The forest trembled beneath the beating of wings.
Pegasus knights descended from the sky like falling stars, moonlight flashing against white feathers and polished armor. Branches snapped as they landed, surrounding the shattered remains of the carriage in a tight formation.
Aster stood at the center of the wreckage, breathing unevenly.
His silver eyes scanned the figures cautiously—until he saw the crest on their armor.
Kingscrown.
The moment he recognized it, the strength left his body.
His knees buckled.
"Prince Aster—!"
A knight rushed forward, but Aster had already collapsed, still holding Astra protectively against his chest.
Exhaustion finally claimed him.
He was only eleven years old.
His mana reserves were empty, because of the sudden burst in power.
His body had been pushed beyond its limits.
His mind, still reeling from fear and rage, finally shut down.
Astra did not wake.
She remained unconscious, her breathing steady but deep—the effects of the sleeping gas still lingering.
Duke Leon Kingscrown landed moments later, his pegasus skidding to a halt.
He took one look at the scene.
The destroyed carriage.
The cracked trees.
The unconscious twins.
And his blood ran cold.
"Secure the children," Leon ordered sharply.
"Gently."
Two knights carefully lifted Aster and Astra, wrapping them in cloaks lined with mana-warming runes.
Leon knelt briefly, checking their breathing himself.
"They're alive," he exhaled. "Thank the Light…"
Lea Kingscrown landed nearby, eyes wide with shock.
"That… that was Aster's doing, wasn't it?" she whispered, staring at the devastation.
Leon nodded grimly.
"Sound magic," he murmured. "Weaponized."
His respect for the boy deepened instantly.
***
Nearby, the kidnappers staggered among the wreckage.
Blood ran from their ears.
Their movements were unsteady.
Panic flashed across their faces when they realized they were surrounded.
"Run—!" one of them shouted.
Before anyone could react—
One of the men bit down hard.
A sharp *crack* echoed.
He collapsed instantly.
The others followed in terrifying unison—
hidden poison capsules shattered between their teeth.
Within seconds, all of them lay motionless on the forest floor.
Dead.
A knight swore softly. "They killed themselves…"
Leon's expression darkened.
"Professionals," he said coldly. "They were never meant to be interrogated."
Lea clenched her fists. "Cowards."
Leon stood slowly, gaze hard.
"Collect the bodies. We will examine them later. Every detail matters."
But his attention returned immediately to the twins.
"They come first."
***
The return journey was swift.
A pegasus carriage—lightweight, fast, and enchanted—was prepared immediately.
Aster and Astra were placed inside, wrapped in warm cloaks, mana crystals glowing softly around them to stabilize their condition.
Leon mounted his pegasus at the front.
"Full speed," he commanded. "Straight to the palace."
The night sky blurred as they flew.
***
Back at the palace—
Arlienne sat frozen in the banquet hall.
Her dress was wrinkled.
Her hair disheveled.
Her eyes hollow with terror.
Every passing second felt like a knife.
*Please…*
*Please be alive…*
Then—
The massive doors burst open.
A knight rushed in.
"Lady Arlienne!"
She stood so fast her chair toppled behind her.
"Yes—?!"
"We've found them."
Her breath caught painfully.
"They're alive," the knight said quickly. "Unconscious, but alive."
Arlienne didn't wait for anything else.
She ran.
Down corridors.
Past guards.
Ignoring shouts behind her.
She reached the courtyard just as the pegasus carriage landed.
The doors opened.
And there they were.
Aster.
Astra.
Sleeping peacefully.
Alive.
Arlienne collapsed to her knees.
She sobbed—loudly, openly, uncontrollably—as she pulled them into her arms.
"My babies… my babies…"
She pressed her forehead to Aster's.
Then Astra's.
Her tears soaked their cloaks.
She didn't care.
King Aldren stood nearby, pale and shaken.
Leon dismounted and approached him, bowing stiffly.
"They were kidnapped professionally," Leon said quietly.
"The perpetrators killed themselves before questioning. But this was not random."
Aldren's fists clenched.
"Inside the palace…" he whispered. "Inside my walls…"
Leon met his gaze.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Aldren's eyes slowly turned toward the throne room.
Toward where Queen Lura stood—
Silent.
Still.
Watching.
And for the first time—
Fear flickered across her face.
***
Arlienne held her children tightly, refusing to let go.
No apology mattered.
No excuse would suffice.
This night had crossed a line.
And somewhere deep within the kingdom of Vornis—
Something irreversible had begun.