Darius found himself filled with emotions that were buried inside him, early in the morning. It had been since last night that this irritation had settled in him.

Two years have passed since they first entered the palace, nothing happened, except last night.

The eldest son was very restless, too aware that the country he lived in was not strong enough. He was also too busy to think about his ambitions. Entering the palace alone was not enough to guarantee the safety of his sister.

This event was evidence.

When the sky was still dark, all the drums were beating to wake the entire palace with the news of an intruder coming.

This news was made worse by the fact that the intruder had killed several guards. The intruder was none other than an assassin. They searched the entire palace when they found flames coming out of a room. The eldest son was very familiar with that room.

His youngest sister's room.

The poor girl looked physically fine. However, her entire body trembled. She was startled. It wasn't just the assassin she burned, but half of her room as well.

"Adelle!"

Darius and Lucius didn't think so much further then. What they focused on was getting their youngest sister out of there, while the guards were busy putting out the fire.

The little girl did not speak, did not even cry. The shock she felt was probably the only thing.

The eldest embraced Adelle tightly, while the other brother asked her condition in confusion.

"Call Eva now!" ordered The King. The court mage was the only one he could rely on in a situation like this.

"Adelle, are you okay?" so Lucius asked. He was very much in worries as the youngest didn't even answer.

Gradually consciousness returned to her and the girl began to cry. For some reason, the sound of crying was a relief for the others. A sign that the girl was still alive.

Her hand gripped Darius's shirt tightly.

"Your Majesty, I don't think a court mage will be needed. Adelle is fine. However, I think I will accompany her tonight," said Darius.

"All right, please take care of him, Darius," Albert told him. He ordered a subsequent servant not to let the intruder die.

"Take the intruder to the court mage's room. Don't let him die, we have to know who sent him!" ordered Ron, the adviser.

"Yes, Sir!" replied the soldiers.

They carried bodies that were half-burned and lost consciousness. Meanwhile, the princess was still crying uncontrollably, clinging to the body of her older brother.

***

That night has passed. Darius hadn't slept a blink. Because of that incident, Lucius and Adelle were in his room. The eldest understood why his younger sister was with him, but he did not know why his brother did the same.

Maybe Lucius was just worried, at least, that's what inside Darius's head. After Darius tried to get out of bed, his younger brother woke up too.

From long ago, he knew, Lucius was not a difficult person to wake up. On the other hand, Adelle was quite having difficulty waking up.

"Darius, morning ..." said the boy.

"Morning, Lucius."

By the incident last night, Lucius knew something else. A fact that they were not received as well as he thought.

"Hey, Darius," called Lucius quietly.

He got out of bed, letting Adelle slept on the broadest part. Lucius then sat down in the nearest chair. A thought kept bothering him. About what they should do in this state.

In the eldest's room, there was a wooden table and two chairs facing each other. Usually, they were used by Darius to read.

The eldest son sat across from his younger brother.

"What's the matter, Lucius?"

"The one yesterday was a killer, right?" said Lucius.

His voice seemed low. He could hardly believe how he did not expect this day to come.

"Who do you think sent it?"

"Someone connected to the throne. His rank is probably quite high," Darius commented.

Unlike his younger brother, Darius seemed to have accepted reality. However, his voice contained too much emotion. His hands rested on the back of the wooden chair, his back attached to them. He didn't even look at his brother when he spoke.

Meanwhile, Lucius looked tense. He sat almost at the end of the wooden chair. His hands rested on the table.

"Darius, maybe it would be better if we got out of this palace?"

He did not look at his brother as he asked. What Lucius stared at was the cold floor in the morning.

In his mind, they would not be in danger if they leave the palace. They would have nothing to do with the throne. That was what Lucius thought.

"You think we can even return to normal life?"

Darius stared at his brother.

Lucius felt himself under an unusual observation. The boy then looked at the eldest. He knew Darius did not agree with his words, but he did not know what the person in front of him was thinking.

"It's too late, Lucius."

Darius replied without waiting for an answer from the other person.

His hands gripped tightly against the back of his chair. He wouldn't mind if someone was after him. However, the fact that they had targeted his younger sister made Darius wanting to ... break something.

"Even if we get out of the palace safely, they won't stop."

"If this continues, maybe one day, we will get killed, Darius!" cried Lucius, "if the king dies, we are finished!"

The two of them knew very well that if the king died, nothing else would protect them. Nobles would have the power to kick them out of the palace, or even trap them in a game that ended in the guillotine. The reason was they didn't have that royal blood.

"I know!" exclaimed Darius irritatedly.

His eyes stared at Lucius with exasperation. He also had been thinking about that since last night.

