“Of course, Mother! I am going, and I don’t see how you can stop me. My father has already approved it, so I don’t think you have any power to stop me now! I am going to become the King, and there’s nothing you can do about it!” Myth shouted at his mother, his tone lacking the respect she deserved.
He had always been rude to the one person who truly cared for him—his father. Yet, the fact that his father supported this decision only encouraged him to speak to his mother without restraint.
“Become a king? Is that really the most important thing in your life? Can’t you see that you are gambling your future against the Genesis family? That’s not what your father said when he first mentioned bringing you into this fight! He never said you are going for a death match, of he had then I would never have supported this movement right from the start” his mother replied, her voice filled with concern as she shook her head.
“Of course, he never phrased it that way, but we must consider the bigger picture! He was trying to please the people. If I can defeat Peter in that match, I will earn their trust and respect. That will make me a true king!” Myth countered, his determination unwavering. To his surprise, his mother sank to her knees, her eyes brimming with tears.
Hearing him speak like that broke her heart. His father might not understand her feelings because Myth was their only son. She knew that Karl could decide to take another wife someday to have more children, but what about her? If she lost Myth, she might never bear another child.
“Please, Myth! We are already wealthy. You can have anything you desire. Why put yourself in danger like this? Do it for me, just this once! Don’t go!” The poor woman begged, desperation evident in her voice as she knelt before him.
Myth felt a flicker of guilt as he looked at her, but he smiled faintly, shaking his head, and began to walk away. He had made up his mind, and nothing would change it.
She knew that her son was incredibly stubborn, and there was nothing that could change his mind. The only way he would prove himself worthy of the throne was by stepping into that arena.
As he walked away, the woman turned to her daughter. “Please, help me talk to your brother!” she whispered, her voice trembling with worry. The daughter nodded, understanding the weight of their situation.
“It’s okay, Mum! Don’t worry too much. I’ll talk to him,” she reassured her mother with a gentle smile. “Just try to relax for a moment.” The daughter then helped her mother to her feet and guided her inside, eager to ease her mother's troubled heart.
            • At The Golden Castle •
Taylor and the rest of his team had already requested an audience with the King, who had granted them permission to search the entire Golden Castle. They were instructed to check every nook and cranny, including all the rooms, in hopes of finding Mara and her brother, Peter.
However, it had been quite some time since they began their search, and they had found no leads indicating that either of them was hiding there. This lack of evidence left the team feeling confused and uncertain about their next steps.
Taylor knew that returning to the King with the news that they had found no signs of Mara or Peter would be risky. The King might think they were deceiving him, which could lead to serious consequences.
Adding to their troubles, time was running out. They were becoming increasingly late, and with the sun setting down, they needed to act quickly. The King expected results by dawn, and if they didn’t find anything soon, they might have to flee for their lives.
As Taylor and a few remaining team members continued their search, they ventured into the underground areas of the Golden Castle. While they were exploring, he encountered his captain and some of the other men who had been searching from a different side.
“Jones, did you find any signs?” Taylor asked, his voice filled with urgency.
“No, Baron, there was no sign of the her or her brother. I honestly don’t think they are anywhere near this place. There’s something more mysterious going on! You should know that Mara is not someone to be underestimated. She could have anticipated our search, and if she is hiding here, it’s likely to be in a very secretive location. Do you know of any such places, Baron?” Captain Jones asked, glancing at Taylor as he surveyed their surroundings.
Confusion clouded Taylor’s face as he tried to recall any information he might have about secret tunnels or hideouts from his time with Dara, or even when King Genesis was still alive.
“You’re the closest person to the prince of the kingdom. You were close to Dara and King Genesis when he was alive, so surely you must know something,” Captain Jones urged, but Taylor interrupted him.
“No! I don’t! I’ve racked my brain and searched all my memories. I’ve taken you to every place I can remember, and there’s no sign of her!” Taylor exclaimed, taking a deep breath as frustration washed over him. Jones shook his head in disbelief.
It was becoming increasingly clear that they might not find Mara, and the thought of how to report this to Karl weighed heavily on them. They were tasked with recovering the sword, and failure seemed imminent.
“So, what exactly are we supposed to do now? Since this search isn’t yielding any results, should we go back and tell the King...?” Jones began to suggest, only to be cut off once again by Taylor.
“No! We are not going back to the King! Returning now would mean walking straight into a trap, and we’d be setting ourselves up for slaughter and execution. We need to leave this Kingdom immediately! You should inform the other men to get ready; we are leaving!” Taylor declared firmly.
“What…?” Jones reacted in surprise. He had been discussing the possibility of gathering the greatest warriors of the Golden Castle to move to another Kingdom. Which Kingdom, he wondered, would accept them? The other Kings would likely view them as spies, not trustworthy allies.
“Yes! You heard me right. Our time is running out! The King may already be on his way…” Taylor began, but he couldn’t finish his thought as they suddenly found themselves surrounded by soldiers—loyal men of King Genesis.
“The King has ordered your presence, Taylor! You must come with us!” one of the soldiers announced, stepping forward.
“What are you saying?” Jones whispered urgently to Taylor. They both understood that the King was asking for his presence, not ordering his arrest. Perhaps the King was trying to make some arrangements with him.
Jones considered the possibility that it might be wise to meet with the King and discuss their situation.
“What are you suggesting? Of course, I’m not going to see him! This is a trap to ensnare me! We must face these men!” Taylor whispered back, anxiety racing through him.
They could manage the situation, as they were not outnumbered. Taylor had the greatest warriors by his side—skilled and fiercely protective fighters.
“Alright then, you go to the King, and I will follow right after you,” Taylor responded, slipping his hand into his pocket and discreetly retrieving a dagger that the soldiers had not noticed.
“No! The King said you must come with us now!” the soldier insisted, frustration in his voice.