The golden banners above the palace swayed in the late morning breeze, but inside the marble walls, the air was heavy with a tension that refused to lift. Damien stood near one of the tall windows in the west wing, his gaze distant. Below, in the palace gardens, Lady Virelia laughed softly as she walked beside one of the council advisors. Her hand brushed his sleeve in a gesture too practiced to be innocent.
Alec watched from the corridor, arms folded, half in shadow.
"She's good," Caspian said, stepping beside him, his royal sash trailing over his shoulder. "Too good."
Alec gave a curt nod but said nothing.
Caspian narrowed his eyes. "You've grown quiet lately, Commander. Especially around Damien."
"I serve the crown," Alec replied. "Not the prince's affections."
Caspian's expression darkened. "Well, you may have to choose soon."
Just then, the great bell tolled from the council tower. A summons. Alec stiffened. Damien turned from the window, already hearing footsteps approach.
Moments later, the royal herald called, "Prince Damien, Commander Alec, and Prince Caspian His Majesty requires your presence in the Grand Hall."
The three walked in silence, side by side, but worlds apart in thought.
When they entered, King Lucian stood at the base of the throne dais, not seated, but pacing a rare display. Around him were members of the royal council, their robes embroidered with the sigils of their noble houses.
King Lucian turned, his silver crown gleaming. "This matter can no longer wait."
Damien stepped forward. "Father...."
Lucian raised a hand. "No. Listen first."
The room fell silent.
"For weeks now, the court has murmured, the nobles have whispered, and the outer provinces question the stability of our line. You, Damien, are the named heir. But your… resistance to choosing a bride is causing ripples."
"I didn't ask to be the heir," Damien muttered.
King Lucian's eyes flashed. "And yet you were born into it."
He turned to face the others. "Let it be made clear, once and for all why Caspian, my firstborn, cannot inherit the throne."
Caspian stood taller, though his expression remained calm.
Lucian spoke louder, for all to hear. "Prince Caspian relinquished his claim ten years ago by royal decree when he chose to serve in the Temple of the Seven Flames. He took the oath of the Flamebearer, binding him to neutrality in all matters of politics. That oath cannot be undone."
A murmur spread across the council.
King Lucian continued, his voice firm. "Caspian is a strong warrior, a scholar, a prince by blood but not a king by law or divine order. The Temple marked him. The Council of the Seven recognizes only one successor now. Damien."
Damien looked at his brother, shock visible in his face. "You never told me why you gave it up."
Caspian gave a faint smile. "Because you were always stronger than me, Damien. You lead from the heart. I lead from books."
Lucian turned back to the council. "But a prince cannot lead alone. Damien must wed. And if he refuses... the nobility will push for another bloodline entirely."
The weight of that hung in the air.
Lady Virelia entered then, accompanied by two guards. She curtsied low. "I hope I do not intrude."
Lucian gave a nod. "You are timely. Your week begins today."
Alec stepped forward, fists clenched. "Your Majesty, permission to speak."
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Speak."
"Damien is being forced into a decision that should come from freedom, not pressure."
"The kingdom cannot wait," Lucian said coldly. "We are surrounded by enemies, and we must appear unified and stable."
Virelia's voice chimed in, sweet and smooth. "I understand your concerns, Commander. But I am only here to support the kingdom. I do not bite."
She turned toward Damien and smiled. "Unless asked."
The council chuckled lightly.
Damien's jaw tensed. Alec's glare didn't waver. Caspian shifted uncomfortably.
Lucian waved his hand. "The decision will be made in two weeks. Until then, each candidate will have time with the prince. But know this if he fails to choose, the council may move to revoke his claim."
The meeting ended. The king retreated. So did the council.
Damien stormed down the corridor, Alec a few steps behind.
"You didn't speak," Damien hissed. "Not once until she arrived."
"I didn't know what to say."
"I needed you, Alec!"
Alec stopped, breathing hard. "And what good am I now? I can't fight the council. I can't change your father's mind. All I can do is stand in the shadows while another woman claims you—week by week."
Damien stared at him, wounded. "You said you'd hold me together."
"I'm trying," Alec whispered. "But I'm unraveling too."They said no more.
That evening, Alec returned to his quarters, alone.
The room was dark, lit only by the flicker of a dying fire. On the table, slipped under the door, was a folded parchment. No seal. No name.
He opened it.
"Leave the palace, Commander. Or he dies before the crown touches his head."
A shadow flickered across the firelight behind him, but when Alec turned, nothing was there.
Only silence...and danger creeping closer.
The note burned in Alec's hand long after he'd tossed it into the fire. Its message echoed in his head like a death knell. He stood still in his dim quarters, staring into the flames. Someone knew. Someone had eyes inside the palace and they weren't bluffing.
