Beyond the Throne: The Monarch's Return

The Flash!

"What? That's...!"

"Ugh, it's so bright!"

A blinding light erupted from the annex where Ian had been confined.

Everyone stood frozen, unable to close their mouths as they stared at the source. Even Karan couldn't tear his gaze away.

"What's going on? What happened?"

The entire group was captivated by the sudden burst of light, but only one person's eyes betrayed fear.

Karan's hands trembled as his mind raced.

That direction... it can't be!

It wasn't the light itself that troubled him, but where it was coming from. That light emanated from the innermost part of the annex—the very room where Ian had been trapped underground.

There was nothing in that room—no enchanted item, no magic device—that could explain such an occurrence.

Then, there could only be one explanation.

Don't tell me... he unlocked the secret of that place?

Karan gritted his teeth, anger and regret bubbling up inside him.

Damn it. I shouldn't have locked him there...

Of course, it wasn't certain that Ian had uncovered anything. The light could merely be a fluke, a phenomenon with no greater meaning. But even so, Karan's brow furrowed, his body drenched in cold sweat.

I need to check. If Ian has gained power from that place…

He had to retrieve it before it was too late.

Just as Karan began to make a move toward the annex, the Second Prince, who had been watching his every move, smirked.

"Looks like my little brother is doing something... quite charming to greet his older brother."

The Second Prince, though skeptical, now walked with purpose toward the annex.

"I'll see what my brother is up to," he declared decisively, a glint of excitement in his eyes.

Karan's heart sank.

He couldn't allow the royal family to discover the secrets hidden within the annex—secrets that could easily be taken from him.

"I don't know what he's doing in there," the Second Prince continued. "But I must make sure my brother is well. His health is paramount."

Karan knew better. The Second Prince wasn't concerned for Ian's well-being—he was eager to keep his potential rival in check, especially with the backing of Duke Garcia.

The guards behind the Second Prince were quick to follow his lead.

"We will accompany you, Your Highness."

Karan's frustration boiled over.

Damn it! Why does this always happen?

He had to stop them. There was no way he could let them get closer to the annex.

He wasn't even sure what had happened inside. But there was one thing he knew for certain:

That power belongs to our family. It is mine to control.

With that thought, Karan quickly stepped forward to block the Second Prince's path.

"Your Highness, you need not concern yourself with such trivialities. That area is under the jurisdiction of the Duke's family. We will handle it."

He motioned for the castle's soldiers to prevent the Second Prince from advancing. On the surface, his words were polite, but the implication was clear. The Second Prince was not to proceed.

As expected, the Second Prince was not pleased.

"How dare you block the path of the Crown Prince?" he snapped, his tone venomous.

Despite not yet holding the title of Crown Prince, his confidence in his future ascension was evident.

Karan's eyes narrowed.

"Regardless of what you claim, Your Highness, this is private land under the Duke's control. We'd all be in trouble if you were to act so recklessly."

"Trouble?" The Second Prince's voice dripped with contempt. "Are you implying I am the source of trouble?"

In an instant, the tension escalated. The Second Prince drew his sword and pointed it at the soldiers blocking his way.

The guards stood frozen, knowing they could not raise their blades against the prince.

And the Second Prince, fully aware of this, smiled cruelly as he advanced.

"If you don't get out of my way, I will cut you down."

Karan, though seething with anger, shouted back in protest.

"This is an insult to the kingdom's laws! You act without regard for etiquette, Your Highness!"

The Second Prince sneered.

"Etiquette? Don't be so dramatic. I'm merely ensuring that my younger brother is being treated well, and that he isn't being mistreated in some way."

Karan's anger flared. "Dear brother"… my foot!

At that moment, a calm, commanding voice interrupted the confrontation.

"Enough."

The voice was unmistakable. It was the Duke himself.

Everyone froze. Karan's heart skipped a beat as he turned to see Duke Garcia walking toward them.

"Father!"

The Duke's piercing gaze swept across the room, landing on Karan as though he knew everything that had transpired. But for now, he said nothing. Instead, he addressed the Second Prince.

"I wasn't aware you had arrived, Your Highness. My apologies for the delay in welcoming you. Please, allow me to escort you to the drawing room."

The Second Prince, however, was insistent.

"I'm afraid I must decline, Duke. There is somewhere I must go first."

The Duke, however, would not tolerate this.

"Why are you standing around? Go and show His Highness the proper courtesy!"

The Second Prince's face darkened, but he said nothing.

"Duke, please understand," he began, his words laced with subtle defiance. "Isn't it my responsibility to ensure my brother is well? Shouldn't I be allowed to check on him?"

The Duke's expression remained unreadable.

"You worry too much, Your Highness," he replied smoothly. "It was just a minor incident. The Seventh Prince will be fine shortly."

"Oh?" The Second Prince raised an eyebrow. "I came to see him because I believe he's more capable than I am. I thought he might be struggling, considering his humble origins and the dangers he faces."

The Duke's lips curled into a thin smile.

"Yes, Your Highness. There is much for him to learn, but I have no doubt he will catch up in time… though not yet to your level."

The words were diplomatically phrased, but the implication was clear.

Just then, a voice interrupted the tension.

"What's going on here?"

Everyone turned in surprise as a young boy stepped into the hallway.

The Duke's expression immediately shifted to one of shock.

That figure... it can't be...