Chapter One: A Crown of Ashes
The palace of Aldoria shimmered under the midday sun like a jewel coated in blood. The white marble walls—built by Leonard's ancestors to immortalize the kingdom's grandeur—now stood as silent witnesses to its collapse. In the grand throne room, the prince—no, the king now—lounged on the golden ornate chair, legs carelessly thrown over the armrest, a goblet of red wine in his hand. The wine dripped slowly onto the floor, dark rivulets like blood seeping from an invisible wound.
Leonard, twenty-two years old, looked like a statue carved from gold and poison. His long blond hair was tied back with precision, his honey-colored eyes roaming the hall with obvious boredom, as though everything around him was a faded backdrop. He wore a black robe embroidered with silver threads, yet left his chest partially exposed—as if daring the world to meet his gaze directly.
Before him, on his knees, knelt Lord Ethan—Guardian of the Northern Gates of the kingdom. The old man, with his thick white beard and ancient scars etched across his face, held his head high despite the heavy iron cuffs binding his wrists. His gray eyes were fixed on Leonard with unyielding steel, not a trace of fear or panic in them. He had served Leonard's father with absolute loyalty for decades, defended the northern borders with sword and cunning, and had never bowed except to justice.
"You claim… loyalty to the crown?" Leonard asked, his voice calm, almost casual, as if discussing the weather.
"I am loyal to the kingdom, boy," Ethan replied, his voice deep and steady, devoid of tremor. "Not to you. You are no crown. You are merely a spoiled shadow that stole a throne."
A slow, cold smile spread across Leonard's lips. He rose unhurriedly, stepped closer, seized Ethan's beard, and forced his face upward.
"Say it. Say: I am King Leonard."
Ethan didn't blink. He stared straight into those honey eyes.
"You are no king. You are a spoiled brat who murdered his father and stole his crown."
Leonard let out a short, sharp laugh. He gestured to the guards. Two of them dragged forward a small girl—no older than twelve—Ethan's youngest granddaughter, sister to Eleanora. They threw her at Leonard's feet. She was crying softly, her blond hair disheveled.
"Pretty… just like her sister," Leonard murmured, lifting her chin with the toe of his boot. "Perhaps I'll keep her. A little gift to myself. Or perhaps… I'll feed her to the dogs."
Ethan's jaw clenched, but he did not flinch. His gaze never left Leonard.
"Do what you want with me, lad. But do not touch the innocence of children. That is not strength… that is cowardice."
Leonard turned slowly toward him, the smile fading just a fraction.
"Cowardice?" He suddenly shouted, hurling the goblet to the floor. Glass shattered; wine splashed like blood. "I am the king! I am the king!"
At that moment, the massive doors of the throne room burst open with violent force.
A young soldier stumbled in, face ashen, armor streaked with blood.
"My king! The rebels… they've breached the southern walls! Fire rages through the lower districts… and the people are chanting Eleanora's name!"
Leonard froze for a heartbeat. Then… he smiled.
"Eleanora," he repeated, and this time something else flickered in his tone—not just rage, but a faint trace of astonishment.
"And my mother?" he asked suddenly, voice eerily calm.
The soldier hesitated. "The Queen Mother… was seized in the main square. The mob… they burned her alive."
Silence swallowed the hall.
Ethan slowly raised an eyebrow, regarding Leonard with a look that held no pity—only contempt mingled with something like sorrow.
Leonard did not move. He stood motionless, staring into empty space. Then, very slowly, he returned to the throne and sat.
"Good," he said quietly. "Now… no one stands in my way."
But he did not see the shadows beginning to shift beyond the windows. He did not hear the chants growing closer. He did not yet feel the strange thing stirring in his chest—a small, sharp thing, like a needle slowly piercing flesh.
He had always believed hatred nourished him. He had always believed fear made him stronger.
He did not yet know that when fear turns into collective hatred, it becomes an unstoppable blade.
Hours passed.
Night fell over Aldoria, but the sky burned red from the fires. Thick smoke rose from the poor quarters, and the people's screams filled the air like howling wolves.
In the royal bedchamber—once his father's—Leonard stood before the tall mirror. He shed his robe, gazed at his lean body: muscles shaped by fencing masters and trainers, small scars from battles he had never truly fought himself.
"I am the king," he whispered to his reflection.
The reflection did not answer.
Suddenly, violent pounding shook the door.
"My lord! The rebels are inside the palace! We must flee!"
It was the voice of his personal guard captain.
Leonard did not respond. He kept staring at the mirror.
"My lord—please!"
"Get out."
The captain left after a moment's hesitation, leaving the door ajar.
Leonard heard footsteps approaching—swords clashing, men shouting his name with raw hatred.
He sat on the edge of the bed, placed his sword beside him.
"I am the king," he said one last time. But the words came out faint, as though he were trying to convince himself.
The door flew open with a crash.
A group of rebels stormed in, blades dripping red. At their head stood not Eleanora, but a rebel commander carrying the new kingdom's banner.
"Leonard," the man bellowed. "Your reign is over."
Leonard looked at him. For the first time… something like surprise flickered through him.
"You've come to take my throne?"
"We've come to end the monster's rule."
The commander signaled. They seized him, clamped iron cuffs around his wrists.
He did not resist.
As they dragged him from the room, he heard the people's roar from outside:
"Death to the tyrant! Death to Leonard!"
For the first time in his life… Leonard felt something strange in his chest.
Something small. Sharp. Painful.
Like a needle slowly entering his heart.
He did not yet know its name.
But he would learn soon enough.
Its name was regret.
(End of Chapter One