The road leading to the Kingdom of Witches cut through a stretch of ancient forest, where the trees seemed to touch the sky and shadows danced among the branches like living creatures. The carriage moved slowly, the rhythmic sound of the wheels mixing with the rustling of enchanted leaves that shimmered in bluish tones under the twilight.

Kael watched from the window, his gaze distant. The wind carried the scent of herbs, mana, and black flowers—a unique mixture that only existed there, in the lands of his maternal family. A place that, until recently, considered him a stranger.

Now, everything would be different.

Irelia, sitting opposite him, crossed her legs impatiently, watching the road. Her feline gaze cautiously swept between the trees. Amelia, beside her, held an open grimoire on her lap, but read without truly absorbing the content—her nervousness was evident. Sylphie, leaning against the window, seemed fascinated by the energy pulsing in the air.

"This place is… alive," Sylphie commented, breaking the silence. "I feel like everything here has eyes. Even though I've been here before, it seems even more alive now."

Kael offered a wry smile. "Your perception of magic must have increased considerably; now you're seeing beyond the normal, that's why you feel this way."

"Interesting," Irelia murmured, crossing her arms. "Do the witches already know we're coming?"

"They knew even before we left Azalith," Kael replied, adjusting his hood. "My grandmother has always been… observant."

Amelia looked up from her book. "Queen Eleonor Scarlet…" — she said the name with respect. — "The most powerful woman among the living witches. It's been a long time since we've seen the mistress."

"I never thought we'd come to this… you two being her disciples," Kael replied, in a tone that mixed irony and playfulness.

The carriage began to slow down. Ahead, the obsidian gate of the border loomed – tall, imposing, marked with the scarlet crescent moon emblem. Two guardian witches waited in front, their cloaks billowing like smoke.

As soon as they spotted the carriage's crest, the two knelt.

Kael frowned. "This is new."

The door opened before he could say more. One of the coachmen – a familiar old man wearing a pointed hat and a toothless grin – bowed exaggeratedly.

"Welcome back, Your Highness."

The title struck him like an arrow.

Kael hesitated for a moment before stepping out, his eyes meeting those of the nearest guard. She bowed deeply, her silver hair falling over her shoulders.

"It is an honor to have you among us again, Prince Kael Scarlet."

The words echoed. Irelia raised an eyebrow, impressed. Amelia remained expressionless. Sylphie merely smiled discreetly.

Kael took a deep breath. "You don't need to do that. I'm just Kael."

The witch raised her face, maintaining a respectful tone. "Forgive me, but these are direct orders from the Queen. None of us are to treat you as an equal. The heir has returned, and the blood of Elion Scarlet returns to the throne."

A heavy silence fell over the group.

Kael looked away, visibly uncomfortable, and turned back to the carriage.

When the gate opened, the sight of the Valley of Myrrh – the heart of the Witch Kingdom – was revealed. It was like crossing a veil between worlds.

The forest transformed into a vibrant expanse of life and magic. Towers floated around mountains covered in purple mist; rivers of blue mana snaked across the ground like threads of liquid light. In the air, birds made of pure energy cut through the twilight sky. And everywhere, witches—of different clans and lineages—stopped what they were doing to observe the approaching carriage.

Kael could feel the gaze of each one.

They recognized him.

Not as the outsider from before, but as the legitimate heir to the Scarlet bloodline.

When the carriage passed through the first village, the witches lined the streets, bowing in silence. Some threw crimson petals onto the ground; others raised their hands, conjuring small flower-shaped lights that floated around the vehicle.

"Wow…" Sylphie murmured, her eyes shining. "They really see you as royalty."

Kael sighed, crossing his arms. "It's not something I asked for."

"But it is something that is," Amelia said, with a serene smile. "You carry their blood, Kael. That speaks louder than any will."

Irelia watched him in silence. There was a curious glint in her eyes—perhaps of respect, perhaps of unease.

"So the half-blood has become a prince," she said finally. "I guess fate has a sense of humor."

Kael just chuckled softly. "A cruel sense of humor, in this case."

The carriage advanced along the main road of black marble, flanked by trees that exuded a sweet and mysterious perfume. Every kilometer, new groups of witches gathered, bowing with reverence. Some even whispered ancient prayers—chants that he remembered hearing as a child, before his mother left.

With every gesture, Kael felt the weight of that blood.

The name Scarlet.

A name that opened doors... but also chained him.

Soon the horizon opened before them.

And there stood Elarion Castle, the seat of the witches' power.

Majestic and ancient, the castle seemed to float above the valley, supported by pillars of pure arcane energy. Its towers were made of black crystal and silver, shimmering like stars anchored to the earth. Streams of mana connected the gates to the surrounding mountains, and an aura of magic so intense hung in the air that it made even the air vibrate.

"By all the gods..." Amelia murmured. "It's as if the castle breathes."

