Arnin, Prince Eyrin, Palov, Lourix, and the onlookers watched as Prince Khane crawled towards Prince Eyrin. Known to many as Nameless, they wondered why he needed the Essence Pill so desperately when he was already in the eight phase. Little did they know, he had lost his essence and was now as vulnerable as an average mortal.
Prince Eyrin expected him to stop crawling, but Khane persisted. Arnin's heart burned with anger, but he remained powerless, though he harbored plans of his own. He stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Khane's shoulder and crouched beside him.
Looking into Khane's eyes, which were stiff and heavy with unshed tears, Arnin spoke with determination, "Don't go any further. I can steal it back and kill him. Won't you be happy when he dies? Give me the command, and I will do it."
Khane, clenching his fists beside his legs, knees pressed into the ground, responded without meeting Arnin's gaze, "Do not worry."
"You're not a hero," Arnin said, gripping Khane's shoulder tighter.
"I never said I was," Khane replied, brushing Arnin's hand off his shoulder.
Arnin's anger flared, not just at Prince Eyrin but also at Khane. He had expected more from him. Scoffing, he nodded, "Fine, crawl all you want!" he spat angrily, standing upright and stepping back.
Khane gulped and continued his crawl towards Prince Eyrin.
"I almost felt bad for making him crawl, but now that he's started, it doesn't seem so bad. It looks like this is how it should be—him on his knees and I on the throne," Prince Eyrin murmured to Lourix and Palov, who stood beside him.
Palov smirked, watching Khane. "Indeed, Your Highness. It would be even better if we killed him and hung his head beside his parents' heads," he said, wiping sweat from below his nose with his hand.
Prince Eyrin glanced at Palov from the corner of his eye before refocusing on Khane.
After what seemed like an eternity, Khane finally reached Prince Eyrin. His eyes, heavy with exhaustion and defiance, glared up at him.
"I might have raised my expectations too high. I thought he would be like Lyrien Alsan, but I was wrong. If I lost my essence, there is no way I would stoop so low. One way or another, Prince Eyrin's blood would have been on my hands already. He is not that strong. If only Khane had let me, Prince Eyrin would be dead!" Arnin muttered through gritted teeth, glaring at Khane's back.
"Don't glare at me. Is this how you want to get the pill?" Prince Eyrin asked, looking down at Khane with a sneer.
As Prince Khane knelt, Prince Eyrin felt even more imposing, and Khane seemed like a rat he could easily crush. This thought made Eyrin chuckle slightly.
Khane looked downward, avoiding Eyrin's mocking gaze.
"You! Tell him whatever you want to tell him and let's start this fight. My blood is boiling! Prince Khane didn't allow me to kill you before he reached here, but believe me, consider yourself dead now because you are not leaving this fight alive! I swear on my mother's grave!" Arnin yelled, his voice trembling with rage as he glared at Prince Eyrin.
Prince Eyrin, watching Arnin's outburst, slowly raised a smile at the corner of his lips, then turned his gaze back to Khane. "Your friends talk too much."
"You wanted to tell me something. Say it," Khane said, his voice steady despite the situation.
Prince Eyrin placed his hands behind his back. "Palov, raise his chin up so he can see me properly. He looks down as he speaks; does he think I'm beneath him?"
Palov nodded eagerly, unsheathing his sword and placing it under Khane's chin, lifting it up.
Now, Khane was forced to look up at Prince Eyrin.
"Better," Eyrin said with a nod.
"Give the pill to the alchemist, you son of a dog!" Arnin yelled, but Prince Eyrin pretended not to hear.
"Now, what were you asking?" Prince Eyrin asked, feigning forgetfulness.
Khane exhaled, his frustration evident. "What is it that you wanted to tell me?"
"Is the pill the only reason you came to Essed? Or is there another reason? It looks like your friends already know who you are. What, did they advise you to come to Essed and announce who you are, to raise a rebellion? I'm sure you know that Essed is still not under my father's control, but that won't be for long," he said, smiling.
"I only came for the pill and nothing else," Prince Khane said, his voice steady but his eyes betraying his desperation.
"Let's start already!" Arnin yelled, pointing his sword at Prince Eyrin, his face flushed with anger.
Prince Eyrin ignored Arnin's outburst, his gaze fixed on Khane. "Well, if you want to announce your title, I will tell you that you will fail, and many lives will be lost. Very soon, either Essed will be under my father's control or it will be destroyed, and you will do nothing but watch, as usual."
With a casual flick of his wrist, Prince Eyrin tossed a money pouch to the alchemist standing in the corner. The alchemist caught it deftly.
"You can stand," Prince Eyrin commanded.
Prince Khane began to rise, lifting one knee, but Prince Eyrin swiftly placed his foot on Khane's kneee, pressing him down. "Where are your manners? Don't you know you are to bow before royalty before you stand?" he asked, his voice dripping with condescension.
Khane swallowed hard, then kowtowed deeply before standing up. His legs felt like lead, not from physical pain but from the weight of humiliation.
"You've done enough!" Arnin yelled, his voice cracking with frustration.
Prince Eyrin yawned, covering his mouth with a gloved hand. "I'm bored now. I was full of energy before, but after speaking with your nameless, I'm terribly bored. You can have the pill," he said dismissively, turning his back on them. He walked away with Palov and Lourix, heading towards their horses.
"Stop there, you... you..." Arnin stammered, his rage boiling over as he started to run after Prince Eyrin. But Prince Khane's voice cut through the air, stopping him in his tracks.
"Arnin!" Khane called out, his tone commanding and resolute.