The hallway of the palace stretches endlessly, yet its emptiness is a stark contrast to the bustling chaos that the hall once held. Gone are the seas of people, their cries and the screams of agony that once filled. Now, only silence that lingers, its suffocating, its silence is broken by faint echo of my small footsteps.

Then, I saw him.

Eldric the Grand Wizard, stood in the great hall, his once proud figure kneeled in the presence of my father. Father’s voice was sharp, unrelenting, his voice cut through the loud commotion of the hall, silencing the crowd that filled the room. There was also Father’s Chancellor, Rothe, who was present in the hall. His presence assisted Father, who was scorning Eldric, to the be casted out of the castle.

From what I understood, the wizard had committed a crime, a terrible sin that no one in Radovia had ever done. The only option for him was to be banished from the kingdom. But what sin that the wizard did?

I couldn’t hear what my father said as I was slightly far from there. But I notice that the wizard took a glance at me, a slight glance, as if he felt pity towards me, something that made my heart skip a beat. A quiet, fleeting moment, that lingered in my mind, unanswered.

I turned away from the hall. My mind feels heavy, burdened with unanswered questions. The wizard’s glance lingered in my thoughts, a weight that keeps on pressing on my chest. What did he mean by his gaze? Why did he hold such pity, when he looked at me?

I’m unable to shake my uneasiness, I found myself heading toward my mother’s chambers, Surely, she would have answers to all my curious questions. Mother’s voice is always calm, that easily soothe my fears. I can imagine her sitting by the balcony of her chamber, her golden hair that shines as bright as day and sparkles at night, and her gentle smile that dissipates any shadows that lingers in my heart.

But as I neared the door to mother’s chambers, my steps faltered. I feel that something is wrong.

The door to her chamber was slightly opened, faint echoes of whisper escapes through the crack. My hands trembles as I pushed the door open, as my heart feels tightened as if it was being squeezed.

Inside, the room was filled with eerie stillness. My mother lies on her bed, her face is pale, yet her lips shed crimson blood. Her once vivid warmth in her eyes is now dimmed, as it is shut. The air of the room feels thick with a sharp, metallic scent.

“Mother!” I screamed, my voice trembles. I rushed to her side, my hands hover above her frail form. I touched her hands, but her hands feel cold. I tried to move her hands, but I couldn’t as it is stiff as a rock. She didn’t respond to me, her lips unclenched as it is opened, blood drips from her mouth. My heart pounds as my panic seized me.

I have to find Father. He has to know what to do.

Tears stung my eyes as I stumbled out of the chamber, my legs instinctively carry me to the council room where father often meets Chancellor Rothe. I approached the door cautiously, each of my steps are muffled with the thick carpet that lies down. As I drew nearer, I heard voices, low yet resolute, that leaks through the heavy wood.

“The Queen is now dead, how glorious it is Rothe?” my father said, his voice is cold, devoid of any grief. “The poison succeeded to pierces her, it was a slow death, but thorough.”

My breath caught in my throat. Poison?

“And what of the boy?” Rothe’s voice followed, equally detached. “He grows restless. He will ask questions.”

“The boy is harmless,” my father replied dismissively. “He’s too weak to pose any threat. Let him mourn his mother. It will keep him quiet.”

My knees buckled, and I pressed myself against the wall, my chest heaving as I fought to keep silent. My mind raced, the words circling like vultures. Poison. My mother—my beautiful, kind mother—was dying, and my father had planned it.

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Why? Why would he do this?

“You must ensure there are no loose ends,” Rothe continued. “Eldric has been dealt with, but we cannot afford any lingering suspicions. The kingdom must see you as the sole authority now.”

“I have already taken care of it,” my father said, his tone resolute. “Radovia will remember me as its savior. Nothing more.”

The weight of their words crushed me, each syllable driving a nail deeper into my heart. My father—the man I once admired—had orchestrated the ruin of the two people who had given me comfort and hope. The wizard’s pitying glance now made sense. He knew. He knew what was coming.

