This life

Crown Prince Nunew sat in his study, frustration obvious on his face
He hadn't slept or eaten in days, his face looked worn out and tired, but he just couldn't bring himself to close his eyes knowing the consequences that followed.

His thoughts drifted back to the last conversation he had with his father, the King's words echoing in the silent room:

“The fate of our kingdom rests on this code, Nunew. Break it, and you shall be hailed as a hero. Fail, and... well, we both know the consequences.”

The King's voice had been stern, laced with an unspoken threat that hung in the air. Nunew had felt the weight of it crushing his chest, a suffocating reminder of the burden he carried. It was not just a code he was tasked to break; it was the key to their survival, the lifeline that could pull their kingdom back from the verge of war.

"Nunew, the pursuit of power comes with great responsibility. You must learn to balance authority with compassion. Your actions affect not only you but the entire kingdom." The king had been stern while communicating

Nunew, fueled by a sense of duty, responded, "Father, the kingdom needs a strong leader. I won't let anyone challenge our authority.

King Asher sighed, recognizing the stubborn determination in his son. "Strength is not just in proclaiming authority, my son. It's also in understanding when to yield and when to stand firm. There are forces at play in this palace that you cannot fully comprehend."

Unmoved, Nunew pressed on, "I need to solve this ancient code. It holds secrets that could strengthen our rule. I won't be held back by fear or caution."

King Asher's gaze hardened. "Some secrets are best left untouched. The pursuit of knowledge, if unchecked, can lead to unpredictable consequences. Remember, Nunew, not all power is meant to be wielded."

As the conversation lingered in Nunew's mind, he found himself torn with the burning desire to solve the mysteries hidden within the palace. The weight of responsibility bore down on him, and the frustration he felt with the code mirrored the tension in his relationship with his father.
……….

The ancient code before him seemed to mock his attempts at uncovering its secrets. The letters clouded and danced before his eyes, refusing to reveal their meaning. The weight of responsibility rested heavily on his shoulders, for the code held the key to unraveling the mysteries hidden within the palace walls.
Nunew's clenched his jaw, forcing his eyes open.
He traced the symbols with trembling fingertips, muttering incantations passed down through generations, each syllable a desperate plea to unlock the code before him.
Unfortunately, the code remained silent.

As Nunew strained his eyes, trying to make sense of the symbols, a wave of exhaustion swept over him. The lack of progress gnawed at his patience, and he could feel the anger building within. With a growl of frustration, he forcefully threw the code away, the parchment crumbling against the wall. The room echoed with the sound of his anger.

In his state of rage, Nunew decided to take a break, hoping a moment of relaxation would clear his mind. He slumped in his chair, closing his eyes in an attempt to shake off the frustration that wavered like a dark cloud. However, instead of finding comfort, his mind tumbled into a domain of imagination, where the dancing words of the ancient code continued to taunt him.
Nunew let his head fall back against the cool leather. Sleep, a reluctant visitor lately, finally claimed him.

However, he found himself in a strange dream.

In this dream, Nunew wandered through a huge library filled with old books. The air smelled like ancient pages, and the soft sounds of flipping paper surrounded him. The words from the code floated in the air, forming patterns that seemed to hold all the secrets of the world.

A mysterious hooded woman appeared and led him to an open book on a pedestal. The pages glowed with an unusual light. Nunew felt a strange power from the book, but the hooded woman encouraged him to read.

As he read, the words shifted, showing him the stories of kingdoms rising and falling. Nunew sensed a deep connection to the knowledge in the dream. It was a mix of wisdom and warnings about the consequences of power.

The scenes changed, revealing the delicate balance he sought in his life. The dream hinted that power, without understanding, could lead to tragedy. The library faded, and the hooded woman left, leaving Nunew.

Unknown to Nunew, his personal bodyguard and closest friend, Steve, had quietly entered the study. Steve observed the prince's troubled state, recognizing the struggle on his face. With a deep breath, Steve approached, ready to share news that would only add to the prince's burdens.

A rough hand shook him awake. He blinked, disoriented, the remnants of his nightmare clinging to him.

"Nunew," Steve began cautiously, "there's something you need to know." He hesitated for a moment, studying the prince's mood.

Nunew opened his eyes, tiredness was evident in his gaze. "What is it, Steve? Can't you see I'm dealing with this infernal code?"

Steve sighed, his expression mirroring the weight of the information he carried.

"My Prince," his voice rasped, "there's been... trouble."

The words were like a spark to Tinder. Nunew shot upright, his mind instantly leaping to the Ancient Code. Has someone discovered his pursuit of forbidden knowledge? Was his palace crawling with traitors eager to steal his prize?

"Speak!" he commanded, his voice a whip bang in the hushed room.

"It's about Mulan, the slave you just bought," Steve murmured under his breath.

The mention of Mulan stirred Nunew attention. His frustration with the code momentarily took a backseat as concern crept into his eyes. "What about her?"

Steve took a deep breath, his gaze shifting uncomfortably. "Mulan, my Prince... she's gone.
She just disappeared, Nunew. Ran away from the palace," he revealed, choosing his words carefully.

Nunew's eyes narrowed, the frustration now redirected toward the unexpected news.
His blood turned to ice. Mulan, the young slave girl he'd purchased at a huge price just a few days ago, had vanished into thin air.
"What do you mean she ran away? How could this happen?"

Steve explained the circumstances surrounding Mulan's escape, detailing the events that transpired. Nunew's anger heightened, fueled by the double frustrations of the code and the escape of the newly acquired slave.

Driven by the storm within him, Nunew slammed his fist on the desk, the sound reverberating through the chamber. "Seal the castle! All the palace gates should be locked!" he roared, his voice tinged with raw desperation. "No one enters or leaves until she's found."
He commanded, his voice filled with authority. "This will not go unanswered."

Steve's brow furrowed, a hint of concern clouding his eyes.
"My Prince," he began cautiously, "perhaps a more measured approach…"

But Nunew was deaf for some reason.
He glared at Steve, his eyes blazing with a feverish power. "Do it," he snarled, the word leaving his lips like a growl. "Lock down the palace. Find Mulan. And by the gods, bring her back to me, and I will show her just how wicked I am."

Steve was stunned, his eyes widening at the anger in Nunew's voice. He hesitated, and Nunew turned away, heading for the door. "That's an order, Steve," he barked, his words catching in his throat. He glanced over his shoulder, seeing the amusement in Steve's eyes.

*He was going to find her, But how?* Steve thought, confident in Nunew's ability to do just that.

"Ahh!" Nunew growled in frustration.

Steve nodded, understanding the seriousness of the situation. He hurriedly left the study to carry out the prince's orders, leaving Nunew alone in the room, grappling with the emotions that flooded within him.

Alone in his study, Nunew pondered on the challenges that confronted him.