"I have returned, Father."

"Katie." The king said, as he stood up from his throne, a sword was strapped around his waist. "What is your mission status?"

Katie knelt gracefully in a social manner, she knew the setting they were in and that this was an official summons, she bowed her head.

"Your Majesty. The mission was successful—the outpost that was corrupted near our borders has been eradicated and cleansed. Their demonic influence there will no longer affect us, it's been purged completely."

King Alaric showed a small smile, his expression softened and pride was flashing on his face, though it was only for a brief moment.

"I knew you wouldn't fail me my daughter. You may rise."

She did as commanded as the king walked towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder, this was a gesture of trust and also respect.

"I'm proud of you my child." He said with a calm voice yet it still carried the weight of authority. "Your just like your mother, a reward will be given to you for your accomplishment."

Katie showed a faint smile, she was touched the the rare warmth in his tone.

Her eyes would the drift to a man who was standing besides the throne, this was Prince Lucien Celestine, he was the first prince of the kingdom and also the crown heir.

He had golden hair that was flowing like the sun itself, standing in a regal posture we was calm and composed.

His eyes were a mix of gold and blue, and he was also a prodigy in his own right, he used the spear as his main weapon and was know as the Radiant Spear of the kingdom, he was loved by nobles and commoners alike.

Lucien walked towards Katie, and he greeted her with a charming smile.

"Welcome back home, sister. You've returned with victory once more."

Katie just returned his smile and said. "And you've been busy learning under father on how to conduct court procedures haven't you?"

Lucien just chuckled softly. "Well I'm the crown prince so I have to, just like how your busy saving the kingdom and prying the cultist nests."

They exchanged was witnessed by all who were present in the throne room, their bond was well known throughout the whole kingdom and they were the perfect balance of light and wisdom.

However not all faces in the hall would share the same warmth.

On the other side of the chamber, there was a figure who was leaning casually against a marble pillar while holding a glass of red wine in hand.

This was the second prince of the kingdom, Prince Cedric Celestine. He was watching both of them with narrowed eyes.

Although his expression was composed, there was still a sharp smirk edged on his face, the smirk though was too shape to be considered genuine.

He had dark brown hair that was slicked back, and shape green eyes that were gleaming with hidden malice.

Unlike Lucien who was a radiant figure or Katie whom embodied divine aura, his presence was heavy and also unsettling it was as if you've come across something forbidden or evil.

His mana was also cold, it coiled like a snake beneath skin that was ready to strike at any moment.

He made slow sarcastic claps as he walked towards Katie, and he mockingly said.

"Well done, sister." He said, however his tone didn't have any sincerity. "Your alway making a grand entrance. The kingdom will be ecstatic knowing that your back."

However Katie's gaze didn't wave in the slightest, there was a faint flicker of flame-like aura which betrayed her irritation.

"Thank you... my brother. I hope your time here has been... productive." She said with a smile while her eyes were closed.

Cedric's smirk just widened further. "Always."

Behind all those words they've exchanged there were countless schemes afoot.

Katie knew it well—Cedric's ambition for being on the thrown wasn't a secret to anyone.

He has always despised Lucien for being crowned the Crown Prince of the Kingdom, and he also loathed Katie for being the people's savior and the people's darling.

He had an obsession, he always had a disdain for commoners and fallen nobles alike, and his obsession for power has driven hum to ally with unsatisfactory forces.

However before his father the king, he always wore the mask of a loyal son.

King Alaric glanced at his children while they were speaking, seeing the tension between Katie and Cedric. His gaze sharpened as he spoke:

"That's enough."

His tone alone was enough to since the whole room. "Time for politics will be for later. Tonight we are celebrating my daughters, Katie's return. She has done what a few you couldn't."

He the turned once more as his cape was flowing with his gestures. "Rest my children, you'll need it. The inter-racial tournament is approaching quickly, and the freshman of the academy are growing stronger fast."

Katie just bowed slightly. "As you command."

The whole court was dismissed and all the nobles started to murmur amongst themselves, Katie didn't like these situations so she turned to leave.

She raised for a second while she glanced at the throne, her father and also her brothers.

Lucien felt her gaze and smiled giving her a reassuring nod.

Cedric just met her gaze with venom, as his eyes were whispering the promises of future conflicts.

Katie remained unfazed as she walked away from the hall, her cloak was fluttering behind her majestically.

She exhaled softly as she was outside the hall, while the night wind was brushing against her face.

"Father's ambition is still burning strong." She murmured to herself. "Lucien is still the embodiment of hope meanwhile... Cedric."

"His flame... Is always burning closer to darkness."

She just smiled faintly, it was a mix of pride and also sorrow on her face.

"I will protect my family, help Cedric. Even if it means I'll have to burn everything that threatens it."

And put that, Katie, the light of the whole Kingdom, walked down the marble floors of the palace with a new conviction. Her presence was radiant and her resolve was unwavering.

Katie was walking across the marble floors until she came across her trusted servant and also bodyguard.

"Welcome back your highness." Every said with a smile of her face practically beaming.

"It's good to be back, Every." She said with a smile, he affection was apparent in her expression.

This was Ardan Vale, she was s a seasoned warriors and also an S-rank awakened. She was tall and also muscular, she had broad shoulders and she was clad in silver armor that was enhanced with protective runes.

There was a car on her left side of her jaw, this was a scar for the countless battles she fought in defense for the princess. Her eyes were always alert and her expression always composed always watching at each corner for any threats.

They approached Katie's bedroom chambers, and she exhaled softly. "It kinda feels strange to here again," she said, her tone was gentle and also thoughtful. "Well everything still looks the same, but it feels different at the sametime." D

Ardan just gave her a quiet nod. "You've been gone for almost a year, your highness. The palace missed your presence. The king as well."

This answer drew a faint smile on Katie's lips. "Always the smooth talker, Captain."

She just chuckled under her breath. "Well I'm just speaking the truth, your highness."

The massive doors of her roomed opened, revealing a chamber that was bathed in a warm light.

For a king moment she just stood there, as she let the wind brush across her platinum hair.

The she spoke softly:

"The twins... they'll return tomorrow."

Her eyes started to soften, her voice was laced with warmth. "It's been far too long ever since I've seen Duke and Selena."

Ardan just leaned against the wall just near the entrance, her arms were crossed. "Well I'm certain they've grown stronger, your highness. They were always promising even before you left. And Prince Duke's light affinity has improve as well, from what I've heard."

Katie just nodded, her gaze was distant but it was still filled with pride. "They remind me of myself when I was young along with Lucien. They are bright, eager and also unshackled."

Her smile started to deepen slowly and sightly. "And also Adam..."

She paused for a moment, there was a flicker of emotion that was crossing her golden eyes — curiosity, but also fondness. "It's been five years since I last saw him right? He was still just a young boy since then. But my father's letters have always mentioned him recently."

Ardan just inclined her head. "The young man has been making quite the name for himself ever since he came to the academy. The rumors are saying that his growth is... extraordinary."

Katie just hummed softly, and her expression was thoughtful. "Hmm, extraordinary huh?"

She just looked upwards towards the ceiling, her expression was soft and affectionate. "Then we'll just see if that's the case, he'll come here soon enough... I wonder how much he changed."

For a few seconds there was only silence as the princess just simply stood there, her figure was that of elegance and divine light.

"I miss both of them, but this time I won't let the darkness come near them again."

And behind herz Ardan approved as she just moved forward to stand guard near the door, he hand was resting casually on the hilt of her sword.

The was shinning even brighter just above the palace in the day, the was a yellow light that was shining upon her. She was the protector of said light, and also the sister of the rising stars that would soon return.

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