Chapter 1 Returned to the Path
The battlefield was strewn with bodies, the blood pooling around them. Ren stood frozen, terrified by the sight of death all around him. Suddenly, a bloody hand grabbed his leg. He looked down and saw one of his subordinates, their face filled with betrayal. "Why did you betray us?" the man rasped. Before Ren could respond, he jolted awake, his breath ragged.
"Oh, it was just a dream," Ren muttered, relieved. The scene shifted to his modest apartment: tatami mats covering the floor, a low table at the center, and a small kitchenette tucked away in the corner. It was just enough for him.
A knock on the door startled him. "Are you awake, Ren?" Aiko's voice called. Ren opened the door, slightly groggy. "Of course, and what are you doing here? Work starts at 8:30; it's only 6:30."
Aiko hesitated, then explained, "I was on a morning walk and thought we could walk together." Ren smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I prefer evening walks."
Aiko blushed. "I should go then..."
But Ren stopped her. "If you have time, come in for tea."
An hour later, Ren was putting on his shoes. "It's almost time, I should go," he muttered to himself. He worked at a department store, and soon arrived to find Aiko struggling to put some high-up items on a shelf. Just as they were about to fall, Ren stepped forward, catching them and placing them carefully back in place. Aiko blushed, too close for comfort.
"Thank you," she smiled.
"No problem," Ren replied, then turned to help the customers.
As Ren worked, Aiko daydreamed. Ren is so handsome and kind-hearted... I wish I could spend my whole life with him. But her reverie was interrupted when a co-worker teased, "You're so lazy. Why can't you be more like Ren?"
Aiko sighed, returning to her task. Later, their boss approached Ren. "Why are you working here? You're smarter than this. You could easily get a job in a big company."
Ren replied, "I'm not interested in working for a company. I'm not that smart."
That evening, when Ren arrived home, a sleek black limousine was parked outside. A man in a dark suit stepped out. "So, you're here, Lucien Da Gramont," he said with a cold look.
Ren paused. "Why are you here, Gabriel?"
Gabriel's face hardened. "Your eldest brother, Mathieu Da Gramont, is dead."
Ren's surprise showed, but he didn't feel the depth of grief one would expect. "Let's go inside," he said, leading Gabriel into the apartment.
Authors note: "From this point, Ren will be referred to as Lucien."
Inside, Lucien prepared tea for the two of them. After a moment, Gabriel, surprised by the gesture, smirked. "Didn't think Lucien Da Gramont would be making tea."
Lucien sipped his tea. "I changed my perspective on life. And from now on, I go by Ren Takahara, not Lucien."
Lucien's gaze hardened. "How did Mathieu really die?"
Gabriel replied, "It was an assassination. We've been trying to track down the killer. There's a high chance it was someone from the Five Families. Yes, even your own family."
Lucien frowned. "I don't see why someone from the family would kill Mathieu. Everyone knows the consequences, especially my brother Sebastian."
Gabriel nodded. "True, but after you left, your father, King Alden Cassius Da Gramont, died four years ago. We wanted to tell you, but your brother Sebastian stopped us. He didn't want you at the funeral."
Four years ago...
The grand court of Velldore was vast, with towering stone pillars and a polished marble floor. The golden throne sat on an obsidian platform, beneath a grand mural of the royal crest. The Five Families stood in attendance. The High Priest—clad in violet and ivory robes adorned with golden symbols—stood beside the throne, holding an ebony staff. His piercing gaze commanded attention.
"As one of the Ten Absolute Rules of Velldore, I hereby call forth the five candidates for the throne: Magnus Lysander Beaumont, Cedric Le Roux, Cyprus Von Alder, Gustave Valefort Montclair, and Mathieu Da Gramont."
Sebastian fumed, stepping forward. "There's some mistake. I should be the candidate, not Mathieu."
The High Priest turned his cold stare on Sebastian. "Your father is dead. As per the rules, I am the one who will choose the candidates."
Sebastian gritted his teeth. "But—"
The High Priest's glare silenced him. "Are you questioning my decision, Mr. Sebastian?"
A drop of sweat rolled down Sebastian's forehead. Fear flickered in his eyes. He turned, storming out in fury.
Time passed.
The High Priest stood before the throne. "From today, Mathieu Da Gramont, second son of the Da Gramont family, is the 201st King of Velldore."
Despite the discontent among the courtiers, the High Priest's decision was final.
Back in the present, Gabriel continued, "Sebastian was furious when Mathieu became the candidate. When Mathieu ascended the throne, other families were jealous, too, because it was rare for a throne to pass from father to son. But none of them could do anything."
Lucien replied, "So, Mathieu was assassinated for that reason?"
Gabriel shrugged. "It could be an organization behind it, but the likelihood of a family connection is high. Sebastian could be involved too. He's now a candidate after Mathieu's death."
Lucien leaned back. "So, you want me to replace Sebastian and take the throne?"
Gabriel smiled slightly. "No, you're the last person I want on the throne. But I don't want Sebastian there, either. That's why I need you to be the guardian of Althea Von Alder, one of the other candidates."
Lucien raised an eyebrow. "A woman candidate? That's unusual, especially since Von Alder has sons."
Gabriel nodded. "When her older brother Cyrus lost to Mathieu, Frederick Von Alder, the head of the family, lost faith in his sons. After Mathieu's death, he saw potential in Althea and chose her as the candidate."
Lucien sipped his tea. "I bet her brothers didn't like that."
Gabriel confirmed, "There was conflict, especially with her older brothers, but her younger brother Sylas supported her."
Lucien nodded. "If Althea's the candidate, then she's the one who will take the throne."
Gabriel said, "Yes. But everyone will try to cheat, like they did with Mathieu. It won't be easy."
Lucien's expression turned serious. "So, why are you here? I know you didn't just come to tell me all of this."
Gabriel's face remained calm. "I want you to be Althea's guardian. If she takes the throne, she might uncover the person who killed Mathieu and clear your name from the traitor label."
Lucien thought for a moment. "That's a good deal," he said slowly. Then his gaze turned icy. "But my answer is 'no.'"
Lucien glanced at the clock. "You should go. It's almost 9:00 PM."
Gabriel stood up, his smile tinged with knowing. "I won't force you, Lucien. I already know you'll come. The Dark Prince of Gramont."
Gabriel left.
The next morning, Lucien opened the door to Gabriel's knock. "Glad to see you haven't forgotten how a royal prince should look," Gabriel said, inspecting his outfit.
Lucien stood before him, dressed in a crisp white shirt paired with a black striped waistcoat. The tailored black striped coat hugged his frame perfectly, with matching dress pants and polished boots that gleamed. He looked effortlessly sophisticated, exuding an air of refined elegance.
"I don't care about royal pride," Lucien replied coolly. "This suit just fits my style."
Both men climbed into the limousine.
At the department store, Aiko was shocked. "Did Ren really leave?" she asked her boss.
"Yes," her boss replied. "He called last night. He said he's going back to his hometown."
To be continued...