(Chapter starts)
Kairo's eyes widened.
Torture.
They were taking him to Eldoria... to torture him.
His heart pounded in his chest like a war drum. But his hand moved fast—
His sword was right beside him.
Without thinking, he grabbed the hilt and pressed the cold blade against the assassin's neck.
His voice was sharp like ice.
"Let me go, or I'll kill you."
The assassin didn't flinch. He just sighed, like Kairo's threat meant nothing.
"Sit still," the man said calmly. "You can't escape."
Kairo's grip tightened on his sword.
"You're nothing in front of me."
The assassin gave a soft laugh.
"Is that so? Then go ahead."
But before Kairo could strike—
A voice came from above.
"You? Kill us? That's funny."
A shadow dropped from the sky.
A girl with cold blue eyes sat on top of the bull cart, watching him. She jumped down in an instant and shoved Kairo back.
Kairo swung his sword fast.
But—
A strong hand caught the blade.
With bare fingers.
Blood dripped from the assassin's palm, but he didn't even blink.
No pain. No fear. Just silence.
The girl sighed.
"Why are you letting him hurt you? Just tie him up."
The assassin—still holding the sharp blade—spoke with calm, steady words.
"Listen, Prince. We don't hate you. We're just delivering you to Eldoria, getting paid, and leaving."
Kairo's mind raced.
He had to escape. Now.
"I'm the prince, right?" he said, keeping his voice steady.
"I can pay you more. Let me go."
The assassin shook his head.
"Our reputation matters more than money."
Kairo's frustration boiled over. He jumped, trying to escape the cart—
But the assassin grabbed his shirt and pulled him back.
"Stop struggling. Do you want to survive?"
Kairo glared at him with burning eyes.
"And why do you care?"
The assassin let go of him slowly.
"Because if you don't listen... you won't survive what's coming next."
There was a pause. Then, he spoke again.
"Your name is Kairo, right?"
Kairo hesitated. Then nodded.
"Good. Remember it," the assassin said. "You'll need to, if you want to stay alive."
He turned his gaze to the front of the cart.
"See that man walking ahead? He's guiding the bull cart. His name is Rolf Martial."
Kairo looked forward.
A man walked quietly in the darkness.
His presence was quiet… but heavy.
Then the assassin looked back at Kairo.
"And me? My name is Arsene Bertin."
The girl beside him crossed her arms.
"And I'm Carla Volger. Not that you asked."
Kairo smirked.
"Didn't ask. Don't care."
Carla scoffed.
"You're rude."
Arsene ignored her.
"The one who hired us is Darius. You know him?"
Kairo's expression changed. His voice turned cold.
"That traitor."
Arsene nodded slowly.
"Here's something you don't know. Darius made a deal with Reatrice Peirre."
Kairo frowned.
"Who?"
"A dangerous man," Arsene said. "He's about my age. Maybe a year older than you."
His voice turned quieter.
"We were ordered to kidnap you. But at the last moment, a second order came in…"
He paused.
"To kill someone."
Kairo's body froze.
"Who?" he asked quietly.
Arsene shook his head.
"I don't know his name. Rolf collapsed the ceiling on him. He died instantly."
Kairo's throat went dry.
No.
It wasn't Alya.
It wasn't Luca.
It wasn't Elsa.
Eldric wouldn't die so easily.
That left only two.
His voice trembled.
"Describe him."
Carla tilted her head.
"A bit taller than you."
Kairo's heart stopped.
Veiren was the same height as him.
Which meant…
Raiven.
His mind went blank.
Raiven... dead?
His fists clenched. Nails dug into his palms.
"No… no, he can't be. His work isn't done. He hasn't taken Lyra's revenge yet…"
Arsene clicked his tongue.
"Now's not the time to cry. You need to survive. Listen to me."
---
Inside the House of Reatrice
The bull cart stopped.
Kairo's hands were tied tightly. He was pulled into a grand mansion. The air was cold and still.
At the center of the room stood a tall man.
Reatrice Peirre.
His eyes were sharp. His stare cut deeper than a sword. He looked at Arsene and the others like they were insects.
"Scum."
His voice was cruel.
"You dare stand before me without bowing?"
Arsene, Rolf, and Carla dropped to one knee instantly.
But Kairo didn't.
He stood tall. His voice echoed through the room.
"Arsene. Rolf. Carla. You are under my command now. You bow to no one."
Silence.
Everyone froze.
Reatrice slowly smiled. But it wasn't kind. It was dark and dangerous.
"How bold... but do you think an adopted prince, without royal blood, has the right to give orders?"
Kairo's voice didn't shake.
"I am Kairo Solmaria, Prince of Solmaria. And I have a deal for you."
Reatrice raised an eyebrow.
"A deal? With me? And what could you offer?"
Kairo met his eyes with no fear.
"I'll help you eliminate Darius. And the nationalist officials of Solmaria."
Reatrice stepped closer.
His presence crushed the air around him.
"And what if I told you Darius means nothing to me?"
He leaned in.
"What if I told you the real obstacle in Solmaria... is Sirius Solmaria?"
Kairo's blood turned cold.
Sirius…?
Reatrice's voice dropped lower.
"Now tell me, Prince of Solmaria. Are you ready to kill your own brother?"
Kairo said nothing.
Silence.
Then Reatrice laughed—a slow, dark laugh.
"Interesting."
He held out his hand.
"Fine. I accept your deal. But if you betray me..."
His eyes gleamed with cruel promise.
"I'll make you suffer for eternity."
Kairo gripped his hand without hesitation.
"Same goes for you."
Their eyes locked.
One deal. One devil.
As Reatrice turned and walked away, Kairo let out a slow breath.
He had done it. The plan worked.
Outside the mansion—
Arsene smirked.
"Our plan worked perfectly."
Kairo's voice was cold. His eyes burned.
"Darius... I'm coming for you."
---
(Chapter ends)