Darius was already thinking about the safety of the two. A way to secure their position even if the king died. There were many things on his mind, but there was only one answer that would keep them safe.

"I've been thinking about it, Lucius," said Darius, "I know about security and have figured it out."

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"Is it true?!" Lucius asked, "what is the answer?"

The sibling looked at his brother hopefully. He knew Darius was at least smarter than him. If the eldest said that, Lucius was sure it was safe.

"You know, initially I just wanted to raise our ranks by taking one of the noble titles," began Darius.

His expression was really serious. There wasn't a joke or even a doubt there.

"Then? Can a title like duke secure us?"

"That's the problem, even being duke is not enough, Lucius," said Darius, "they can still send us to the guillotine with a few lies. Especially if the king who will lead after this is unreliable."

"That is true..."

Lucius wasn't so stupid that he didn't know the order in the kingdom. At that moment, Lucius realized one thing. There was no higher rank of duke than the king himself.

"Hold on, Darius ... you mean ... you will ...?"

Lucius looked at his elder brother in disbelief. Either way, that desire was too ambitious. How could they, who didn't have royal blood, touch the throne?

"Right. I'll be king."

Darius felt it was necessary. He felt responsible for the lives of his two younger relatives. The eldest who had brought them both into the palace, he was also the one who needed to make sure they lived.

Yes, fear might eat up some parts of his mind. The fear of death. However, the thought of his younger relatives' death frightened him even more. He would rather sacrifice his freedom for their life. A price worth paying for it.

"I will protect you ... whatever happens," he continued again, "if I become king ... no one can harm you."

Darius' eyes were filled with determination and passion for the throne. He smiled with a sense of satisfaction at the results of his thoughts. The eldest had thought of everything. One way to have his name written on the king's heritage library.

However, on the other hand, Lucius was so worried. Worry had colored the face similar to that of the eldest, his younger brother.

Darius ..." called Lucius, "you don't have to push yourself ... really ..."

The only thing the middle child wanted was a quiet life with the two of them. Even though they didn't live in wealth, for Lucius, that was good enough.

It seemed that thought was different from Darius. The elder son already had a strong desire in his heart. A wish to create a utopia for her siblings.

The call was then answered with a smile by Darius. So soft and soothing. That smile seemed to convince Lucius that the throne was already in his grasp.

"Don't worry, Lucius. I'm not pushing myself."

"Bu -"

Just as Lucius was about to answer, the words stopped. Another voice was heard in the room, the youngest was already starting to wake up.

Darius then whispered Lucius, to keep what they were talking about. A secret between the two. Lucius only nodded later. He also didn't want to bring the youngest sister into all this.

"Good morning, Adelle," said Darius.

"Morning, Adelle!"

"Morning, Brothers ..." replied the girl who just woke up later.

The topic of becoming king had stalled with the little girl's awakening. A secret for the brothers. They also didn't want to bring their youngest sister into all of this.

Unfortunately, plans didn't always match reality.

The youngest was awake when they started talking. She had heard everything and pretended to be asleep. Immersed in their topic, Darius and Lucius were unaware of it.

However, Adelle didn't plan to hide anything. She sat on the end of her brother's bed.

"What's the plan?"

The eldest son looked at his younger sister. A faint smile was there. He still tried to wear his mask as a good brother.

"What are you talking about?"

The girl sighed before jumping up and leaving the bed. The body wrapped in nightgown then took a chair and sat down between them.

"I heard everything."

Adelle also wanted to help. She wanted to be a part of both. Being a small team, like their past. She was sick waiting. She also hated always being protected.

"So what's the plan?" Adelle asked.

Lucius looked at Darius. His eyes were filled with questions. He left everything to the eldest. To answer and decide.

And Darius had given up. There was nothing to hide between them.

"All right, all right. I'm just planning to gain trust first."

"But I don't think that's enough."

Adelle said quickly. The attention of the two boys was on her. So seriously waiting for Adelle with her explanation.

"Brother has paper?"

"Yes, wait."

Darius got up from his seat. He returned with a scrap of paper and ink and feathers. The three of them were placed on the table in the middle of them.

"I heard that every kingdom worshipped a god or goddess, like exclussively. The oldest god is Alphonse, then the second is Druantia."

Each name was written on paper according to their spelling. Adelle explained, both of them were listening. To be honest, Darius didn't understand what to do with the throne. Then, the question in his mind was answered.

"I heard that every king had a relationship with them. They would listen to those gods. Rosewell has a relationship with Druantia."

"So ... in conclusion ... we have to meet this Druantia?"

Lucius frowned, pointing at the name. If he was to be honest, he had little hope for the gods or whatever they were. However, this option was a safe choice. They could at least try, right?

