The Royal Council Room of Ethril was a magnificent yet cold chamber, a testament to both the grandeur and the secrets of the monarchy. Tall, arched windows adorned with intricate stained glass let in the pale light of the moon, casting fragmented colors onto the polished obsidian floor. At the heart of the room stood a massive oak table, its surface carved with the history of the Ethril kingdom—victories, alliances, and betrayals etched in silent testimony. Ornate candelabras cast flickering shadows across the walls, creating an atmosphere both regal and ominous.
King Aldemar, a man with sharp features and a crown that seemed to weigh heavier with each passing year, sat at the head of the table. His eyes, cold and calculating, scanned the faces of those present. To his right was Queen Eleana, her beauty marred by the cruelty that hid behind her Purple gaze. Her golden gown shimmered faintly, a facade of grace that concealed her disdain for her own blood.
Seated across from them were two of the most trusted courtiers in the kingdom: Lord Cassian, a stout man with a shrewd mind and a penchant for manipulation, and Lady Vivienne, a pale woman with a soft voice that often carried sharp words.
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A heavy silence hung in the room, broken only by the crackle of the fireplace at the far end. Aldemar finally spoke, his voice a measured blend of authority and malice.
"Is everything prepared?" he asked, his words slicing through the quiet.
Cassian nodded, his hands folded neatly on the table. "The arrangements are nearly complete, Your Majesty. We have identified a remote location near the southern borders. A staged attack by rogue mercenaries will eliminate the boy without raising suspicion. It will appear as though he fell victim to an unfortunate incident during a training expedition."
Eleana leaned forward, her expression cold. "It must be flawless. The kingdom cannot afford whispers of scandal. If the people suspect foul play, it could undermine everything we've worked for."
Vivienne's voice was soft but resolute. "Your Majesty, rest assured. The boy's death will seem as natural as the setting sun. By the time anyone questions it, the throne will already belong to Princess Sakura."
Aldemar's gaze darkened. "Good. Ikaru's very existence has been a stain on this family. That child was born of darkness—an abomination. From the moment I held him, I knew he was not fit to rule."
---
Eleana's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Do you remember the day he was born?" she asked, her voice tinged with venom. "The storm that raged through the kingdom, the way the very air seemed to tremble? The omens were clear, yet we allowed him to live. That was our mistake."
Vivienne's expression remained impassive, though her sharp eyes betrayed her agreement. "The people may not have seen the darkness, but we did. And we know what such darkness can do. For the sake of the kingdom, it must be eradicated."
Cassian cleared his throat. "Once Ikaru is gone, the path for Princess Sakura will be clear. The people adore her. She is the light that will guide Ethril into prosperity."
Eleana nodded, her fingers curling tightly around the edge of the table. "This kingdom deserves a ruler who embodies purity and strength. Not one born of shadow."
---
As the conversation unfolded, a figure stood silently in the corner of the room, partially hidden in the shadows cast by the grand drapery. It was Asha, a seemingly unassuming maid assigned to Lady Vivienne. Her posture was meek, her eyes cast downward, as was expected of someone of her station. But beneath her humble exterior lay a cunning and highly trained operative of the Essence of Shadow, Ikaru's secret organization.
Asha listened intently, her heart pounding in her chest as each word revealed the depth of the royal family's betrayal. Though her face remained calm, her mind raced to piece together the implications of their scheme. She had suspected the king and queen's disdain for Ikaru, but to hear it spoken so plainly—this was far worse than she had imagined.
---
As the discussion continued, Aldemar's tone grew colder. "I want no loose ends. If there are any complications, eliminate them immediately. Do you understand?"
Cassian and Vivienne both nodded in unison, their expressions grave.
Eleana leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "Soon, this chapter will be closed. And Ethril will have the future it deserves."
In the corner, Asha clenched her fists beneath her cloak, her nails digging into her palms. She forced herself to remain still, her breathing steady. She knew she couldn't afford to betray her presence—not yet.
As the conversation concluded and the royals began to rise from their seats, Asha slipped out of the room, her steps silent as a whisper. She moved with practiced precision, navigating the labyrinthine corridors of the palace until she reached the servant's quarters. From there, she exited through a hidden passage, her heart pounding with a mix of urgency and fury.
---
Outside, the night was heavy with silence, the kind that seemed to amplify every rustle of leaves and every whisper of the wind. The moon hung low in the sky, its pale light casting an ethereal glow over the palace gardens. Asha paused for a moment, her breath visible in the cool air. She looked up at the moon, her mind filled with thoughts of Ikaru.
"They don't know what they've unleashed," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and determination. "But they will."
With that, she melted into the shadows, her destination clear. She would find Ikaru and deliver the truth.
