All Chapters of King Of Eldoria: Reborn To Be His: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

The great hall of Eldoria’s royal castle smelled of smoke, blood, and spilled wine. Banners that had flown for generations lay trampled under boots. Broken swords and shattered shields covered the stone floor. Outside, horses screamed as the last of Ravyn’s loyal men were cut down.King Ravyn Voss was on his knees in the middle of it all, one hand pressed hard against the deep gash in his side. Blood ran between his fingers and pooled beneath him. His black hair stuck to his sweaty face, and his crown had already been ripped off and tossed aside like garbage.Prince Caelian knelt beside him, arms wrapped around the king’s shoulders, trying to hold him up. Caelian’s own tunic was soaked red from a wound across his chest. He was crying openly, the kind of raw, ugly sobs that came from a man who had held everything in for years.“Stay with me,” Caelian whispered, voice cracking. “Please, Ravyn. Just stay.”Above them stood Princess Liora, her golden hair still perfectly arranged even aft

Prince Caelian Voss woke before dawn, the way he usually did.The big bed in his private chambers felt cold even under the thick furs and wool blankets. He lay on his back for a long time, staring up at the dark wooden beams across the ceiling. Four years of marriage had carved grooves into his habits. He slept lightly, always listening for the sound of heavy boots in the corridor or the sharp click of the door latch. Tonight had been the same as every other, restless dreams where he stood alone in the great hall while laughter echoed around him.He turned onto his side and pulled the blanket higher. His body ached in the old places. Not from fresh beatings anymore. Those had mostly stopped after the second year when the king grew bored of using his fists. These were deeper aches. The kind that came from staying silent for too long. From smiling politely while Princess Liora, his own stepsister sat on the king’s lap during feasts. From pretending he didn’t hear the servants call him “

The silence after Caelian pushed him away felt heavier than any sword blow Ravyn had taken in battle.He sat there on the edge of the bed, watching the fear and confusion play across the prince’s face. Caelian’s chest rose and fell quickly, his bandaged hand still pressed protectively against his stomach. The kiss had been real for those few seconds, Ravyn had felt the way Caelian leaned in before the panic took over. Now the prince looked ready to bolt or break.Ravyn reached out slowly, giving him time to flinch away. When he didn’t, the king cupped Caelian’s face with both hands, thumbs brushing gently over his cheekbones. The skin there was warm, a little flushed. Ravyn leaned in until their foreheads almost touched.“I’m sorry,” he whispered. The words came out rough, like they had been dragged from somewhere deep. “For all of it. I know you have no reason to believe me. Not after everything I put you through. But I’m sorry, Caelian.”Caelian’s breath hitched. His eyes darted acr