"Yes. I was told by Clara, that Druantia had a shrine not far from this palace. It is called a nature shrine. There His Highness is usually going to consult."

"That rock-like Clara?" argued Lucius, "I'm surprised you made friends with her."

"She's not that emotionless!" Adelle protested to the middle brother, "Clara is good."

Of course, she defended her best friend. Clara was the only girl friend she had. Also, that magus was much cuter when she alone with Adelle. Unfortunately, this opinion was different from that of Lucius.

However, the insignificant debate was further interrupted by Darius.

"Not that far ... where?"

Darius was the meticulous type, naturally he would ask questions about locations instead of paying attention to small things like Clara's name. Its location was more important.

The eldest son was the detail-oriented type.

"Oh yeah ... I've never been there myself ..."

In her tone, the girl spoke in disbelief. Everything that was said was obtained from Clara.

"What do I know, the shrine is north of this place, through the forest. Because she is the goddess of nature."

"North is it ..."

Darius didn't look convinced. A good reason he had for his disbelief. He never saw any god or goddess. He even doubted their existence. However, if goddess did exist, then the elder son intended to use her.

The decision was unanimous. The dedication to becoming king started today.

In his heart, he vowed to do anything to take a step closer to the throne. Darius didn't sound any different from the nobles who were thirsty for power. However, he had to admit it was true.

Right now, his every focus was on power just like the nobles. His heart might change. Unfortunately, he didn't care anymore. His eyes were fixed on the highest power.

"It means I have to ask permission from His Highness to make my offering to this Druantia."

Darius concluded the next second. He believed, if this goddess was real, the old man would hear what she was saying.

However, this time it was Lucius who was filled with doubts. Not only did he question god's existence, he also didn't believe that Druantia was the one who would help them.

What if the goddess murdered both of them, right? The doubts were voiced in the next second.

"Are you sure she will hear?" Lucius asked. His voice cracked slightly as he spoke, "what if she doesn't show up? Or if she is a man eater? Or maybe she kills us because we're not His Highness?"

"Yeah, I guess a decent bet, right?"

Darius smiles at the end of his words. Ah, he loved this feeling. A gamble. Throne in his hands or loss of his life.

"Then, I'll come with you!" Lucius spoke up quickly, almost like an exclamation.

Apart from doubt, worry and guilt filled his chest. Blue pupils indicate an ocean filled with anxiety. He felt he had taken part in Darius' decision.

Darius' worries for their safety have pushed Darius on. And if his brother was going to bet on his safety, he would do the same.

As brothers. As a man.

"Lucius -"

The eldest said calmly. Lucius knew he would forbid it. Lucius knew, Darius would say it was useless for him to come along. Being an excuse the second child cut him off before Darius even said anything.

"I'll do it anyway."

A sigh became a response. He knew, at that point, it was pointless to argue with his younger brother. He turned his head to the younger sister. The girl who had been just silent.

Darius' hand reaches out. He touched the girl's head, rubbing it affectionately. He stroked her hair. Hope the girl would understand.

"Adelle, don't come, okay? I'd be very worried if something happened to you."

Adelle could see it. All thoughts were reflected in Darius' pupils. She was the understanding type. And it always was. A child who was never selfish.

The hand that was stroking her gently, she took it from the top of her head. The warm hand was then placed on her cheek. She could feel every blood that flows in that body.

A person who always cared about her. All these affections can be felt by Adelle. Like a warmth that always gave her satisfaction. She will choose to trust her brothers and their abilities.

"Okay..."

The answer came like a whisper. She put every hope. If Druantia brought havoc, Adelle would feel guilty. How could she not, that girl started it.

***

The day that was planned had finally arrived. Chariots with horses became their transportation. Through the forest in the north.

Their traveling was so quiet, no one spoke in there. How could they do, Darius was busy thinking about what he would do. As for Lucius ... he was busy trying to ignore every single sound.

From the moment they entered the forest, he had been asking Darius.

"Darius, did you hear that?"

However, what Darius said was ...

"What? Animal sounds?"

Darius was unable to listen to what Lucius had called as strange voices. There wasn't any of that. However, he was certainly not a sensitive person to sound. He guessed what his brother heard was the sound of an animal.

However, it was not animal sounds that Lucius heard. Lucius felt like something ... bigger was calling out to him. No, rather just talking.

The feeling was like being haunted ... Everything was foreign, but also familiar. What happened to him ...?

"He has come!"

"That girl will be happy!"

"Of course! He's been waiting for him a long time!"

He heard the voice over and over again. Hallucinations ... Lucius convinced himself that all hallucinations were created by the forest.

However, all the sounds stopped when their horse carriage was no longer running. Yes, they arrived. In front of a majestic Druantia shrine.