Tears blurred my vision as I backed away from the door, the edges of my world collapsing around me. I wanted to scream, to burst into the room and demand answers, but I couldn’t. My voice, already fragile, felt like it had been ripped away entirely.

I clutched the fabric of my tunic, my heart pounding so loudly I feared it might give me away. My breaths came shallow and quick, each one threatening to betray my presence. The weight of their words bore down on me, suffocating and relentless: Poison. Betrayal. A savior in name only.

The conversation continued, but my mind was a whirlwind, struggling to piece together the enormity of what I’d just heard. Then, suddenly, the voices stopped. The heavy silence that followed sent a chill crawling up my spine.

“Did you hear that?” Rothe’s voice broke the quiet, sharp and suspicious. I froze, my body instinctively shrinking closer to the shadows of the dimly lit hallway.

“Hear what?” Father’s voice was gruff, impatient.

“A sound—someone’s outside.” Rothe’s footsteps approached the door, each step like a hammer against my chest. I pressed myself against the wall, willing myself to disappear. My body trembled, my instincts screaming for me to run, but my legs refused to move.

The door creaked open, and a moment later, Chancellor Rothe’s piercing gaze locked onto me. His expression shifted instantly—suspicion giving way to a sinister smirk. “Well, well,” he murmured. “What have we here?”

I tried to back away, but Rother’s hand shot out, gripping my arm like an iron vice. “Your Majesty,” he called over his shoulder, “it seems we have a little mouse.”

The sound of my father’s footsteps was heavy, deliberate, as he approached. My breath hitched as he emerged from the room, his cold eyes narrowing as he took me in. For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze sharp and unyielding.

“Caelum,” he said finally, his voice unnervingly calm. “What are you doing here?”

I opened my mouth to speak, to explain, to plead, but no words came. My voice was lost, swallowed by the storm of fear raging inside me. My silence seemed to anger him. His expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he turned to Rother.

“Leave us,” he ordered curtly. Rother gave a slight bow, releasing my arm with a pointed glare before disappearing back into the council room.

My father’s hand clamped down on my shoulder, firm and unyielding. “Come,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. He led me down the hallway, his grip tightening as we walked. My legs struggled to keep pace with his long strides, but I didn’t dare resist.

He brought me to his private chambers, shoving the heavy door open and pulling me inside. The door slammed shut behind us with a force that made me flinch. For a moment, the room was silent, the air heavy with tension. Then he turned to me, his expression thunderous.

“How much did you hear?” he demanded, his voice low but seething with menace.

I looked down, my lips trembling. My hands fidgeted at my sides, but I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze. My silence only seemed to enrage him further. He took a step closer, looming over me like a shadow.

“Answer me!” he barked, his voice booming. His hand lashed out, gripping my chin and forcing me to look up at him. “Did you hear what I said? About the Queen? About Eldric?”

Tears welled in my eyes, blurring my vision. I shook my head desperately, though the motion felt hollow, a weak attempt to protect myself from the truth I couldn’t unhear. His eyes bore into mine, searching for any hint of deception.

“You will forget whatever it is you think you heard,” he said finally, his voice cold and commanding. “Do you understand me? You will not speak of this to anyone.”

His grip tightened painfully for a moment before he released me, shoving me back. I stumbled, catching myself against the edge of a table. “You are my son, Caelum,” he continued, his tone dark and heavy. “And as my son, you will obey me. Do not make me regret keeping you here.”

The threat hung in the air like a blade poised to strike. My chest heaved with suppressed sobs, but I managed to nod weakly.

“Good.” His tone softened slightly, though it was no less chilling. “Now, go to your chambers. And remember—silence is your ally.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. I bolted from the room, my legs trembling as I ran through the empty halls. Tears streamed down my face, but I didn’t stop until I reached the safety of my room, collapsing onto the floor. The weight of my father’s words, of the truth I now carried, was unbearable.

The boy I had been before stepping into that hallway was gone. In his place was someone broken, someone silenced—not by choice, but by fear.