Chapter 43 — Golden Cage
The homecoming celebration ended not with fireworks, but with whispers.
Silk banners were folded. Mage-lights dimmed. Guests departed with forced smiles and thoughts they dared not speak aloud. The palace returned to its marble silence—but beneath that silence, something poisonous brewed.
In the highest chamber of the eastern wing, Queen Althea Evercrest stood before a tall mirror of enchanted obsidian.
Her reflection stared back at her—perfect posture, immaculate silver-white gown, crown steady upon her head.
And yet—
Her fingers trembled.
Queen Althea: "Everything… went wrong."
A maid nearby stiffened, eyes lowered.
Queen Althea: "He was meant to be humiliated."
Her nails dug into the armrest of her chair.
Queen Althea: "A light-elemental. A support mage. A bastard raised by a housemaid."
She laughed softly—too softly.
Queen Althea: "And yet they applauded him."
The maid swallowed.
Queen Althea: "They looked at him. Not with pity. Not with ridicule."
Her eyes hardened.
Queen Althea: "But with interest."
She turned away from the mirror and paced.
Queen Althea: "The crystal flickered. Even for a moment, that was dangerous."
She stopped.
Queen Althea: "If he leaves the palace…"
Her lips curled.
Queen Althea: "I lose my reach."
She snapped her fingers.
Queen Althea: "Summon Lord Hestian. And prepare my carriage."
The maid bowed deeply.
Maid: "At once, Your Majesty."
---
The Queen's Justification
King Orean Evercrest was alone when Queen Althea entered his solar.
Sunlight poured through the tall windows, illuminating maps, documents, and old war relics mounted along the walls. The King stood with his back to the door, hands clasped behind him.
He did not turn immediately.
King Orean: "You are angry."
Queen Althea smiled politely.
Queen Althea: "I am concerned."
He turned then, sharp eyes meeting hers.
King Orean: "About Daniel."
She nodded.
Queen Althea: "You intend to let him leave the palace."
King Orean: "That was our agreement."
Queen Althea stepped closer, lowering her voice.
Queen Althea: "And if something happens to him outside?"
Silence.
Queen Althea: "After tonight, do you truly believe the world will ignore him?"
She gestured vaguely.
Queen Althea: "The crystal anomaly. The attention from nobles. The whispers."
King Orean's jaw tightened.
Queen Althea: "He is unguarded. Untrained in court politics. And dangerously… visible."
She leaned in.
Queen Althea: "If he leaves now, he will be targeted."
King Orean: "You exaggerate."
Queen Althea: "Do I?"
She straightened.
Queen Althea: "I propose something temporary."
King Orean: "Go on."
Queen Althea: "Keep him here. Officially."
She raised a finger.
Queen Althea: "Not as a prince. Not as a political piece."
King Orean: "Then as what?"
Queen Althea: "As a royal resident."
The words hung heavy.
Queen Althea: "For his protection. And Leslie's."
King Orean studied her.
King Orean: "You are not doing this out of kindness."
Queen Althea met his gaze unflinchingly.
Queen Althea: "I am doing this because chaos grows in shadows."
A long pause.
Finally, the King exhaled.
King Orean: "…I will speak to him."
---
A Broken Promise
Daniel listened quietly.
He stood before the King, posture straight, expression calm—but Sensei's voice echoed softly in his mind.
Sensei: His emotional state is conflicted. Regret present. No deceit detected.
King Orean: "Daniel."
Daniel: "Yes, Your Majesty."
King Orean closed his eyes briefly.
King Orean: "I am… rescinding our agreement."
Daniel's fingers tightened.
Daniel: "You promised my mother a peaceful life."
King Orean: "I know."
Daniel: "You promised we would leave."
King Orean: "I know."
Silence stretched.
King Orean: "But leaving now would put you both in danger."
Daniel: "So you cage us instead?"
The King flinched—barely.
King Orean: "I am sorry."
Sensei: He believes this is protection.
Daniel inhaled slowly.
Daniel: "And my opinion?"
King Orean met his gaze fully.
King Orean: "I am asking you to trust me."
A long moment passed.
Then—
Daniel bowed.
Daniel: "Then we will stay."
The King exhaled in relief.
King Orean: "You and Leslie will be given permanent residency."
Daniel: "Understood."
King Orean: "You will have servants. Guards. Privacy."
Daniel: "Understood."
King Orean: "This is not a prison."
Daniel looked up, eyes unreadable.
Daniel: "Cages are often gilded."
The King had no answer.
---
A Palace Within a Palace
Their new residence was quiet.
Too quiet.
A detached wing near the inner gardens. Sunlit corridors. A private kitchen. Exclusive servants—maids, a cook, a butler, two guards posted discreetly at all hours.
Leslie stood frozen in the doorway.
Leslie: "Daniel…"
Daniel: "It's temporary, Mom."
She smiled weakly.
Leslie: "Of course."
But her hands trembled as she touched the silk curtains.
---
The Healer's Burden
The training hall buzzed.
Daniel had barely begun his physical regimen when the first noble approached.
Noble Youth: "Prince Daniel, could you—"
Another followed.
Court Mage: "A small mana imbalance—"
Then another.
Knight: "My shoulder—"
Daniel froze.
Sensei: Pattern detected.
Daniel turned—and saw Prince Cedric leaning against a pillar, arms crossed, wearing a lazy grin.
Cedric: "Light magic is useful, isn't it?"
Daniel: "You sent them."
Cedric smiled wider.
Cedric: "You should be honored."
Daniel said nothing.
Sensei: Do not provoke.
Daniel exhaled.
Daniel: "Sit."
One by one, he healed them.
Quietly. Efficiently.
Hours passed.
By the time he returned to his residence, his shoulders ached—not from strain, but restraint.
---
Tea and Teasing
Elizabeth's laughter carried through the sitting room.
Elizabeth: "You should have seen your face."
Leslie smiled, holding her teacup.
Leslie: "He always blushes."
Daniel stopped short.
Daniel: "…Why are you both conspiring against me?"
Elizabeth turned, eyes bright.
Elizabeth: "Welcome back, Brother."
She gestured.
Elizabeth: "Sit."
Daniel hesitated—then did.
Elizabeth: "So."
Daniel: "So?"
Elizabeth: "Who was the girl you danced with?"
Daniel coughed.
Daniel: "A childhood friend."
Elizabeth smirked.
Elizabeth: "It looked like more than that."
Leslie nodded.
Leslie: "I thought so too."
Daniel stood abruptly.
Daniel: "I need to—train."
Elizabeth laughed.
Elizabeth: "Run away, then."
Leslie joined her.
Leslie: "He's just like his father."
Daniel escaped down the corridor, face burning.
Behind him, laughter echoed.
---
The Summons
The palace bells rang.
Deep. Resonant. Authoritative.
A royal announcement echoed through every hall.
Royal Herald: "By decree of His Majesty, all residents are to assemble in the Throne Room immediately."
Daniel stopped mid-step.
Sensei: This is unexpected.
Daniel clenched his fist.
Daniel: "Something's coming."
He turned.
And walked toward the heart of the palace.