The morning sun rose gently over Aurevale.
Golden light spilled across the mansion balcony, painting the white stone walls in warmth. The city below had already begun to stir—merchants opening shops, apprentices rushing through streets, the faint clang of blacksmiths testing their hammers.
Inside the grand dining hall, however, the atmosphere was far softer.
For once… no fireworks.
No political tension.
Just breakfast.
A Peaceful Morning
Kael sat at the head of the long dining table, trying to look composed.
Trying.
Seraphina sat on his right.
Elowen on his left.
Very close.
Unnecessarily close.
Across from them sat Queen Amaris and Queen Titania, while Elara and Lyria occupied the far side of the table. Lilith stood gracefully near the wall, supervising the servants as plates were placed down with perfect precision.
The table was filled with fresh bread, fruit, honey, grilled meat, warm soup, and tea that carried a calming floral aroma.
For a moment, it felt like a normal family gathering.
"Kael," Elara said gently, buttering a piece of bread, "you barely slept."
Seraphina immediately turned to him.
"You didn't?"
Elowen narrowed her eyes.
"You were worrying again."
Kael forced a smile.
"I was reviewing trial documents."
Queen Titania smirked.
"Oh? Reviewing documents requires staring at the ceiling for hours?"
Kael froze.
How did she know?!
Queen Amaris sipped her tea calmly.
"A ruler who loses sleep easily will age faster."
Elowen gasped dramatically.
"Kael with wrinkles?"
Seraphina covered her mouth.
"He would look… distinguished."
"I am fourteen," Kael said flatly.
Lyria leaned forward with sparkling eyes.
"Brother, if you age faster, does that mean you'll marry sooner?"
Kael choked on his tea.
Elara coughed to hide her laughter.
Seraphina turned bright red.
Elowen slammed her hands on the table.
"We already said we love him! Why is marriage suddenly a public discussion?!"
Titania tilted her head lazily.
"Because politics waits for no one."
That single sentence quieted the table slightly.
Kael cleared his throat.
"After breakfast, I'll begin the knight trials. Nathan and Arin prepared the grounds."
Lilith added calmly, "And I shall begin maid recruitment."
Elowen blinked.
"You're really building everything this fast."
Kael looked out the window toward the growing city.
"Aurevale cannot remain defenseless."
Seraphina's voice softened.
"You're preparing for Shadowven."
Kael met her gaze.
"Yes."
Packing for Departure
After breakfast, the mood shifted slightly.
Servants moved about carrying luggage. The queens' attendants carefully wrapped royal garments. Elara supervised Lyria's packing with gentle but strict precision.
Lyria pouted.
"Do I really have to go back?"
Kael crouched beside her.
"You can visit anytime."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
She hugged him tightly.
Queen Amaris approached Kael quietly.
"You've grown faster than we expected."
Titania stood beside her.
"But don't try to shoulder everything alone."
Elara walked toward him next.
"Take care of yourself. Eat properly. Sleep properly."
Seraphina and Elowen stood slightly behind him, watching the exchange.
Kael nodded.
"I will."
There was a brief silence.
Then Titania smiled mischievously.
"And don't cause too much chaos while we're gone."
Kael coughed.
"That depends."
Elara raised an eyebrow.
"On?"
"On whether Shadowven behaves."
The queens exchanged knowing looks.
Farewell
They gathered in the courtyard.
Sunlight shone brightly now.
Servants lined the sides respectfully.
Kael raised his hand.
Golden light gathered beneath their feet.
"Teleportation circle ready," he said softly.
Lyria hugged Seraphina and Elowen quickly.
"Take care of my brother!"
Elowen saluted playfully.
"We will guard him."
Seraphina smiled warmly.
"You guard him too when you visit."
Queen Amaris stepped forward.
"Kael."
"Yes?"
She placed a hand on his head briefly.
"We trust you."
Titania added, "And we will be watching."
Kael sighed.
"That is not reassuring."
Elara laughed softly.
"Goodbye, my son."
The teleportation circle flared.
In a flash of golden light—
They vanished.
Silence settled in the courtyard.
Kael lowered his hand slowly.
For the first time since they arrived…
The mansion felt quieter.
Seraphina slipped her hand into his.
Elowen did the same.
"Don't look lonely," Elowen said softly.
"I'm not," Kael replied.
He wasn't.
But the responsibility felt heavier now.
The Knight Trials Begin
By midday, Aurevale's central plaza transformed into a training arena.
Wooden platforms were raised.
Targets placed at various distances.
A large crowd gathered—young men and women hoping to become knights of Aurevale.
Nathan stood beside Kael, immaculate as always.
Arin leaned casually on his sword.
"Ready, Lord Kael?" Nathan asked.
Kael nodded.
"Begin."
One by one, candidates stepped forward.
Strength tests.
Swordsmanship demonstrations.
Mana control evaluations.
Some were impressive.
Some… were not.
A large muscular man roared while swinging his blade—
—and accidentally launched it into a fruit cart.
Arin sighed.
"Next."
Another candidate attempted a flashy fire spell—
—and burned his own sleeve.
Elowen giggled from the viewing platform.
Seraphina covered her smile.
Kael remained composed, though Hat whispered from beside him,
"Master, perhaps we should add 'basic awareness' as a requirement."
Kael pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Yes."
But then—
A young woman stepped forward.
Calm.
Focused.
Her movements were precise.
Her sword cut cleanly through three targets in one breath.
Arin's expression shifted.
"She's good."
Kael observed carefully.
"Name?"
"Reina Valem," she answered firmly.
Her mana was steady.
Controlled.
Disciplined.
Kael nodded slightly.
"Advance to final evaluation."
Excitement rippled through the crowd.
The trials continued.
And slowly—
Aurevale's first official knight squad began to take shape.
The Maid Trials
Meanwhile, inside the mansion—
Lilith stood like a silent judge of fate.
Dozens of hopeful young women stood in line.
Lilith's gaze alone made half of them nervous.
"First test," she announced calmly. "Tea preparation."
One girl spilled the tray.
Another trembled so much the cups rattled like bells.
Lilith did not raise her voice.
But her silence was terrifying.
Seraphina and Elowen secretly observed from behind a curtain.
"She's scarier than a battlefield," Elowen whispered.
Seraphina nodded.
A girl with gentle movements stepped forward.
She poured tea flawlessly.
Balanced the tray.
Moved with elegance.
Lilith's eyes softened slightly.
"Name?"
"Mira."
"You may proceed."
Then came the second test—cleaning efficiency.
One candidate attempted to use wind magic—
—and blew dust directly into Lilith's face.
The entire room froze.
Slowly…
Lilith wiped her cheek.
"Disqualified."
The girl fled in tears.
Elowen clutched Seraphina's arm.
"Remind me never to anger her."
Seraphina whispered, "Noted."
But beneath the calm surface—
Lilith's sharp eyes were evaluating more than skills.
She was searching for loyalty.
Discipline.
And something else—
Hidden strength.
Because Aurevale would need more than servants soon.
It would need eyes and ears.
Evening
As the sun began to set, Kael stood overlooking the plaza.
Nathan approached.
"Twenty-seven candidates passed initial selection."
Arin added, "Five show exceptional potential."
Kael nodded.
"Train them personally."
Nathan bowed.
Inside the mansion, Lilith approached him later.
"Eight candidates selected. Two show promise beyond domestic skills."
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"Keep them close."
"Yes, Master."
Seraphina and Elowen joined him on the balcony as night fell.
"So," Elowen said playfully, "Lord of Aurevale. Successful day?"
"For now."
Seraphina rested her head lightly against his shoulder.
"You're building your army."
Kael looked toward the horizon.
"Not an army."
"A shield."
The wind carried a faint chill.
Far away—
Beyond mountains and borders—
Shadowven prepared its own moves.
But here—
In the City of Light—
Foundations were being laid.
Knights.
Mages.
Maids.
All chosen carefully.
Kael felt the weight of the coming storm.
Yet when Seraphina's fingers intertwined with his…
And Elowen leaned gently against him…
He allowed himself a small smile.
"Let them come."
The trials had begun.
Not just for knights—
But for a kingdom.
To be continued…