The next day came in a rush.
Long before the first rays of dawn had fully broken across the sky, the capital was already awake. People poured into the streets in waves, hurrying toward the royal arena with barely concealed excitement. Noble carriages rolled through the city one after another, merchants abandoned their stalls earlier than usual, soldiers stationed at the gates traded rumors while pretending to remain professional, and even servants who had no business near the arena found excuses to linger close enough to witness history.
It was the day everyone had been waiting for.
The day the Crown Prince and his younger brother would stand against each other before the eyes of the entire kingdom.
And not over politics.
Not over succession.
Not over military matters or court alliances.
This was a fight for honor.
A fight born from betrayal, humiliation, and a scandal so ugly that the entire capital had spent the previous night discussing nothing else.
