Auren stood in the middle of the Central streets, a little smile playing on his lips. The crowd he had manipulated earlier was still whispering about him, some in awe, some in fear. His words had entered their heads like a seed, and he knew the seed would grow into something much bigger.
"First step is done," he whispered to himself, his eyes glowing faintly. "The crowd is mine. Now… the throne will follow."
But as he turned, his thoughts grew serious.
"I know what people will think," he muttered, almost like he was talking to the readers of his own story. "They'll say, 'Auren can just defeat the King with his magic.' But no… it's not so simple. The King is not alone. He has the Central's strongest magician at his side. That man has one hundred years of experience. And don't get confused about the number. He doesn't look old. He looks like he's thirty, fresh and full of energy. He manipulates his own age with his magic. That means… I can't take him lightly."
His fists clenched.
"I have to be smarter. Stronger. And I need more allies. If I fight them now, I'll lose. But if I plan… the throne will be mine."
---
By the time Auren reached home, the evening sun had already painted the sky orange. Inside the small but cozy house, Velora and Lyara were waiting for him at the table. The smell of food filled the air—fresh bread, roasted meat, and soup.
Velora looked up, her soft smile greeting him.
"You're late again, Master," she teased, placing a bowl in front of him.
Lyara pouted.
"Yes, we waited so long! If you want to be king, at least learn to come home on time for dinner."
Auren laughed, sitting down between them.
"You two sound like old wives. I was busy winning the crowd. Soon, they will see me as the real king of Central."
Velora raised her eyebrows.
"The king of Central? That sounds… dangerous."
Lyara smirked.
"Dangerous for the King, maybe. Not for Auren."
Auren grinned, tearing a piece of bread.
"You girls have more faith in me than I have in myself sometimes."
---
The three of them ate, but as usual, the room never stayed serious for long.
Lyara suddenly leaned close to Auren, her eyes shining with mischief.
"You know, Master, you've been looking at the throne all day. But I think you're staring at something else right now."
Auren choked on his soup.
"W-What are you saying?"
Velora giggled, covering her lips with her hand.
"She's right, Auren. Your eyes are not on the food anymore. They're on us."
Auren smirked.
"Well… maybe I'm hungry for something else."
Lyara burst out laughing.
"See! I told you, Velora. Our great Master Auren, the one who plans to defeat kings and magicians, is just a man with… other cravings at the dinner table."
Velora shook her head, pretending to be annoyed but clearly amused.
"You're impossible."
Auren leaned back in his chair, his voice low but playful.
"What can I say? I conquer crowds by day… and you two by night."
Both girls blushed, though Lyara was quick to respond.
"You're such a shameless man, Master. But… we like you that way."
---
But just as the laughter filled the room, Auren suddenly fell silent. His expression changed. His blue eyes grew colder, sharper.
Velora noticed first.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice soft.
Auren placed his spoon down slowly.
"The King's magician," he said flatly. "He's not just strong. He's clever. A hundred years of knowledge. He knows every trick, every spell, every weakness. If I walk in without a plan, I won't just lose. I'll die. And then… all of this will be wasted."
Lyara's smile faded.
"You're really worried about him, aren't you?"
Auren nodded.
"Yes. That's why I need you both. Not just as company, but as my strength. You're my closest allies. If I fall, you must be ready to stand beside me."
Velora touched his hand gently.
"Then we'll fight with you. Whatever happens."
Lyara leaned in with her usual grin, trying to lighten the mood.
"And if we win, I want the biggest room in the palace."
Auren laughed, his dark mood breaking.
"Fine, you'll get the biggest room. But don't forget, the throne is mine."
Lyara smirked.
"As long as the bed is big enough for three, we're fine."
Velora blushed, hitting her lightly.
"Lyara!"
The three of them burst into laughter again, the tension dissolving into playful warmth.
---
Dinner ended, but Auren's hunger hadn't gone away. His eyes kept drifting toward Velora and Lyara, and both women noticed.
Velora sighed, her cheeks turning pink.
"You really don't give up, do you?"
Auren leaned closer, his grin wicked.
"A king should never be satisfied with little. And right now, I want… everything."
Lyara leaned across the table, whispering in his ear.
"Then take it, Master. We're yours anyway."
Velora bit her lip but nodded softly.
"He's already thinking of something crazy again, I can see it."
Auren's laugh was low and dangerous.
"You know me too well."
---
But as the night grew deeper, and their laughter echoed inside the house, something else was happening outside.
Two cloaked men stood in the shadows, watching the window carefully. Their whispers were low, almost like the wind itself.
"That's him… the one who's stirring the people," one said.
The other nodded.
"Yes. The King already suspects him. Soon, the magician will know too. If this boy thinks he can take the throne… he'll be crushed."
The two shadows disappeared into the darkness, leaving no trace.
Inside, Auren had no idea he was already being watched. He was too busy with Velora and Lyara, laughing, teasing, and planning for tomorrow.
But deep inside, he knew something.
"The war for the throne has already begun."
Hey everyone,
I just want to ask you something from the heart. Writing this story takes a lot of effort, and sometimes it feels like I'm just throwing words into the dark. What keeps me going are your comments and reviews—they let me know you're actually out there, enjoying the journey with me. Even a few words mean so much.