The execution was witnessed by thousands of people.

Alzeron had screamed and raged as he was dragged to the stand, where the Royal Family awaited. There was fear in his eyes, Nox supposed, but it was overshadowed by the fury and defiance. Typical Thurinian stubbornness as Erebos said.

He watched next to the Queen while the King recited the crimes Alzeron committed. The headmaster remained silent throughout, his anger palpable. And when the King finished, asking for his final words, Alzeron simply regarded him and the crowd with pure contempt.

No words were needed. Perhaps that was for the best. And perhaps it only made the stroke of the King’s Animarta, a magnificent golden blade, all the more satisfying. Alzeron never begged or mercy, not because he thought he didn’t deserve it, but because he believed he was dying for the right cause.

There was no cheer from the crowd when the headmaster’s head rolled into the basket amid a spurt of blood, only a calm silence as King Esaros announced the inevitable.

That Faven would go to war.

Nox didn’t stay after that. He slipped away and wandered the halls of the castle. Already the signs of the upcoming conflict was evident; soldiers patrolling the corridors in large groups, messengers hurrying to deliver reports, servants with grin expressions.

They seem accustomed to it, he noted.

It’s only been less than a decade since the last war, Erebos said. They already know what to do, and what to feel.

He didn’t answer, instead stopping at a balcony that overlooked the capital, an organized cluster of farms, houses, and towering temples and schools. The heart of Faven itself… and the heart that might stop beating because…

Because there are people who only want destruction, Erebos murmured.

Is destroying them the only way to stop them?

Often it is. Faven, unfortunately, is partly to blame for the situation we find ourselves in.

A sad truth that had shaped the very history of their nation. Why did Thurin really do that? Was Arabella really a threat?

There was a moment’s hesitation from Erebos. She’s a threat just as much as you are.

It wasn’t the whole truth, Nox could sense it. But before he could press the former Celestial for more answers, Estella’s voice rang in his head.

Father is summoning us, love.

He sighed. I’ll be on my way.

When the time is right, I will tell you the truth, Erebos said.

And then he withdrew from Nox’s mind, leaving him to traverse the halls in utter silence.

***

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The throne room lay before his eyes, so vast yet empty that the people in it seemed like children in a giant’s den.

King Esaros sat on his throne, exchanging his stately robes for a less formal yet still impressive attire. In his hand was a glass of wine, while his gaze lay on the floor where the entire land of Faven was engraved down to the smallest village.

Beside him was the Queen, who was conversing with Luciana in hushed whispers. Then there was Estella fidgeting on the seat to the left of the king. She stopped when Nox entered.

Approaching the throne, Nox bent one knee to the carpeted floor and bowed his head. “Your Majesty.”

The king slowly lifted his gaze to look at him. “Nox Stigan.” He regarded him for a moment, expression unreadable. “Or should I say, Sir Nox Stigan.”

Nox flinched. He took a deep breath. What he would say next might cause his head to join Alzeron’s in the basket. “Your Majesty, I don’t deserve that title.”

The throne room was filled with silence until the Queen cleared her throat. “Well, obviously, you need a better title,” she said with forced cheerfulness. “Perhaps Prince Nox would—“

“Elena.” A single word, a single name, but in it carried the full authority of the king of Faven.

Queen Elena fell silent at once.

Nox could still feel the king’s gaze on him, but his head remained bowed. Finally, the king asked, “What makes you think you’re unworthy of that title?”

“Because I caused death and destruction during one of our most important events, Your Majesty.”

Estella’s voice echoed in his head. What are you doing? she demanded.

He didn’t answer, and her annoyance surged. He ignored her.

“Death and destruction that our enemies had incited.”

“Even so, they were guests at the time. They still died by my hand. And…” He glanced at Estella. “I nearly killed Ella.”

Her expression softened. I already forgave you for that.

I know. I’m still sorry.

She smiled faintly, teasingly. You can make up for it tonight.

“Nearly,” the king said. “But not. Now you are both here and alive. And for your service in defeating Alzeron, you deserve that title and my daughter’s hand.”

Another deep breath. This time, he was quite certain that Estella would be the one to take his head. “Then I accept the title, Your Majesty. However, I…” He swallowed. “I can’t accept your daughter’s hand—“

“What?” the Queen cried.

“—until the war is over.”

The Queen sighed, and both Estella and her sister slumped in their seats.

Don’t scare me like that!

Sorry. I’ll make it up to you.

You better!

“Why?” the king asked.

He smiled at Estella, pouring his love into their Resonance. “Because I want to be her Squire. I am her Squire, and my High General will not need a lover but a weapon in this war.”

Use me as you see fit.

The Royal Family glanced at one another save for Estella, whose gaze remained solely on him. You are not a weapon, Nox.

No, but I have to be. To protect you.

Unshed tears brimmed in her eyes, but she was smiling, and her smile was the only validation he needed; that he had made the right choice.

He transferred his gaze to the king, who rose from his throne. “You will be bound to my daughter’s wills.”

Nox chuckled. “I already am since the day I became her Squire, Your Majesty.”

“I know.” And then the king smiled, flicking his gaze to the queen for a moment. “Perhaps we are not that different, you and I.” He sighed. “Very well. I will honor your request. And since we are already here, I will tell you your first mission, General.”

It took a moment for Estella to realize that she was being addressed. “M-Me?” she asked in disbelief.

“Yes, you, my daughter. The High General is still alive, Ella. The kingdom doesn’t need two.” There was a hint of impatience in his voice.

Emotions flickered in her face, too fast for Nox to determine. Even Estella’s thoughts were a jumbled mess. Then she looked at him, and everything seemed to clear away, leaving her with just one thought.

Resolve.

She rose to her feet, back stiff. And though her dress didn’t fit a general, she carried it as if it was an armor. “I’m at your service, Your Majesty.” Gone was the voice of a king’s daughter. In its place, a true general of the kingdom.

King Esaros’s eyes shone with pride. He glanced at the queen and crown princess, then at Nox, before returning his gaze to Estella, a hard expression on his face. And he spoke thus:

“Your mission, you and your Squire, is to destroy Thurin. By whatever means necessary.”