Chapter One: A Chance Encounter
The scent of fresh bread and herbs filled the air as Kian weaved through the narrow streets of Elipor, a small town nestled between rolling hills and whispering woods. The cobblestones clacked under his worn boots, and the groceries in his satchel jostled with each hurried step. His thoughts danced far from the marketplace—toward the Academy of Claus Kingdom. It was a dream as grand as the spires that crowned the royal capital, and just as distant.
He was just turning the corner near the old fountain when he heard a cry.
"Leave me alone!" a girl's voice rang out, sharp and trembling.
Kian froze. Around the alley bend, a group of older boys—grimy and aggressive—had surrounded a girl no older than sixteen. Her silken dress and jeweled necklace marked her as someone of nobility. The men weren't after friendship.
Kian stepped forward instinctively. "Hey! Someone help!" he shouted, glancing around.
No one came. A fruit vendor ducked behind her stall. A passerby walked a little faster, eyes averted.
He clenched his fists. If no one would act, he would.
"Guards! The royal guard is coming!" Kian bellowed, mimicking the deep voice of a palace officer.
The men startled. "Shit!" one cursed, looking around.
It was all the opening Kian needed. He dashed forward, grabbed the girl's hand, and ran.
They didn't stop until the alley gave way to a quiet backroad behind a bakery. Both of them were panting.
"You're safe now," Kian said, releasing her hand gently.
The girl stared at him, stunned. "You're not a knight… but you were brave."
He shrugged, trying to play it cool despite his racing heart. "I couldn't just watch."
She reached into her pocket and handed him a small ring—delicate, ornate, and gleaming with a faint sapphire glow.
"Take this," she said. "Keep it hidden. It might help you one day."
Before Kian could ask anything more, voices echoed nearby. She pushed him back toward the alley.
"Go! Now!"
A matronly voice followed. "Argh! Your Majesty, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Ate Silve," the girl replied, quickly adjusting her posture.
The nanny's tone shifted to sternness. "The king is returning soon, and Young Master Serin's celebration is about to begin. We must go now."
The girl climbed into a nearby carriage, the door shutting with a heavy thud. The wheels creaked into motion, and just like that—she was gone.
Kian stood alone, the ring cold in his palm. The royal crest was faint but unmistakable. He tucked it away, unsure if it was a blessing—or a problem.
Far from Elipor, deep in the heart of the Claus Kingdom's palace, preparations were underway.