After the important royal council had concluded, Chancellor Bellomore returned to his study, his thoughts weighed down with concern. King Kailus's frailty was no longer a secret that could be easily hidden, and the future of the kingdom felt increasingly uncertain. Queen Sylvia's ambitions were growing with each passing day, and the conflict surrounding the royal succession was rapidly escalating.
Bellomore deliberated on the best course of action to maintain stability in the kingdom. He came to a firm conclusion: it was time to rally the forces that supported Prince Alexander and put a stop to Queen Sylvia's plans. The problem, however, was time. Preparations were far from complete, and Alexander's qualifications had not yet been fully proven.
In the end, Bellomore made a critical decision. He would call upon Count Leon for help. A trustworthy noble with considerable influence, Leon was also the guardian of Merslin and his companions—individuals who had already pledged their support to Prince Alexander. Realizing that the situation was deteriorating more rapidly than expected, Bellomore concluded that they must be positioned by Alexander's side without delay.
One quiet night, Bellomore summoned his most trusted messenger and dictated a discreet letter. The message was clear: Merslin's party must move swiftly.
"To Count Leon,
A crucial moment has arrived for the kingdom. Queen Sylvia's plans are quickly taking shape, and Prince Alexander must act now if he is to claim the throne. Though I understand Merslin and his companions have already pledged their support, time is no longer a luxury we possess. Please see to it that they are placed at the prince's side immediately. The future of the realm depends on swift and decisive action."
Sealing the letter, Bellomore looked the messenger in the eye.
"Deliver this to Count Leon at once. Be discreet—let no one else see it."
The messenger bowed and departed quickly. Bellomore watched him disappear into the dark corridor, whispering to himself, "This is the only way. We must be prepared—for Alexander, and for the kingdom."
A few days later, Count Leon received the chancellor's letter. Reading its contents, he fell into deep contemplation. Though he was glad Merslin's group had already chosen to support Alexander, Bellomore's tone conveyed an urgency far greater than he'd anticipated.
Leon frowned slightly.
"They've agreed to help, yes… but are they truly ready to be thrust into the heart of this conflict so soon?"
He was reluctant to push them too quickly. He understood their value as warriors and allies—but involving them too hastily in royal politics could be dangerous. Still, with the kingdom's stability at stake, Leon knew delay was not an option.
He made his decision. That very evening, he invited Merslin and his companions to his estate. After dinner, he brought them into his study, lit by the warm glow of candlelight. His expression was more serious than usual.
"Merslin, everyone," he began, "I've called you here because there is something urgent I must ask of you."
Merslin, attentive as always, nodded.
"Please, speak freely, Count Leon. What's the matter?"
Leon took a deep breath and began explaining the letter from Chancellor Bellomore.
"The situation in the kingdom is deteriorating faster than we expected. Queen Sylvia's ambition is becoming a reality, and we can no longer afford to wait. The chancellor has asked that you be sent immediately to Prince Alexander's side. There's no time to lose."
The group fell into momentary silence. Though they had committed to supporting Alexander, this sudden shift in urgency was unexpected. Merslin wondered if they had been too hasty in choosing sides.
'Are we truly ready for this? Did we overlook something in our haste?'
He voiced his thoughts.
"Count Leon, we've pledged our support to Prince Alexander—but this level of urgency… it's troubling. I'm not sure we're fully prepared."
Leon looked directly into Merslin's eyes and replied with conviction.
"This is more than a political struggle. The kingdom's future hangs in the balance. Your strength could be what tips the scales. We must act—now."
The companions exchanged glances, feeling the weight of the moment. They all knew this was no longer just another mission.
It was Elena who broke the silence.
"If time is against us, then we adapt. We've already made our choice. Supporting the prince means standing beside him, no matter the cost."
The others nodded in agreement. They understood what was at stake.
Finally, Merslin gave his answer.
"Very well. We'll accept this mission. For the sake of the kingdom—and for you, Count—we'll do everything we can. We'll be ready."
Leon sighed with relief and smiled.
"Thank you, Merslin. Your resolve will help shape the future of the kingdom."
With their decision made, Merslin and his companions began preparing to move. Though they had already chosen their side, the pace of events was accelerating, and now they would face the unfolding conflict head-on.
When word reached Prince Alexander that Merslin's party would soon be arriving, he sat alone in his study, gazing out the window, lost in thought. Their support brought him comfort—but also pressure.
'They believe in me… but can I live up to that belief?'
The weight of the kingdom's fate bore down on his shoulders.
'Am I ready to lead?' he wondered.
But instead of retreating from that burden, Alexander steeled himself. He would rely on Merslin and his allies—but he would not disappoint them.
