Shadows Beneath the Crown

The grand hall of Montclair Palace was bathed in the warm glow of hundreds of candles, their flickering flames casting shadows on the ornate walls. The air was filled with the scent of sweet roses and incense, a mingling fragrance that seemed to wrap the entire hall in a serene, almost mystical embrace. Nobles, lords, and ladies filled the seats with hushed whispers, their eyes trained on the figure standing at the front of the room—Prince Knoa Lysander Montclair. The only heir of Severino Lander Montclair, the reigning king.

It was the prince's 18th birthday, and tonight, the young man would be crowned as the kingdom's heir. But it was not just a birthday celebration—it was a moment that would define his future. At just 18, Knoa was already burdened with a responsibility that no one his age should have to carry, but that was the price of royalty. The long train of his crimson robe swept across the floor as Knoa moved forward, his delicate steps almost silent, a stark contrast to the grandeur around him. His white hair shimmered like spun silver, his crimson eyes—so rare and striking—scanned the crowd, the weight of their expectations heavy in his chest.

Beside him, King Severino, his father, stood tall and regal. The king's silver hair gleamed in the candlelight, his strong features etched with years of wisdom and power. His deep red eyes were fixed on Knoa, a mix of pride and concern hidden behind his noble expression.

"Knoa, my son. Tonight marks the beginning of your reign, though the crown is but a symbol of what is to come. You are not just inheriting a title, you are inheriting the fate of this kingdom. Remember, it is not just power you must wield, but wisdom and compassion." the King said with a voice that is steady, but a trace of emotion laced through his words as he turned to his son. "I understand, Father. I will do my best... but I am not yet ready." Prince Knoa said. His voice is soft, with a hint of firmness despite the nerves that churned in his stomach. His eyes lowered, as if he was speaking more to himself than to the king.

Though Knoa's voice was soft and reserved, his words carried weight. He was not like other princes. He was not one for public speeches, nor was he comfortable with the adoration of others. His heart was kind and soft, but he had never been good at expressing himself, especially in front of large crowds. He preferred silence, the quiet sanctuary of books and study, where he could lose himself in the pages and not be judged.

King Severino, ever the observant father, noticed the way Knoa held himself—his delicate frame so fragile, as if the crown might break him. Despite his grace and regal appearance, Knoa's frailty was evident. He was the fairest of the royal family, with skin as white as marble, hair that shone like the moon, and eyes that seemed to glow a deep, rich red. His appearance alone made him seem almost otherworldly, ethereal in his beauty. But this beauty also made him vulnerable, and Severino knew that the world was not kind to those who appeared weak.

As the crown was placed upon Knoa's head, a murmur of admiration swept through the crowd. Yet Knoa, despite the honor, felt the cold weight of it upon him—not just the crown itself, but the expectations, the responsibilities that came with it.

The night carried on with feasts and music, but the shadows outside the castle walls began to stir. A dark force, hidden in the folds of the kingdom's borders, was preparing to strike. They knew the prince's coronation was the perfect time for an ambush.

The first arrow soared through the air, a blur of flame trailing behind it. It struck the royal banner, igniting it in a burst of fire. Screams echoed as the grand hall was thrown into chaos. Panic spread like wildfire, as soldiers, knights, and royal guards scrambled to respond. Within moments, the great doors of the hall were shattered, and enemy soldiers—dressed in dark armor—flooded in.

"To arms! The enemy has breached the outer walls! Protect the prince at all costs! We cannot let him fall tonight!" Stephen, the Marshal Knight who's responsible for organizing troops, logistics, and leading knights in battle, shouted orders as soldiers rushed to defend the palace.

The clash of steel on steel rang out in the hall as the enemy forces poured into the royal chambers. Arrows whistled through the air, some tipped with fire, others with poison. The guards raised their shields, but many were struck by the flaming arrows, their screams echoing through the hall as they fell to the ground.

"What is happening?" Prince Knoa asked out of confusion and fear. Grabbing the arm of one of the guards, his voice panicked and sharp despite his usual reserved nature. "Father—where are you taking me? I... I don't want to hide!"

