Flamebound: Rise of the Cursed Prince

Chapter 21: Masks Without Faces



The music had stopped.

The masquerade was over, but the game was only beginning.

Aaron walked slowly down the candlelit corridor of the royal palace. His mask—half-cracked from the heat of his silent kill—hung loosely in his hand. His breath was steady, but the fire beneath his skin hummed like a warning.

A voice emerged from the shadows.

> "Effective. Quiet. Almost merciful."

Aaron didn't flinch.

Lucien stepped into view, golden mask still in place. Only his mouth moved—calm, amused.

> "But mercy," he said, "was never your nature, was it?"

---

⚔️ The Conversation That Wasn't a Fight

Aaron faced him.

> "You followed me here?"

Lucien smiled faintly. "No, Aaron. I arrived before you. Always."

Silence.

Lucien stepped closer.

> "You've learned to aim the flame. But not to direct it."

> "You burned a man for what he did. What will you do when you have to burn someone… for what they will do?"

Aaron's eyes narrowed.

> "You're not here to provoke me."

> "No. I'm here to remind you."

> "Every mask breaks, eventually."

Lucien turned and vanished into soot.

---

🏛️ The Summons

The next morning, two royal guards stood at Aaron's door.

> "By order of the Crown Council, you are summoned to the throne chamber. Immediate compliance expected."

Aaron said nothing.

He followed.

---

👑 The Interrogation

The throne room was vast, cold, filled with smiles that hid blades.

At its center: the Crown Council—unmasked this time, their faces unreadable.

A judge stepped forward.

> "Aaron Hotveil, son of no house, bearer of the Skyborn flame. A man died last night under unnatural circumstances. Do you deny involvement?"

Aaron looked up, calm.

> "No."

A stir. Gasps. Whispers.

> "And do you regret your action?"

A pause.

Aaron said:

> "Only that it was clean."

---

⚖️ Verdict Deferred

The council conferred in low tones.

Then the eldest rose.

> "You will remain within the royal district until further notice."

> "Your flame is not yet condemned… but it is watched."

As Aaron turned to leave, a guard whispered:

> "They're not afraid of what you did. They fear what you'll make others believe they can do."

---

🌫️ Final Scene

That night, Aaron stood on the palace balcony, flames flickering across his knuckles.

Ashen stood behind him, silent.

> "They fear you now," the boy said.

Aaron nodded.

> "Good."

> "But will you burn their world… or build it?"

Aaron said nothing.

Not yet.


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