Triune: The broken path

"He is with me," Kael turned and said with a smile.

The guards hesitated, glancing at the Crown Prince for a few seconds.

"Ha, what a loser the Crown Prince is," Kael thought, his expression growing cold. "He hasn't even noticed that the guards no longer follow his orders."

"No matter how important the news is, if I say he's with me, then he is. Why are you defying orders?" Kael said sharply, his voice like a whip. The guards jerked upright in response.

"Apologies, Crown Prince," the guards muttered and stepped back, allowing Garrick to enter.

Garrick, calm and composed, walked into a grand room filled with tension. A single large throne stood at the center, surrounded by several smaller ones. Only the royal family was present: the king, his wives, and his children.

The king was a slightly aged man, but his aura was strong, showing no signs of decline.

Kael felt an oppressive, authoritative presence filling the room.

"I greet the king," Kael said respectfully, bowing slightly. This wasn't the modern era, and he knew he needed to adhere to the customs to avoid complications.

"Rise," the king said, his booming voice reverberating in the chamber. Kael straightened, meeting his father's gaze.

"And who is this man? Why is he here?" the king asked, his voice calm yet commanding.

"To answer His Majesty, he is my personal bodyguard," Kael replied confidently, his eyes steady on the king.

The king raised an eyebrow briefly before his expression returned to neutrality. He had ruled for too long to let small surprises affect him, but Kael noticed the flicker of reaction.

"I see," the king said. The rest of the royal family—Kael's siblings and the king's other wives—watched Kael intently.

Kael, the only one among them without a mother, had always been a focal point of attention. His mother had died giving birth to him, but the love she had shared with the king seemed to have transferred to Kael, making him the favorite. Even the king's daughters couldn't compare.

"What are your orders, Your Majesty?" Kael asked.

"The time for you to meet your bride has been decided," the king announced. "It will take place three days from now. Preparations will be made to ensure your safety. Do not disappoint me, Kael."

"Three days. That's enough time to secure the Son of Destiny's loyalty," Kael thought, a smile forming on his lips.

"Understood, Your Majesty. Your orders have been received," Kael paused and looked the king directly in the eye. "Father, I won't let you down."

With that, Kael turned and left the throne room, Garrick silently following behind.

Once Kael had gone, the king dismissed everyone. The room was now empty, except for him.

"Why are you here, Darius? Do you have any news?" the king asked as a shadow shifted behind him, revealing a man.

This was Darius, the commander of Kael's army.

"Your Majesty," Darius said, bowing slightly. Despite his deference, his presence exuded power—he was a peak martial master, just shy of reaching the grandmaster rank.

"Rise, Darius," the king said.

Darius straightened and began his report. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has changed significantly. He has demonstrated maturity and wisdom in his recent actions." He went on to detail Kael's behavior and strategies, recounting everything to the king.

"No wonder he seems more respectful and subdued lately. He's even stopped frequenting inns and brothels," the king thought, surprised.

"Darius, this is incredible. I knew my son couldn't be so foolish forever," the king said, laughing heartily. Darius smiled at the rare sight of the king's unrestrained joy.

"As for the grandmaster, don't worry. I know exactly who to send," the king added with a grin.

"Understood, Your Majesty. I'll return to my post," Darius said.

"Thank you for the information, and thank you for protecting my son all these years," the king said gratefully. He was well aware of Kael's past recklessness and knew that without Darius, Kael might have faced dire consequences.

"Haha, no need for thanks, Your Majesty. You saved me first," Darius said before departing.

The king chuckled, lost in thought. "That boy… he still remembers."

***********

Kael and Garrick returned to Kael's chambers to find Ash sitting comfortably in a chair.

"If people didn't know the Crown Prince was a man, they'd assume you were the heir to the throne," Kael teased, smirking.

Ash jumped to her feet. "I wouldn't dare, my prince. My apologies!" she stammered, kneeling quickly.

"This bastard. What does he mean by that?" Ash thought angrily.

"Haha, she's cute, I must admit," Kael mused, crouching slightly to meet her eyes.

"If I want to sleep soundly tonight, I'd better check her for hidden weapons," Kael thought, recalling how female assassins often concealed their tools. However, he hesitated, realizing Garrick was watching.

