The day was exceptional in the capital, Iradin; the streets were adorned with flags and colors, and people lined up on both sides of the road, eagerly awaiting the procession of His Highness, the Crown Prince, Demeris. Luxurious carriages, drawn by purebred horses, were designed with modern touches and equipped with the latest security systems to prevent any attack attempts. Each carriage was decorated with the unique emblem of Cassial: a phoenix embracing a white tulip flower, symbolizing strength, immortality, and elegance.

Despite the advancement of magical transportation like trains and airships used for travel between cities and kingdoms, the choice of carriages and horses to parade through the capital's streets was a reaffirmation of the noble and deeply rooted values of Cassial. The white horses, with their gleaming coats, embodied pride and grandeur, reflecting the royal family's tradition of embracing the spirit of the age without abandoning their rich history.

Throughout the route, cheers and greetings echoed, and hands were raised to salute the Crown Prince. Demeris rode his white horse, a symbol of purity and courage, greeting the people with his confident smile, spreading peace and reassurance in their hearts. The crowd was eager to see the young prince, who represents the future generation, proudly following in the footsteps of his ancestors.

Crown Prince Demeris alone was a stunning sight in his procession, where his royal features blended with his captivating presence. Tall, handsome, with porcelain-white skin that glistened under the sun like a polished mirror. His deep violet eyes shone like rare gemstones, reflecting intelligence and poise, drawing attention with a gaze that combined strength and kindness.

His soft golden-blonde hair, like strands of meticulously woven gold, swayed gently with the movement of his white horse. He wore a royal outfit befitting his status, a long coat of luxurious black, embroidered with intricate golden threads that wrapped around the sleeves and collar, showcasing the craftsmanship of that era’s tailoring. The royal insignias on his cloak embodied the heritage of Cassial, adorned with the symbolism of the phoenix and the white tulip, signifying the bond between strength and serenity.

His appearance perfectly matched the royal spirit of ancient times, blended with modern touches that highlighted his position as a Crown Prince straddling a proud past and a promising future. Every detail of his presence, from his majestic attire to his composed steps, affirmed his role as a symbol of hope and strength for the people of Cassial.

As Crown Prince Demeris's procession made its way through the streets of the capital, the crowd continued to gather along the sides of the road, eagerly awaiting his sight and celebrating his return. The atmosphere was filled with joy and anticipation, as people waved their hands and cheered with the utmost expressions of love and loyalty.

Men, women, and children stood in tightly packed lines, each holding white tulip flowers, the symbol of purity and beauty in Cassial. As Demeris passed, they began throwing flowers onto his procession, scattering tulips into the air like a shower of white pearls, covering the carriages, horses, and road.

Demeris, with his charm and dignity, continuously greeted the people with a gentle smile and raised his hand in a refined royal salute, reciprocating their love and respect. The scent of white tulips spread throughout the area, adding a fragrant touch to the air filled with passionate emotions, as if the entire city was celebrating the return of a symbol of hope and nobility.

The grand procession, with its modern carriages equipped with security systems that deter any tampering and under tight guard, slowly moved through the crowds, erasing the boundaries between the royal and the common. This day felt like a national celebration, filled with the white and golden colors accompanying the presence of the Crown Prince and the hearts of people that beat with joy at his presence among them.

The magnificent procession continued its slow advance, maintaining its dignity and splendor, until it reached the gates of the royal palace. The grand doors opened slowly, as if welcoming the Crown Prince, who gracefully dismounted his horse, ready to meet his family and take on his upcoming responsibilities as part of Cassial's
great legacy.
As Demirs enters the royal palace, the servants greet him warmly and with great respect. He walks steadily toward his father's office, ignoring the formal greetings, knowing well that his time with his father is limited and precious, as their conversations are usually restricted to business matters. When he reaches the office, he pushes the door open slowly to find his father, Emperor Ivering Cassial, standing in front of the window, lost in thought, with his back facing the door. The emperor does not notice his son's entrance.

Demirs approaches his father quietly, trying to soften the sound of his footsteps on the marble floor, and says with a voice tinged with respect, "Greetings to His Majesty, the great Emperor Ivering Cassial."

