The grand hall of Bernling Castle was designed to make one feel small.
Kael felt bored.
"…and as future ruler of the Loxley domain," droned Lord Varric, an elderly noble with a voice that could put an army to sleep, "you must understand the importance of diplomatic restraint—"
Kael rested his chin on his hand.
"Is there a shorter version of this?" he whispered.
Sir Dain, standing behind him, leaned in slightly.
"Yes."
Kael's eyes lit up.
"Finally."
"Don't be an idiot."
Kael's face dropped.
"…That's not helpful."
At the far end of the hall, King Aldric watched silently.
His gaze wasn't angry.
It was worse.
Disappointed.
"Prince Kael," Lord Varric continued, unaware or pretending to be, "if a neighboring lord were to insult your authority, what would you do?"
Kael didn't even think.
"Insult him back."
Gasps filled the hall.
Sir Dain closed his eyes.
"Of course you would say that."
Lord Varric blinked rapidly.
"I… beg your pardon?"
Kael sat up straighter, now slightly interested.
"Well, think about it. If he insults me and I say nothing, I look weak. If I arrest him, I look dramatic. So I insult him back. Balanced."
A pause.
"…Strategic, actually."
Somewhere in the hall, a guard coughed to hide a laugh.
Lord Varric looked like he had just aged ten years.
"Your Highness, rulership is not a game of clever replies—"
"But it could be," Kael muttered.
"ENOUGH."
The king's voice cut through the air like steel.
Silence.
Heavy. Immediate.
Kael slowly turned his head.
"Well… that didn't sound good."
King Aldric stepped forward, his boots echoing across the marble floor.
"Leave us."
The nobles and servants didn't hesitate. Within moments, the vast hall emptied, leaving only the king, the prince… and Sir Dain.
"…You too," the king added.
Sir Dain hesitated, glanced at Kael, then bowed.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
And then—
They were alone.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Kael scratched the back of his neck.
"…So… am I in trouble, or is this one of those 'life lesson' speeches?"
The king didn't smile.
"You think this is amusing?"
Kael shrugged.
"I think it's… predictable."
That hit harder than any insult.
"You are sixteen," the king said slowly. "In less than a year, you will be crowned. Everything you say, everything you do—will shape this kingdom."
Kael's expression didn't change.
"I know."
"Do you?" the king stepped closer. "Because all I see is a boy running from responsibility."
Kael's eyes flickered.
Just slightly.
"I'm not running," he said quietly.
The king raised a brow.
"No?"
"…I just don't want a life that feels like a cage."
Silence again.
But this time—
It felt different.
The king's voice softened, just a little.
"You think I wanted this?"
Kael looked up.
"For the crown, there is no choice. Only duty."
Kael clenched his fist slightly.
"Well… I'm not you."
That did it.
The king straightened, his expression hardening once more.
"From tomorrow, your training doubles."
Kael groaned instantly.
"Wait—what? That's the opposite of what I was hoping for."
"You will attend strategy lessons at dawn, sword training at midday, and governance study at night."
"…Are you trying to kill me?"
"Discipline builds kings."
"Or rebels."
The king turned away.
"This conversation is over."
Kael stood there, watching him leave.
For once—
He didn't joke.
Minutes later…
Kael walked out into the castle courtyard, kicking a small stone across the ground.
"Strategy at dawn… sword training… governance…" he muttered.
"This is suffering."
Sir Dain reappeared beside him.
"So," the knight said, arms crossed, "how badly did that go?"
Kael didn't even look at him.
"On a scale of 'fine' to 'I might disappear mysteriously'?"
"…The second one."
Sir Dain sighed.
"I told you to take it seriously."
Kael suddenly stopped walking.
Then slowly…
He smiled.
Not his usual playful grin.
Something sharper.
Something dangerous.
"Hey, Dain."
The knight frowned.
"I don't like that tone."
"What if," Kael said, turning toward him, "I just… didn't stay?"
"…Didn't stay where?"
Kael spread his arms slightly.
"Here. The castle. The lessons. All of it."
Sir Dain stared at him.
"You're joking."
Kael's smile widened.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
A breeze passed through the courtyard.
Cold.
Foreboding.
Far beyond the castle walls…
The Dort Forest stood silent.
Waiting.
Sir Dain shook his head.
"That's impossible."
Kael leaned in slightly.
"Is it?"
For the first time—
Sir Dain wasn't sure.
And somewhere deep inside the prince…
A decision had already begun to form.