Chapter 23: Beneath the Storm's Heart
By Joy Daud
The night air outside the palace was cold, but calm—a deceptive silence before fate would strike again.
Prince Kimo stood by the edge of the eastern balcony, his hands resting on the marble rail, gaze cast toward the forest where secrets hid like ghosts in the trees.
Oki stepped beside him, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Prince Kimo… your mother is alive."
Kimo's breath caught. He turned to her, the wind catching the strands of his loose hair, and for a moment—he said nothing.
"She's alive," Oki repeated, firmer this time. "Alive, though in pain and mistreated. But don't worry… she's stronger than they imagined. Smarter, too."
The prince's jaw tensed, but his voice was low. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"I needed to be sure," she said, her eyes glowing faintly. "And I needed to know if you were ready."
Before he could respond, the Queen's voice echoed from the courtyard below, addressing the nobles in a rare public confession.
"I was once a hero," she declared, her golden robe shimmering. "I fought beside Queen Elira. We were close—sisters in battle. I loved this kingdom… and I loved the king."
The crowd murmured.
"He promised me… I was the one," she said, a glint of pain in her eyes, or perhaps well-rehearsed regret. "Until he met Elira and changed."
Oki narrowed her gaze. "A half-truth," she muttered. "Crafted like a dagger."
Prince Kimo sighed and looked up at the stars. "Let's sneak out."
"What?" Oki blinked.
"I need air. Real air. Not laced with lies and poisoned whispers."
She hesitated, then nodded, her voice softer. "Wherever you go, I'll be there."
He paused, surprised by her sincerity.
"You are stronger than me, Kimo," she said with a warm, unwavering gaze. "You just haven't embraced it yet. Stop denying your inner self."
---
Hours later, back in the palace, the king summoned his son.
He stood by the royal hearth, hands behind his back as Prince Kimo entered.
"I… I wanted to talk," the king said, eyes flickering.
"To your son, or your soldier?" Kimo replied coldly.
The king lowered his head. "Both."
Kimo approached slowly. "I was a coward once. Too afraid to ask questions… too afraid to feel. But not now."
He looked his father in the eyes.
"I will accept you—not just as king, but as my father—when you tell me about my mother."
Just then, a sudden gust of wind stirred through the throne room. The flames flickered. The palace trembled slightly beneath their feet.
And in that moment, the king saw it—Kimo's eyes blazing a sharp, ethereal blue. No longer hiding. No longer unsure.
A tear slid down the king's cheek as his lips curled into a faint, broken smile.
Kimo turned without another word and walked toward his chamber.
The storm had not passed… but the prince was no longer afraid to face it.
---
To be continued…