Chapter 4: Oath in Blood

  Lethe stood in a small, plain interrogation room at the knight station. The low light from a single lantern cast long shadows across the stone walls. Sergeant Orlen, an older, tired-looking man in worn armor, sat across from him at a rough-hewn wooden table.

  Orlen: “So, you chased down those assassins?”

  Lethe: “Yes. I took down two, and the third one ran off.”

  Orlen narrowed his eyes and leaned forward.

  Orlen: “And their bodies?”

  Lethe shrugged.

  Lethe: “They vanished. The moment they fell, nothing was left—no blood, no trace of magic.”

  Orlen slammed his hand on the table.

  Orlen: “I’m 100% sure this is cartel work. They use soul contracts for absolute secrecy.”

  Lethe tilted his head.

  Lethe: “A soul contract… I know what it is, but I never really understood how it works.”

  Orlen leaned back and spoke in a low, measured tone.

  Orlen: “A soul contract is a binding condition. When someone signs it, if they die, fail, or betray, their body and soul vanish—completely erased. And it shows exactly why and how the contract was broken. In our case, the cartel set the condition so that if any member fails, they are erased. That means they now know you caused their failure.”

  Lethe’s eyes hardened.

  Lethe: “So they know. And they’ll come for me.”

  Orlen shook his head slowly.

  Orlen: “I’m sending word to the Crown. You need to report this right away.”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  A young knight burst through the door and rushed off with the message. Distant footsteps echoed as the news was carried up the chain.

  ---

  Few days after the report, Lethe was escorted into the grand throne room. The high ceilings and polished marble gave the hall an imposing air. King Aldric sat on his ornate throne, and Princess Aery stood silently beside him. A royal scholar in silver robes watched from the side.

  The King’s deep, steady voice filled the room.

  King: “Lethe Riven, rise.”

  Lethe knelt and then stood as the King’s sharp gaze met his.

  King: “I have been informed of your encounter with those assassins. Explain exactly what happened.”

  Lethe took a slow breath.

  Lethe: “I chased three assassins who targeted a noble. I knocked down two, but then their bodies vanished—soul contract. Whoever made it now knows I was the reason they failed.”

  The King leaned forward, eyes narrowing.

  King: “A soul contract erases all evidence. It is meant to ensure complete secrecy. That means our enemies know you disturbed their operation.”

  The royal scholar spoke up in a calm, measured tone.

  Scholar: “Your ancestors swore an Oath in Blood to serve the royal family. That oath means that if you ever fail, your body and soul will vanish—erased completely. It protects our secrets.”

  Lethe’s hands tightened on the table.

  Lethe: “I have trained my whole life for this duty. I will not fail.”

  The King nodded slowly.

  King: “Because of this incident, I have decided that you will serve directly under Princess Aery. There will be no further exams or trials. Your actions have already proven your capability.”

  Aery’s ice-blue eyes met Lethe’s for a brief moment.

  Aery (quietly): “I expected no less.”

  Lethe’s jaw tightened, and he simply said, “Understood.”

  The King’s tone grew firmer.

  King: “This is not only about your strength. You are now a target. Whoever made these contracts will know you are responsible. You must protect our people and the Crown at all costs.”

  The scholar held up a faded scroll bearing the Riven family crest in red wax.

  Scholar: “Your bloodline has been bound by the Oath in Blood for generations. You must honor that legacy.”

  Lethe looked at the scroll, his eyes quiet but determined.

  Lethe: “I will. I promise to do what is right.”

  The King gave a curt nod.

  King: “Then it is settled. You will join the princess’s guard immediately.”

  ---

  That night, Lethe returned to his modest quarters. He removed his cloak and sat at his sleek, holographic console. The soft hum of the device filled the quiet room.

  Without warning, the console lit up. A red notification appeared, bold and unmissable. Lethe frowned and tapped the screen. The message read:

  “One life for one mistake.”

  He stared at the message in silence for a long moment. His face remained impassive. Finally, he muttered under his breath:

  Lethe (scoffing): “Talk about corny.”

  He swiped to dismiss the notification, and the screen went dark. He closed his eyes briefly, then stood. He knew the cartel had marked him. The Oath in Blood, the soul contract—they meant someone powerful was watching.

  ---

  Outside the throne room, Lethe met Sergeant Orlen in a quiet corridor. Orlen leaned against a cold stone pillar, his expression serious.

  Orlen: “You did well, despite everything. But remember, this is only the beginning.”

  Lethe shook his head slightly.

  Lethe: “I know.”

  Orlen smirked in a gruff tone.

  Orlen: “They say you kicked the hornet’s nest today. You’ve angered the wrong people. They will come back, mark my words.”

  Lethe met his gaze evenly.

  Lethe: “When they do, I’ll face them.”

  Orlen nodded, adding quietly, “Just be careful. They use soul contracts to erase failures. If you slip, there will be nothing left of you.”

  Lethe simply nodded as he walked away. The message, “One life for one mistake,” echoed in his mind. Every step toward his new duty—serving under Princess Aery, bound by an Oath in Blood that has been in his veins for generations—felt heavier now.

  The weight of the night, the threat of the cartel, and the unyielding promise of his bloodline pressed on him. There was no turning back.

  To ease his mind Lethe went to a quite open place in the palace

  ---