Night fell over the imperial capital.
The palace, so alive and tense during the day, became something else entirely.
Quieter.
Darker.
More dangerous.
Leon stood on the balcony outside his assigned chamber, looking out over the endless lights of the city.
"…This place doesn't sleep, does it?"
Behind him, Aether stood like a shadow.
"No."
Leon leaned against the railing.
"I figured."
Even now, he could feel it.
Presences.
Watching.
Observing.
Measuring him.
The events of the day replayed in his mind.
The fight with Prince Vael.
The looks from the nobles.
The shift in how people treated him.
Leon exhaled slowly.
"…This is going to be a pain."
Aether didn't respond.
A faint sound cut through the silence.
A soft step.
Behind him.
Leon didn't turn.
"…You're getting predictable."
A chuckle followed.
"Am I?"
A figure stepped out of the shadows.
Dressed in black.
Face half-covered.
Eyes sharp.
Leon smirked slightly.
"Let me guess…"
"The creepy assassin."
The man placed a hand over his chest in mock offense.
"That hurts."
It was Kael.
A commander of the Night Veil.
The empire's hidden blade.
He leaned casually against the wall.
"You've been busy."
Leon shrugged.
"People keep trying to test me."
Kael grinned.
"And you keep passing."
Aether spoke from behind.
"You shouldn't be here."
Kael waved a hand.
"Relax."
"I'm not here to cause trouble."
Leon raised an eyebrow.
"That's hard to believe."
Kael's expression shifted slightly.
More serious.
"I came because of you."
Leon pointed at himself.
"…Again?"
Kael nodded.
"You've caught attention."
Leon sighed.
"Yeah, I noticed."
Kael stepped closer.
His presence was subtle—
But dangerous.
"The Night Veil is interested."
Leon frowned.
"…That doesn't sound good."
"It can be."
Kael tilted his head.
"Or very good."
Leon crossed his arms.
"What do you want?"
Kael's eyes gleamed.
"To test you."
Leon groaned.
"Another one?"
Before anyone could react—
Kael moved.
Fast.
Far faster than before.
A blade appeared in his hand.
A silent strike aimed directly at Leon's neck.
Leon's body reacted instantly.
His eyes sharpened.
The world slowed.
He twisted.
The blade missed by a hair's breadth.
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
"Well… that's new."
Leon jumped back.
"…You're insane!"
Kael laughed.
"Maybe."
He attacked again.
This time—
Faster.
More precise.
Deadly.
Leon barely kept up.
Each strike came from a different angle.
Unpredictable.
Silent.
"This is completely different…" Leon muttered.
Kael smiled.
"Of course it is."
"I'm not a prince."
Leon dodged another strike.
His breathing became heavier.
His body strained to keep up.
He's way faster than Vael…
Aether didn't move.
He simply watched.
Because this—
Was another test.
Kael disappeared.
Completely.
Leon froze.
"…Where did he go?"
Silence.
Then—
A whisper.
"Behind you."
Leon turned instantly.
Too late.
A blade stopped just inches from his throat.
Kael stood there.
Smiling.
Silence filled the balcony.
Leon exhaled slowly.
"…I lost."
Kael lowered the blade.
"For now."
Leon frowned.
"That wasn't fair."
Kael shrugged.
"Life isn't fair."
He stepped back.
Sheathing his blade.
"But you did better than expected."
Leon rolled his eyes.
"I'm hearing that a lot."
Kael's expression became serious again.
"You're adapting fast."
Leon nodded slightly.
"I don't have a choice."
Kael studied him for a moment.
Then—
He smiled.
"Good."
Leon raised an eyebrow.
"…Good?"
Kael nodded.
"The Night Veil has decided."
Leon felt a chill.
"Decided what?"
Kael turned toward the edge of the balcony.
"To watch you."
Leon blinked.
"…That's it?"
"For now."
He looked back.
"But if you keep growing…"
"…You might become one of us."
Leon stared.
"…An assassin?"
Kael smirked.
"Something like that."
Leon crossed his arms.
"I'll pass."
Kael laughed.
"Everyone says that."
He stepped onto the railing.
Balancing effortlessly.
"The shadows are always watching, Leon."
And then—
He vanished.
Like he was never there.
Leon stood in silence.
Then sighed.
"…I really hate assassins."
Aether spoke quietly.
"They are useful."
Leon shook his head.
"They're creepy."
He looked out over the city again.
But now—
It felt different.
He wasn't just being watched by nobles anymore.
The shadows themselves were watching him.
Far away…
In the darkest part of the palace…
Figures moved silently.
Voices whispered.
Names were spoken.
And among them—
Leon's name echoed.
Because the illegitimate prince…
Was no longer just a curiosity.
He was becoming something far more dangerous.