Kael knew he had to earn Garrick's trust, and any misunderstanding would be counterproductive.

"Look at me," Kael said, his tone kind. "Though you are my maid, I treat everyone fairly. I was just joking. Stand up."

Ash blinked, stunned. The Crown Prince was being kind to her? Why? Was he trying to gain her trust before trapping her?

"Thank you, my prince. You're so kind to me," Ash said courteously, masking her suspicions.

Kael simply smiled and walked past her, opening his door and entering. Garrick gave Ash one last glance before following Kael silently.

"We'll go for a walk, but let me change first," Kael said once inside.

"Understood, Crown Prince," Garrick replied, turning to face the door while Kael changed.

Traditionally, a bodyguard would wait outside, but Kael preferred Garrick to stay close. He had learned the hard way not to trust the guards stationed at every corner. Despite their presence, an assassin had once poisoned him. Only with Garrick by his side did Kael feel somewhat secure.

*********

Days passed as Kael explored the kingdom alongside Garrick. During their outings, Kael used the opportunity to learn more about Garrick.

Garrick proved to be a principled young man who held great respect for his parents, going above and beyond to fulfill their wishes. He valued friendship but chose his companions carefully, not forming bonds on a whim. Reserved and thoughtful, Garrick had earned Kael's respect. Even in the original story, Garrick didn't seize the throne out of greed for power but because the crown prince's malevolent actions had gone too far. His opposition was born from a sense of justice, especially after garrick became involved with the crown prince former bride.

It had been Garrick's only path to survival.

"Such a good lad, but this crown prince…" Kael thought with a sigh. Though he now inhabited the role of the villain, he understood right from wrong. However, that didn't mean he would become the Son of Destiny's lackey.

No.

Kael would destroy them all.

**********

Finally, the auspicious day arrived. Early in the morning, Kael, Garrick, and a contingent of guards set out. Kael and Garrick shared a carriage, tension evident in their demeanor. Despite their expectations of an ambush, the journey was smooth, and they soon arrived at the gates of the Jimi Kingdom.

The sight before them was awe-inspiring. The gate loomed immensely, stretching seemingly hundreds of meters wide, with fortified walls that projected strength and security.

At the entrance, Kael's group was stopped by the local guards. However, after a brief discussion with the leader of Kael's escort, they were allowed to pass. The contrast between the two kingdoms became apparent immediately.

The Jimi Kingdom exuded joy and liveliness. Children laughed and played in the streets, while men and women engaged in cheerful conversations.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Kael remarked, pulling aside the curtain briefly before letting it drop back into place.

"It is. More joyous," Garrick replied, his gaze lingering on the vibrant streets.

"Want to live here?" Kael asked with a knowing smile.

Garrick shook his head firmly. "I want to build a better kingdom with the crown prince."

Kael chuckled. "It all begins now," he said, his thoughts briefly drifting to his bride. He was curious—he had never seen her before.

The crowd parted as their carriage proceeded toward the palace. Within minutes, they arrived. Kael stepped down, met by rows of guards assembled in his honor. At the forefront stood a little girl, no more than ten years old, dressed in an elegant gown.

"I greet the crown prince. My sister is waiting for you," the girl said, her gaze briefly fixed on Kael's doll-like face before shifting to Garrick. She was clearly captivated by his rugged handsomeness and powerful presence.

"Alright, lead the way," Kael said with a smile. The girl nodded and began walking toward their destination, sneaking occasional glances at Garrick.

Kael and Garrick, accompanied by six guards, navigated the palace halls until they reached a grand room.

"She is inside, waiting for you," the little girl announced, her eyes darting back to Garrick before she hurried away.

Kael knocked on the door. "Knock, knock."

"Come in," a cold yet melodic female voice replied. Kael raised an eyebrow at her tone before opening the door.

"Garrick, follow me," Kael instructed. Garrick nodded without hesitation, as he never doubted or disobeyed the crown prince.

Outside, the six guards exchanged bewildered looks as Garrick followed Kael into the room.

The crown prince is bringing another man to his bride's chamber?

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