Chapter 4
The days following the incident with Asha had been filled with unrest. Leo could feel it in the air—the kingdom was on the edge of something dangerous. The whispers of rebellion, once a low hum at the fringes of the court, had begun to creep into the heart of Ashland. The people were growing restless, their trust in the monarchy slowly unraveling with each passing day. Leo could see it in the faces of the common folk he passed in the streets, their eyes a mix of suspicion and fear.
His decision to spare Asha had not been popular among the nobility. Many of them had privately chastised him, questioning his judgment. Some had even gone so far as to suggest that his leniency toward a thief was a sign of weakness. They were right about one thing: Leo's decision to allow Asha to go free had been a gamble. He had defied the council's expectations, and in doing so, he had unknowingly thrust himself into a new and dangerous game.
Mira had warned him that it would not be easy. She had told him that every choice he made would be scrutinized, dissected, and ultimately used against him. But still, the weight of it all pressed down on him. His father's legacy loomed large, a constant reminder of the man Leo was expected to become.
The royal palace, once a place of grandeur and comfort, now felt like a cold, sterile place—a place where Leo had to be constantly vigilant, constantly aware of the shifting allegiances and silent betrayals happening behind closed doors.
Leo paced the stone floor of his chambers, trying to push the thoughts from his mind. He had received reports of growing tensions in the outer villages—food shortages, rising taxes, and an increasing number of villagers joining the ranks of an underground movement that had taken root in the shadow of Ashland's walls. It was a rebellion, Leo knew that much. But what did it mean? Who was behind it? And most importantly, how could he stop it before it spread any further?
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Leo turned to find Mira standing in the doorway, her expression serious. She had a way of entering his chambers without making a sound, as if she was always in tune with his needs before he even spoke.
"Your Highness," Mira said, her voice measured, "there is something you need to see."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Mira stepped aside, and two guards entered, dragging a man between them. The man was thin and unkempt, his clothes torn and stained. His face was gaunt, his eyes wild with fear.
"This man was found near the western gates, Your Highness," one of the guards explained. "He was attempting to flee the kingdom. We believe he may be involved with the rebels."
Leo studied the man, noting his disheveled appearance. The man was barely able to stand, his knees buckling as the guards forced him to kneel. His eyes darted nervously around the room, avoiding Leo's gaze. There was fear in those eyes, but also a sense of defiance, as though he had resigned himself to whatever fate awaited him.
"Who are you?" Leo asked, his tone sharp.
The man swallowed hard, but his voice was steady. "My name is Kael. I'm just a simple farmer, Your Highness. I don't want any trouble."
Leo crossed his arms. "A farmer, you say? Then why were you trying to leave Ashland?"
Kael hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice low. "I… I didn't have a choice. The rebels are everywhere. They've been recruiting in the villages, spreading their lies about the kingdom. They say you're weak, that your father's death is a sign that the monarchy is finished. They're promising power to those who join them."
Leo's heart skipped a beat. The rumors were true then. The rebellion was spreading, and it wasn't just about food shortages and taxes—it was about something far more dangerous. It was about power.
"Do you know who is leading them?" Leo asked, his voice low but demanding.
Kael shook his head, fear flickering in his eyes. "I don't know. They never reveal their faces, Your Highness. But there are whispers... whispers of a man, a leader who's bringing them together. They call him the Ashen Phantom."
The name struck Leo like a bolt of lightning. The Ashen Phantom? The legend of an enigmatic figure who was said to lead the oppressed, to strike fear into the hearts of the nobility. There were rumors about him, stories passed down through the years, but Leo had always thought they were just that—stories. Yet here, in front of him, was a man who spoke of this leader as if he were real.
"I don't know what you want with me," Kael continued, his voice shaking, "but I swear I'm no rebel. I was just trying to get out before it all came crashing down."
Leo stood in silence for a moment, his mind racing. He needed information, but the man in front of him was just a pawn in this larger game. He had been caught trying to flee, and now Leo had a choice: show mercy, or make an example of him to deter others.
After a moment of consideration, Leo turned to Mira. "Send him to the dungeons. He'll be questioned further."
Mira nodded and motioned to the guards, who pulled Kael to his feet and escorted him out of the room. Leo could see the fear in the man's eyes as he was dragged away, but it didn't sway him. The rebellion had already begun, and he couldn't afford to show weakness.
"Mira," Leo said, his voice soft but firm, "I want you to find out everything you can about this Ashen Phantom. If he's the leader of this rebellion, then we need to know how to stop him."
Mira nodded again. "As you command, Your Highness. I'll have my spies work quickly."
Leo turned back to the window, his gaze falling on the sprawling city below. Ashland was on the brink of something. The kingdom was teetering on the edge, and Leo could feel it in his bones. There were forces at play that he couldn't yet understand, but one thing was certain: the rebellion was real, and it was coming for him.
The first test had been a small spark, a thief in the night. But this... this was a fire that threatened to consume everything.
Leo's mind raced as he stared out into the distance. The kingdom needed him. His father's legacy needed him. He couldn't fail. Not now. Not when so much was at stake.
The Ashen Phantom was coming, and Leo would be ready.
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End of Chapter 4