Chapter 261: A Lonely Prince

Years ago from present–

In the floating kingdom of Glimmereach, the palace grounds were as grand and peaceful as ever. Islands drifted slowly in the sky, connected by bridges of crystal and stone, while soft winds carried the scent of magic through the air.

But not every corner of the palace felt lively.

In one of the quieter courtyards, far from the usual gatherings, a young boy practiced alone.

Ron Volkov.

He is now seven years old.

He held a wooden spear in his hands, moving it again and again—thrust, pull back, rotate, step, thrust again. His form wasn’t perfect, but it was disciplined. Each motion carried effort, focus… and something deeper.

Silence surrounded him.

There was laughter of other children of his age.

No one his age to spar with.

Inside the palace, most children avoided him. Some feared him. Others simply ignored him eventhough he was prince . So Ron spent his days like this—training alone or sometime with guards, reading alone, eating alone as his brother is not here and his father is too busy.

So He always spend his time alone.

But somewhere in his mind, he believed something simple.He had a dream

If he became a strong warrior…

If he became someone great…

Then maybe—

People would talk to him like his brother does.

Maybe they wouldn’t avoid him anymore.

Maybe they would respect him.

Maybe… they would stay.

After a while, he stopped.

His breathing was slightly heavy as he placed the wooden spear aside. A maid standing nearby immediately stepped forward and handed him water.

“Thank you,” Ron said quietly.

He drank, then wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

“The book I asked for…?”

The maid nodded and handed it to him.

Ron took it and walked toward a nearby tree, sitting down under its shade. He opened the book and began reading, quickly immersing himself in it.

Time passed.

At some point, faint noise echoed from a distance—voices, movement, something unusual happening elsewhere in the palace.

Ron heard it.

But didn’t react.

He simply kept reading.

It didn’t concern him.

A few minutes later, a guard approached.

“Your Highness.”

Ron looked up.

“The king is calling for you.”

“There are guests who have requested your presence.”

Ron blinked.

“…Me?”

For a moment, hesitation crossed his face.

His father was calling him.

Guests wanted to see him.

That was… unusual.

He looked down at the book in his hands.

Then slowly closed it.

“…Alright.”

He stood up.

Handed the book back to the maid.

And began walking toward his father’s office.

Ron walked through the palace corridors and soon reached the door to his father’s office. The guard standing outside opened it for him without a word.

Inside—

King Henry sat behind his desk, composed as always.

In front of him, seated gracefully, was Queen Rona of Thesmeris.

The two had clearly been in the middle of a discussion.

As Ron stepped in, both of them turned their attention toward him.

For a brief moment, Ron stiffened.

But he quickly steadied himself and walked forward.

Queen Rona observed him with interest.

“Oh… he keeps his composure well, even at such a young age.”

Henry gave a small nod.

“He has always been like that.”

Then he looked at Ron.

“Come here.”

Ron stepped closer and bowed respectfully to both of them.

“Father. Your Majesty.”

Henry rested his hand on the desk.

“Ron, I want to tell you something.”

Ron straightened.

“Yes, Father.”

Henry continued calmly.

“I have been long-time friends with the King of Thesmeris—Queen Rona’s husband.”

“A long time ago, even before you and your brother were born, we made a promise.”

“That if possible… we would have our children marry each other.”

Ron blinked.

His mind paused for a second.

Marriage…?

He instinctively wanted to object.

He was far too young for something like that.

But before he could speak—

Queen Rona continued.

“To be honest, Prince Ron, we had almost forgotten about that promise from our side.”

She smiled gently.

“But recently, my elder daughter asked me to introduce her younger sister to the second prince of Glimmereach as to my 2nd daughter lacks a friend of her age…”

“So I thought…”

“This would be a good opportunity to fulfill that old promise.”

Henry leaned back slightly.

“But I am not forcing anything.”

He looked at Ron directly.

“You are still young.”

“So instead—”

“I want you to simply try being friends with the Second Princess… Lia.”

Queen Rona stood and walked closer.

She gently placed her hand on Ron’s head and ruffled his hair.

“Be a good friend to my daughter.”

Ron stayed still.

He didn’t really have a choice.

After a moment, he nodded.

“…Yes.”

Henry gave a small nod.

“She is in the royal garden.”

“Go meet her.”

Ron turned and left the room.

As the door closed behind him—

Henry’s expression shifted slightly.

A faint glint appeared in his eyes.

“So…”

“Shall we discuss trade matters between our kingdoms, Queen Rona?”

Queen Rona smiled.

A similar glint in her gaze.

“Of course, King Henry.”

Meanwhile—

Ron walked down the corridor.

Heading toward the royal garden.

—

Back to the present—

Deep beneath the Glimmereach royal palace, the prison remained silent as ever. Cold stone, dim light, and the faint echo of chains.

Lia leaned against the wall of her cell, a soft laugh escaping her lips.

“You were so awkward when we first met…”

Her voice carried a faint warmth despite everything.

Ron, in the adjacent cell with only a wall separating them, let out a quiet breath.

“Well… what do you expect from a seven-year-old who had no one his age to talk to?”

He paused.

“Then suddenly being told to become friends with a princess from another kingdom…”

“…and that the future of that ’friendship’ might decide a marriage.”

Lia laughed again.

This time a little lighter.

But it didn’t last.

The laughter slowly faded into silence.

Then—

“…Hey, Ron.”

“…Yeah.”

There was a brief pause.

Then Lia said it.

“I love you.”

Ron froze.

“What are you saying all of a sudden…?”

Lia smiled faintly, though he couldn’t see it.

“I was too shy back at the academy…”

“I probably would’ve never said it.”

Her voice softened.

“But now…”

“We don’t have much time left.”

“I don’t want any regrets.”

Silence filled the space between them.

Then she continued quietly,

“I won’t get to live a life with you…”

“But at least…”

“…I get to die with you.”

Ron closed his eyes.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then—

“…I feel the same.”

Footsteps echoed through the corridor.

Heavy and slow.

Three guards stopped in front of their cells.

Ron opened his eyes and looked forward.

“…So this is the end.”

A faint breath left him.

“I only have one regret…”

A pause.

“…we failed Professor Zane.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep