Chapter 19 : Flames Beneath the Smile

The Great Hall of the Royal Assembly was cloaked in silence as the King took his seat atop the elevated dais. Draped in royal crimson, his warm smile radiated like sunlight—but everyone present knew better. That smile concealed a thousand threats.

“Let us begin,” the King said, his voice light, pleasant—yet heavy enough to halt all murmurs. “As the Grand Magic Battles approach, I expect every clan to present their chosen champions.”

An invisible ripple of tension passed through the hall.

Lord Daikai of the Kurogami Clan was the first to step forward. “My youngest son will represent our clan this year,” he said, smug pride dancing in his eyes. “He will be joined by two other skilled candidates from our house.”

He didn’t speak his son's name. It wasn’t needed. Whispers rose—speculation, curiosity, admiration. Shin stood still, unmoved.

One by one, other clan leaders stood and declared their representatives. Names carried weight—each a legacy, a weapon, or a future tragedy waiting to unfold.

Finally, Lord Haruki of the Fujimoto Clan rose.

“My daughter, Sakura, will represent us in the Grand Magic Battles.”

A sharp silence. Then a wave of hushed voices swept through the hall like rustling leaves.

“Sakura? But she—”

“Isn’t she magicless?”

“How reckless…”

The King chuckled softly. “Lord Haruki,” he said, his tone wrapped in silk, “I have heard that your daughter cannot use magic. Is it wise to let her participate?”

Lord Haruki’s face was as composed as stone. “I do not care if she gets hurt.”

Gasps. A few of the ladies even lowered their eyes.

But the King’s smile grew a shade darker. “You underestimate her,” he said, the gleam in his eyes sharp and dangerous. “Who knows? She might just surprise us.”

Then he turned his gaze to Shin, still standing near the back like a silent pillar.

“What about you, young Shin?” the King asked suddenly. “What do you think of your sister joining the battles?”

A hush fell again. No one had expected the King to address Shin—let alone ask his opinion.

Shin's voice was low, steady. “I believe Sakura can do whatever she puts her mind to. She's strong.”

The King’s eyes gleamed. “See, Lord Haruki? Your son believes in her too.”

Haruki said nothing. But Shin noticed something flicker in his father’s eyes—approval, or something else.

---

Evening — Fujimoto Castle

The last book snapped shut.

Sakura let out a breath of triumph and exhaustion. She had finished them all—ten massive tomes on ancient magic theory, energy flow, elemental discipline. She pushed herself up and stretched, bones cracking in protest.

The sky outside had turned a soft orange.

She made her way to the rooftop, where the view of the capital always made her feel both small and powerful. The sun was dipping low, brushing the rooftops with gold. And there—down the road—rolled a carriage marked with the Fujimoto crest.

Her heart skipped.

Shin’s back!

She scrambled down from the rooftop, taking hidden paths through the corridors until she reached the main gate. Peeking from behind a column, she saw them: Lord Haruki. Lady Reina. And Shin—his steps slow, his shoulders heavy with fatigue.

Shin stopped abruptly. His eyes flicked toward the shadows where she hid.

“I’ll excuse myself,” he said calmly and turned.

Sakura stood up as he approached. Her eyes were alight with questions, with warmth. Shin looked at her—and for a fleeting moment, the coldness in his gaze melted. A rare, gentle smile crossed his face.

“Let’s go,” he said. “I’ll tell you everything.”

---

Moments Later — Castle Balcony

The sky bled into shades of orange and purple as the siblings sat side by side.

“That must’ve been a rough day,” Sakura said, swinging her feet.

Shin nodded silently.

Then he noticed it—a scrape on her knee, red against her pale skin.

“What happened?!” he leaned in, his tone sharp. “How did you get that? Did you go outside the capital? Were you in danger?”

Sakura laughed nervously. “No, no! It’s nothing serious. I just... got it while reaching for an old book in the library.”

Shin stared at her, his brows still furrowed. “You’re not careful at all,” he muttered and stood up, returning moments later with a bandage.

Sakura tried to wave him off. “It’s really not a big deal.”

But Shin knelt down and began tending to the wound anyway. His hands were steady, but his expression had turned serious again.

“If anything ever happens to you…” he said quietly, “I’ll burn this world down.”

Sakura froze.

“You’re my world, Sakura. I can’t lose it.”

For a while, neither of them spoke. The wind whispered softly, and the sun kissed the horizon.

Sakura looked away, her eyes shimmering. “Then I guess I’ll have to be a little more careful… for your sake.”

Shin smiled again, just a little.

The night was coming.

And with it, the storm of promises, battles, and truths.

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