I wanted to write this message to everyone reading the story from the beginning. I'm writing this novel to change something in someone's life—to inspire them. It might even become a turning point for someone. I hope you read this story and live through it, as if you are the main character yourself. And to anyone who doesn't like what I've written, please forgive me—I wasn't able to make you happy. I just want to share my journey with you. Even if there's only one reader, I will continue what I started, and I'll be grateful to the one who stays with me until the end.
Chapter Six: A Different Man from the Past
Marcus's voice was soft, yet carried the usual respect.
"Sir, are you awake?"
Leander slowly sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes staring into the void. He didn't respond to Marcus—he was lost in deep thought.
"Is this real? I'm back in the Kingdom of Apyndor… I never expected this. Could this be… the end of the journey? Perhaps it's a fitting end."
A thousand years flooded his mind—years filled with blood, fire, betrayal, and knowledge. In the past, his ambition was to become a king who would unite the five kingdoms under his banner. Back then, it seemed like madness. But today? Leander was no longer that ambitious young man. He had become someone forged from the ashes of a thousand trials. All that the kings of this land knew—and all they didn't—he had experienced and surpassed.
Even Edward… his father… now seemed, in his eyes, like a child learning to walk.
He returned to the present when he heard the door close behind Marcus. He took a deep breath and stood up.
---
He opened the wardrobe, and before him hung a luxurious robe adorned with the Rain family crest: a majestic blue eagle. In the past, he wore it with pride. But now… it evoked nothing but memories. He put it on in silence, then stood before the mirror.
His black hair fell softly across his forehead, and his black eyes shone with coldness. The same old features… but the soul inhabiting this body? It was no longer the same.
He stepped out of the room, walking steadily down the palace's marble stairs. With each step, memories came flooding back. Despite the thousand years that had passed, the details remained vivid in his mind, as if he had only left yesterday.
The servants scattered throughout the palace bowed in respect.
"Good morning, sir."
"Welcome, Your Highness."
But he didn't respond. He merely nodded silently, coldly. It was a stark contrast to what they were used to. In the past, he would greet everyone with a smile, bow his head to them, and chat warmly.
One of them whispered nervously to another:
"Why didn't he greet us? Is that really Prince Leander?"
It wasn't arrogance that kept Leander silent. What they didn't realize was that the man before them was not the gentle young prince they had once known—but someone new, born of a thousand hells.
---
He stepped beyond the palace walls, heading to attend a crucial meeting between the Kingdoms of Apyndor and Quandor. He knew this day well. It had marked a turning point in his fate.
He entered the grand hall. Its walls were lined with ornate blue glass, and a red carpet stretched between two rows of luxurious seats where representatives of both sides sat. Behind them hung massive portraits of former Rain kings, casting an aura of majesty over the place.
He saw Cain and Ned seated side by side. Their blue hair and radiant eyes embodied the beauty of proud nobles. Beside them, Leander felt like an outsider—a beggar among aristocrats.
Cain whispered,
"You're late. The king will arrive any moment."
Leander ignored him and sat down silently. Cain fumed, but Ned calmly said,
"It's fine. What matters is that he arrived before the meeting began."
A low murmur filled the room, then suddenly… silence. The reason was obvious.
The main door opened, and King Edward entered. His white hair, adorned crown, and groomed beard gave him an unmistakable presence. His very arrival compelled everyone to rise.
He walked steadily toward the throne and sat down. His silence was more powerful than speech.
---
A man in a green cloak bearing the emblem of the Kingdom of Quandor stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty King Edward, I come as a representative of my kingdom, requesting a peace treaty with Apyndor."
Five years of war had worn down Quandor, while Apyndor had secured control over the vital Naur River trade route.
The king said in a firm voice:
"You seek peace, yet we are the victors. What benefit do we gain by signing a treaty?"
Cain stepped forward and said confidently,
"Father, we agree to the treaty… but under conditions: we gain full rights to the trade route, and for five years, Quandor must supply us with their timber."
The representative's expression tensed, and he protested,
"But Your Highness, these terms are harsh! We fought the war over this trade route—how can we surrender it without compensation?"
The king replied sternly:
"You lost, and we won. This is politics, not an exchange of sentiments."
The minister fell silent and quietly withdrew, followed by his delegation.
---
After everyone had left, only the king and his three sons remained. He asked them:
"What do you think?"
Cain said,
"I believe signing is better than continuing the war."
Ned agreed. Then the king turned to Leander.
Leander answered calmly,
"I agree with Cain."
His brothers glanced at him in surprise. In the past, Leander would never have agreed with Cain. He always sought to prove himself. But today? He saw far beyond mere rivalry.
The meeting ended.
---
Leander left the palace on horseback. He didn't respond to Coach Joe, who tried to speak with him. It wasn't arrogance—his mind was elsewhere. He rode swiftly, knowing exactly where he was going. He galloped as though it was the horse chasing after fate itself. Leander had learned to ride in this kingdom, but that was nothing compared to the wars he had fought on horseback in his journey as a warrior.
He found the Quandor delegation taking a side road. Ensuring no one was watching, he halted the horse in front of them.
He approached the minister and said quietly:
"I have a solution that will secure the treaty for you… and grant you access to the trade route."
The minister was startled, then regained his composure. In his mind, he tried to make sense of it:
"Perhaps he does this out of hatred for his brothers… or maybe he seeks revenge on his father."
It was human nature to settle on the explanations that brought them comfort.
Leander said:
"Tell your king that the solution lies with me. Send a message under the name of a merchant, through the nearby tavern. Do not mention my name."
The minister nodded and smiled for the first time since the meeting. Deep inside, he felt great relief—he had found, at the very least, a glimmer of hope.
---
Leander returned on horseback, taking a different route to avoid suspicion. It led to a tavern he knew well, one he often drank in. He spent some time there, then returned to the palace.
---
In the palace of the Kingdom of Quandor, the minister stood before King Nork and reported what had happened. The king was hesitant, but his chief minister—the same one who once suggested Leander's abduction—said:
"Your Majesty, we have confirmed information that King Edward favors Leander over his other sons. This has stirred jealousy among his brothers. It's possible that Leander is unaware of these feelings. If he's shown willingness to cooperate, there's no harm in listening."
King Nork thought for a moment, then said:
"Send him the message."
---
To be continued…