The golden light of morning stretched through the tall open arches of the royal palace.
It lit up the floors where Ashen walked his steps steadily, his back straight.
For the first time in years, he wasn’t just a forgotten prince walking through these halls... he was summoned. Professionally called to the royal place for a job.
His black cloak trailed behind him, heavy with every step. A silver clasp shaped like a dragon’s eye held it in place at his shoulder.
Behind him, Ero followed in silence. The royal palace was already filled with nobles. They sat quietly, dressed in silk and gold, their eyes curious. They didn’t speak loudly, but Ashen could feel them watching.
At the end of the long hall stood King Aden, sitting tall upon the dragon-carved throne.
On his left sat Queen Sephora. Her face showed no emotion, but her eyes were cold as they watched Ashen like a hawk watches a wounded bird.
Ashen finally stood in front of his father and then he dropped to one knee. His head bowed low, his right hand pressed to his chest.
"Your Highness," he said softly. Then he looked up, his eyes meeting his father’s. "I come to pay my respects."
The palace was silent as everyone wondered why he was summoned to the official meeting in the royal palace.
Queen Sephora’s eyes moved over Ashen like he was something dirty stuck to her shoe like he didn’t belong in her perfect palace.
Then, finally, King Aden spoke.
"Rise, Prince Ashen." Ashen stood slowly as his head stayed low in respect until he straightened fully.
King Aiden nodded once and then his royal aide stepped forward, holding a velvet box lined with deep red. When the lid opened, gasps echoed through the chamber.
Inside was the royal Seal of Justice, It was something only trusted hands could hold. For years, it had never been used outside the high court.
King Aden took the seal himself and held it out toward Ashen.
Ashen moved forward and took the seal with both hands, lowering his head in a deep bow. He could feel the weight. Not just from the metal, but from what it meant.
He was being acknowledged.
"You are starting today... remember our deal and if you pass then you shall be granted."
Ashen thanked his fathers and then looked up again. "May I ask a favor, my king?"
QueenSephora voice bartered him. "You barely proved anything. And already asking for favors?"
Ashen didn’t turn to her. His eyes stayed on his father.
"It concerns my lady, Lumina." At once, the room went silent again. Ashen took a breath, steady but full.
"She is blind," he said. "This is a new realm for her and it’s a bit hard doing things by herself in my chambers. SonI ask permission to expand my household. I want to bring in more helpers to make things easier for her. I also wish to build a private kitchen and keep personal supplies in our chambers so she won’t need to wait for her needs to be met."
Everyone turned mute this, every chamber always requests food from the royal kitchen but here he is trying to get a private kitchen for his woman.
King Aden leaned slightly forward. "You thought of all this on your own?"
Ashen nodded. "Your Highness I have seen her struggle several times so I thought of making things easier for her."
King Aden’s eyes softened at his son, "Then I will send you some staff from the palace."
"Your Highness, I would rather pick them myself. For her safety."
The king raised a brow. "You don’t trust the one I will send fromhere"
Ashen quickly shook his head, "I fear what happens when the wrong people are trusted."
The queen scoffed. "He hasn’t even managed the three people in his chambers and now he wants more? Shall we wait for another scandal?"
The king waved her words away. He let out a tired breath.
"He is twenty, about to have a wife he cares for. Soon, maybe, children. He needs to start somewhere."
But Queen Sephora pressed again. "Why won’t he use palace workers? Does he think we would plant snakes in his room?"
This time, Ashen turned his head and looked at her.
His eyes didn’t burn with hate. They were calm. "I have never been given reason to trust anything this palace offers freely," he said, voice soft and steady. Queen Sephora froze at his word.
King Aden cleared his throat. "Very well, then I am giving you the opportunity to choose your own people. You have my permission."
Ashen bowed again, holding the seal carefully in his arms. "Thank you, Your Highness." With another last bow his eyes met with his mother and he turned to leave.
But just before he reached out of the place where the stone steps are located, Adam moved into his path.
Ashen slowed, his body straight, but he did not stop, he had expected him since. He tried to pass, but Adam lifted his arm and blocked the way.
"Courtesy," Adam said, his voice tight. "You talk of being a man, yet you forget your manners." He added and this made Ashen turn his head a little.
"I have always been the same," he said. "If you notice me now, that’s your problem. Not mine."
Adam stepped closer. "You think marrying a now-star blind girl makes you strong? She fights harder for you than you ever have for yourself."
Ashen’s voice dropped at this, "Maybe she reminded me that I have something worth fighting for." Adam’s face tightened at his clapback.
"You are overstepping." Ashen took one small step forward. Close enough to meet his brother’s eyes, with a victorious smile as he showed him the seal he had just gotten from the king.
"No," he said. "I am standing. At last."
Suddenly, Adam reached forward and grabbed Ashen by the collar. But Ashen didn’t move.
E only smiled back at his brother, leaving the frustration etched on his face.
"You seem to forget who I am," Adam hissed.
Ashen’s lips moved into the smallest smile. "The crown prince." Ashen answered and he settled his hands off his collar.
Adam, who wasn’t expecting that force from his little brother, broke his grip and made him stumble a step back.
Adam stared at his hand, shocked. Then looked at Ashen like he didn’t recognize him.
"How...." he started, but the words never finished as Ashen turned away and there he met with his sister who had been staring at both brothers for a while.
With a dismissive snort Ashen walked past her not showing courtesy.