Chapter 100

The streets of Ravenmoor were unusually tense that afternoon.

Convoys of armored black vehicles sliced through traffic like sharks in open water. Their windows were tinted jet-black, their movements silent and synchronized— predators in formation.

On each license plate: a single golden insignia.

The Emblem of the King of War.

Inside one of the lead vehicles, a soldier pressed a finger to his earpiece. "Target has changed direction. I repeat-the King of War's location has shifted. He's now heading toward Emerald Palace."

"Redirect all units," came the cold, automatic reply from the telecom. "I want eyes on the restaurant in five minutes. Lock it down quietly. No alarms, no panic. He must not be disturbed."

"Yes, sir."

The convoy made a hard U-turn at the intersection, sirens off, tires whispering across the asphalt as they cut a path toward one of the city's crown jewels.

---

Emerald Palace Restaurant

The most luxurious dining experience in Ravenmoor. A place where billionaires held power dinners, celebrities toasted champagne, and foreign dignitaries reserved entire wings in advance.

Today, one of the gold-trimmed VIP tables was occupied by four unlikely guests: Jaden, Hannah, Clara, and Drax.

The table was a feast of color and flavor-steaming lobster platters, honey-glazed ribs, a tower of fruit, and imported wines that cost more than a small car.

Clara blinked at the spread in disbelief.

"Okay... what the hell, Hannah?" she asked, leaning in. "You booked the most expensive restaurant in Ravenmoor. This place costs more than my entire wardrobe. Why go so overboard?"

Hannah smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Because Jaden gave my family a gift we couldn't even dream of affording. This is my way of saying thank you. Think of it as a second birthday dinner. One I actually want to remember."

Jaden gave her a small nod of appreciation.

Drax, on the other hand, had no time for sentiment. He was already elbows-deep

in a roasted chicken, his teeth ripping into it with the aggression of a wild animal.

"Talk less, eat more," he grunted, his mouth full. "You dishonor the food by wasting time."

Clara stared. "Does he always eat like that?"

"Like a starving bear," Jaden replied dryly.

"You stupid bastard," he added with a smirk.

“haha,” Drax mumbled through a mouthful of meat.

Clara giggled. "You two are insane."

Then her expression turned thoughtful.

"But seriously... aren't you guys even a little excited? The King of War is in Ravenmoor. That's huge. He's a living tegend—the hero of every soldier in the country. Aren't you at feast curious?"

Jaden reached for his wine glass, swirling it slowly.

"He didn't come," he said.

Clara frowned. "What?"

"The King of War," Jaden clarified, "didn't come to Ravenmoor. Just his men."

Clara stared at him like he'd grown two heads. "But... the news is everywhere. Everyone's talking about it."

"And yet," Jaden said, sipping the wine, "protocol says that if the King himself were visiting, the sheriff would've cleared thirty miles of road to receive him. Military escorts. Public parades. Full lockdowns."

"None of that happened," he added. "So I'd say it's just his guards."

"Ohh..." Hannah's eyes widened. "That explains everything. I was wondering why

there wasn't any official event planned. You're so smart, Jaden."

He shrugged. "It's just logic."

Clara crossed her arms, visibly disappointed "I was kinda hoping to catch a glimpse of him That man's a ghost. Some say he once ended an entire civil war in a single night."

"Well," Jaden said calmly, "if he's not here... maybe someone else important is."

Clara perked up. "Wait... if it's not the King of War, then who is the Gravesend Family Group waiting for?"