ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 197: THE CROWN PRINCE AND HIS COUSIN

The grand spires of the Royal Palace of Valoria pierced the sky, their majestic forms a testament to the kingdom’s power and heritage. Garvyn, the esteemed headmaster of the Valen Military Academy, strode through the immaculate palace gardens, his expression stern and contemplative. The chirping of birds and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze contrasted sharply with the urgency in his heart.

He approached a secluded courtyard surrounded by blooming magnolias and adorned with a tranquil fountain at its center. There, sitting on a carved marble bench, was Crown Prince Lysander Valoria, the chancellor of the Valen Military Academy. He was dressed simply, a stark contrast to his royal status, and his serene demeanor exuded an air of calm authority.

The prince’s hands rested loosely on his lap, his gaze fixed on the koi fish swimming in the fountain. The tranquil atmosphere seemed to reflect the crown prince’s inner peace, but Garvyn’s arrival brought an air of unease.

"Your Highness," Garvyn said, bowing respectfully.

Lysander turned his head slightly, offering a faint smile. "Garvyn, it’s always a pleasure to see you. Come, sit. The morning is too beautiful to waste on formality."

Garvyn hesitated but complied, sitting on the bench opposite the prince. His usual stern demeanor was softened by the prince’s tranquil presence, but his concern remained evident.

"Your Highness," Garvyn began, "I’ve come to discuss the convention."

Lysander’s smile remained, though his eyes sharpened slightly. "Ah, the Grand Battle Convention. I assume it’s about the other competitors?"

Garvyn nodded. "Indeed. The reports are concerning. The strength of the participants this year is unprecedented. The Dawning of Magic Academy alone has several prodigies capable of extraordinary feats. Even their younger students show promise that rivals our best. And the other academies… they’ve been making similar strides. I can’t help but wonder if we’ve made a mistake."

Lysander raised an eyebrow. "A mistake?"

"By not calling back our graduating students from their pilgrimages," Garvyn clarified. "They are our strongest assets, yet they are scattered across the continent. If they were here, we’d have a stronger chance at securing victory."

The prince leaned back slightly, his gaze returning to the fountain. His serene expression did not falter, but a hint of amusement played at the corners of his lips.

"Victory, you say," Lysander mused. "Is that truly what we seek?"

Garvyn frowned, confused. "Your Highness, the convention is more than just a competition. It’s a stage where kingdoms showcase their might. If we lose, it could damage Valoria’s reputation and weaken our influence."

The prince turned his gaze to Garvyn, his eyes calm yet piercing. "And what if we win? What would that achieve? Temporary glory? A fleeting moment of pride? Garvyn, I do not aim for the fleeting. I aim for something far greater."

Garvyn blinked, baffled. "Greater? What could be greater than securing Valoria’s prestige?"

Lysander’s smile grew faintly wistful. "The convention is merely a stepping stone, a stage for me to observe and understand. The true prize lies in the alliances, the rivalries, and the hidden currents that flow beneath the surface. This is not a game of strength alone, Garvyn. It is a game of strategy, of foresight. The graduating students are better served honing their skills and growing beyond the confines of this kingdom. Their growth will serve Valoria in ways no mere trophy ever could."

Garvyn leaned back, absorbing the prince’s words. "You’re playing a longer game than I anticipated, Your Highness."

Lysander chuckled softly. "The world is changing, Garvyn. Power shifts, alliances falter, and new threats emerge. To survive, Valoria must adapt. The convention is but a chapter in a much larger story."

The headmaster nodded slowly, though the weight of his concerns had not entirely lifted. "Your wisdom is humbling, Your Highness. Still, I hope this gamble of yours pays off."

"It will," Lysander said confidently, standing from his seat. He gazed toward the horizon, where the distant sounds of the bustling kingdom echoed faintly. "And when it does, Valoria will stand not just as a kingdom of strength, but as a beacon of unity and vision."

Garvyn rose as well, bowing deeply. "As you say, Your Highness. I trust your judgment."

Lysander placed a hand on Garvyn’s shoulder, his serene smile returning. "Have faith, my friend. Sometimes, the greatest victories are those that go unseen."

