Chapter 80: Journey to the Mountain Empire
The morning was cool in the Estorian capital. King Noor IV stood strong outside the main palace gates. He felt the weight of his kingdom and his son’s unsure fate heavy on his shoulders.
Eric and Alina were already with him. They looked a mix of nervous. The Queen, Isadora, stood on the other side of the King. Her eyes showed she hadn’t slept well.
"I still don’t understand your decision to have me stay here, Noor," the Queen said, her voice low, with a hint of worry. "My place is by your side, by Eric’s side, especially now."
The King managed a small, reassuring smile as he looked at his wife. "Isadora, my dear," he said gently, "the situation in our kingdom is not stable enough for both of us to leave. There are unresolved matters. You need to manage everything in my absence. Your strength, your wisdom, will be vital here."
Beside the Queen stood her oldest son, First Prince Revan. He seemed subdued, and worry was clear on his face. Revan’s eyes kept flicking towards Eric. He looked both worried like a brother and like he was starting to respect him.
Worried, Revan turned to the King. "Father," he said, his voice serious, "don’t you think, given these new external pressures, we should perhaps pause this extensive investigation at this time? Focus all our resources on the immediate threat from the Empire?"
The King took a deep breath. His gaze was firm as he met his oldest son’s eyes. "Raven, you need to understand that this investigation is not for the royal family. It is for our kingdom. And remember, this trouble from the Emperor is upon the royal family. If we push the royal family’s trouble onto the kingdom, it will be my biggest failure as a king."
Revan listened to his father’s words. The weight of their truth sank in. He understood why the King’s decision was necessary. He nodded, then stepped forward and went to Eric. He pulled his younger brother into a firm hug.
"I am proud of you, little brother," Revan said, his voice thick with emotion. "No matter what trap the Roland Kingdom has set for you, no matter what accusations they hurl, I know you would never intentionally do anything that would bring harm to our kingdom, to Father. Hold strong."
Hearing Revan’s words, Eric felt regret and guilt. He knew he hadn’t done anything important during those critical moments.
The power, the wins, the decisions – it had all been the work of the [System Interface], the "System Window" that acted through him. He just nodded, unable to look Revan in his eyes.