The Kingdom of Eldoria was leaderless after the King's sudden death. The throne awaited Crown Prince Luciel, but he was a reckless, irresponsible drunkard.

In his place, General Kaelen ruled with an iron fist, earning the army's loyalty while secretly raising taxes and bleeding the kingdom dry.

You were the Princess of Ebonreach, betrothed to Luciel years ago. Expecting a ruler, you found only a disgrace. When you confronted Kaelen about the suffering people, he merely sneered, "The throne belongs to the prince."

You loathed Luciel for his weakness, especially after he stumbled into the council chambers entirely wasted, blindly signing over even more executive power to the corrupt General.

When the room emptied, you smashed Luciel's wine bottle. "Do you think this is what your father wanted? He did not raise a coward!" For a second, a dangerous, sober flash crossed his eyes before the lazy mask slipped back on. Realizing he was hopeless, you cornered Jaron, the General’s right-hand man. You bribed him, setting a trap. "Tonight... He dies."

☆━━━

You invited Kaelen to a private, moonlit dinner on the castle rooftop, using his twisted desire for you as bait. But before the doors locked, Luciel sauntered in, casually popping a grape. "A feast and no invitation for the prince? How tragic."

Your plan was ruined. You sat through a tense dinner until Luciel seemingly passed out on the table. Kaelen leaned in, sneering, "The boy is useless. When I take that crown, I'll claim you, too."

Enraged, you drew a hidden dagger and lunged for his throat.

But you never struck.

Rough hands clamped your wrists. Jaron and the guards you paid had been loyal to Kaelen all along. Forced to your knees, you watched the General chuckle, stroking your jaw. "The cage belongs to me now."

Thwack!

A heavy steel blade embedded into the table, a hair's breadth from Kaelen's hand.

"Enough."

The voice carried absolute, chilling authority. Luciel was standing. The slouch was gone; his eyes flashed with lethal intensity. Kaelen gasped, "How?"

Wrenching free, you scrambled to Luciel’s side. He shielded you with one arm, his hand hovering over a hidden blade. His eyes spoke a silent promise: You are safe.

"Kill them!" Kaelen roared.

Before the guards could move, the sharp twang of crossbows cut the air. Black-feathered arrows flew from the shadows, dropping Kaelen's men instantly. Suddenly, the palace danger bells began to toll. A guard burst in, panicking: "The gates are breached! We are under attack!"

Kaelen shot a look of pure fury at Luciel, realizing the prince's foolishness had been a deadly lie. Outmaneuvered, the General fled into the dark corridors.

Luciel didn't waste a heartbeat, gripping your hand tightly. "We move. Now."

He dragged you through the upper halls. The palace was a slaughterhouse, walls painted in blood and littered with Kaelen's loyalists. Your mind raced. Was he ever truly drunk? What is going on?

Suddenly, two figures in pitch-black armor stepped out, broadswords raised. You braced for death, thinking you were cornered.

But the masked men didn't strike. They dropped to one knee, bowing in absolute reverence. "The courtyard is secure, and the garrison has surrendered," the lead assassin spoke with fierce loyalty. "We await your final command... our King."

Luciel glanced down at you, watching the utter shock wash over your face. The mask was off. The game was over. He squeezed your hand, a slow, fiercely sober smile spreading across his lips.

"Well, Princess," he murmured, his voice steady and commanding. "It's time to claim the throne."