath.

“Luca!”

I turned to see my little sister standing with my mother. Julia rushed toward me and threw her arms around me.

“I’m going to miss you, brother.”

“I’ll miss you too,” I whispered. She pulled back, her small face twisted with sadness.

“I can’t believe you’re going all the way to Elizabeth to learn sword fighting. That’s so far away…”

She didn’t know the truth.

I hated lying to her—but it was better this way.

“You’re going to come back soon, right?”

I forced a smile and nodded, hoping my voice wouldn’t crack and give me away.

“Stop, Julia,” Mother said gently, resting a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t make him sadder than he already is, okay?”

Julia sniffed and nodded.

“Be careful, okay? Stay safe,” she whispered.

I nodded, unable to trust my voice.

“Excuse me,” a firm voice said.

We turned to see a man in a captain’s uniform, the badge of an Elizabeth guard captain pinned to his chest.

He bowed. “We must begin our journey if we wish to arrive in Elizabeth by nightfall.”

I inhaled slowly and looked at my mother and sister.

“I guess this is goodbye.”

Mother pulled me into a tight embrace.

“I’m sorry, Mum,” I whispered. “I hope you and Father can forgive me.”

She pulled back, wiping away the tears gathering in her eyes. "It is you who needs to forgive us," she caresses my cheek.

I capture her hand in mine, pulling it from my face. "There is nothing to forgive."

Then I turned to the captain. “Let’s go.”

He nodded and led me to the carriage. He opened the door, and I climbed inside, settling into the seat.

“It will be a long ride to Elizabeth, my prince. You may rest if you wish,” he said before closing the door.

I leaned back, exhaustion washing over me.

I hadn’t slept at all last night—the fear kept gnawing at me.

With a trembling sigh, I closed my eyes, trying to escape, even briefly, from the painful reality awaiting me.