The Absolute Surrender

Chapter 21: The Stone's Legacy

A murmur of shock rippled through the grand hall as King Ardan abruptly stood from his seat, his expression a mix of disbelief and confusion. Kalen, eyes wide with astonishment, rushed to Obene's side. The high council members, usually so composed and stern, were now frozen in their seats, their faces reflecting a range of emotions from shock to bewilderment.

"How can you possibly be holding the protective stone?" Kalen's voice cut through the tension, demanding an explanation that seemed to echo off the high stone walls.

Obene's brow furrowed deeply, his confusion evident as he scanned the faces around him. Even Ardan appeared speechless, his mouth slightly open as he tried to process the situation.

"What do you mean?" Obene's question was sincere, his tone tinged with genuine confusion.

"Why is the stone with you?" Kalen repeated, his frustration palpable as he struggled to grasp the gravity of the situation.

As the room buzzed with speculation, the main doors swung open, admitting two unfamiliar men. Their appearance seemed to heighten the atmosphere of anticipation and anxiety. Ardan's gaze fell upon the markings on the strangers' right arms, recognition dawning in his eyes.

"Commander Obene can keep the crystal stone because he is of your lineage and bloodline, my king," one of the newcomers declared, his voice cutting through the murmur of speculation with startling clarity. "He is your long-lost brother, the first of his name and the third heir to the throne."

The revelation hit like a thunderclap. Ardan and Kalen gasped in unison, their eyes wide as the weight of the announcement settled over them. Their gaze shifted to Obene, who stood rooted to the spot, his face mirroring the shock and horror that had spread throughout the room. The tension reached its peak when Lilian, unable to contain her surprise, let out a startled cry.

"Noah!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling as the man in question removed his hood, revealing his identity to everyone present. The room fell into a stunned silence, the air thick with the ramifications of the revelation.

A sudden clarity struck Ardan as memories from the past flooded his mind. He recalled the image of a woman with fiery red hair, tangled in the complexities of blood ties.

The wise man, previously cloaked in mystery, now removed his cowl, revealing a distinct scar on his cheek. This was the first time Ardan and Kalen had seen his face. They took a moment to study the features, which were both familiar and foreign.

"My name is Roma, my king, my prince," he said, bowing his head respectfully to both Ardan and Kalen. "The time has come for secrets to be revealed. I have traveled a long way to uncover the truths of the past."

His solemn words silenced the room, quelling the buzzing speculation that had filled the air.

"What do you know, Roma?" Ardan's voice was firm, his interest piqued. Obene stood beside him, equally engrossed.

"I hail from a distant kingdom and possess the rare gift of vision, a talent that some of our family members inherit. My sister, however, was far more powerful than I. Her beauty and grace caused kings and princes to vie for her hand in marriage. You know this well, for she was your mother, Queen Reina."

A collective gasp of surprise echoed through the room. Obene recalled the portrait of the late queen, and the details Roma provided seemed to align with what he had seen.

"It was on a spring day when Reina was gathering berries in the forest that Prince Aelle first encountered her. At that time, he was accompanied by his close friend, Prince Marlin. Both princes were deeply in love with my sister and competed for her affection. Their rivalry was a spectacle, but it took only one kiss from Prince Aelle to win Reina's heart. Marlin, devastated by his loss and consumed by bitterness, became the sworn enemy of King Aelle," Roma continued, his voice steady.

Kalen was stunned; he had never heard such details from his parents. The idea of their father and Marlin being friends in their youth was foreign to him, especially since they had spent their lives battling against Lavitica.

"The wedding took place shortly after their engagement, and not long after that, Reina was expecting her first child—yourself, King Ardan. When Reina became pregnant with her third child, her health declined severely. Despite King Aelle's concerns, Reina insisted on continuing the pregnancy. On the night she was about to give birth, King Aelle was away on the battlefield, unaware that Marlin had entered the kingdom in secret. Marlin went directly to Reina's chambers, initially intending to punish her, but his old feelings for her resurfaced. Reina gave birth to her third child, but it cost her life. Heartbroken, Marlin took the newborn as a symbol of his lost love, noticing that the child had Reina's dark hair. King Aelle, unaware of the child's fate, created the magical stone to find his lost heir, for only the true royal bloodline of Silla could wield its power. The crystal stone is meant for you, Prince Obene; it was designed for your father to find you," Roma concluded.

Obene listened in stunned silence, unable to grasp the reality of the situation before him. For his entire life, Lavitica had been his home; he had never questioned his origins or sought out his parents. It had never mattered to him until now. Overwhelmed, he glanced at Ardan and Kalen, who were also struggling to process the revelation. No words could capture the confusion swirling within him, and he suspected Ardan and Kalen felt the same.

"We never knew we had a little brother," Ardan said, his voice laden with regret. "Father told us that you died in our mother's womb. I'm sorry, Obene, that you had to grow up apart from your family. We never knew."

The room shifted as the truth unfolded, leaving everyone in stunned silence. Ardan glanced at Kalen, who looked conflicted and pensive.

Kalen managed a sad smile. It had always been just the two of them growing up, sharing mischief and punishment. His older brother had been his pillar, and now, as he assumed the role of the elder sibling, he wondered if he could fulfill that role for Obene, just as Ardan had for him. The complexity of the situation weighed heavily on him.

"Now that I think about it, you have our mother's eyes," Kalen remarked, noting the striking resemblance in Obene's gaze, a reflection of the late queen's portrait he had memorized.

"No, it can't be," Obene protested vehemently. "You can't possibly believe this nonsense. I am not your brother. I am not from Silla. That's not who I am!"

His denial resonated through the hall, adding to the mounting tension and disbelief.

Obene staggered back from the shocking revelations, overwhelmed and desperate for time to process everything. The weight of the truth was too much for him to bear. He moved forward with an unsteady step and, with a swift motion, handed the protective stone to Ardan. He managed a quick, whispered apology before storming out of the throne room and heading outside the palace grounds. Once outside, he inhaled deeply, trying to calm his frayed nerves. He gazed up at the sky, struggling to contain the turbulent emotions surging within him. How was he supposed to reconcile with this new reality? Marlin had deceived him!

Is that what Marlin meant by using me as the key to his victory? To manipulate me into Silla's downfall? Obene's thoughts raced, burdened by the betrayal he felt.

Now, Obene could understand Lilian's pain more deeply. It was never pleasant to be used as a pawn, and he had been a willing tool, executing the orders of the man who had taken him from his family. He had been just a baby when he was kidnapped! How could he come to terms with that?

Meanwhile, voices reverberated through the palace halls as the high council engaged in a heated discussion about the recent revelations. The disclosure had stirred anxiety and uncertainty about its impact on Silla's political dynamics.