"Eat more just look at you! You weigh less than a chicken leg!"
"I swear, if you feed me one more spoon of porridge, I'm going to explode," Astra groaned, leaning back against the pillows. "You've been stuffing me like I'm a dumpling on festival day."
Kaen raised an eyebrow but finally relented, setting the bowl aside. "Fine. But don't blame me when the wind knocks you over."
Astra sighed in relief, then pounced on her chance. "Kaen… now that I'm full and alive again, how about letting me go see my friend? I told you everything right?"
Without a second thought, Kaen folded his arms and turned away. "No. Not happening. I've said it before, you're staying right here."
"Kaen—!"
He picked up the bowl and walked toward the door. "No more mischief. I'm locking the door from the outside." Kaen's voice was calm but firm as the lock clicked into place. He turned around and found Ryoma already waiting in the corridor, leaning against the wall, silent as ever.
Their eyes met, and without a word, they began walking side by side down the dim hallway.
"You heard what she said?" Kaen finally asked, his voice low. Ryoma nodded. "She mentioned someone named Kriya was with her… who saved her from the bees and tried to treat her wound."
"She doesn't remember how she ended up in that cave. According to her, Kriya was injured by that demon named Yuyan, and after that… everything is hazy. But when we found her she was completely alone."
Ryoma's gaze darkened. "And not a single trace of that man that shows he was with her."
They walked in silence for a moment longer, footsteps echoing faintly through the quiet corridor.
"She said his spiritual power wasn't that strong," Kaen spoke, breaking the silence. "And that he used most of it trying to suppress the venom. If that's true… could he have been killed by Yuyan?"
Ryoma's eyes narrowed. "No one that weak survives an encounter with Yuyan. If his power was really that low, then it's likely he didn't make it out alive."
He paused before adding, "The real question is how did Astra get out of that cave? She was in worse condition than whoever was with her."
Kaen stopped for a moment, glancing back over his shoulder toward the room. "If what she said is true… Let's not talk about this further. Not until we're sure." Ryoma gave a slight nod agreeing.
————
"Your Highness, please don't go in there!" Zuzu pleaded, hurrying after him. "His Majesty has been furious ever since our return was delayed. Let me speak in your place—" But the prince walked on, unbothered, his steps calm and firm. His long cloak trailed behind him, brushing the polished floor. The faint clink of his boots echoed through the corridor, breaking the heavy silence. Guards stationed along the hall immediately dropped to one knee as he passed, their heads bowed low while his silken hair caught the golden torchlight as it swayed gently.
Zuzu followed closely, anxiety written all over his face. "If you speak to him now, he might—"
The prince stopped before the Grand doors, two towering slabs of obsidian wood carved with roaring dragons, twisted vines, and burning swords. The guards at the entrance immediately dropped to their knees.
The prince turned slowly to Zuzu, placing a hand on his shoulder, A faint smile curved his lips.
"You've protected me enough. I won't let you take the blame again. I was the one who caused the delay."
"But Your Highness," Zuzu whispered, voice shaking, "you could be punished—"
"I know." The prince's smile didn't fade, but his voice grew firmer. "Still, this is mine to face. Now will you stop worrying?"
Zuzu's lips parted, his expression tight with worry still swallowing his words unable to argue, he lowered his head with silent acceptance.
The prince turned back to the door, inhaled once, and pushed it open. The heavy creak filled the corridor like a warning bell.
As soon as the prince stepped inside, the heavy doors creaked shut behind him, Without hesitation, he lowered himself into a formal bow, one knee raised, the other grounded, a hand across his chest and the other resting on his knee.
"My greetings to His Majesty, the Emperor," he spoke firmly, his voice steady despite the chill in the air.
A deep silence followed, thick, unmoving, and sharp enough to slice through breath. The grand hall stretched ahead in shadowed stillness, pillars towering.
Then came the sound.
Footsteps.
Measured. Slow. Each step echoed against the marble. A presence approached with every stride, the air seemed to grow colder. The prince did not lift his head, but he could feel it—the weight of that gaze, sharp and unyielding, pressing down. And then, the man before him finally spoke, his deep voice slicing through the silence like a blade.
"So… the Prince remembers he is the Crown Prince of Shenghara. Not some stray living like a commoner."
The words hit harder than any blade, the prince clenched his fists against his knee but kept his head low.
"My apologies for the delay, despite your direct orders. I am willing to accept any punishment."
Footsteps echoed closer until they stopped just before him. "Punishment?" The emperor let out a scoff his green eyes staring at him while he circled him slowly.
"A week late, No word, Disobeyed orders And all because you were… what was it?" He paused mockingly, "Spending time with the citizens?"
The prince finally raised his head, "I just wanted to understand their lives, even a little at least once."
The emperor laughed dryly, the sound devoid of warmth, "Understand?" He turned sharply, his robes brushing the floor. "And what exactly will you do for those citizens you claim to care for?" He leaned in, voice suddenly cold,
"You can't even see them with your cursed eyes."
The words hit like a slap. The prince's breath caught for a second. His lips trembling just slightly before he spoke without thinking—
"Father…"