Red Knight

Prologue

A boy-Cale Henituse. Pale skin, unmistakably sharp reddish-brown eyes, and bright red hair that made him stand out wherever he went. To many, he was trash-a disgrace, selfish, and good for nothing. But was that truly all he was? Or was there more beneath the surface?

Cale Henituse was a boy who had grown up too fast, too soon. At the age of eight, he lost his mother. Not even a week after her death, his father, Deruth Henituse, left everything in his hands, retreating into his grief and leaving his son to bear the weight of his responsibilities.

His father claimed he needed time to mourn, but what about Cale? Didn't he need someone too? Someone to hold him, to help him through the crushing grief that swallowed him whole? But there was no one. His mother was gone, and his father had abandoned him in his sorrow.

If only his mother had waited. If only she hadn't insisted on leaving that day, ignoring the raging storm to travel to Harris Village. She had promised him she would return before he even noticed she was gone, that she would sing to him as always. A promise left unfulfilled. A lie.

And so, with no one else to blame, he chose to hate the village where she died-a small, unremarkable place within their vast territory. Harris Village. The very same place that, years later, would give rise to the commoner who would one day defeat him.

Left alone to manage his father's county, Cale drowned himself in books, in study, in the only thing he could control. Ron, his ever-present butler, stood by his side, the only pillar of comfort in his world. Beacrox, Ron's son, was another source of solace, silent yet steadfast. But how long would they stay? Would they always remain by his side?

He thought they would. He hoped they would.

How foolish of him.

When his father finally returned, he was not alone. A woman stood beside him, along with a boy not much younger than Cale. His stepmother. His stepbrother.

Deruth had expected a reaction-anger, resentment, even tears. But there was nothing.

Cale greeted them politely and left.

His stepmother's displeasure was obvious, her eyes filled with unspoken questions. But it was Deruth who was truly unsettled.

Why is he so mature?

A child his age should have thrown a fit, should have wept or shouted. But Cale did nothing. No anger, no resentment, no resistance. Just quiet acceptance, as if their presence meant nothing to him at all.

As Cale's figure disappeared down the hall, Deruth found himself watching him go, the question pressing heavily in his mind.

Why aren't you mad?

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Okay short chapter maybe the next one will be longer but anyways English isn't my first language so there may be some mistakes in my spelling and all that I'm also still in school so I'll uploaded chapters when I can! I'm not sure if I'll put a ship in the story yet but if I did which ship would you like to see?

Anyways see you next chapter, dear readers!