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The Noble House given to Ikaru during his academy enrollment was a testament to the royal family's desire to keep appearances pristine. Nestled at the edge of Ethril's aristocratic district, the manor stood silent and imposing under the moonlit sky. Its stone walls were draped in ivy, and tall iron gates, adorned with the crest of Ethril, stood as a barrier between the outside world and the secrets within.
The night was unusually still. The usual symphony of nocturnal creatures had been replaced by an eerie silence, broken only by the occasional gust of wind rustling the treetops. The moon hung high above, veiled partially by a thin shroud of clouds, casting faint beams of silvery light that danced across the cobblestone path leading to the house.
Inside, the manor exuded a chilling emptiness. The grand halls and ornate furnishings felt less like a home and more like a gilded cage. Dim candlelight flickered in sconces along the walls, their soft glow barely pushing back the encroaching shadows. In the library, the only truly lived-in part of the house, Ikaru sat alone, his face illuminated by the warm light of a single oil lamp.
---
Ikaru, now living under the guise of Zeyron, had spent countless nights like this—alone, cloaked in quiet contemplation. He sat at a heavy oak desk, a book open before him, though his crimson eyes were not on the words. Instead, they stared past the pages, lost in thought.
His mind replayed fragments of memories, shadows of moments with his family that now seemed tainted. Despite his calm exterior, a storm brewed within him. His instincts had whispered of betrayal for years, yet he do hoped, foolishly, that those whispers were lies.
The faint creak of a floorboard brought him back to the present. His eyes sharpened, the crimson glow flickering faintly in the dim light. He closed the book, his senses alert.
---
Outside, Asha moved with the stealth and precision of a shadow. The cloak she wore blended seamlessly with the darkness, her every step calculated to avoid detection. The iron gates posed no challenge—she scaled them effortlessly, landing silently on the other side.
The manor loomed before her, its silhouette stark against the night sky. As she approached, the sound of her boots against the cobblestone path seemed deafening in the stillness. She hesitated for a moment at the door, her hand hovering just above the polished wood. The weight of the message she carried was heavy on her heart.
She tapped lightly, three quick knocks in a pattern known only to those within the Essence of Shadow.
---
The door opened soundlessly, revealing Ikaru. His crimson eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, neither spoke. The faint flicker of the oil lamp behind him cast his face into sharp relief, accentuating the quiet intensity that always surrounded him.
"Asha," he said, his voice low and calm, though his gaze betrayed his curiosity. "You're late."
She stepped inside, pulling back her hood to reveal her sharp features. Her silver hair, tied back tightly, framed a face marked by both beauty and determination.
"Forgive me," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her chest. "I had to ensure I wasn't followed."
He gestured for her to follow him into the library. The door closed behind them with a soft click, sealing them in the quiet warmth of the room.
---
Asha wasted no time. "I have news," she began, her tone grave. "From the palace."
Ikaru leaned back against the desk, arms crossed as he listened. His expression remained unreadable, but Asha could feel the weight of his attention pressing on her.
"The king and queen," she continued, "are plotting your death. They've been planning it since the day you were born."
The words hung heavy in the air. For a moment, there was silence, broken only by the faint crackle of the lamp's flame.
"They intend to stage it," Asha went on, her voice gaining urgency. "A staged attack by rogue mercenaries. They want it to look like an accident, something that won't raise questions."
Ikaru's gaze didn't waver, but the faint tightening of his jaw betrayed the storm building within. "And their reasoning?" he asked quietly, his voice like the edge of a blade.
"They see you as a threat," Asha said, her own anger rising as she relayed the betrayal. "They've always seen you as… an abomination. Born of darkness, they said. They want Sakura to be the sole heir to the throne."
---
Ikaru turned away, walking to the window. He gazed out at the moonlit gardens, his hands clasped behind his back. The faint glow of his crimson eyes reflected in the glass.
"So," he said after a long moment, "this is how far their hatred runs."
Asha stepped closer, her voice softer now. "What will you do?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes, letting the silence stretch between them. When he spoke, his voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that sent a chill down Asha's spine.
"They think they can control the darkness," he said, turning to face her. "But they've forgotten one thing."
"And what's that?"
"That I am the darkness."
---
Asha nodded, her resolve hardening. "Then we'll ensure their plans crumble before they even begin."
Ikaru gave her a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Good. Report everything to Rura and the others. Let them know we proceed as planned. For now, we let them play their game."
She bowed slightly. "As you command."
With that, Asha pulled her hood back over her head and disappeared into the night.
---
As the door closed behind her, Ikaru remained by the window, staring out into the darkness. The faint light of the moon bathed the garden in silver, but to him, it felt like the calm before a storm.
His parents had chosen their path, and now, so had he. The betrayal was complete—but so too was his resolve.
The night grew quieter, and as the clock struck midnight, the shadows seemed to deepen around the manor, as though the darkness itself was bending to its master's will.