Bonus Chapter

I sat back as I listened to him talk about his past.

It is not often one get to hear about the king of kysoria.

And I was not going to waste this opportunity.

He leaned forward, his tired eyes flitting across my face.

"I was only 2 years older than you are now. I wanted to enjoy my youth, have fun and enjoy my life to the fullest before I can shoulder the burden of the largest kingdom in the empire." his piercing eyes turned to mine.

"But fate has other plans for me. And all of my freedom was taken away from me, alongside my beloved father. And I became the king." he leaned forward, as his expression turned serious.

"Becoming the king. It was a blessing. I just wish that had more time to just be me." he paused.

"And I don't want you to have that regret. As I am still very much alive and healthy and will rule and have no intention of going anywhere. I want you to live your life. Find someone you love, like I had found your mother."

"I will very much enjoy it if you send me with Oliver to the border." I said. He sighed heavily as he stared at me with a bland expression. As He realized that all of that emotional speech was wasted on.

"I am afraid I cannot do that." he shook his head, "you have been in hidden sanctum, completing your studies, and just came back. After so many years. I want you to stay here with me where I can see you."

"Besides I just sent you to find the witch, didn't I?" I narrowed my eyes at his words. I wanted to argue but I am not a child, and he is a king. He will not surrender to my wishes.

There is something else. Something that he is not telling me. I can sense it.

"Why did you need the witch?" I asked, changing the subject.

He looked up, his own eyes narrowed at me. "It does not concern you."

"You do not want me to know what is going on in my kingdom. Am I not the crown prince?" I stared at him my expression sad. I know I cannot defeat him with my questions, but I know that he will not like it when I get sad, as I am his favorite son.

"You are so stubborn just like your mother." he sighed again, as small smile on his lips as he remembered my mother.

"There is a person in the kingdom he apparently goes by the name of "the shadow" he controls all the illegal trade and commerce, not only in Kysoria but in all of the kingdoms in the empire. find him and I might tell you why I needed the witch." He said with a smile.

There was a devious glint in his eyes.

As if he was leading me to a wild goose chase.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

There must be a catch.

Something that he was not telling me about this shadow.

No matter what I will find the person. And get my answers.