When King Aldric was imprisoned, Prince Easton was only 13 years old. The crown was placed upon his head before he fully understood the weight of it. He had lost his mother to his father’s hands, and now, the kingdom that had feared Aldric’s rule looked to him—a boy—for salvation.
Year One (Age 13) – The Boy King
The court expected Easton to be a puppet, easily controlled by his father’s former advisors. But he had learned well from his mother. He did not bow to their manipulations. Instead, he listened—truly listened—to the voices of the people.
His first royal act was to dismantle his father’s cruelest laws. The punishments of public torture were abolished, and unjust taxes on the lower class were reduced. Some nobles grumbled, but the common people saw the change.
Still, whispers followed him. He is too young. He will fail.
But Easton did not waver.
Year Two (Age 14) – The Test of Power
Not all were pleased with his reforms. A noble named Lord Hadrian, once one of Aldric’s closest allies, attempted to seize a province in rebellion. The court held its breath, waiting to see if Easton would falter.
Instead, Easton acted swiftly. He gathered his loyal generals, devised a strategy, and crushed the rebellion before it could spread. But instead of executing Hadrian’s family—something his father would have done—he imprisoned the lord and redistributed his wealth to the people he had oppressed.
The kingdom took notice. He is not weak. He is not his father, but he is not soft either.
Year Three (Age 15) – The War Council
Surrounding kingdoms, once fearful of Aldric, saw Easton’s reign as an opportunity. A neighboring king, Lord Renwick of Veridion, tested him by sending raiders into Easton’s lands. The young king was faced with his first real war.
Instead of rushing into battle blindly, Easton sought counsel from seasoned warlords, learning tactics and diplomacy. He sent a calculated counterattack, driving Veridion’s forces back, but instead of declaring full war, he extended an offer of peace.
Renwick, expecting a child’s temper but receiving a ruler’s wisdom, agreed to a truce. Easton had proven he could fight but would not waste his people’s lives needlessly.
The court began to shift. Doubters became believers. His mother’s words echoed in his mind: A good king must know when to let go.
Year Four (Age 16) – The Gathering Storm
By now, Easton was no longer just a boy. He was a king who had survived rebellion, war, and the heavy expectations of his court. The people loved him, but not all within the castle walls were loyal.
One day , King Easton received someone from his neighbor kingdom , Kingdom Everthorns. He received a person who vowed to be his advicer. Lord Soren , who gain the king trust and become King's Easton most trusted advicer at age 16.
But did he knew that ,
Lord Soren was a spy from Everthorns 
The old nobility, those who had thrived under Aldric’s tyranny, saw that Easton would never allow them to return to power. They conspired in secret, whispering of ways to bring down the young king before he could fully solidify his rule.
And so, they sent a spy into his midst.
Lord Soren, a man Easton believed to be an ally, had begun his mission. He would earn the king’s trust, learn his weaknesses, and wait for the right moment to strike.
But Easton had already learned one thing about ruling—true threats never come from the battlefield, but from within.
For months, Lord Soren Vale had been one of King Easton’s most trusted advisors. The young noble’s keen insights, sharp tongue, and composed nature had impressed even the most skeptical members of the court. But trust was a dangerous thing.
One night, as Easton observed his council during a meeting, his gaze lingered on Soren longer than usual. Something about him… felt wrong.
At first, it was small things.
The way Soren moved—too controlled, too deliberate. The way his voice, though deep, sometimes softened at the edges. The way his gloved hands remained covered at all times, even in the heat of summer.
And then, the realization struck Easton like a blade between his ribs.
"He's hiding something. No… he's not a he at all."
Easton’s Plan
Easton was not the type to confront someone without proof. Instead, he watched.
He arranged situations to test Soren. A sudden sparring match in the training grounds—Soren refused, claiming an injury. A casual hunt in the forests—Soren avoided sharing a tent, always choosing solitude. A noblewoman’s playful flirting—Soren barely reacted, a stiff smile and nothing more.
Then, one night, Easton set his final trap.
A grand feast was held, wine flowing freely, laughter echoing through the halls. He ensured Soren drank just enough that his reflexes might falter. Then, when the night ended, he arranged for the castle guards to follow him in secret.
And that was when they saw it.
Alone in his chambers, Lord Soren Vale removed his bindings.
Easton’s heart pounded as the truth settled. Lord Soren Vale did not exist. The person standing before him was a woman.
Not just any woman. A spy.
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Princess Marlowe , who had been a spy for month to investigate the horror in Easton's castle had felt the shift in Easton’s demeanor for weeks. His eyes lingered too long, his questions became sharper, his tests more frequent.
He suspected her.
She knew she had to be careful, but something strange was happening. The closer she got to her answers, the harder it became to see Easton as just a target. He was not the monster she expected. He was not his father.
And worst of all… she had started to admire him.
But admiration would not save her now. She was being watched.
One wrong move, and the game would be over.