War threatened the borders of the Kingdom of Caelum. Unknown individuals continuously pillaged and burned, leaving destruction in their wake as they sought to bring down the crown.
Crown Prince Yejun found himself alone, expected to take up the hea...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The first rays of dawn pierced the skies of Caelum, illuminating the sprawling kingdom below his window. Yejun sat on the sill, his favorite perch whenever something weighed heavily on his mind. As the golden glow slowly spread like a blanket over the scenery below, he recalled the conversation that had kept him up all night.
---
"My dear Yejun, I will be abdicating the throne. My health is waning and my mind is no longer as sharp as it used to be," the King's voice was unsteady but tinged with urgency as he pressed on, "Caelum's borders are under attack. Our soldiers are falling against these unknown threats that come from the East. My son, as Crown Prince, you must save our people."
Yejun froze. He stayed knelt in front of the throne, his mind reeling from a million thoughts crashing into each other. He was not ready to lead, to be responsible for all the lives in the kingdom. Even if he had been trained for this moment his entire life, how could he shoulder everything alone?
The King's voice pierced through his thoughts, "Yejun, raise your head." His father's voice was so gentle, it hurt. Slowly, he raised his head to meet his King's gaze. Wreathed in wrinkles and age, the eyes that looked back at Yejun still held a fire in them, tempered by experience and wisdom. The people loved their King; how will they react if they knew an inexperienced prince was to take up the position of leader?
"You are ready, my son. It is time for you to pave your own path," the King smiled, placing a hand on Yejun's shoulder, "You have good people around you. Call to them, summon them to your side. You will need them when the time comes."
The smile on the old King's face faded slightly as he lowered his arm, "I only wish I could have given you the crown in happier times, my boy. Alas, we cannot escape the hands of time even in Caelum. I have given my life for our people, it is time I rest."
Yejun forced a smile of his own, "And you deserve it, Your Majesty. I will do as you decree, the people of Caelum need us. As long as the royal family stands, we shall not fail them."
The King nodded, approving Yejun's words. "Indeed. It will be short notice but we shall proceed with the coronation by the end of this week. However, I fear we cannot afford a grand ceremony, my boy. Enemies could have already infiltrated our borders and a grandiose event will only serve to offer an opportunity for them to strike," Yejun could have sworn he saw a flash of the King's former self reflected in his steel gray eyes.
"Extend an invitation to the aides you have chosen, but choose wisely. We cannot risk the enemy knowing our plans and lay siege before we are ready," a soft sigh escaped the King's withered lips. Even though he was ready to pass on the crown and all of its burdens, he still worried for the people.
Yejun couldn't help but smile. "Father," he said, giving the King a rare hug, "we have long defended this land. Our soldiers are well-trained and our borders are not easily taken. Plenty of good men still stand by us, even if there are those that betray the kingdom. I believe it is time you and Mother take a vacation, somewhere safe. Perhaps the icy glaciers to the North? I hear the aurora is lovely this time of year."
Gently, he led the King out of the chambers. "Yes, you're right. Perhaps a trip will do us both good. Heaven knows your mother gets easily worried..." the King quietly mumbled, almost to himself.
---
The sound of his own sigh brought him back to the present time. Leaning his head against the cool glass of the window, Yejun tried to sort out his thoughts. He was going to be King within a week. He still wasn't sure what it was that his father had warned him about: unknown threats at the border? Their identities unknown?
Surely it's not Stellarum? he thought. Their ally is as silent as always even after the Crown's numerous attempts to set up any diplomatic meetings. Yejun suspects that something was happening behind the tall walls of their sister kingdom but any attempt to brute force entry would be the same as openly waging war.
A knock at the door gained his attention. "Your Highness," the voice of one of his attendants came through.
"You may enter," Yejun responded. The door slid open and a man no older than himself entered, bowing at the waist.
"My Prince, the Archmage Noah seeks an audience with Your Highness. Is now a convenient time or should I convey a message?" he asked.
Yejun thought for a moment. Noah has always been his closest confidant; he would trust the mage with his life. Now more than ever, he needed someone like him to confide in. "Inform the Archmage that I shall see him at the White Spire before the noon bell tolls," Yejun stood from his perch at the window, "Oh, and tell him to prepare horses."
The attendant bowed in response before leaving, closing the door again behind him.
A plan was slowly forming in Yejun's mind. He was not going to simply sit idly on the throne and wait for the threat to come to him. Duty may bind him to the Crown, but it did not shackle him to the chair. However, if he was to succeed, he has to heed his Father's words.
I must bring Noah to my side.
A thread of resolution strengthened in Yejun's heart as he shrugged on his coat and left for the White Spire.
