In Risny's imposing castle, the Elite Knights gathered to discuss urgent matters. The tension in the air was palpable, especially with the disobedience of some and the careless behavior of others.
"We have some unfinished business that needs to be addressed immediately, under penalty of incurring Queen Risny's wrath," announced Eisen, the leader of the Elite Knights, his voice grave and authoritative. "The Time Relic, one of the Autumn Kingdom's most precious relics, remains in the prince's possession. And, according to our information, he uses it openly, without resorting to portals or hiding places. Our last attempt to retrieve it was a failure."
"Someone irritated the First Elite Knight during the mission," Vyza, the second in command, taunted, casting a sharp glance at Latifa, the Fifth Elite Knight.
"That arrogant one doesn't even attend the meetings, much less take over Little Eisen's division," Latifa retorted disdainfully. "He shouldn't even be considered one of us."
"Perhaps it's because you irritated him," Vyza insinuated with a malicious smile.
Eisen intervened before the discussion escalated into an open confrontation.
"Latifa, one of the generals under your command is in charge of eliminating Princess Leticia, the Guardian of Winter," Eisen reminded her. "Remind him of his mission. We need to eliminate her before she reaches the Autumn Kingdom."
"Little Hayden isn't cute at all!" Latifa complained, snuggling into a sofa with a teddy bear, swinging her legs in the air. "This is too much work!"
Latifa, at 18 years old and 1.58m tall, was a peculiar figure among the Elite Knights. Her frilly, ruffled dresses, pink hair, and violet eyes contrasted sharply with the somber atmosphere of the meeting.
"Why don't we just invade the Autumn Kingdom and get it over with?" Latifa suggested in a childish tone.
"Impossible!" Eisen retorted. "The Autumn Kingdom is neutral. We can't just attack them without a justifiable reason."
"Little Eisen, why are you boring us with these tedious details?" Latifa protested, pouting. "It's not cute at all!"
Eisen sighed, massaging his temples.
"So that incompetent knights don't interfere with Queen Risny's plans," he replied sarcastically.
"And what does this relic look like, anyway?" interrupted Shirasagi, the Third Elite Knight, putting his feet up on the table with an air of boredom.
Shirasagi, at 26 years old and 1.78m tall, was an elegant and imposing figure, with long silver hair and a single black streak. His white clothes and long cape gave him an air of nobility.
Eisen, pushing Shirasagi's feet off the table with an impatient gesture, replied:
"According to Queen Risny, it's a gold necklace with an hourglass pendant and the symbol of Autumn."
"In short," interjected Goisagi, the Fourth Elite Knight and Shirasagi's younger brother, "we need to find the relic and the Guardians and eliminate them. Right?!"
Goisagi, at 25 years old and 1.73m tall, was his brother's antithesis. Short, dark hair, black clothes, and a piercing gaze.
…
In the Winter Kingdom, Laurenn delved deeper into the investigation of the misappropriation of resources and the corruption plaguing the nobility. Hayden's indifference to his initial report led him to believe that the evidence was insufficient. Determined, he decided to re-examine the entire kingdom's budget, seeking irrefutable proof. With each new discovery, however, frustration and helplessness consumed him. What could he do? How could he stop the corruption that was eating away at the kingdom from within?
Surrounded by stacks of documents, Laurenn felt tears blurring his vision. Loneliness overwhelmed him.
"I don't know what to do… I miss Leticia so much… If she were here…" he thought, desolate. "Why did she have to go so far away? I'm so alone…"
Laurenn had always been reserved, with few true friends. Now, more than ever, he felt the absence of someone he could trust, someone with whom he could share his burdens.
At the following administrative meeting, Laurenn, exhausted and disheartened, chose not to attend. Hayden seized the opportunity to discredit him before the councilors.
"I know you are seeking a new suitor for Laurenn, aiming for his coronation," Hayden said in a calculating tone. "However, he does not have the capacity to assume the kingdom at this time."
"Your Majesty, with all due respect," argued one of the councilors, "the prince has already surpassed the traditional age for ascension. He completed his training with Master Yoshi…"
"He does not have the necessary capacity!" Hayden interrupted vehemently.
"But…"
Hayden stood up abruptly, slamming his fist on the table.
"How dare you contradict me?! I am the king!"
"Your Majesty, please calm down," another councilor intervened, attempting to appease him. "I propose we postpone this discussion for another time."
That night, the councilor who dared to contradict Hayden was intercepted on his way home by a group of Shineideas. After confirming his identity, they eliminated him without hesitation, fulfilling the king's secret orders.
The other councilors, especially those loyal to the former queen, were terrified. The suspicion that Hayden was involved with the Shineideas grew stronger. Fear settled over the court, and the councilors, fearing for their own lives, began to avoid any unpleasant news or disagreement with the king. The economic crisis, once an urgent problem, was relegated to the background. Silence and fear reigned in the Winter Kingdom as corruption and decay spread.