"It does breathe," Kael replied, observing it seriously. "The castle is alive. It was created by my grandmother and linked to her soul. Every wall, every stone, responds to her will."

Irelia crossed her arms, suspicious. "So she knows we're coming."

Kael gave a weary smile. "She's known since we crossed the gate."

The carriage began to climb the spiraling road that led to the main gate. The clouds around the castle moved in a circular pattern, as if orbiting the place. Elite witches guarded the entrance—all wearing crimson cloaks, the symbol of the Scarlet Moon emblazoned on their chests.

As soon as the vehicle stopped, the gates opened on their own. A gust of warm, fragrant air enveloped them.

Kael was the first to disembark. As soon as his feet touched the ground, the guards knelt in unison, their voices chanting in chorus:

"Greetings to the Blood of the Queen. The Prince Returns to the Moon."

The voice echoed through the courtyard, reverberating off the walls like an ancient song.

Irelia and the others disembarked shortly after, stunned by the reception. "This is… insane," Sylphie said, looking around. "I've never seen such reverence, not even for a king."

Kael sighed, looking at the open gate leading into the castle. "My grandmother always did like drama."

The witches moved aside, forming a corridor of honor leading to the main staircase. At the top of it, a woman waited.

Tall, with long, ebony hair and translucent red eyes. She wore a black silk cloak embroidered with silver lunar symbols. Around her, magic vibrated with an intensity that made the ground pulse.

Kael recognized her immediately—even from a distance.

Eleonor Scarlet, Queen of Witches.

His grandmother.

She didn't smile, but her eyes reflected something difficult to decipher—pride, longing, and perhaps a shadow of regret.

Kael paused for a moment at the foot of the stairs. The silence was absolute.

Irelia, Amelia, and Sylphie stayed behind, respecting the solemnity of the moment.

Kael took a deep breath, then began to climb the steps, one by one.

Each step seemed to echo in a space between worlds.

But now, the Kingdom of Witches welcomed him as heir.

And Eleonor awaited him.

When he reached the top, she finally spoke—her voice was firm and soft, but it reverberated as if the castle itself repeated it.

"Welcome back home."

Eleonor Scarlet's voice echoed like an ancestral chant, and the castle seemed to respond with a slight tremor in the walls, as if the kingdom itself bowed in respect to the Queen.

Kael kept his gaze fixed on her, feeling a whirlwind of contradictory emotions overwhelm him. It was strange to be there—before the woman who represented so much power and mystery… and at the same time, part of his own family.

The Queen descended a few steps with the elegance of someone who didn't need to touch the ground; each step seemed guided by magic. Then, her gaze fell upon the three young women behind him.

"I see my little flowers have grown…" she said with a slight smile, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "Sylphie, Irelia, Amelia… they are no longer the frightened apprentices who ran through the tower corridors. They are beautiful… and strong."

The three bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty," Amelia replied respectfully, her voice slightly trembling. "It is an honor to see you again."

"An honor and a relief," Sylphie added with a sincere smile. "We didn't imagine we would see you again so soon."

Irelia, as always, maintained her cool and controlled demeanor. "Your Majesty." Just that, but her gaze carried admiration.

Eleonor gave a brief, soft laugh, like the sound of bells. "Still the same Irelia as always. Direct and disciplined. Elion told me that this would save your life one day."

The name of Kael's mother hung in the air like a distant memory.

The Queen turned her gaze back to her grandson. The atmosphere seemed to change.

"Kael…" she said in a more restrained tone. "There is much to discuss. Come with me."

She then turned to the three young women.

"Rest. Your rooms are prepared—the same ones as before, I believe. Servants will guide you there."

"Yes, Your Majesty," they replied in unison.

As the three women walked away, Kael remained motionless, watching his grandmother ascend the stairs again. When she stopped at the top and looked over her shoulder, he understood the silent summons.

Without a word, he followed her.

The corridors of Elarion Castle were vast and silent, illuminated by torches of pure mana. Ancient portraits of previous queens adorned the walls—all women with scarlet eyes and an imposing aura. The sound of their footsteps echoed softly, accompanying the magical vibration that seemed to pulse throughout the entire structure.

Eleonor opened the door to a spacious room, filled with black curtains and tall windows. The scent of arcane flowers and incense filled the air.

As soon as Kael entered, the Queen suddenly turned—and, without warning, pulled him into an embrace.

For an instant, time seemed to stop.

The gesture caught him by surprise. There was no coldness, no authority, only something profoundly human—the warmth of a grandmother who, for years, had kept her distance from her own blood.

Kael remained motionless, surprised, but gradually allowed himself to return the embrace.

"I thought…" Eleonor murmured, her voice trembling for the first time. "…that I would never see you alive again."

Kael felt the weight of those words. The same castle that had previously seemed cold now felt alive, pulsating to the rhythm of that woman's heart.

"I also thought I would never set foot here again," he replied in a low tone.