The clinking of silverware and the murmur of conversation filled the grand dining hall, yet Kael could feel the weight of the stares on him. His siblings barely acknowledged his presence, except for the occasional glance filled with disdain.
He took his first bite, forcing himself to focus on the food rather than the tension pressing down on him.
Garrett, his second-oldest brother, set down his goblet and turned to him. "Kael, after you're finished eating, go outside. Your trainer is waiting."
Kael paused, his spoon halfway to his mouth.
Kyle, the brother closest to him in age, smirked. "He'll probably find an excuse to run away like usual."
Freya, the eldest sister, didn't even look up from her plate. "Just don't embarrass the family any more than you already have."
Kael swallowed hard, keeping his face neutral.
Across the table, his mother, Elysia, smiled gently. "Now, now. Let your brother eat in peace."
His siblings fell silent, though their disapproval lingered.
Kael quickly finished his meal, pushing his plate away before standing up. "I'll be going, then."
Sylvia, who had been standing near the entrance, let out a quiet sigh. "Come along, Young Master."
As Kael followed her through the hallways, he could feel the glares of passing servants. Some whispered to each other, not bothering to hide their amusement or scorn.
Sylvia glanced back at him. "Try not to cause any trouble today, Young Master."
Kael let out a dry chuckle. "No promises."
Sylvia rolled her eyes but continued leading the way.
The training grounds were a wide-open field lined with weapon racks, training dummies, and groups of knights sparring in the distance. In the center stood a tall man with short black hair and a scar across his left cheek. His muscular frame and sharp gaze made it clear, this was a man who had seen real battle.
Luke, Kael's supposed trainer.
"You're late." Luke said, arms crossed.
Kael scratched the back of his head. "Had to finish my meal."
Luke scoffed. "That's a first. Usually, you're late because you're 'sick' or 'injured.'"
Kael gave an awkward laugh.
Luke tossed him a wooden sword. Kael barely caught it in time, stumbling slightly from the weight.
Before he could adjust his grip, someone bumped into him hard from behind.
"Watch it." a sharp voice snapped.
Kael turned to see a fellow student, a young knight-in-training, glaring at him.
"Sorry~" Kael muttered, stepping back.
The student's expression twisted in anger. "Sorry? That's it?"
Before Kael could react, a fist flew toward him. He barely managed to dodge, but the student followed up with a kick to his side, knocking the wind out of him.
Pain flared through his ribs as he hit the ground.
Luke stepped forward, grabbing the student by the collar and shoving him back. "Enough. You want to challenge someone, do it properly."
The student scoffed but backed away, while Kael lay on the ground, groaning.
Sylvia sighed from the sidelines. "Unbelievable."
Kael was brought to the infirmary, his side aching as he lay on the bed. The healer wrapped a bandage around his torso, the sting making him wince.
The door opened, and his mother entered.
Elysia sat beside him, a soft smile on her face. "You should rest, Kael. Your father will be home soon, but it's best if you greet him in the morning."
Kael nodded slowly.
She gently brushed his hair back before standing. "Sleep well, my son."
As she left, Kael stared at the ceiling, exhaustion weighing on him.
But late that night, as he walked toward his room, he heard it.
Yelling. Crying.
Kael stopped in his tracks. His pulse quickened as he followed the sound, stopping just outside a grand door left slightly ajar.
Inside, his father stood over his mother, his voice cold and filled with fury.
"This is your fault, Elysia! You've coddled that boy for too long! Now he's getting injured by a mere tier 3 knight! Pathetic!"
Elysia didn't respond, but Kael could see her trembling. Then..A sharp crack echoed through the room.
Kael's breath caught in his throat.
Elysia wiped her tears and walked toward the door. Kael quickly ducked behind a pillar as she passed, her face pale and shaken.
As he stood there, hidden in the shadows, something inside him twisted.
Rage.
A deep, burning anger unlike anything he had felt before. His heart pounded violently, his vision blurring as something else stirred in his mind.
Flashes of flames. Wars so brutal he could barely comprehend them.
Kael gripped his head, gasping for breath.
"Young Master?"
Kael's head snapped up. Sylvia stood a few feet away, her gaze sharp.
"You should get to your room." she said quietly. "If the servants see you wandering around, they'll assume you're up to mischief again."
Kael swallowed hard, forcing himself to nod.
As he turned away, the burning anger inside him didn't fade.
If anything, it only grew stronger.