Evering turns slowly toward his son, and before Demirs can bow and pay his respects to his father’s imperial status, Evering pulls Demirs into a tight embrace, a hug filled with suppressed emotions.

Demirs, clearly surprised, tries to break the awkwardness: "Father, are you alright?" The moment feels strange to Demirs; Ivering hadn't hugged him like this in a long time, to the extent that he sometimes felt his father didn't want him near.

Evering responds in a voice laden with pain and regret: "I’m sorry, my boy. I know you hate me, but..."

Demirs quickly interrupts, trying to clear the misunderstanding: "Dad, I never hated you. I love you more than anyone else. You are the most compassionate person I know." Demirs gently pats his father's back, continuing in a warm voice, "I’m sure there’s a reason for your distance… Dad, I’m always waiting for you to tell me."

Demirs holds his father tightly, as if both are trying to cling to a moment that feels like it could vanish at any second. Evering embraces his son as though he wants to pull him into his heart, erasing all the distance that has grown between them.

Evering says in a trembling voice, filled with remorse, "Damn me, my child... I’m sorry, I..." He releases his son from the hug and cups his son’s face with his hands, unable to hold back the tears that begin to fall down his cheeks.

Evering tries to regain his composure and speaks with a choked voice: "Son, I... I’m dying."

Demirs is shocked, a shiver of fear shakes his entire being: "What?!" He tries to grasp what he just heard, but Ivering places his hand over his son’s mouth to stop him from speaking: "Demirs, my boy, don’t speak, let me finish." Demirs watches his father with reddened, anxious eyes, waiting for an explanation.

Evering continues sorrowfully: "My stepmother, Isolda, cursed my heart before she died, and I didn’t discover it until much later—when it was already too late. I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to die quietly; I didn’t want to worry anyone, and I didn’t want you to get attached to me, so I decided to bear my pain alone and stay away from you. So, when I die..."

Tears roll down Ivering’s cheeks as he steps away, turning his face away from Demirs so his son won’t see his tears, and he continues in a low voice: "When I die, you won’t mourn me."

Demirs feels as if a knife is cutting through his throat, unable to speak, and his tears fall uncontrollably. He moves toward his father, forcefully turning him to face him, shouting in a strangled voice: "Dad... damn it, I can’t even be angry at you. Why are you doing this to me?" He pounds on his father’s chest with his fists in an attempt to express his pain, then collapses to his knees, crying and covering his face with his hands.

Evering bends down to his child and pulls him close to his chest, trying to calm him: "My boy, calm down..."

Demirs responds, sobbing: "Why are you hugging me now? Why are you telling me this now?"

Evering answers in a sad tone: "Your uncles and your mother forced me to confess. They found out during your absence." He looks at his son’s face, gently wiping away his tears: "My boy, wipe your tears and calm down. The future ruler of Cassial must be strong."

Demirs replies in a broken voice: "I don’t want to rule Cassial, Dad. I don’t want you to leave me." His eyes are red from crying, his voice raw with pain.

Evering smiles with deep sadness, kissing his son’s forehead with love: "Let’s live these days as happily as we can... I’ve agreed with my brothers to keep my illness a secret. No one must know about it, not even the palace servants. So act normally, alright?"

Evering hugs his son and gently strokes his hair until he calms down. Then, with a softer voice, he says: "My boy, let’s sit down. I want to tell you something beautiful."

Evering helps Demirs to stand, and they sit together at the table. Ivering pours tea himself and offers it to his son, trying to bring him peace. Demirs takes a sip of the tea, trying to regain his balance.

Evering looks at him with tenderness and says: "So, Dad... tell me, what else happened?"

Evering replies with a smile that carries both joy and sorrow: "Your uncles have returned."

Demirs responds in surprise: "What?!"

Evering confirms: "Yes, my boy, Alan and Démic have finally come back. We’re going to hold a ceremony to officially restore them to their positions." Evering starts telling his son everything that happened during his absence, while Demirs listens intently, clinging to every word that leaves his father’s lips, determined to stay close to him for as long as he can.

To be continued.