The room was silent for a few heartbeats before Kyle finally spoke. His voice was steady, his expression unreadable.
“I’m going to build an alliance in Hai Ri’s castle,” he said. “We must protect the fifty kingdoms from Queen Riva—and find Lord Hai Ri.”
Then, his tone shifted. Sharper. More commanding.
“I need to take Rihanna and Alaric, the second prince, with me.”
What?
Did he just say Ravel? My brother?
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The words crashed into me like a wave. I blinked, stunned, unsure if I had heard correctly. He wanted to take Ravel—the one everyone called “the useless second prince.” Was this some twisted attempt to humiliate him even more?
Anger flared in my chest.
“Are you trying to prove that my brother is weak?” I snapped, my voice echoing through the chamber. “You know his cultivation perished years ago. He can't summon a single dragon scale.”
I turned to my father, hoping—expecting—to see support in his eyes. But instead, I saw fury. Not directed at Kyle. At me—for challenging someone of his power and rank.
Kyle remained calm. Unshaken. His dark eyes met mine without blinking.
“I want a reason,” I said, my voice low but trembling with emotion. “If you’re taking him to Hai Ri’s castle, I deserve to know why.”
He hesitated. I saw it—the slightest crack in his composure. He wanted to tell me something, but something held him back. Still, he said nothing.
“Then tell me who will guarantee his safety,” I pressed. “If you’re dragging him into battle—if you’re taking him into the shadow of Queen Riva herself—then who will protect him?”
Finally, Kyle spoke. His voice was quiet, but there was no mistaking the weight behind his words.
“If you’re that worried about him… then come with us,” he said. “But I can’t go back without your brother.”
His eyes narrowed, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of something deeper behind them. Regret? Fear? I couldn’t tell.
“We leave at dawn,” he added. “There’s no time to waste.”
