A Kingdom's Vow

CHAPTRE 2- KAI

"Are you with us, Kai?"

My father’s voice jolted me out of my thoughts, drawing every eye in the council room toward me. Clearing my throat, I nodded and adjusted myself in the chair.

"Yes, I am."

He shot me a deadpan look, clearly unimpressed, before turning back to the council and continuing his discussion. I shifted my gaze to the window, admiring the clear blue sky and the servants bustling about in the garden. Every fiber of me wanted to escape this room as soon as possible.

Finally, my father rose, gesturing for the council members to leave. However, his piercing gaze landed on me. "Stay," he commanded.

I waited in silence until the room was empty, leaving just the two of us. He sat back in his throne, tilted slightly, his dark hair falling over his ears. The crown on his head—my future burden—gleamed in the light, an ever-present reminder of my destiny. I studied him as he sat there, waiting for him to speak, already weary from the day’s monotony.

"Kai...what's on your mind, son?"

A grin tugged at my lips as I shook my head. "Nothing, Father."

His brow arched, his face a blend of confusion and disappointment.

"Nothing? That doesn't look like 'nothing' to me. You haven’t been paying attention at all."

I straightened my blouse, buying a moment to collect myself. "Is it really worth my attention? These council meetings are insufferably dull."

His eyes widened, surprise flickering across his face. I smirked, unable to resist adding, "May I take my leave now?"

For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze drilling into me, searching for something I couldn’t—or wouldn’t—provide.

"I’ll take that as a yes. Have a good day, Father."

I gave a brief bow and left the room without waiting for his reply. I was done with the endless parade of meetings, the tedious responsibilities I was expected to endure simply because I was the crown prince. I’d deal with these matters when I was king—no sooner.

As I wandered through the castle, the scent of roasted meat and the clatter of pots filled the air. Preparations for tonight’s dinner were in full swing. Dinners and balls were the only parts of royal life I actually enjoyed—an excuse to drink and dance until the early hours. Tonight also meant seeing my brother. He only visited every few months, and while it wasn’t often enough, it was always a relief to have him around.

He was just a year younger than me but already married—to the general’s youngest daughter. A marriage of convenience, naturally. He lived in the northern castle with her, and I visited him occasionally. Those visits often ended with the two of us drunk and asleep in the garden, laughter echoing in the air.

From a nearby window, I observed the garden, where tables were being arranged and flowers meticulously placed. What was this party for? My father never hosted grand dinners without purpose, and this event reeked of an ulterior motive. Not that I cared to find out.

"Prince Kai?"

A soft, feminine voice drew me from my musings. Turning, I saw a young woman dressed in a stunning lavender gown with a black corset and delicate sleeves. Her hair was swept into a tidy bun, and she held a parasol.

She chuckled nervously when I met her gaze.

"Apologies, Your Highness," she said, smiling as if she’d just realized her mistake.

"Apologies for what exactly, ma’am?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I was hoping you’d recognize me," she admitted with a shy smile.

I scanned her face, a flicker of recognition stirring in my mind. She did seem familiar—maybe someone I’d shared a fleeting night with.

"Sare, Lord Tend’s daughter," she clarified, extending her hand.

Ah, that explained it. Lord Tend was one of the wealthiest nobles in the kingdom. I took her hand, pressing a polite kiss to it.

"A pleasure, Sare," I said, smiling.

She blushed. "Tell me, Prince Kai, do you have a date for tonight’s dinner?"

"I didn’t realize a date was required by this dinner," I replied.

"It’s not, but I do," she teased with a wink.

I laughed, letting her hand go.

---

As the evening began, I stood by the ballroom entrance, wine glass in hand. The room was alive with conversation, laughter, and the occasional clinking of glasses. Scanning the crowd, I searched for my brother. He was late, and my patience was thinning.

Despite my boredom, my father had made it clear there would be consequences if I left early. Not that I cared much about consequences, but disrespecting him in front of hundreds of guests seemed… unwise.

Girls giggled and waved as they passed, vying for my attention, but I ignored them. I wasn’t in the mood for shallow flirtations tonight—I just wanted my brother.

Abandoning my glass in a corner, I slipped out of the ballroom. The hallways were crowded, but I took a discreet shortcut known to few.

Turning a corner, I spotted a young woman wrapping a cloth around her thigh. A dagger .

Her gown -  a whimsical, romantic gown with an ethereal vibe. It features an off-the-shoulder neckline adorned with layers of ruffled fabric, creating a soft yet a dangerous , dreamy look. The bodice is embellished with oversized bow details, adding a touch of playfulness and elegance. The fabric appears to be lightweight and sheer, likely chiffon or organza, giving the dress a flowing, airy quality.

The skirt is voluminous and layered, with a tiered design that enhances its movement and grace. Its deep red adds a vibe of night and quiet. Her dark long hair was loosen up , voluminous and gorgeous . Her side profile was perfect , soft lips with a smokey eyes makeup . She looked uniquely beautiful.

She looked up , startled and irritated, her doe-like brown eyes locking with mine.

"What the hell are you looking at?"

I smirked. She didn’t know who I was. Perfect.

"Plotting on killing someone, ma’am?" I teased.

She let out a sharp, annoyed laugh as she stood, adjusting her gown.

"Yeah, you—if you don’t leave me the fuck alone."

Her audacity stunned me, but it was refreshing.

"I’d love to see you try," I said, taking a step closer.

She raised a brow, crossing her arms. "In this dress? Hardly. But after this dinner, I’d be happy to kick your ass."

I couldn’t help but laugh, her boldness both infuriating and captivating. Leaning in slightly, I asked, "Do you have any idea who you’re talking to, woman?"

She sighed dramatically. "I don’t give a fuck."

Her dismissal only amused me further. When she tried to walk away, I grabbed her arm, firm but not harsh.

"I’m the crown prince, Kai Salvic," I said, my voice low and deliberate. "You’d do well to remember that, beautiful."

She didn’t flinch. Instead, she smirked, tilting her head.

"And I’m Elayla Downfork," she said, her voice sharp. "Remember that name as the woman who broke your nose."

Before I could react, her fist connected with my face. Pain exploded through my nose as blood poured onto my hands. My vision blurred, and the world tilted for a moment.

I barely managed to think, What the hell just happened?