King Edmund leaned back in his throne, his fingers tapping against the armrest.
The memories of their youth weren't just about fights, stolen food, and mischief.
No—Garius had taught him valuable lessons.
Ones that he never forgot.
"Don't trust someone you can't trust."
It sounded obvious, but Garius had a way of drilling it into his head.
Trust was not given—it was proven.
If you couldn't see a person's true nature, then never trust their words.
And most importantly—
"Always find a way to know everything before the enemy."
This—this was the rule that Edmund lived by as king.
Garius had been paranoid, always planning two steps ahead, then five steps more.
But Edmund?
He listened. He learned.
And that was why—even as king—he was never blind.
The failed assassination attempt today?
The fake delegation?
He had seen through them immediately.
Because Garius had hammered this truth into him since they were kids.
Edmund smirked.
"You really trained me well, Garius."
