At that moment the tension in the throne room was still as thick as storm clouds, everyone was waiting each breath held, each eye locked on Tyler.
The king had just done what no king had done before: re–offered a crown to a man who had already turned it down.
Edda remained still. Naomi’s jaw was clenched so tightly it looked like stone. Sophia, soft- eyed, sat patiently, her hands folded neatly on her lap.
But Tyler…Tyler turned his head slowly and looked at the first daughter Princess Naomi.
He didn’t flinch beneath her cold gaze.
He didn’t speak, he didn’t scowl, he didn’t smirk.
He just looked at her for a brief moment… then looked away, as if nothing about her stirred him at all.
Not her rank, not her beauty, not her name.
Then, with the eyes of the entire room still fixed on him, Tyler took a respectful step forward and gave a small, dignified bow toward the king.
It wasn’t low, It wasn’t theatrical.
It was the kind of bow one gives not as a servant—but as an equal showing respect to another
leader.
“Your Majesty,” Tyler began, his voice calm and controlled, “I truly understand the weight of what you’ve just done.”
At that moment he lifted his gaze again.
“I know it is rare–nearly unheard of–for a king to offer someone like me even a single chance to pick from among his daughters.”
There was silence. His words rang with humility, but never weakness.
“That you are offering me a second chance… I do not take that lightly.”
The king’s expression stayed neutral, though a trace of curiosity flickered in his eyes.
Then Tyler continued, speaking with quiet grace.
“But, as Your Majesty can see,” he gestured gently toward himself, “I have just returned from the Supreme Forest after five long years.”
His voice softened, but it never wavered.
Chapter 26
+25 BONUS
“My clothes are torn, my body is weary, and my mother-” he turned his head slightly toward the door, “-my mother is still waiting for me.”
Then he took a breath, his tone never rising, yet somehow still commanding the room.
“In truth, I am not in the right state of mind to make such a decision now.”
There was a quiet rustle of surprise through the court, but no one dared interrupt.
Tyler looked the king directly in the eyes.
“So I humbly ask…”
He stepped forward again, his tone full of firm clarity.
“If Your Majesty does not mind, allow me Five days to return.”
The king’s brow lifted slightly.
“Five days to rest. To care for my mother. To clean myself. To breathe again.”
Tyler bowed his head once more, not low, but sincere.
“And in Seven days‘ time… I will return to the palace to give you my answer. I will make my decision between the princesses then, Your Majesty.”
The entire room waited silently for the king’s response.
Even the sound of breathing seemed to hush.
The King stood there, his aged eyes locked on Tyler, and for a long moment, he said nothing.
Then, slowly, the corner of his mouth curved, and he gave a quiet nod.
He understood, he could see it clearly now Tyler’s clothes were torn in multiple places, stained with soil, sweat, and perhaps even blood, His boots were scuffed to the soles. His face carried the weariness of long days without rest, and his eyes held the kind of tiredness that no sleep could quickly erase.
The kind of tiredness born from years of survival.
“You’re right,” the king said at last, his voice deep and calm, filled with quiet respect. “A man returning from the Supreme Forest after five years… that alone is no small feat.”
His gaze softened just slightly.
“And to come back, save my life, and remain so composed under all this-“he gestured faintly to the throne room, the guards, the nobles, “-it tells me all I need to know.”
He let out a breath and shook his head lightly.
“I’m not supposed to grant a delay in such matters,” he said. “When a king gives a man a chance to marry into royalty especially my daughters most would fall over themselves to
Chign
answer immediately.”
+25 BON
A few in the chamber nodded subtly, others remained silent but understood the weight of that
truth.
“But,” the king added firmly, his eyes locked on Tyler, “from the look of things… I can see you’re not one of those men.”
He stepped forward slightly and raised his hand.
“I will grant your request. You have Five days, Tyler.”
His tone was final, full of royal authority but lacking no kindness.
“Five days from now, you will return to this court or send word directly to me declaring which of my daughters you will choose.”
Tyler, still calm, bowed his head respectfully, a rare nod of gratitude in his eyes.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Then, without saying anything more, he turned and began walking toward the grand palace doors.
Each step felt lighter than the last, now each breath less burdened.
The guard made way for him. Even those who once sneered now watched in respectful silence.
And just as he reached the edge of the throne chamber, a voice rose again firm and clear.
It was Edda, the elder.
He turned slightly and spoke to the guards beside him.
“Escort him,” Edda commanded, “to where his mother must have been kept.”
Immediately a tall royal guard stepped forward and gave a small bow.
Then, without delay, he turned and began walking, following the guard out of the room.
As Tyler and the royal guard disappeared through the grand hall’s towering doors, silence slowly settled over the room like falling snow.
But in the heart of Edda the silence stirred something far more powerful than stillness.
It stirred realization, he blinked slowly, his eyes narrowing in thought.
The Supreme Forest, Tyler had said it so plainly. So calmly.
Five years… inside that place,
Five years, alone in one of the most dangerous, soul–challenging regions known to the kingdom a place where even high–ranking masters lost their lives or minds.
Chapter 26
And Tyler had walked out alive.
More than alive.
At that moment Edda’s breath caught softly in his chest.
+25 BONU!
That’s why it all made sense now. That’s why Tyler’s energy, his spiritual essence, his sheer presence had seemed like something outside the limits of what he could measure.
‘Of course… that’s why I couldn’t read him.‘
Then he clenched his fingers together slowly, as if trying to grasp the weight of this truth.
No wonder his aura was so deep… so layered… so unpredictable.
Without being told he could tell Tyler wasn’t just powerful.
Still, one thing gnawed at him.
Who trained him?
