PROLOGUE
The night in Eldoria was quieter than usual. A gentle breeze drifted through the palace, causing sheer curtains to sway near the open windows. In the solitude of his study, Prince Caelum stared at the letter that had just arrived—the words inscribed on the parchment were unmistakable, yet he wished he could dismiss them as nothing more than a nightmare.
> Prepare yourself.
That single phrase was enough to send a chill through his veins. Eldoria had long known peace, but that peace was now under threat.
Elsewhere, Prince Ryan sat behind his desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished wood. The candlelight flickered, casting a gleam in his calculating eyes. The letter sent to Eldoria was merely the beginning. He knew well that wars were not always waged with swords—but often with words.
And beyond it all, Prince Richard faced a far more personal reckoning. His body was changing. The secret he had long kept hidden was beginning to unravel. And he knew, in this game, he might not just be a pawn—but the key to everything.
By the time dawn broke, their world would never be the same.
Point of View: Prince Caelum
I sat at my grand mahogany desk, the only place in Eldoria's palace that granted me true solace. The room was quiet, save for the rhythmic ticking of the antique clock in the corner and the soft scratching of my quill against parchment. The flickering candlelight cast a dim glow over the freshly inked words, their dark sheen reflecting my thoughts.
The deep blue tunic I wore remained comfortable despite the long hours I had spent in it. Silver embroidery lined its collar, a subtle reminder of my royal status, though I was not the heir to the throne. My black trousers fit neatly, and my polished leather shoes gleamed against the pale marble floor. I always maintained a meticulous appearance—not out of vanity, but because I despised disorder.
Among the neat stacks of documents on my desk, an unfamiliar letter caught my eye. A servant had placed it there quietly before retreating without a word. There was no royal seal I recognized, only a broken black wax stamp at its corner. I reached for it, the rough texture of the parchment brushing against my fingertips.
Frowning, I unfolded the letter and began to read.
> "Eldoria, a kingdom that has long masqueraded under the guise of peace, must now face the consequences of its hypocrisy. We, from Eldeweis, shall not allow our lands to be tainted by your spreading influence of Islam in a land that must remain pure. Eldoria is not our ally; it is a threat that must be eradicated. Prepare yourselves."
My breath caught. This was not merely a threat—it was a blatant declaration of hatred. Eldoria had thrived in harmony for generations, never once forcing its beliefs upon others. Yet Eldeweis… they had always viewed us with suspicion.
My fingers tightened around the letter, crumpling its edges. My gaze lifted toward the walls of my study, trying to decipher the true intent behind these words. Was this mere provocation, or was something far more sinister unfolding?
I could not afford to remain idle.
Though I was not the heir, I could not stand by and do nothing. If Eldeweis truly saw us as an enemy, war might be inevitable. And if war came, how many innocent lives would be lost?
Rising from my chair, I watched the candle's flame waver as a cool breeze slipped through the open window. My blond hair tousled slightly, but I paid it no mind. My gaze fixed on the darkened sky beyond.
Eldeweis had made its hatred clear.
Now, the question remained: What would they do next?