Then the old man smiled faintly and said,
"I have succeeded…"
At that moment, Riyan's heart began to beat rapidly. He was about to say something, but suddenly the old man disappeared from before his eyes.
Only his voice echoed in the room—
"I had only this much time.
You will be able to save your mother only when you yourself become powerful.
She will remain alive until then."
Riyan stood up in panic. His eyes wandered here and there, as if refusing to accept the truth of the old man's sudden disappearance. The very next moment, he rushed out of the room and ran straight into the forest.
Tears kept flowing continuously from his eyes. His panic was so great that his breathing had become uneven. His nose was also running, which he kept wiping again and again with his hands, but the flood of tears and sobs did not stop.
The night in the Everila Empire was calm, yet beneath that calmness, there was a strange unease.
Princess Elara stood on her palace balcony, gazing down.
At the castle gates, a long line of soldiers marched forward, holding torches in their hands.
Among them was a prisoner — but the darkness was so deep that Elara couldn't clearly see who it was.
She fell into thought—
"What has Father done? Whom did he order to capture?"
After that night, everything changed…
Time passed, and the Everila Empire began moving toward a new era.
Days turned into months, and months into a year.
The empire was now preparing to welcome a new dawn—
The day when Princess Elara would be crowned as queen.
Princess Elara was crowned before the people with great splendor.
Golden lights shimmered all around, and the cheers of the crowd echoed up to the skies—
"Long live Queen Elara!"
A little distance away from the grand stage of the palace, her father, King Kailen, watched everything with a gentle smile.
He sat on a magnificent wheelchair, for he could no longer walk.
Behind him stood a loyal soldier, always ready to push the chair forward whenever needed.
There was a proud gleam in the King's eyes, yet deep within them rested a quiet peace.
Perhaps that was why he had finally handed the throne over to Elara.
Despite his physical weakness, there was contentment in his gaze—
For the Kingdom of Everila was now in the hands of a new light.
The entire realm was drowned in celebration.
The sound of drums and trumpets filled the air, flowers rained from above,
and only one name echoed everywhere—
"Queen Elara!"
Princess Elara raised her hands and took a deep breath. The palace courtyard fell into silence. Determination and confidence shone in her eyes.
"My beloved people… today I make a vow to you.
I will dedicate every moment of my life to the protection and welfare of this empire.
I will ensure that no danger even approaches our borders.
Let the neighboring kingdoms not consider us weak — I will always remain vigilant, and I will safeguard the dignity and power of Everila."
A wave of excitement ran through the crowd. People raised their hands and cheered, but Elara raised her hand calmly.
"As for my life…
If this empire ever needs my strength or my life,
I will without hesitation dedicate myself entirely to this state.
My marriage, my happiness, and my dreams are not above this kingdom.
I live only for all of you, for Everila, for this crown."
Her voice carried not only power but also a blend of love and duty.
The cheers now echoed throughout the entire palace—"Long live Queen Elara!"
"May our queen live long!"
King Kailen bowed his head while sitting in his wheelchair. Satisfaction and pride shone in his eyes.
Elara's speech was not merely words—it symbolized the beginning of a new era for the Everila Empire.
On the other side,
the mine was shrouded in terror and silence. The same place where, just a few days ago, Riyan's father had been lashed mercilessly by the ruthless supervisor, now held his lifeless body. The workers and soldiers looked around cautiously, fear and shock evident on their faces.
"Is… is this true?" whispered one soldier.
Another, trembling, said, "If the king finds out… we won't survive. This mine is under another kingdom's control. If they learn that a death happened here, we're all in danger."
Chaos spread through the mine. Small fights and scuffles broke out—soldiers and laborers clashing to mask their fear. But after searching every corner of the mine, no one was found near or behind the body.
There was only one child—small, barefoot, and in dust-covered clothes—who had already been hiding in an old tunnel within the mine. He covered his mouth and silently slipped out of the tunnel. No one even noticed him.
The news of the supervisor's death eventually reached a soldier. He immediately set off for the Dravaria kingdom, carrying fear and worry in his heart.
On the other side, at the end of the tunnel, the same child slowly moved toward the forest. Dense trees surrounded him, shadows loomed, and strange sounds filled the air. That child was none other than Riyan Black. Unknowingly, he had now entered another kingdom—the Everila kingdom—and he had no idea that this kingdom would play a crucial role in his mother's safety and his future.
Riyan looked around and muttered, "What is this place…?"
The forest air was thick with fear and mystery. His breaths came fast, his heart pounded fiercely, and his hands and feet trembled. Yet, he slowly mustered the courage to move forward—toward a new world, unknown dangers, and hidden secrets.