Dawn's light spilled over Evlogia, turning the sky into a canvas of gold and crimson. From his balcony, Jay watched the kingdom awaken, his heart heavy with unspoken resolve. Today, he would emerge from the shadows, stepping into a world that had long chosen to ignore his existence.
Today, I will be invisible no more, Jay thought, his resolve firm despite the knot of apprehension in his stomach.
Walking through the echoing corridors to the heart of the palace, Jay entered the grand hall where the royal court was gathered. King Aldric sat upon his throne, a figure of undisputed power, his golden eyes distant and unyielding. Beside him, Queen Elara's beauty was like a sharp blade - elegant and dangerous.
The court fell into a hushed silence as Jay approached. Their stares were like whispers, full of curiosity and veiled contempt.
Let them whisper. Today, they will see the son they have chosen to overlook, Jay's thoughts were a mix of defiance and apprehension.
"Father," Jay's voice cut through the silence, drawing a rare collective gaze from the court. King Aldric's eyes met his, cold and distant, as if looking at a stranger rather than his own blood.
"Jay. You are rarely seen among us," King Aldric's voice was devoid of warmth, his words a mere statement of fact rather than a greeting.
"I request a moment of your time, privately," Jay said, his voice unwavering under the king's indifferent gaze.
There was a momentary flicker of something akin to discomfort in the king's eyes before he responded, "After the morning audience, in the council room."
As Jay retreated, the murmurs of the court followed him, their eyes dissecting his every move.
In the council room, the air was tense, charged with unspoken words. King Aldric sat not as a father but as a ruler whose heart was closed off to the son who reminded him too much of a past he wanted to forget.
"What do you want?" The king's question was blunt, almost harsh.
Jay steadied his nerves. "I want to know about my mother, about Lilith. I need to understand my heritage."
King Aldric's expression hardened. "Your mother was a chapter in my life that is closed. She was a witch of power, and that is all you need to know."
"But I am her son. I have a right to know," Jay insisted, feeling a surge of frustration.
"The only right you have is the one I grant you. Do not seek what is best left buried," King Aldric's voice was final, cutting off any further discussion.
As Jay left the council room, he felt a deepening resolve. His path to understanding his origins and his powers would be one he walked alone. In a kingdom shrouded in magic and mystery, he would uncover his truth, one hidden shadow at a time.