Gripping Knoa's shoulder tightly, the king's voice laced with urgency but also an underlying calm. "You must stay safe, Knoa. I will handle this. You must not be seen. The enemy is here for you—do not leave this room, not for anything."

In the chaos, the sound of the clash intensified as the knights fought valiantly to protect the royal family. The enemy's archers, positioned on the outer balconies, loosed wave after wave of arrows. Flames arced across the hall, setting tapestries alight as the enemy tried to break through.

A wave of swordsmen advanced, blades flashing in the dim light. They clashed against the royal guards, steel ringing against steel. Marshal Knight Stephen led a fierce counterattack, his sword cutting down enemy soldiers one after another with ruthless precision. Yet the sheer number of enemies was overwhelming, and the battle began to turn in their favor.

In the distance, Knoa could hear the heavy sounds of the castle walls shaking under siege. His heart pounded in his chest as he was dragged further from the commotion, deeper into the hidden chambers. Behind him, the sounds of battle echoed louder, the clash of blades, the cries of soldiers, and the sickening thud of arrows hitting their mark. But even as the prince was ushered away, the king's resolve was unwavering.

Suddenly, the unmistakable whir of another volley of arrows filled the air, followed by a cry from a royal guard. Fire arrows rained down, some striking the walls, others embedding themselves in the floor, spreading the flames even further.

Fighting through the enemy ranks as an arrow grazed Marshal Knight Stephen's cheek, blood staining his armor. "We cannot hold them off for long, Your Majesty! We need to—"

His words were cut off by the deafening roar of battle as another surge of enemies flooded the hall. The royal guards fought back with all their might, but their numbers were dwindling. Some fell to poisoned blades, others to arrows that left them writhing in agony.

"We cannot just hide, Father! I will not—" Prince Knoa's voice rising in panic.

King Severino then turned to face him with a grim expression, his voice low and firm as the sound of fighting roared outside. "You will not fight, Knoa. Not tonight. I will not lose you." 

The royal guards ushered the prince deeper into the castle's underground chambers, locking the doors behind them. The sound of battle became muffled, but the fear in Knoa's heart only grew.

"Father, please... I don't want to be hidden away like a coward..." Tears welling in the prince's eyes as he clutched his father's arm, his voice trembling.

"You are not a coward, Knoa. But your safety is all that matters now. Stay hidden. We will end this war, I swear to you." King Severino softening for a moment, but his voice still firm.

The clash of swords continued, but the king's words lingered with Knoa. He was to stay hidden, sheltered from the battle, protected from the very kingdom he was meant to rule.

As dawn broke over the horizon, the sounds of battle slowly faded, though the tension in the air remained. The palace was scarred, its halls darkened by the smoke and destruction of the night's siege. The royal family was safe, but at great cost.

King Severino entered the chamber where Knoa waited, his face grim and tired from battle. Prince Knoa glanced at the knight he didn't know who was with his father. The knight quickly turned his gaze to the side to avoid making eye contact with the prince. The prince frowned and raised his one brow.

"They will return, Knoa. The enemy is patient. And the next time they come, they will not stop until they have you. We must prepare."

"Then I will prepare, Father. I will learn to protect this kingdom... even if I am not ready." Prince Knoa said. His voice's trembling, but firm as he stood from the bed, his delicate frame betraying no fear on the outside despite the storm of emotions inside.

King Severino agreed with a quiet nod. "And you will not face this alone."

The prince gave him a confused look and then glanced again at the knight who was with the king.

His voice deepened as he gave his son a grave look. The king pointed his palm at the knight he is with. "Alas Eldridge Louison, the Lord Commander of the Royal Palace."