*******
Covert Approaches
On the surface, the Kingdom of Alteqna appeared peaceful, but beneath that facade, a storm of schemes and conflicts was brewing. The kingdom's future had grown uncertain, and Queen Sylvia was finalizing the last steps of her grand plan. She had already forged a powerful alliance that could threaten Prince Alexander. Yet, at the heart of it all stood the decision of one man—Archmage Ortai.
Ortai was one of the most respected magicians in the kingdom. For years, he had stood by King Kailus, safeguarding the realm and ushering in an era of prosperity. By principle, Ortai believed it was right to support Prince Alexander. The prince was upright, wise, and possessed the qualities necessary to rule the kingdom.
However, after the death of Alexander's mother, his political backing had weakened considerably. Noble support dwindled, and his influence within the court gradually eroded. Ortai could not ignore the signs. "If Alexander ascends the throne, the kingdom may fall into chaos because of his weakened position. And yet, I cannot overlook his worth…"
He spent many sleepless nights in thought. "Can I make the right choice for the kingdom's stability? Or am I making a grave mistake?" Torn between his affection for the prince and his duty to the kingdom, Ortai struggled.
Queen Sylvia, now deeply connected to the ailing King Kailus, wielded tremendous influence. Intelligent and calculating, she had built a formidable power base. Her ambition to place her son Lucas on the throne was evident, but behind that ambition lay her belief that Alexander was not fit to lead the realm.
As the king grew weaker, Sylvia moved to consolidate power and maintain stability through her faction and external alliances. She believed Lucas was the better choice to ensure the kingdom's future.
Ortai began to question whether Sylvia's ambition was more than a thirst for power—perhaps it was a calculated move for the good of the kingdom. "If her faction can preserve order and repel outside threats… siding with Queen Sylvia may be the wiser path."
Eventually, Ortai made his decision. "For the sake of the kingdom's survival, I must cooperate with Queen Sylvia. If Prince Alexander rises now, his weakness may plunge us into disarray. But with Sylvia's power, we may hold the line."
He visited the queen and spoke clearly. "Your Majesty, I once believed it was right to support Prince Alexander. But now, for the stability of the realm, I have decided to stand with you. Your power and vision may indeed be what this kingdom needs."
Queen Sylvia welcomed Ortai's words with a smile. "Archmage Ortai, I respect your decision. Let us guide this kingdom into a new era. Your strength will be vital."
Ortai nodded. "I will stand by your side—for the sake of the kingdom. But remember this: I act only to protect the realm. Personal ambition is not my goal."
But Sylvia was not content with Ortai's loyalty alone. Even as she solidified their alliance, she secretly schemed something darker behind the scenes.
In the shadows, Queen Sylvia had begun to communicate with the leader of the Shadow Collective—an organization devoted to reviving an ancient god and throwing the kingdom into chaos. She intended to use their power to eliminate Alexander and place Lucas on the throne.
The two never revealed their faces, yet their voices conveyed mutual trust.
"Your Majesty," said the leader of the Collective in a low voice, "we are ready to support your ambition. Our power can help remove Prince Alexander."
Sylvia replied calmly, "I need your assistance. Though Archmage Ortai cooperates with me, I cannot fully trust his loyalty. You—your power—will be the true deciding factor in the kingdom's future."
The Shadow Collective had already embedded agents among Ortai's own mages within the palace. Acting in secret, they began executing Queen Sylvia's orders from within.
As Musling and his companions gradually approached Prince Alexander, they too began to sense the undercurrent of Sylvia's plot. Aria, tending to the prince's health, noticed subtle changes in his condition and the strange energy pervading the palace—it was no ordinary magic.
Elena, while instructing the prince in magic, observed Ortai's mages lingering around Alexander. Their gaze, their posture—something was off. Though she had no proof, her instincts warned her.
Lisa, serving as the prince's guard, noticed mounting unease among the palace soldiers. A tension, a fear, had taken root. They were clearly wary of something—but of what, she could not say.
Serena, posing as the prince's playmate, earned his trust. But even she could not dispel the unease in his heart. Without fully understanding it, Alexander feared his stepmother's machinations. And that fear had begun to reach Serena too.
Musling, piecing together each sign, realized something grave was unfolding within the palace. He gathered his companions and began planning how to expose Sylvia's plot.
"This goes far deeper than we thought," Musling said. "It seems the queen is using both Ortai and the Shadow Collective. We need to be extremely careful—our cover could be blown at any moment."
Elena answered coldly, "Then we prepare. There's no room for error. Our priority is to stay close to the prince and protect him, but we must gather the evidence we need as quickly as possible."
Lisa clenched her fist. "We can't forget why we're here. The fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance—we have to give it everything we've got."
Staying close to Alexander, Musling and his companions remained vigilant. As the queen's web closed in, they knew they had to uncover and stop the conspiracy—before it was too late.