A Ceremonious Return

[Unknown POV]

The rhythmic pounding of drums reverberated throughout the bustling city, each strike a heartbeat that echoed in every corner.

"DOOOM!"

The sound was unyielding, a ceremonial summons that couldn't be ignored.

"DOOOM!"

It resonated through the walls of homes, through the hearts of the people, shaking the very foundations of the kingdom. No matter where one was—whether in the shacks or the grandest mansions—everyone could hear the drums, and feel their call.

"DOOOM!"

The streets were alive with energy, thrumming with excitement as citizens poured out of their homes and shops. A sea of people gathered, filling every available space, their eyes fixed on the royal carriage making its way toward the city gates.

"OPEN THE GATES!"

A soldier's voice cut through the noise, his command loud and clear, fighting against the cacophony of chatter and drums.

One emotion dominated the atmosphere:

Joy.

Their Prince had returned.

No general, no matter how revered, nor the most skilled bard could evoke such a response from the people.

Even the King and Queen of distant lands would find it nearly impossible to inspire such a reaction. This fervor, this overflowing excitement, was reserved solely for their beloved Prince.

The warriors of the kingdom might respect the Queen, the aristocrats and merchants might favor the second Princess, but for the common folk—the farmers, the artisans, the everyday men and women—their hearts belonged to one person: their Prince.

His adventures had become the stuff of legends, his deeds spoken of with admiration. The alliances he had forged, the peace he had brokered—these were the things that had earned him the love of his people.

The Prince for Peace; a title of his spoken with reverence.

Foreign princesses who had sent him letters professing their eternal love, were not few in number.

Rumor even had it that the Queen herself had to intervene, reminding her brother that his dalliances could lead to diplomatic chaos.

The very idea of the stern, unyielding Queen having to lecture her younger brother about toning down his romantic escapades was enough to send the common folk into fits of laughter.

And thus, he earned his first infamous nickname: Prince Charming of Alkavia, the idol of countless young girls across the nation.

But now, as the carriage rolled through the streets, the crowd grew restless. Murmurs spread like wildfire.

"Why isn't he coming out?"

"Prince Michael! Prince Michael!!!"

They called out, eager to catch a glimpse of their Prince, to feel the warmth of his gaze.

Despite their eagerness, they did not disrupt the procession. They knew better than to stand in the way, especially with the Dauntless Sword of the nation leading the way, his presence alone enough to ensure order. Even the bravest adventurers knew to step aside, watching quietly as the procession passed.

Still, their longing eyes were fixed on the carriage, hoping, wishing for the doors to open. Usually, the Prince would step out, engaging with the crowd, answering their questions, charming them with his effortless charisma. More often than not, it was the young maidens who found themselves blessed by his attention, dreams realized in the form of a smile, a word, or even a touch from their beloved Prince.

It wasn't kissing babies like some politicians did on Earth, but it was no less effective in endearing him to the people.

"I heard he once gave a little girl a hug!" whispered a young server, her voice filled with awe as she tried to push her way through the throng, eager to reach the front.

After so long away, surely he would come out and address the crowd. They knew he had just returned from another successful mission, forging new alliances, strengthening the kingdom. He had even missed the Queen's coronation, so dedicated was he to his duties, to ensuring the peace and prosperity of his people.

Even after losing his bid for the throne, he had never stopped striving, never stopped working for the good of the nation. His return was a momentous occasion, and they were certain he would not pass up the chance to greet them.

And considering that he had returned with the Vice-Captain of the Kingdom's army, it was clear that his mission had been of utmost importance. Such a move, sending a man of such high rank outside the kingdom, was a risk, one that weakened the nation's defenses. Yet, the Queen had kept his departure secret, only announcing his return mere hours ago, ensuring that everything was in place to welcome him back.

The nobles and those in power speculated on what kind of mission could have required such secrecy, such careful planning. But the general populace? They only cared about one thing.

"PRINCE! PRINCE!"

"Where was he? Why wasn't he coming out?"

In stark contrast to the festive atmosphere outside, the tension inside the carriage was thick and suffocating—an intensity that no one on the outside could have possibly sensed.

[Kuzan POV]

Kuzan leaned back in his seat, a smirk playing on his lips as he observed the young man beside him. "You're certainly popular, aren't you?" he teased, his tone lighthearted, almost mocking.

Prince Michael, blushed, rubbing the back of his head. "Heh," he murmured, lowering his gaze in embarrassment.

They had become unlikely friends, a bond formed in the most unusual of circumstances. Kuzan, having literally learned everything there was to know about the Prince, found it impossible not to be somewhat fond of him.

In my attempt to extract every ounce of useful information, I had also of course seen the kind of person Prince Michael was—honorable, kind, with a deep sense of duty.

Human beings were complex, and Michael was no exception. His life, his choices, his very being, couldn't be summed up in a single phrase. But if Kuzan had to describe him, he'd say Michael was… a good guy.

'I'm sure many would consider him a sage,' I mused, reflecting on the young man before me. Despite his naivety, he was worlds a better person than I could ever hope to be.

'If not for his obsession with swordsmanship, he would truly embody the phrase "a prince for the people."'

Yet, the fact that he had willingly relinquished his claim to the throne in favor of pursuing his so-called "hobby" made even me take a liking to him.

"So, we're pretty close to the castle now, Mr. Forest King," Michael said eagerly, his eyes lighting up. "It'll only be a few more minutes."

Kuzan's gaze flickered, curiosity piqued by the Prince's unwavering enthusiasm. "Aren't you worried, Prince Michael? About my intentions?"

It was a fair question. After all, I had been silent for most of the journey, refusing to answer the Prince's questions, dismissing him as "unworthy" of negotiation.

But Michael merely shook his head, a smile on his lips. "Not at all. I'm sure she'll be a thousand times more eager to meet you than me."

I blinked, finally understanding. The Prince wasn't thinking straight. Inviting a threat of unimaginable power right into the heart of the kingdom would make even the most stalwart ruler nervous. But here Michael was, as enthusiastic as ever.

He had to admire the Prince's naiveté, his unwavering faith in his sister. A man who embodied the essence of helping the common man, and yet, here he was, completely unbothered by the potential danger Kuzan represented.

"She's going to be so grateful to me," Michael muttered under his breath, lost in his thoughts. "I'm sure she'll forgive me this time."

'Ahh,' I thought, shaking my head in amusement, 'so he's more of a sis-con than I thought.'

This poor sap, so deep in his love for his sister, he was blinded to the reality of the situation.

I might've even felt sorry for him if I wasn't so entertained by the whole thing.

'Look at this guy,' I thought, bemused by Michael's obliviousness. 'How can someone be this nuts—wait, whut?'

I chose to discreetly ignore the brief flicker of a black kettle in front of my eyes, dismissing the thought as irrelevant. Instead, I focused on my thoughts, preparing myself for the upcoming meeting.

'Meeting this woman...' I thought, my hands clenching into fists, trembling slightly with excitement at the trouble I was about to stir.

A brief flash of red flickered in my eyes, an expression that went unnoticed by the Prince, who was still trembling with glee.

'This feeling...

it's suffocating.'