As if summoned by the king's words, a tall figure stepped into the room. Knight Alas Eldridge Louison, the kingdom's Lord Commander, walked one step forward. His clean, pristine knight's armor gleamed in the sunlight, and his deep blue eyes were locked on the prince. His black hair, though slightly tousled from the battle, still held the sheen of precision. Despite his imposing height and muscular build, there was an undeniable aura of discipline and respect that surrounded him. But it was the subtle tension in his expression that Knoa noticed first. Alas's face, though calm in its posture, betrayed his emotions—concern was written in every line of his jaw, in the furrow of his brow.

"The highest-ranking knight in charge of military strategy and overseeing all knights. From this day forward, you will be protected by him. He will be your personal guard." King Severino continued.

"What?! What am I, some sort of a kid that needs to be protected?" Knoa asked.

"Knoa—"

"Father, I... I don't understand. I have my guards. Why... why do I need another one?" Looking up, stunned and confused, his voice laced with disbelief. Thinking to himself that it was too much. He then glanced at the knight, unable to hide the hesitation in his voice. "Is this truly necessary?"

King Severino sighed deeply, his voice is firm. "Knoa, the threats against you are no longer just rumors. The kingdom is not safe, and there are those who would seek to harm you to destabilize the crown. You are not just a prince— you are the future king. And as much as you may dislike it, your life must be protected at all costs."

Prince Knoa's eyes narrowed, a hint of stubbornness in his tone. "But Father, I'm not helpless. I can defend myself—"

King Severino cutting him off, his expression softening but resolute. "No, Knoa. You cannot fight alone. Not yet, at least. Lord Commander Alas will ensure your safety, especially now, when the threat is at its peak."

The king turned to Alas, who stood rigid at attention. "Lord Commander Alas, you are to protect my son. Do not fail him."

The Lord Commander immediately bowed his head deeply, his voice steady but carrying an underlying urgency. "It is an honor to serve you, Your Highness. I swear to you, I will guard your life with my own."

He then made eye contact with the prince, causing the prince to look away because he couldn't sustain it. A lingering smile flashed on the knight's lips, but he quickly hid it so the prince would not see.

After a long pause, Prince Knoa sighed and spoked. "Then I accept your service, Lord Commander. But know this... I do not wish to hide forever. I will fight when the time comes." his voice was soft but steady.

That emphasis on the Lord Commander made the knight smile, as he knew he would be closer to a prince with such a lovely personality.

As days turned into weeks, Prince Knoa found himself shadowed by Lord Commander Alas at every turn. The knight's unwavering presence was both a comfort and a burden. Though Knoa resented the constant vigilance, there was something in Alas's devotion—something unspoken—that made him feel strangely safe.

"You care about me, don't you? It shows on your face." Knoa softly asked, as they stood side by side in the royal garden, the weight of silence between them.

The Lord Commander's blue eyes flickered, a brief moment of vulnerability flashing through them before his mask of calm reasserted itself.

"I care about the safety of the kingdom, Your Highness. And that includes you." He replied quietly, his voice controlled, yet tinged with something Knoa couldn't read.

"I see. Then I will trust you, Lord Commander. Please don't let me down." Prince Knoa's eyes narrowed, not convinced but choosing to let the subject go, his voice low as he continued walking, his thoughts swirling.

A quiet sigh escaped Lord Commander Alas as he watched the prince walk ahead, his heart betraying him in that fleeting moment of silence. Despite his resolve, the feelings he kept buried were growing harder to hide.

Their journey together had just begun, and as they walked side by side, did they truly understand how their fates would become forever intertwined? Could Lord Commander Alas, despite his best efforts, continue to hide the emotions growing stronger each day? And as Prince Knoa stepped into the man he was destined to be, would the bond between them survive the trials ahead?

But the war that erupted on Knoa's coronation night—was it merely a fight for the throne, or something darker at play? Behind the attack, was there more than met the eye? A force that didn't just seek power, but craved something far greater—an ancient power tied to Knoa's bloodline. As the enemy closed in, what secrets would come to light? Would alliances fall apart, and would the true nature of the threat reveal itself? Could Knoa and Alas foresee the trials ahead, where friend and foe would blur, and their loyalty would be tested in ways they could never have imagined?