Prince Kaelix's room, the once highly decorated space, was now bearing the scars of his fury.
His chest still heaved with each breath, the remnants of his anger simmering just beneath the surface.
The room looked like a battlefield, with furniture splintered and scattered, paintings torn from their frames, and shattered glass strewn across the floor. It was as if a storm had ravaged the chamber, leaving nothing untouched.
Kaelix sat on the edge of his ruined bed, his mind spinning with disbelief and rage. His father's decision to marry him off to Prince Eirik, a Nexarian of all people, felt like the cruelest betrayal.
His heart burned with resentment at the thought of wedding a man, a man! As though he were some pawn in a game of politics.
"Who have I offended in my past life?" he muttered bitterly, clenching his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Could this be karma?"
He had always imagined marrying Princess Abigail of Neomenia, her beauty famed across the realms.
But now, instead of the beautiful princess, he was being forced into a union with Prince Eirik, a man who represented everything he despised.
Kaelix had already plotted countless ways to humiliate the foreign prince, to make him regret ever stepping foot in Zephyros.
The very idea that his father had agreed to this proposal without him agreeing to it, was a bitter pill to swallow. Kaelix felt the sting of betrayal keenly.
His thoughts were interrupted by the creak of the door.
Queen Elena, his mother, stepped inside, her regal presence a stark contrast to the chaos that surrounded her.
She moved with the grace of someone who had been born to rule, her gown of deep green silk flowing elegantly with each step. The gold embroidery that adorned her dress caught the fading light, shimmering subtly as she surveyed the wreckage of the room.
"My son," she began softly, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and resignation, "what have you done?"
Kaelix looked up at her, his eyes filled with the fury and pain of a man cornered.
He felt a wave of shame wash over him, seeing the concern etched on his mother's face as she took in the state of his room.
It wasn't just his anger that had driven him to this point, it was the helplessness that came with being forced into a situation beyond his control.
Queen Elena walked over to the destroyed bed and sat down beside him. Her arms opened in a gesture of comfort, and despite his rage, Kaelix found himself leaning into her embrace, seeking the solace that only a mother could provide.
Her scent, a familiar mix of lavender and jasmine, calmed him, though it did little to extinguish the fire that still burned within him.
"Mother, can you believe it?" he began, his voice breaking as he struggled to contain his emotions. "Father wants me to marry a man!"
Queen Elena held her son close, her heart aching for him. "Shh, my son," she soothed, running her fingers through his dark hair. "Relax and do as your father says for now. I don't want you to attract his wrath."
"But mother..." Kaelix protested, his voice laced with frustration and despair. The idea of yielding to his father's will without a fight felt unbearable.
"Shh," Queen Elena repeated, her tone firm yet gentle. "Trust me. We'll handle Prince Eirik when he arrives."
Kaelix pulled back slightly, searching his mother's eyes for reassurance. "Really, mother? You mean it?"
A dangerous glint appeared in Elena's eyes as she smiled down at her son. "Of course. I'll eliminate anything that tries to take away my precious son's happiness."
A flicker of hope lit up Kaelix's gaze. "Thank you, mother."
Her smile deepened, though it carried a dark promise. "We'll find a way to deal with this, Kaelix. You have my word."
Kaelix nodded, feeling a measure of relief for the first time since learning of the engagement.
With his mother's support, he felt as if he could endure anything.
The anger that had consumed him began to recede, replaced by a cold determination. He would not let Prince Eirik or anyone else take away the future he had envisioned for himself.
As they sat together, the destruction of the room seemed to fade into the background.
The splintered wood, torn fabric, and shattered glass were mere echoes of Kaelix's earlier rage. In his mother's embrace, he felt a sense of clarity returning to him.
"Mother, how can we do this?" Kaelix asked, his voice trembling slightly with the weight of his emotions. "How can we make him leave?"
Elena's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she considered the question. "We'll start by making him feel unwelcome. Isolated. We'll ensure he knows he doesn't belong here."
A cruel smile played on Kaelix's lips as he imagined the various ways he could torment the foreign prince. "I'll make sure he regrets ever setting foot in Zephyros."
"Good," his mother said, her voice a blend of comfort and steel. "But remember, we must be subtle. We cannot openly defy your father. We must make it appear as if Prince Eirik's departure is his own choice."
Kaelix's eyes gleamed with malevolent anticipation. "I'll break him, mother. I promise you that."
Queen Elena hugged her son tighter, feeling a mix of pride and sadness. She hated seeing him so angry and hurt, but she would do whatever it took to ensure his happiness. "We'll get through this, Kaelix. Together."
They sat in silence for a moment, the only sound in the room the distant murmur of the palace as it came to life for the day.
Queen Elena's thoughts were already racing, strategizing the steps they would need to take. She knew that undermining Prince Eirik would require a careful and calculated approach.
"Start by observing him," Elena advised, her voice low and deliberate. "Learn his weaknesses. Find out what makes him uncomfortable. We will use every bit of information to our advantage."
Kaelix nodded, absorbing his mother's words like a student eager to please his mentor. "I will, mother. I'll watch his every move."
"And remember," she added, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "we must never let him see how much he affects you. Always maintain your composure, my son."
Kaelix looked into his mother's eyes, seeing the fierce determination there. He drew strength from it, feeling his resolve harden. "I will, mother. I won't let him see me falter."
Elena smiled, pride shining in her eyes as she caressed Kaelix's cheek. "That's my boy. Strong and unyielding."
Kaelix felt a renewed sense of purpose surge through him. He would not allow Prince Eirik to disrupt his life or his plans. With his mother's guidance, he was confident he could face this challenge head-on and emerge victorious.
"Now, let's get this room sorted," Queen Elena said, rising to her feet and brushing the dust from her gown. "We can't have the palace staff gossiping about your outburst."
Kaelix stood with her, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He looked around the room, the sight of the destruction a stark reminder of the anger that had consumed him.
But now, with his mother's guidance, he felt a sense of clarity. He would face this challenge with cunning and patience.
Queen Elena called for the maids, and they quickly entered the room, their eyes widening at the sight of the wreckage.
They set to work immediately, cleaning and tidying the space with practiced efficiency. Kaelix watched them in silence, feeling a sense of detachment from the chaos he had created.
"Remember, my son," Elena said quietly, leaning in close to Kaelix as the maids worked, "we must be patient. Victory will come to those who wait and strike at the opportune moment."
Kaelix nodded, his mind already racing with plans. He would bide his time, learning everything he could about Prince Eirik. And when the moment was right, he would strike, ensuring that the foreign prince would have no choice but to leave Zephyros.
As the maids finished their work, Elena turned to her son, her eyes filled with a steely resolve. "We will protect your future, Kaelix. No matter the cost."
Kaelix hugged his mother tightly, feeling a surge of gratitude and determination. "Thank you, mother."