As Garvyn departed, his steps heavy with thought, Lysander returned to his contemplation by the fountain. The koi fish swirled in intricate patterns, mirroring the prince’s mind as he quietly orchestrated a plan far beyond the comprehension of most.

Just moments after Garvyn left the royal courtyard of the crown prince, the sun dipped below the horizon as the courtyard of the Valoria Royal Palace was bathed in the soft glow of twilight. The Crown Prince Lysander stood still by the fountain, his serene demeanor now giving way to an edge of sharp focus. His gaze shifted skyward, his calm voice breaking the silence.

"You’ve watched long enough. Come down, Alden."

A faint ripple shimmered in the air above, and a man descended slowly from the clouds. Dressed in dark robes that seemed to blend into the encroaching night, Alden carried an air of mystery. His striking resemblance to Lysander hinted at a familial connection, but the sharp glint in his eyes and his faint smirk painted him as anything but an ally.

Not only that, but if one could think hard enough, they could remember that he is the one who has been ordering Kelvin’s benefactor named Griffo around both in and out of the royal palace.

"Dear cousin," Alden drawled, landing lightly on the marble path. "You never fail to surprise me. Still as perceptive as ever, I see."

Lysander turned to face him, his expression unreadable. "Spare me the flattery. What is your goal in spying on me and my academy?"

Alden’s smirk widened. "Spying? Such an unkind word. I prefer to think of it as... observing. After all, it’s fascinating to see you orchestrate your grand schemes with such precision. One might even call it inspiring."

"You’re deflecting," Lysander replied coldly, his tone cutting through Alden’s casual demeanor. "What do you want?"

Alden spread his hands, the picture of mock innocence. "I’m merely curious. The convention, your academy, the competitors—such a delicate tapestry you’re weaving. I wonder, though, do you truly believe you can control the threads when so many are beyond your grasp?"

"And this point of yours is coming out of the few pawns you have placed in the Convention?" Lysander asked back with a narrowed look on his face. "Oh those things has nothing to do with this, honestly!" Alden replied while shrugging his shoulders.

The Crown Prince’s gaze hardened. "Curiosity alone doesn’t bring you here, Alden. You thrive in chaos, yet you linger at the edges of my plans. If you think I’ll let you disrupt what I’ve built, you’re mistaken."

Alden chuckled, a low, amused sound. "So sharp, cousin. Yet, for all your brilliance, you underestimate the beauty of unpredictability. Plans are fragile things, you know. A single misstep, and everything unravels."

Lysander’s expression remained stoic, but an unsettling aura began to emanate from him, blanketing the courtyard with a palpable tension. The koi fish in the fountain scattered, and the very air seemed to grow heavier.

"Take this as a warning, Alden," Lysander said, his voice laced with quiet menace. "If you interfere, I won’t hesitate to remind you of your place. The Valoria kingdom doesn’t tolerate shadows creeping where they don’t belong."

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For a moment, Alden simply stood there, the oppressive aura pressing against him. But instead of flinching, he let out a slow, deliberate laugh.

"And there it is," he said, a gleam of amusement in his eyes. "The famed wrath of the Crown Prince. But tell me, Lysander, do you truly believe fear will keep me at bay?"

As he spoke, a faint ripple of power radiated from Alden, pushing back against Lysander’s aura. The clash of their energies filled the air, the courtyard trembling under the weight of their unspoken challenge.

Lysander narrowed his eyes. "You mistake a warning for a lack of resolve. Test me, and you’ll find out just how far I’m willing to go."

Alden tilted his head, his smirk never wavering. "Duly noted. But don’t worry, dear cousin. I have no intention of ruining your little game... yet. After all, the best part of a performance is watching how it unfolds."

With that, Alden stepped back, his form dissolving into the shadows as if the encroaching night itself had swallowed him. His voice lingered, a whisper in the wind.

"Until we meet again, Lysander. Keep your threads taut... for now."

As the air cleared and the unsettling presence faded, Lysander stood alone once more, his serene demeanor restored. But his clenched fists betrayed the storm simmering beneath the surface.

"Unpredictable as ever," he murmured to himself, before turning back toward the palace. "But even shadows can be tamed."