Chapter 1: Return of the Fool

"Defender of the South, I’ve finally found you! Heaven truly blesses Seclela!"

"You’ve been gone for three years. If not for your broken sword, the border would’ve fallen to the enemy long ago!"

"And now... rumors of your death have spread. The enemy has dispatched one hundred thousand elite soldiers to invade our southern territory!"

"I beg you, Defender of the South—return to the South and take command once more. Please."

The burly man knelt on one knee, his voice trembling with urgency, his emotions barely contained beneath his rugged exterior.

The man he addressed sat on the hospital bed, pale and thin. His head was wrapped in bandages, and he wore a faded hospital gown that hung loosely on his gaunt frame.

Kayden Scott chuckled—a low, bitter sound. "One hundred thousand elite soldiers. Are you serious, Greedy Wolf? Are the Eight Royal Regiments and Zodiac Generals of Seclela so powerless without me?"

Greedy Wolf’s face tightened with guilt. "You know they only obey your orders, Defender. Without you... no one can lead them. Please, for the sake of Seclela, return to the South."

Before Kayden could respond, the sharp click of high heels echoed from the hallway. The sound grew louder, sharper.

Kayden’s expression shifted to indifference. "Enough. My wife is here. You may leave."

Greedy Wolf’s eyes widened. "Your wife?" The words slipped out before he could stop himself. "You... you’re married?"

The idea struck him as absurd. Who could possibly be worthy of the great Defender of the South? But the flicker of curiosity in his mind was quickly replaced by the discipline ingrained in him. He bowed his head and exited the room without another word.

The door opened, and a woman stepped in. She was tall and striking, her tight black dress hugging her figure. It barely reached her thighs, revealing her long, fair legs that seemed to command attention. Her expression, however, was as cold as ice.

"You’re awake," she said flatly, her voice devoid of warmth. "If you can move, follow me."

This was Georgia Adams—Kayden’s wife.

Georgia was widely regarded as the most beautiful woman in Hiphia. She had been the object of desire for countless heirs of wealthy families, yet three years ago, she had married a man everyone called a fool. The marriage had made her the laughingstock of Hiphia’s elite.

And that "fool" was none other than Kayden.

Kayden leaned his head against the taxi window as they drove. The city lights blurred into streaks of white and gold. Memories surged within him, unbidden and relentless.

Three years ago, his name could be heard anywhere across the country and he had been the Defender of the South. He had forged the Eight Royal Regiments and Zodiac Generals, transforming them into an unbreakable force that had held Seclela’s borders against countless threats.

During the infamous Ten King's War, he had fought the enemy commanders for three days straight—finally cutting them down. But the victory came at a cost. His strength had been drained, and he collapsed on the battlefield, unconscious.

When he awoke, he was no longer at the border. He was in Hiphia, taken in by Christopher Adams, Georgia’s grandfather. Severe injuries had left his nerves damaged and his memory fragmented.

For three years, he had endured mockery and humiliation. To the world, he was a fool—a man unworthy of even basic dignity. Only Georgia had treated him with any semblance of humanity.

In the driver’s seat, Georgia glanced at him through the rearview mirror. He was unusually quiet today. Something about him seemed... different.

She shook her head immediately to get rid of the idea, however.

Why do I even care?

Her grandfather’s will still puzzled her. Even on his deathbed, he had insisted she marry Kayden and warned her never to divorce him. She didn’t understand it then, and she didn’t understand it now.

A few days ago, he’d even tried to kill himself, jumping from the company rooftop. Somehow, miraculously, he survived, suffering only a concussion.

The car pulled up to the Adams villa. Georgia stepped out, her heels clicking against the driveway. At the entrance, she paused, hesitating. Kayden, following close behind, didn’t notice and bumped into her. The impact made him wince as pain shot through his wounded head.

Georgia turned, startled. "Are you okay?"

Kayden nodded silently, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Her brow furrowed. "Listen," she said in a low voice. "It's Grandma’s birthday tonight. When we get there, don’t say anything. Don’t do anything. Just follow me and stay quiet, okay? I’m begging you."

"Okay," Kayden replied, his voice steady.

Inside the villa, Georgia’s mother, Scarlett, was the first to greet them—though "greet" was hardly the right word.

Her sharp eyes immediately landed on Kayden, and her lips curled in disdain. "Georgia, why did you bring him? Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough?"

Kayden’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He remembered all too well how Scarlett had treated him over the years—tying him up, locking him in rooms, sometimes leaving him without food.

Georgia sighed. "Mom, I promised Grandpa."

Scarlett scoffed. "Grandpa, Grandpa! You only ever think about your grandpa. What about me? I’m your mother!"

Before Georgia could respond, Jamie Adams—the family troublemaker—strolled in, flanked by a group of his friends. His eyes lit up when he saw Kayden.

"Well, well, look who it is! The Adams family’s resident fool," Jamie sneered. "What’s he doing here? Did he come for the leftovers?"

The group burst into laughter.

"I heard he fought a dog for scraps once," one of Jamie’s friends chimed in.

Jamie smirked. "Not just that. Remember how he ambushed that old lady on the street, begging her for milk?"

The laughter grew louder.

Georgia clenched her fists, her face burning with anger. "Jamie, that’s enough!"

Jamie ignored her, turning to Kayden with a mocking grin. "Hey, idiot. Come here and get on your knees."

Kayden stared at Jamie, his expression unreadable.

"What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue, uselss? Or are you even stupider than usual today?"

Jamie reached out to shove him, but before his hand could connect, Kayden moved.

In one swift motion, he grabbed Jamie by the throat and lifted him off the ground. Gasps echoed through the room as Kayden flung him across the floor like a rag doll. Jamie crashed hard, skidding to a stop at the feet of an old lady.

And the old lady was exactly Georgia's grandmother, Elizabeth Adams.

The room fell silent.

Jamie, clutching his side, pointed at Kayden, his voice shaking with outrage. "Grandma, he... he attacked me!"

Elizabeth turned to Kayden, her face a mask of fury. "You! What do you think you’re doing here?"

Kayden’s gaze was cold, his voice calm but firm. "I, Kayden Scott, am not useless."

One sentence. And the entire room froze.