The night after the assassin's attack, Leo returned to his room, his body weary but his mind sharper than ever. Waiting for him, standing hesitantly, was Marlin, his maid. She looked nervous, her hands trembling slightly as she lowered her gaze.
"Y-Your Highness... now that I've been exposed, I should leave before it's too late," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Leo studied her, his expression unreadable. "Wait," he said, his tone measured. "I have something in mind."
The next morning, chaos erupted in the castle. Marlin was found unconscious and chained in the storeroom, her wrists bound tightly. When the guards revived her, she groggily opened her eyes, looking disoriented and terrified.
When questioned, she gasped, "I... I saw the other maids plotting to assassinate the queen. I tried to stop them, but they struck me from behind. The next thing I knew, I was here."
Gasps echoed throughout the gathered nobles and knights. The atmosphere was tense as all eyes turned toward Leo. He stepped forward, his voice ice-cold. "So you expect us to believe that you, a mere maid, conveniently overheard an assassination plot and tried to stop it all by yourself?" He drew his sword and pressed the cold steel against her neck, his gaze unyielding. "I won't take any chances. Traitors will die by my hand."
Marlin trembled, her eyes widening in terror. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes as she pleaded, "P-Please, Your Highness... I only wanted to protect the queen... I swear! I never meant any harm!"
Just as Leo raised his blade, Queen Sylvia stepped forward, placing a gentle yet firm hand on his shoulder. "Leo, that's enough," she said, her voice soothing yet commanding. "We will investigate this matter thoroughly. There is no need for rash decisions."
Leo let out a sharp breath and lowered his sword, his hands trembling slightly. "I can't allow anything to happen to you, Mother," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Not again."
The room fell silent. Many exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves. No one saw Leo as a reckless fool anymore. Instead, they saw a prince burdening himself to protect his family, willing to be ruthless to ensure their safety. His reputation in the castle shifted overnight.
Later, back in his chamber, Marlin sat on a chair, her posture stiff and cautious. "You... you played your part well, Your Highness," she said in a meek voice, barely meeting his gaze.
Leo smirked, pouring himself a glass of wine. "I needed them to see that I am no longer the naive fool they once knew."
A sudden knock interrupted their conversation. "Enter," Leo called.
Galen stepped inside, his usual bright demeanor dampened with concern. "Leo, I need to talk to you. It's about Caius."
Leo set his glass down. "What about him?"
Galen sighed. "I overheard Father and the others discussing the southern border. Monster attacks are increasing, and the defenses won't hold for much longer. Father is planning to send Caius and Commander Halbrecht to deal with it."
Leo frowned. "Caius just went through a betrayal. Is he mentally prepared for such a mission?"
"That's what worries me," Galen admitted. "I don't think he is. That's why I need you to talk to him. See where his mind is at. Help him if you can."
Leo nodded. "I'll do what I can."
The next day, Leo found Caius in the training yard, his blade a blur as it cut through the air. Each strike was precise, controlled—but there was something different about his movements. They weren't just practicing swings. They were an outlet. A release.
Leo leaned against a wooden post, watching silently as Caius continued his relentless assault on the training dummy. He wasn't just training—he was punishing himself.
"You're going to wear yourself out before you even reach the battlefield," Leo finally spoke, his tone light but probing.
Caius didn't stop. "Better now than when I'm out there." His voice was steady, but Leo could hear the edge beneath it.
"You're forcing yourself," Leo observed, stepping closer. "Is that because of what happened with your maid?"
Caius froze for the briefest moment before he drove his sword forward, impaling the dummy straight through its chest. "That's over," he said, pulling his blade free. "I won't let it cloud my judgment."
Leo studied him, noting the tightness in his shoulders, and the way he gripped his sword a little too hard. "You say that, but I can tell—it still lingers."
Caius scoffed, turning to face him. "What do you want me to say, Leo? That it shook me? That I never expected betrayal from someone I trusted? Fine. It did. But I don't have the luxury of dwelling on it." He exhaled sharply. "Father is sending me to the southern border. Monsters are swarming, the defenses are failing. If I don't go, people will die."
Leo crossed his arms, unfazed. "And if you go without clearing your mind, people will still die—including you."
Caius narrowed his eyes. "You think I'm not ready?"
"I think you're human," Leo replied evenly. "And humans aren't unshakable. Even the strongest hesitate when trust is broken."
Caius was silent for a moment, then smirked, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I appreciate the concern, little brother, but I'll be fine." He rested his sword on his shoulder. "And if something does happen… I can handle it."
Leo exhaled, knowing he wouldn't win this argument. "If anything goes wrong, I'll come for you."
Caius let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "That day will never come."
They both chuckled, but the unspoken tension between them remained.
And for the first time, Leo felt an uneasy weight settle in his chest—one he couldn't ignore.
The day of departure arrived with the roar of war drums and the gleam of polished steel. Soldiers stood in perfect formation, their armor reflecting the morning sun. Banners of the Lionheart Empire fluttered high above the castle gates as Caius, Commander Halbrecht, and the first battalion prepared to set out for the southern border.
Caius, clad in his royal armor, rode at the front, his expression composed, unwavering. He exchanged a final glance with Leo, a smirk tugging at his lips as if to reassure him.
"That day will never come," his words from before echoed in Leo's mind.
And yet, as the battalion rode out amidst cheers and fanfare, a shadow of unease settled deep in Leo's gut.
Half a month passed.
Then came the news.
A royal messenger, his face pale as death, burst into the throne room, collapsing to his knees. His voice trembled as he spoke.
"The southern forces… they're gone. Annihilated."
Silence.
The words slammed into Leo like a hammer. His fingers curled into fists, his breath slowing, heart pounding in his chest.
"Impossible."
He could barely register the gasps of the nobles, the frantic whispers spreading through the hall. The invincible Lionheart army—obliterated.
His mind raced, searching for answers. Had Caius fallen? Was he still out there?
For the first time in a long while, doubt clawed at Leo's mind.
Everything had gone wrong.
And this was only the beginning.