Cedric sat in his lavish chamber, staring into the flickering candlelight, his hands trembling as he swirled the wine in his goblet. The rich scent of aged liquor filled the air, but it did nothing to settle the storm raging inside him.
His mind was a battlefield.
For years, he had pledged his loyalty to Magnus, believing the man to be a visionary, a leader who could strengthen Eldoria. But now—now, he wasn't sure what Magnus was.
A savior?
Or a monster?
---
The Burden of Guilt
A sharp knock at the door jolted Cedric from his thoughts.
Isolde stepped inside, her blue-gray eyes scanning him carefully. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Cedric let out a hollow chuckle. "No, my lady. Just the ghost of my conscience."
Isolde frowned. She had seen Cedric act as Magnus' right hand, had watched him execute orders without hesitation. But now, he looked… haunted.
"You don't approve of Magnus' rule," she said quietly.
Cedric hesitated. Then, with a sigh, he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temple. "I was a fool," he admitted. "I thought Magnus wanted to strengthen the kingdom, to bring order. But all I see now is a tyrant in the making."
Isolde's expression softened. "Then why do you still stand beside him?"
Cedric laughed bitterly. "Do you know what happens to those who betray Magnus?"
She didn't need to answer. They both knew the truth.
Loyalty to Magnus was not a choice. It was a prison.
And Cedric was trapped inside.
---
The Weight of Betrayal
The throne room was colder than usual. Or maybe it was just Cedric's blood running cold.
Magnus stood at the head of the chamber, draped in deep crimson, his dark eyes scanning the gathered nobles like a predator watching its prey.
To his left, Sir Gareth stood with his arms crossed, his disapproval barely concealed.
To his right, Tobias lurked in the shadows, eyes sharp, watching.
Eva was absent. No doubt plotting something.
And then there was Lucian.
The knight had returned to Eldoria, though he was no longer the commander of the royal guard. His presence alone sent a ripple of unease through the court.
Magnus smiled. "We are gathered here to discuss the future of Eldoria."
Cedric's stomach churned.
The future? No. This was about power.
"We must solidify our rule," Magnus continued, "and rid the kingdom of those who seek to undermine it." His gaze flickered toward Lucian. "Traitors cannot be tolerated."
Lucian met his stare with calm defiance. "And who decides who the traitors are, Magnus?"
Magnus smirked. "I do."
The room fell silent.
Cedric felt a bead of sweat slide down his back.
Magnus wasn't just claiming power. He was rewriting the laws to suit himself.
---
A Choice to Make
After the meeting, Cedric slipped into the corridors, his mind racing.
He had always thought himself a man of logic, of reason. A man who knew which side to stand on.
But now?
Now, he felt powerless.
"Thinking of switching sides?"
Cedric turned sharply. Tobias leaned against the stone wall, arms crossed, a knowing smirk on his face.
"I—" Cedric hesitated.
Tobias pushed off the wall, stepping closer. "Magnus is dangerous. You know this." His voice lowered. "So, the real question is—how long until he turns on you?"
Cedric's breath hitched.
It wasn't just paranoia. It was a fact.
Magnus had no true allies. Only tools. And tools, once dull, were discarded.
For the first time in years, Cedric felt afraid.
But the real fear?
Was that it might already be too late to escape.