Chapter Three: A Thorn Among Roses
The golden bell echoed through the east wing, sharp and clear. Every maid paused. Eyes widened. Whispers fluttered like moths: Prince Kimo had summoned a servant. A maid.
Not just any maid—Oki.
Two guards appeared at the servant quarters. One knocked, the other waited with the stiffness of iron statues.
"Oki. The Prince requests your presence."
The other maids looked at her as if she had been chosen for sacrifice. But Oki, ever calm, wiped her hands on her apron, smiled gently, and nodded. "Lead the way."
The walk to the northern palace was silent. Tense. Icy winds swept through the tall arches, brushing her face with cold fingers.
Inside the prince's private chamber, Kimo stood with his back to her. The long black ribbon tying his hair was looser than usual. He looked out the tall window, as if searching for answers in the pale sky.
"You're late," he said, voice as cold and sharp as a blade.
"I came as soon as I was called," Oki replied, unshaken.
He turned slowly, eyes narrowing.
"What makes you different from the rest?" he asked bluntly. "The king praises your diligence. The maids whisper about you. Even my guards mentioned your... 'warmth.' Why?" He stepped closer, and his presence was intimidating—an aura of frost that pressed against her skin.
Oki met his gaze without flinching. "I treat everyone kindly. Male, female, rich or poor. Not because I want to be noticed. But because it's the right thing to do."
Her words stirred something faint in him, a flicker of memory: his mother's laughter echoing in the summer gardens. A younger version of his father—gentle, proud, still whole. They were laughing. Happy. Together.
But that was before the queen's death. Before the king turned cruel. Before love became weakness.
Kimo looked away sharply. "Kindness is a luxury in this palace."
"It's a choice," Oki said softly.
Before he could respond, a loud trumpet blared in the distance—announcing King Ryon's arrival at the Grand Hall. With him… the new queen.
Lady Meraxa.
She had arrived with silver veils, jeweled lips, and ambition in her stride. Her presence threatened to consume the palace like wildfire. Rumors whispered she had poisoned her last husband. Others said she used dark charms to bend powerful men.
King Ryon introduced her with pride, yet the sharpness in his eyes had not softened. He still ruled with an iron will—but now, he had a queen equally cold and cunning by his side.
Kimo's jaw clenched as he watched his father parade her like a trophy. This wasn't love—it was strategy. A game of dominance. One the king was determined to win, even if it shattered everything.
That night, Kimo couldn't sleep.
He slipped from his chambers, cloaked in midnight, and crept into the forest. No guards. No advisors. Just moonlight and trees that whispered his name.
He knelt in a clearing and closed his eyes.
The earth trembled softly.
Vines burst from the ground like snakes, blooming into flowers that glowed with eerie beauty. A swirl of wind danced around him. His nature powers—wild, ancient, secret—only obeyed him here.
But even surrounded by life, his thoughts returned to Oki. Her calm defiance. Her eyes that didn't fear him.
And the way she had smiled at the stable boy that morning.
His chest tightened. He didn't like the feeling.
Not one bit.
As the winds stilled and the glowing flowers dimmed, Kimo stood, breathing heavily. The magic still pulsed beneath his skin, aching to be unleashed fully—but he had to remain hidden. Even his father could never know.
Suddenly, a faint crunch of leaves echoed behind him.
He spun around.
A figure stood at the edge of the clearing, cloaked in shadows—but unmistakably watching.
Oki.
Her eyes were wide, not with fear—but something deeper. Wonder? Curiosity?
"How long have you been there?" His voice was sharp again, a defense.
"Long enough," she replied calmly, stepping into the moonlight. "You're not as cold as you pretend to be, Prince."
His breath caught.
But before he could speak, a dark screech ripped through the forest air—followed by the flapping of massive wings. A monstrous black bird, eyes glowing red, circled overhead.
A royal messenger beast.
Only used for one thing—death alerts from the throne.
Kimo snatched the scroll tied to its leg. His eyes scanned the words, and his hand tightened.
"The Queen has accused a traitor within the palace. At dawn, someone will burn."
He looked up at Oki.
And for the first time… there was fear in his eyes.
CHAPTER 4 LOADING. ....