Whoever it was, they were close enough to slide a threat under his door without being seen.
He had to act, and fast.
A sharp knock broke the silence.
Alec turned, his hand instinctively reaching for the dagger strapped to his boot.
"It's Caspian," came the voice.
Alec opened the door and pulled the prince inside quickly. "You shouldn't be here."
Caspian raised an eyebrow. "And yet, here I am."
He glanced around the room. "You're sweating. Something's wrong."
Alec didn't answer right away. Then, after a brief pause, he closed the door and handed Caspian the small pile of ash left in the hearth.
Caspian's eyes narrowed. "A message?"
"A warning," Alec said quietly. "They want me gone."
Caspian tensed. "You think it's her?"
"Lady Virelia? Possibly. But this… feels like something more. Someone working behind the veil. Someone who doesn't want Damien to survive the weeks ahead."
Caspian sighed and moved toward the window. "Damien has always been a flame—beautiful, dangerous, and destined to draw darkness."
Alec's jaw clenched. "We need to protect him."
"And if the greatest threat is from within?"
Alec frowned. "What do you mean?"
Caspian turned, his expression grave. "He's slipping. The pressure, the expectations, the constant performance it's breaking him. You've seen it."
Alec nodded reluctantly. "Yes."
Caspian walked over to a locked chest and pulled out a small vial from within his cloak. "This is from the Temple. A truth serum. Harmless unless lies are told while under its influence."
Alec stared at it. "Why give this to me?"
Caspian's voice was low. "Because someone will betray him. You need to know who. And when the time comes, you must not hesitate."
Elsewhere in the palace, Damien walked with Lady Virelia through the Hall of Painted Saints. Their footsteps echoed off polished marble, and sunlight poured through stained glass in slashes of color.
"You're quieter today," Virelia said, her voice soft.
"I have much on my mind," Damien replied.
"I would hope I'm part of that."
Damien glanced at her. "You enjoy playing games."
Virelia smiled faintly. "Only the ones worth winning."
She stopped near a window overlooking the eastern towers. "I know you don't trust me. That's fine. You don't have to."
"Then what do you want from me?" Damien asked, exasperated.
Virelia turned to him, eyes sharp as glass. "To survive. To marry you. To have power enough to keep my family safe. This court is a cage of serpents, and I do not intend to be bitten."
Damien looked at her, truly looked for the first time not as a threat, but as a woman shaped by ambition, fear, and fire. She was dangerous, yes. But she was also real.
Still, something about her didn't sit right. "What are you hiding?"
She smiled again, but this time, it didn't reach her eyes. "Aren't we all hiding something, Your Highness?"
Before he could respond, a loud crack echoed through the hall.They both turned.
One of the chandeliers above had shifted violently, and a thick cable snapped, sending sparks down toward the floor.
Damien pushed Virelia aside just as the iron fixture came crashing down narrowly missing them.
Guards came rushing in.
"Someone check the supports!" Damien barked, helping Virelia to her feet.
Her eyes were wide with shock. "That wasn't an accident."
Damien nodded grimly. "No. It wasn't."
Back in the war chamber, the council gathered once more.
King Lucian stood, his face a mask of thunder. "An attempt was made on Prince Damien's life today. Sabotage. Someone inside these walls is working against us."
Gasps and whispers filled the room.
"From this moment on," Lucian said, "no one leaves the palace grounds. Every guest, servant, and noble will be investigated. Caspian will oversee the security measures. Alec will double the patrols."
Caspian bowed. Alec gave a stiff nod.
Lady Virelia stepped forward. "Your Majesty, forgive me but do you suspect the other contenders?"
Lucian narrowed his eyes. "I suspect everyone."
Damien looked around the chamber, his heart pounding. Was this what it meant to inherit the throne? Endless scrutiny, poison in every cup, and death lurking behind friendly smiles?
He suddenly envied Caspian free from this, free from the cage of power.
After the meeting, Alec approached Damien in the corridor. "You're bleeding," he said, noticing a cut above Damien's brow.
Damien wiped it quickly. "It's nothing."
"It could've been everything."
Their eyes locked.
"I got a note," Alec said quietly. "Threatening your life. Demanding I leave."
Damien froze. "And you stayed."
"I would burn down the palace before I let them take you," Alec said, voice raw.
Damien looked away. "This will get worse."
"I know."
"But I don't want to lose myself before I even wear the crown."
Alec reached out and touched Damien's shoulder. "Then hold on to the part of you that's real. I'll protect the rest."
At that moment, something shifted between them again—unspoken, fragile, and burning like a spark in the dark.
But neither had time to dwell on it, Not when the walls were closing in.
And someone someone with power wanted Damien dead before the final choice was made.
To be continued...