Chapter 30: The Silver Kingdom's Crown Prince
The battlefield slowly quieted.
Smoke still rose from the broken ground, and wounded soldiers were being carried away. The scent of blood lingered in the cold air.
Liora slowly opened her eyes.
Her vision blurred at first.
The ceiling above her looked unfamiliar.
"...Where am I…"
"You're awake."
She turned her head.
The Shadow King sat beside her bed.
Relief washed over her.
"You…"
"You pushed yourself too far again."
She tried to sit up.
But her body felt weak.
"I… I'm fine."
"You collapsed twice."
She smiled faintly.
"...We won."
His gaze softened slightly.
"...Yes."
Silence filled the room.
She remembered the battlefield.
Kael.
His terrifying power.
Her heart tightened.
"Kael…"
"...He retreated."
"For now?"
"...Yes."
She lowered her eyes.
That meant—
He would return.
Stronger.
The Shadow King stood.
"You should rest."
But she grabbed his sleeve again.
He paused.
"...Stay."
He hesitated.
Then slowly sat back down.
She smiled faintly.
"You always leave too quickly."
"...You collapse too often."
She laughed softly.
For a moment—
The war felt far away.
Suddenly—
A knock came from the door.
"Your Majesty."
"Enter."
The door opened.
A tall man stepped inside.
Silver armor.
Calm blue eyes.
Liora looked surprised.
"...You are?"
The man bowed slightly.
"Crown Prince Leon of the Silver Kingdom."
Liora blinked.
Crown prince?
The Shadow King's expression remained calm.
"...You're late."
Leon smiled slightly.
"Better late than never."
Liora looked between them.
"You know each other?"
Leon nodded.
"We fought together before."
The Shadow King didn't deny it.
Leon turned to Liora.
"You must be Lady Liora."
She nodded slightly.
"Thank you for saving our forces."
She blinked.
"Your forces?"
Leon smiled.
"The army that arrived earlier was mine."
Liora remembered.
The silver army.
"Thank you…"
Leon shook his head.
"No, thank you."
He glanced at the Shadow King.
"If she hadn't returned to the battlefield… you might have lost."
The Shadow King remained silent.
Leon smiled slightly.
"But you chose well."
Liora blushed slightly.
"...I just did what I could."
Leon studied her carefully.
"Your power… it's unusual."
She hesitated.
"...It's light magic."
"Not just light."
Leon's expression became serious.
"It's ancient light."
The Shadow King's eyes narrowed slightly.
Liora looked confused.
"Ancient?"
Leon nodded.
"That power disappeared centuries ago."
Silence filled the room.
Liora felt uneasy.
"What does that mean?"
Leon hesitated.
"...It means you're important."
The Shadow King's expression darkened.
Leon continued.
"And it means Kael will target you."
Liora's fingers tightened.
She already knew.
But hearing it aloud—
Still hurt.
Later that evening—
The war council gathered again.
Leon joined the meeting.
Maps covered the table.
Enemy positions marked in dark ink.
Leon spoke first.
"Kael is testing us."
The Shadow King nodded.
"...Yes."
"He won't attack fully yet."
"Why?"
Leon pointed to the map.
"He's waiting for reinforcements."
Liora listened quietly.
Leon continued.
"We need to strengthen our defenses."
Another commander spoke.
"Our army is already exhausted."
Leon nodded.
"Which is why…"
He looked at Liora.
"We need her power."
Silence fell.
The Shadow King's expression turned cold.
"...No."
Leon raised an eyebrow.
"We can't rely on one person."
Leon sighed slightly.
"She's the key to defeating Kael."
The Shadow King's voice turned sharper.
"I won't risk her."
Silence fell.
Liora looked between them.
"...I want to fight."
Both looked at her.
"I'm not weak."
Leon smiled slightly.
"She's brave."
The Shadow King looked at her.
"...You're reckless."
She shook her head.
"I want to protect everyone."
Silence lingered.
Finally—
The Shadow King sighed.
"...We'll discuss this later."
The meeting ended.
Later that night—
Liora walked through the castle garden.
The moon shone softly.
She needed fresh air.
Suddenly—
"Can't sleep?"
She turned.
Leon stood nearby.
"Prince Leon."
He smiled.
"Just Leon."
She nodded.
"Okay… Leon."
He stepped closer.
"You're worried."
"...A little."
"About Kael?"
She nodded.
Leon looked at the sky.
"He's dangerous."
She looked at him.
"Can we win?"
Leon smiled slightly.
"...With you, maybe."
She blinked.
"You're putting too much faith in me."
He shook his head.
"No… I'm just being realistic."
Silence followed.
Then—
Footsteps approached.
The Shadow King appeared.
His gaze shifted to Leon.
"...You're still here."
Leon smiled.
"Just talking."
The air grew slightly tense.
Liora noticed.
"...I should go."
But the Shadow King spoke.
"Stay."
She paused.
Leon chuckled softly.
"Relax… I'm not stealing her."
The Shadow King's eyes darkened slightly.
"I didn't say that."
Leon smirked.
The tension grew.
Liora looked awkward.
"...I'll really go now."
She left quickly.
Both men watched her leave.
Silence lingered.
Leon spoke first.
"You care about her."
The Shadow King remained silent.
Leon smiled slightly.
"Be careful."
"...Why?"
Leon looked serious.
"Because Kael will use that against you."
The Shadow King's eyes darkened.
"...I know."
Leon nodded.
"Then prepare yourself."
The wind blew softly.
War was coming.
And emotions—
Were becoming more dangerous than swords.