**WARNING!** Heavy use of language and violence is present. Some scenes may not be suitable for younger readers.
This book, "Regal Rift," is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidenta...
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The first light of dawn crept into Prince Lyxander's chamber, casting a soft glow on his sleeping form.
The young prince stirred, his violet eyes fluttering open. Today, like many mornings before his sword practice, he had a secret mission.
Silently, he slipped out of bed, careful not to wake the palace servants. He quickly dressed in plain clothes, his heart pounding with the thrill of adventure.
Moving stealthily through the palace corridors, Lyxander made his way to the hidden passage behind a tapestry in the library.
This secret passage, known only to a few, had been his escape route for years. He lifted the tapestry and pressed the hidden latch, revealing a narrow stone stairway that led out of the castle.
The passage was dimly lit by cracks in the stone walls where sunlight seeped through, and the air was cool and damp.
Lyxander hurried down the steps, the familiar thrill of freedom urging him on. At the end of the passage, he emerged in a small, secluded grove just outside the castle walls.
Tied to a tree, waiting patiently, was Marsh, his favorite horse.
"Good morning, Marsh," Lyxander whispered, stroking the horse's sleek black mane.
Marsh nickered softly in response. The prince mounted his steed and urged him forward, concealing his identity beneath a simple hooded cloak.
They rode through the forest that surrounded the castle, the trees whispering secrets of ancient times as the wind rustled their leaves.
As they approached the outskirts of Eldoria, Lyxander's excitement grew. He loved these early morning rides, where he could observe the daily lives of his people without the burden of his royal identity.
The bustling marketplace was already alive with activity. Merchants set up their stalls, children ran about, and townsfolk greeted one another with smiles and laughter.
Lyxander guided Marsh through the narrow streets, his keen eyes taking in every detail.
He saw the bakers with their fresh loaves, the blacksmiths forging tools, and the farmers with their produce. Each scene painted a vivid picture of the kingdom he was destined to rule.
But it was the struggles that caught his attention the most. The woman haggling desperately for a fair price on grain, the tired eyes of the laborers, the children with patched clothing.
These were the sights that drove him to sneak out despite the warnings of demons and danger.
He believed that understanding these struggles was essential to becoming a just and compassionate ruler.
As he rode, he suddenly turned a corner too quickly, and his horse brushed past a young girl carrying a basket of fruit.
The collision sent the basket tumbling to the ground, scattering apples, pears, and berries across the cobblestone street.
