Prince Damon’s Endless Passion

The heavy doors of the council chamber slammed shut behind Damon, and silence fell over the room like a heavy curtain. Even King Jasper Salvatore, known for his unreadable expressions, sat frozen for a beat longer than usual. He hadn't said anything since the meeting started. The entire council sat stunned. They had seen Damon angry before, but never like this. He had always been so cold, so blunt, so dismissive, but this… this was considered disrespect.

"Did he just walk out on us?" one of the older councilmen whispered, breaking the stunned silence.

"Outrageous," murmured another, shaking his head.

Lord Gavriel was the first to gather his voice. "Your Majesty, this behavior is unacceptable. The prince is acting recklessly, as if this kingdom is some playground. We are discussing the future of the throne. The Salvatore legacy!"

King Jasper exhaled sharply and raised a hand, silencing the murmurs. "Enough."

He closed his eyes briefly, rubbing his temple. "I know my son. This… this isn't like him. I understand he's never taken a liking to Lady Adair, but today… Today was something else."

Merek leaned forward, his thin fingers laced on the polished mahogany table. "Then Your Majesty must speak to him directly. We have given him one month. That was generous. If he doesn't take it seriously, the council will begin to suspect he is unfit to rule."

Murmurs of agreement followed.

Jasper's jaw clenched. He had already been torn between his duties as king and father for years. Damon's independence, once a sign of strength, now felt like rebellion.

"We will proceed with the other matters of state," Jasper said stiffly. "The crown's investments in renewable mana resources are to be reviewed. And I want reports on the border strengthening initiatives by tomorrow morning."

The meeting continued, but the atmosphere remained brittle.

—

After the meeting, Jasper wasted no time.

"Summon the Crown Prince to my study," he ordered his guards curtly. "Now."

It didn't take ten minutes, Damon had already appeared at his father's private study. When he stepped into his father's private study, the air was already thick with tension. Jasper stood near the window, hands clasped behind his back. He didn't even turn.

"Do you know how many men would die for the privilege of what you just threw away in that chamber?"

Damon closed the door behind him, calm and composed. "If dying for duty means living without choice, then they're welcome to it."

Jasper slowly turned around, eyes sharp. He said, his voice thick with coldness. "I made a promise to Adair's father. One of my oldest friends. You were to marry her the moment you came of age."

"You made that promise, not me." Damon's voice was like ice, clear and sharp. "I was a child."

Jasper took a step forward. "You are the Crown Prince. You don't have the luxury of personal whims."

"Then maybe you should find another heir," Damon snapped. He didn't like the way things are turning out to be. He had told his father in the past that he had no interest in marrying Adair and if it is possible for compensate her, he would do that.

What Damon said stunned the room to silence.

Jasper narrowed his eyes. "You would give up everything? Throw away your birthright because you don't want to marry a woman?"

Damon didn't flinch. "I will marry when I want to. To whom I want. Not because your council shoves a deadline down my throat."

"This is not just about marriage, Damon. It's about alliance. Stability. You're not just a man, you're a symbol."

Damon scoffed, pacing a few steps. "I never asked to be a symbol. And don't mistake my silence over the years for obedience. I tolerated Adair's presence out of courtesy. But I won't marry someone I feel nothing for."

Jasper's voice lowered, dangerously quiet. "You dare threaten the throne."

"I'm not threatening the throne, Father. I'm warning you. Force me into marriage and you will have a king who resents the crown."

There was a heavy pause.

Then Jasper waved his hand toward the door, furious. "Leave now" he said, "Before I say something I wouldn't be able to take back"

Damon bowed slightly, unbothered. "Gladly."

He turned and walked out, the heavy doors echoing his exit behind him.

—

Once alone again, Jasper sat heavily in his chair. His anger simmered beneath the surface, but deeper than that was worry. Damon was hiding something. He could sense it. This wasn't just about Adair or the council's deadline.

He rang the bell on his desk. Within seconds, a royal aide stepped inside.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

Jasper didn't look up. "Send someone to Yarnat. Quietly. I want to know exactly what the Crown Prince went there to do. Every detail."

"Yes, sire."

The aide bowed and left swiftly.

Jasper leaned back, staring up at the painted ceiling above his desk. He'd tried to give Damon space to lead in his own way, to avoid the mistakes his own father made. But this… this was war.

He muttered to himself, "You're hiding something, my son. And I will find out what."

—

Meanwhile, deep in the palace grounds, guards shifted their positions around the estate. Servants whispered about the tension in the air. Nobles and ministers prepared their notes for the next day's council meeting.

Because tomorrow, they would talk marriage again. And though many names might be whispered, only one name held real weight: Lady Adair.

But for now, Damon sat in his private chambers, gaze cast out the tall window overlooking the glowing capital city of Silvorout. His fingers drummed against the armrest of his chair as he brooded in silence.

He knew the King. Knew his next move. Spies would be sent to Yarnat. Ashley's safety was now a ticking clock.

He pressed a button on his encrypted phone.

"Lucien. Double the shadows around her. Quietly."

Lucien's voice came through, crisp. "Already on it, sire."

Damon ended the call and leaned back. He wouldn't allow anyone to hurt her.