The palace doors creaked open, the sound echoing like a blade across stone. The hall fell silent as a figure stepped inside. Her armor was worn, her cloak heavy with dust, but her eyes burned with certainty.
June.
Colden's breath caught. Isabelle's tears stilled.
Austin leaned back on his throne, his smile sharp. "And who might this be? Another ghost come to weep?"
June's voice cut through the hall, steady and unyielding. "I served in the same battalion as Windmere. I was there the night Dean Everhart died."
Colden's heart pounded. His chains rattled as he leaned forward. "You… you knew my father?"
June's gaze softened for a moment, then hardened again. "I knew him. And I know this: the bombing of the guild was not done by the Junice Empire. It was not an accident. It was an order."
The hall trembled. Isabelle gasped, her hand clutching her chest.
Austin's smile faltered. "Careful, soldier. You speak of matters you cannot prove."
But June's voice rose, unwavering. "It was your father, Austin. He gave the order. When others suggested rescuing Dean, he said only one thing: bomb the guild."
The words struck like thunder.
Colden's eyes widened, his breath sharp. "No… no…" His voice broke, trembling. "You mean… my father was betrayed?"
June nodded, her voice heavy with sorrow. "Yes. Betrayed by the very man who claimed to save Windmere. Dean died not because of the empire, but because of Austin's father's command."
Austin's eyes narrowed, his smile gone. "Lies. All lies."
But June did not stop. Her gaze turned back to Colden, sharper than steel.
"You should have known by now," she said, her tone unyielding. "You are not worthy of being the ruler of Windmere. How could you, the future ruler and king of a dynasty, be so fragile… so immoral? It doesn't matter what anyone says — you should never have believed your father was not right. He didn't die to see this day. Our ancestors did what they could, they fought, they bled, they endured. And yet you… you bend at the sound of lies."
Her eyes locked on him, piercing. "How do you propose to rule and govern your people, Colden Everhart? I have never once heard you introduce yourself with that name. Why? Are you ashamed of your lineage?"
Colden's heart pounded. His voice broke as he interrupted, trembling. "No, I… I… I don't believe that I am worthy."
The hall fell silent. Austin smirked from his throne, savoring the moment. Isabelle's tears shimmered, her hands trembling.
June's lips curved into a smirk, but her eyes remained cold. "It's good that you admit it. But that doesn't excuse your wrongdoings. When you are ruler, sorry does not exist. You must prove you are worthy enough."
Her voice softened, just slightly, as memory flickered in her gaze. "I was very little when I saw Dean for the first time. Even if my biological father was a selfish, cruel man, I knew Dean would become the greatest father. So I admired him enough to make him my own. He was brave. He was honest. That is your lineage, Colden. That is what you carry. Don't you ever feel ashamed of it."
Colden's tears stilled. Slowly, he raised his head. His eyes no longer shimmered with weakness, but with fire. He did not cry. He did not falter.
He was ready.
Ready to face the bullets of fire. Ready to give the answer he had to give.
The hall held its breath.
To be continued…
NEXT CHAPTER ON 10th APRIL 2026