- Queen Rosa has been kidnapped!

That was all that could be heard in Celegorm Castle. Evan rolled his eyes as he heard the whispers of some servants in one of the castle's wooded courtyards. The prince was never a fan of Rosa, but his worst of feelings were reserved for the Minstrel, so he didn't object when his father decided to send part of the royal guard in search of the sovereign of Sunstone. That, and the fact that Calen would lead the group. Having a prince leading the search would greatly improve the image of the king among the allies. That was the argument Evan had hammered the most, to inflate the King's ego, and finally get a break from his brother. 

The two had never been close, but after Calandiel's disappearance, their differences had become more pronounced, especially in the last two years... Having his brother far away would be wonderful, and if something happened to him on the road, maybe even better. 

Evan clenched his hair roots. That thought had been recurring, and as much as it brought him relief and a certain pleasure, he knew he shouldn't morally wish for his brother's death. 

"I don't want him to die," he thought, trying to alleviate his guilt. "Just get lost and never come back." 

Satisfied with that new line of thought, he continued his way towards the throne room. Calen had returned from a patrol that morning, and a meeting had been scheduled for later in the afternoon, after his rest. "Not that he has much to say, the decision has already been made," thought the older prince as he stood before the twisted cypress doors. 

- Prince Evan Galanis, heir to the throne of Celegorm. - With his name announced, the elf entered the throne room pompously. His face contorted slightly when he spotted his brother and his "royal scorn." 

He passed by Calen, the half-breed, and other guards, to sit on the smaller throne next to his father. The king gave him a disapproving look but didn't utter a word. That was enough to make Evan's blood run cold. The young man lowered his head and listened vaguely to the interrupted report. Apparently, arriving on time was no longer punctual enough for Evelon. 

The report went on for about ten minutes. They were getting longer with the opening of the borders and becoming more tedious. Finally, the hall fell silent. The king then continued with the agenda. 

- Captain of the Guard, as previously deduced, our ally, Queen Rosa of Sunstone, is missing, and all indications point to her kidnapping by the one known as the Minstrel.

The second prince nodded, waiting for the king to continue. 

- It was decided in your absence that some members of the royal guard, guided by you, will search for our esteemed ally. 

- Excuse me, Your Majesty, did I hear correctly that the captain will lead the search? 

The one who had spoken was Saeya. Evan stared at her dumbfounded, increasingly impressed by the audacity of the half-breed. He looked from her to his brother. Nearly a hundred years of coexistence had taught him to perceive Calen's micro expressions amidst all that seriousness. He had his head lowered, turned toward the ground, the muscles in his neck and jaw were tense, his eyes shifted from the marble to the face of his subordinate. The king, after a brief pause, continued speaking, ignoring the woman.

- Since the first message was sent to you, another has arrived. King Gabriel and Queen Iris request that we search for Queen Rosa on the outskirts of No Man's Land. While other kingdoms - 

- Are you really sending your son into No Man's Land? 

A deadly silence fell upon the hall. Saeya, incredulous, insisted on the question, while Calen lost his composure and stared at her as if he had just seen a ghost. A smirk formed at the corners of Evan's mouth as he watched the whiteness on his father's face. It was fun when the problem wasn't with him.

- Soldier, address His Majesty only when he addresses you -

- Ah! Go to hell! - Saeya immediately responded to the herald who tried to salvage the situation. She turned to the king with a defiant look, who maintained a dangerous expression. - Are you really sending your son, A PRINCE, into no man's land, where a criminal known for kidnapping and killing royalty is hiding? 

A general murmur began, guards positioned themselves between Saeya and the king. Calen moved quickly to approach his subordinate and held her by the shoulder. - Forgive her, Your Majesty, she -

- Let go of me! - The woman spoke at the same time. 

The king raised his hand. The entire hall fell silent again, except for Saeya, who muttered quietly to Calen. Tension grew among those who knew the king's fury, the entourage dared not speak a word, Calen didn't take his eyes off his father, and Evan longed for more. Fortunately, for Saeya, the king seemed to be in a good mood that day. 

- You all know the trust I place in my son's abilities - the king spoke, addressing the hall and ignoring Saeya once again. - Our allies spared no effort in searching for my late daughter, and Queen Rosa herself searched for her after her marriage. It's only fitting to return the favor. 

- Times were different! - the half-elf spoke again, her blood boiling. - The Minstrel didn't exist back then! Sending Calen on this mission only gives the enemy an advantage! It makes no sense! 

- The king doesn't owe explanations to a commoner - Evan spoke. - You have no voice here, half-breed! 

- I'm not asking for explanations for myself, but for Calen. HE IS THE ONLY ONE HERE WHO IS TRULY USEFUL TO THE KINGDOM! 

- HA! Behold the face of ingratitude - Evan began. His face was a mix of disgust and mockery. - We saved you from slavery and this is how you rewa- 

- Calen saved me. No one else here lifted a finger for me! 

- I was just a soldier - Calen spoke in a louder tone before the king could respond. - You and the other refugees were saved by the royal guard under the orders of His Majesty. 

- You know what I mean! - Saeya replied, then turned to the king. - And you want to throw him into the world, against one of the greatest criminals ever! 

- Don't question the king's methods, you savage-! 

- That's enough. - The king's commanding voice dominated the hall. Calen sweated cold, attentive, fearing for his subordinate. Finally, the king addressed the girl. - I admire your desire to protect your captain, soldier, but your lack of composure before the court gives me no other option but to ask you to leave and await the appropriate punishment. 

- No! You can't - Saeya lunged toward the king, immediately being stopped by two guards. She tried to reach for her sword, but Calen placed his hand on hers, shaking his head negatively. Evan watched everything in astonishment. "What a show! Are they finally going to end her for good?" but his sickly happy thoughts were interrupted by the exchange of looks between the captain and his subordinate. It was so profound that they seemed to read each other's thoughts. The half-elf gave in and softened her expression, at the same moment the king gestured for the soldiers to remove her from the room. 

As the escorted woman left, Calen knelt before the king. 

- Please forgive us, Your Majesty. Emotions are running high with Queen Rosa's disappearance. 

- Don't try to justify that woman's behavior. You promised last time you would get your subordinates in line, but it seems that didn't happen. 

- Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

- Silence! Perhaps this time on the road will make you more firm. 

And with a wave of his hand, the king dismissed Calen, but the young man didn't move. 

- Forgive my intrusion, Your Majesty, but what do you intend to do with Saeya? 

The king stared at his son, considering the emotions involved. 

- I intend to give her the punishments you never did.

After hearing that comment, Evan could not hide his smile anymore.