The throne room of Veldenar's royal castle was filled with tension. Torches flickered along the tall stone walls, casting sharp shadows as Renji stood before the king.
He bowed lightly, though his expression remained serious.
"Your Majesty,"
Renji began.
"Earlier tonight, your daughters and I were attacked. The assailant was no ordinary man… he claimed to be working under the Demon King."
The King's face darkened, his fists tightening on the armrest of his throne. Elira and Celis, who stood beside him, lowered their heads in unease.
Renji raised his gaze.
"That's why I have a request. Please grant me permission to serve as Princess Elira and Princess Celis' guard. As long as I'm at their side, no one will touch them."
The King studied him for a long moment. Finally, he nodded.
"Very well. You have not only saved them once, but twice. If my daughters feel safe with you, then I will entrust their protection to you, Renji Akatsuki."
Both princesses looked at him in surprise—Elira's lips parted softly, while Celis blushed faintly but quickly turned her gaze away.
That night, as the castle halls quieted, Renji stood in his chamber, strapping on his sword. In his hand, he held a black eye mask, simple yet sharp in design.
He slid it on, covering the upper half of his face. His reflection in the mirror no longer looked like the Renji his classmates once knew.
"This looks good on me I guess...."
His voice was low, steady. The mask was not only to conceal his identity from enemies—but also from the summoned heroes of his homeland.
The castle bells rang. An announcement echoed through the halls:
"Attention! The summoned heroes from the Kingdom have arrived—though late, due to a surprise demon attack on their route."
Whispers filled the corridors. The tension only grew.
In the throne hall, the King stood tall, his voice carrying authority.
"All generals, strategists, and heroes are to attend tomorrow's war council. The Demon King has made his move, and so must we."
He turned to Renji.
"Until this war is decided, you will remain as the personal guard of my daughters. Protect them, no matter what."
Renji bowed, his masked face unreadable.
"Understood, Your Majesty."
As he turned to leave, Elira and Celis exchanged glances. Both their hearts beat faster—not just from the looming war, but from the mysterious presence of the young man now guarding them.
Meanwhile, far away, his classmates—now hailed as heroes—were being escorted into the capital.
They had no idea that the masked guard waiting inside the castle was the very boy they once abandoned.