Illegitimate Blood

"One year after your mother's death, I turned 20," Roy began, his tone unusually sharp. "And that year, I received the most disappointing promotion of my life."

Erika leaned forward, intrigued. "What happened?"

Roy's lips curled into a bitter smile. "I was summoned to the royal court. At first, I thought it was recognition for my contributions—finally, a chance to rise higher in Narzan's ranks. I imagined myself being made a commander, maybe even a general. Instead, I got… something else."

Erika tilted her head. "What?"

"A punishment disguised as a promotion," Roy spat. "When I arrived at the court, the Emperor himself addressed me. But I wasn't the only one there. That's when I met her—Princess Rina." He paused, his expression softening briefly. "The second most decent person I've ever met in my life. Maybe the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen."

Erika raised an eyebrow. "What's this about? Why does it matter?"

"You'll see," Roy said sharply. "She chose me. Out of every knight, every officer in the empire, she selected me to be her personal knight. Emperor Avantis, in all his wisdom, approved the decision. My reward for all my efforts? A title that stripped me of any power or influence."

Erika frowned. "You became her personal knight? That doesn't sound like a punishment."

"You don't understand," Roy replied coldly. "As a personal knight, I was bound to her side. I couldn't enter battle, couldn't attend strategic meetings, couldn't lead troops. Every opportunity I had to sabotage Narzan vanished overnight. And to make it worse, the Emperor sent us away—far from Kranel, far from the center of power."

"Where?" Erika asked, her voice steady.

"To the castle of Rushan," Roy answered. "Once the capital of Narzan, before Emperor Avantis moved it to Kranel. In the past, Rushan was a city of glory, the heart of the empire. Now, it's little more than a shadow of its former self—a state of artisans and craftsmen. The Emperor made sure I was isolated, far from anything important."

Erika studied him carefully. "And what did you do there?"

"Nothing," Roy replied bluntly. "That was the problem. For the first time in years, I had no contact with Miral, no way to leak information or sabotage the empire. I was trapped, watching the days slip by, powerless to act."

Erika frowned. "How could you just sit there? Didn't you try anything?"

Roy let out a bitter laugh. "Do you think I didn't want to? Every day, I searched for opportunities, but I was under constant surveillance. And Rina…" He trailed off, his expression unreadable.

"What about her?" Erika pressed.

"She was… kind," Roy said reluctantly. "She wasn't like the others in Narzan's court. She believed the empire could be better, that it could change. She thought I could help her make that happen."

Erika's eyes narrowed. "And did you?"

Roy's smirk returned, colder this time. "Of course not. I didn't care about her dreams. All I cared about was tearing down Narzan, piece by piece. But being stuck in Rushan made that impossible. For the first time, I felt truly helpless."

---

**The Six States of Narzan**

Roy leaned back, his gaze distant. "You know, Narzan is divided into six states. Each one serves a different purpose, and together, they form the backbone of the empire."

1. **Kranel**:

"The current capital, where Emperor Avantis rules with an iron fist. It's the empire's heart—a city of politics, power, and deception. Every decision that shapes Narzan's destiny is made within its golden halls."

2. **Rushan**:

"The former capital, now a hub of artisans and craftsmen. Its people produce the weapons, armor, and goods that keep Narzan running. That's where I was sent—a gilded cage, far from the empire's true power. It's beautiful in its own way, but beauty can't mask irrelevance."

3. **Velithar**:

"A mountainous state, rich in ore and minerals. Its mines provide the raw materials for Narzan's war machine. The people there are as hard as the iron they forge, laboring endlessly to fuel the empire's greed. Velithar is where Narzan's might is truly born."

4. **Sarlund**:

"The agricultural center, a land of rolling fields and fertile plains. It's the empire's breadbasket, feeding its people and its armies. But beneath the surface, unrest simmers among the farmers who are pushed to their limits, taxed heavily, and left to starve while the capital feasts."

5. **Eryndor**:

"A coastal state, home to Narzan's navy and bustling trade ports. Its harbors are filled with ships carrying goods and riches from across the seas. Yet, the sailors and dock workers see little of that wealth, their lives ruled by tides and taxes."

6. **Thaldris**:

"A desert region, harsh and unforgiving. It's a place of smugglers, rebels, and secrets. The empire struggles to maintain control there, and it's a haven for those who oppose Narzan. If you're looking for freedom—or death—Thaldris is the place to go."

---

**Back to the Story**

"So there I was," Roy continued, his voice sharp again. "Stuck in Rushan, babysitting a princess. Every day, I played the role of a loyal knight, while inside, I was seething. I wanted to destroy the empire, but I was powerless to act. And Rina…" He paused, his expression softening again.

"What?" Erika asked, her tone quieter.

"She trusted me," Roy said bitterly. "She believed I could help her. For a moment, I even started to believe it myself. But that trust… it became my curse. I hated her for it, and I hated myself even more."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging heavily between them.

"Being her knight wasn't just a punishment," Roy said finally. "It was a reminder. A reminder of how easily kindness can turn into a chain, binding you to something you despise."

Erika stared at him, her expression unreadable. "And what did you do?"

Roy's eyes darkened, a dangerous glint returning to them. "What I always do. I waited. I planned. And when the time came… I acted."

**To Be Continued…**