SOULBOUND: THE ETERNAL WARDEN

The late afternoon sun spilled its golden light across the palace gardens, casting a warm glow over Princess Nastra as she darted across the soft green lawns, giggling in pure delight.

Her father, Prince Edric, watched her with a smile that reached his eyes, crouching low as he opened his arms, ready to catch her in a playful embrace.

“Faster, Nastra!” he encouraged, his voice light but filled with warmth. “You’ll never outrun your old father at that pace!”

The little princess, her dark curls bouncing with every step, laughed breathlessly. She wore a simple but elegant gown, one that allowed her the freedom to tumble and run, a sharp contrast to the pristine and rigid world of the palace.

With one final burst of speed, Nastra launched herself into her father’s arms. Edric caught her effortlessly, twirling her around as her laughter filled the air.

For a brief moment, the world beyond the palace walls seemed a distant worry, as father and daughter basked in this stolen moment of happiness.

“You caught me, Papa!” she exclaimed, panting as she clung to his neck.

Edric chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Of course, I did. There’s no escaping me, little one.”

Nastra leaned back slightly, her bright eyes full of curiosity as she looked at him. “Papa, will I get to go to court with you someday?”

Edric’s smile faltered, though he quickly hid it behind a soft expression. “One day, perhaps. But for now, the court is not a place for little princesses. It’s full of stuffy old men arguing all day long. You wouldn’t like it.”

Nastra pouted. “But I’m not little! I’m already four, Papa.”

He laughed again and gently ruffled her hair. “I know, you’re growing too fast for me to keep up. But you have plenty of time to worry about boring court matters later. For now, why don’t you rest?”

The young princess, though still full of energy, nodded obediently, trusting her father’s wisdom as she always did. He gently set her down, guiding her toward the palace entrance where her nurse awaited.

“Take good care of her,” Edric said softly to the woman, his eyes lingering on his daughter as she was led away.

Nastra waved, a small hand reaching out as she was ushered inside. “Goodbye, Papa!”

He waved back, watching her disappear into the palace before his expression shifted, growing more serious.

The carefree father melted away, replaced by the strategic mind of the second prince. He sighed, straightening his back as he turned to head toward his private study.

---

The study room was dimly lit, the heavy scent of ink and parchment filling the air. A large map of the Celestria Empire dominated the wall, with markers noting key territories and resources, all placed with precise intention. Edric entered the room, his advisors already gathered and waiting in respectful silence.

Two men stood closest to the map—one of them, Lord Ambric, a sharp-minded strategist from his maternal side, and the other, Lord Valen, his uncle and a veteran politician from Queen Olivia’s family. Both bowed their heads slightly as Edric took his seat behind the broad oak desk.

“Your Highness,” Lord Valen began, his voice low and grave, “we’ve been reviewing the events of this morning’s court session. The tension between the royal factions is growing by the day.”

“Indeed,” Lord Ambric added, stepping forward to place a report on the table. “Prince Damien's faction is more aggressive than ever, and Queen Priscilla’s influence has become dangerously pervasive among the court nobles.”

Edric leaned forward, his brow furrowed in thought. “I expected as much. Damien is becoming more impatient, but that also means he’s prone to mistakes. What’s your assessment of the situation?”

Lord Valen tapped a finger thoughtfully on the map, pointing to several key regions. “Queen Priscilla has been shoring up support from the southern lords, securing their loyalty with promises of wealth and power.”

He paused for a while, “meanwhile, the third and fourth princes, Gerrafin and Nathaniel, are positioning themselves in ways that could disrupt our alliances. If left unchecked, they could sway the balance in Damien’s favor.”

Edric’s gaze hardened. “And the king? How did he receive their proposals?”

“The king remains cautious,” Lord Ambric answered. “He doesn’t trust Damien fully, but he’s grown more weary of the power struggles. His focus seems to be on maintaining the status quo for as long as possible, likely out of a desire for stability before he names an official heir.”

Edric nodded, fingers drumming against the table. “And what of our supporters? How are they holding up under the pressure?”

Lord Valen stepped forward, his voice calm but direct. “Our supporters remain loyal for now, but Damien’s constant maneuvering is wearing on their patience. We must act decisively before more cracks start to show.”

Edric stood and walked over to the map, his eyes scanning the territory markers with sharp precision. “Then it’s time to strengthen our position. We’ll need to tighten our hold on the northern regions, particularly those loyal to my mother’s memory.”

Lord Ambric stepped closer, nodding in agreement. “I suggest reinforcing ties with the northern lords. They still hold great respect for the late Queen Olivia, and their resources would be invaluable in the coming months.”

Lord Valen raised an eyebrow. “And what of Prince Gerrafin? He’s been quiet lately, but we cannot ignore him.”

Edric’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Gerrafin is a wildcard, but his ambition pales in comparison to Damien’s. We’ll deal with him if the time comes, but for now, Damien is our greatest threat.”

A heavy silence settled in the room as the weight of their strategy sank in. The stakes were higher than ever, and one wrong move could shatter everything.

“Continue monitoring their movements,” Edric finally said, his voice steady.

“We need to stay one step ahead of Damien and the queen. Strengthen our alliances and prepare our supporters for what’s to come. We can’t afford any slip-ups.”

The advisors bowed their heads in agreement, but as they began to take their leave, Edric’s thoughts drifted back to the little princess who had run so freely in the gardens just moments before.

For her sake, he knew he had to win this war of shadows, no matter the cost.

---

Back in her chamber, Princess Nastra slept peacefully, unaware of the dangerous world that lurked just beyond her door—where love, loyalty, and betrayal danced a dangerous waltz, and where the fate of the empire rested in the hands of those who would stop at nothing to claim the throne.