In the Drakonis realm, the sky wore its usual stormy red, clouds heavy.
Inside the shadowed halls of his chambers, Ashen sat slouched in his chair, his robe disheveled, eyes sunken with weariness.
He looked like a man who carried the weight of the entire realm on his shoulders and had long since stopped asking for help.
A chalice of dark wine hung lazily from his fingers, untouched for hours.
The silence shattered as the door burst open.
"My Lord! My Lord!" Ero, his ever-loyal aide, rushed in, breathless and pale. "The engagement ceremonyhas been finalized. The Crown Prince is to marry the Princess of the Celestial Realm!"
Ashen didn't move. He raised the chalice slowly and took a casual sip, letting the liquid slide down his throat like it meant nothing.
"So?" he asked, voice flat. "What does that have to do with me?"
Ero hesitated, then stepped forward, wringing his hands. "It has everything to do with you. The High King has summoned you to the palace… himself."
At this, Ashen's brows lifted slightly. He tilted his head and scoffed.
"What do you mean he wants to see me? I can't remember the last time that man even spoke my name."
"Five years ago, my lord," Ero replied quietly, lowering his gaze. Of course, he recalled, he knows and understands every pain his master goes through.
Ashen gave a dry laugh and stood, slowly. "Five years… and now the man who swore I was nothing, a curse, an accident, a wasted son now wants an audience."
"My Lord, please," Ero said, eyes filled with concern. "I believe it's best if you go. It might be serious."
Ashen sighed deeply, running a hand through his tangled hair. His frame was tall but tired, his movements heavy. He made for the door, but Ero stepped in front of him again.
"Not like this," his aide murmured. "You can't go to the High King in this state…" Ashen clenched his fists.
"And you are about to make me lose it." The shout sent Ero staggering back a step, bowing quickly.
"Forgive me, my lord. But… It has been five years. Please, let me help. Let me choose your robes. Just this once."
Ashen opened his mouth to argue, but the look in Ero's eyes desperate, pleading, quieted him. With a huff of frustration, he turned on his heel and stormed toward his chambers.
Ero was right behind him, darting ahead to open the closet. He pulled out a deep sapphire robe embroidered with silver dragons winding down the sleeves, formal, regal, worthy of a prince.
Ashen said nothing, only allowed him to dress him. "Your hair…" Ero muttered nervously.
Ashen rolled his eyes, exhaling loudly, but then sat on the edge of the bed.
Wordlessly, Ero stepped behind him and began brushing out the tangled locks. The silence stretched between them, filled only with the soft scrape of the brush and the quiet signs of a man pretending not to care.
When they were done, Ero smiled relief in his eyes. "You… you look like a prince again." Ashen didn't respond.
They left the chambers together, and as they passed through the hallways toward the palace, whispers floated behind them like smoke.
"There he is…"
"The cursed one…"
"Why summon him now?"
Ashen's jaw stayed tight. He didn't flinch. He didn't care. He was used to it. But pain doesn't vanish just because you are used to it.
When they reached the palace gates, Ashen moved to push them open. Just as his hand met the brass, a warm, slender hand caught his wrist and this made him freeze.
He didn't need to turn to know who it was. "…Aurelia," he whispered.
"Little brother," came the soft voice behind him.
He turned to face her.
Princess Aurelia of Drakonis, tall and graceful, stood with her silver-blonde hair swept back into a braided crown. Her robes shimmered with moon thread, and her violet eyes were sharp.
"Oh, Ashen…"
He bowed slightly, lips tugging into the faintest, bitter smile. "Your grace… you may go in first."
Aurelia arched a perfectly shaped brow, her voice cool and precise.
"You greet me like we have seen just this morning. Where is the full courtesy?"
Ashen tilted his head, unfazed. "I wasn't aware courtesy still mattered between siblings estranged by silence." The words were a knife casual in tone, but cutting in truth.
Aurelia's violet eyes narrowed. The maids at her side stiffened at the tension, unsure whether to curtsy or run. Even Ero winced slightly behind Ashen, already sensing where this would go.
"You haven't changed," Aurelia said bitterly. "Still brimming with pride, even after all these years."
He let out a low, humorless laugh. "And you? Tell me what makes you different?"
Her jaw clenched. "Of course, I am more important and better than you in every way possible."
That silenced him but only for a second. Then came the cold sarcasm again. "Ah, yes. Blame the cursed one. Always easier."
"Still not showing your courtesy?" Aurelia snapped. "Shall I bow to the brother Or kiss your feet like some servant?"
The maids gasped at the boldness. One even dropped the basket of fresh linens she carried. The tension was palpable.
"My lady…" Ero tried to interject.
Ashen lifted a hand sharply, silencing him. His eyes stayed locked on Aurelia.
"I was summoned by the king," he said slowly. "You wouldn't want me to disrespect him by lingering here. So why don't you go inside first and let me follow?" Aurelia didn't move.
Then, without warning she smacked him.
Her palm collided with his cheek, fast and furious. The sound echoed across the marble corridor.
"You dare disrespect me in front of everyone?" Her voice cracked, from fury. "You little cursed bastard! I am older than you!"
Ashen's fists clenched at his sides. His face burned where she had struck him, but he didn't react. He only stood there, stiff as stone.
"I will be reporting this," she said through her teeth. "To the king himself."
And with that, she turned and strode through the palace doors, her robes snapping behind her like storm clouds in silk.
Ashen stood there a moment, the murmurs of guards and maids crawling along the walls like smoke. He felt their stares. He didn't care.
Then he glanced at Ero. "You weren't supposed to say that," Ero whispered, eyes wide with concern.
Ashen exhaled, slow and tired. "She wasn't supposed to hit me either."
Then he moved toward the doors, the bruised side of his face already beginning to darken.
The grand hall was ablaze with golden light, chandeliers reflecting off wine glasses and polished silverware.
The long table stretched endlessly, and seated at it were the royal family, the picture of perfect unity.
Until Ashen stepped in. He was announced but barely acknowledged.
His mother's face hardened instantly. His siblings shifted in their chairs. Even the servants paused.
He bowed slightly. "Your Highness," he muttered.
The High King didn't look up from his cup. "Why are you here?" his mother asked, voice sharp enough to slice through the tension.
Ashen's chest tightened.
He wanted to say because I still belong here, but the lie wouldn't come.
"I summoned him," the High King said flatly. Ashen dipped his head in silent acknowledgment.
"Forgive me. I didn't mean to interrupt the feast. I will wait outside until…"
"You will dine with us," the king interrupted.
Ashen almost laughed aloud. Dine? He hadn't sat at that table in over a decade.
He glanced over. Not a single chair was empty. Of course, a reminder, subtle and brutal he was never part of this.
"Your Highness," he said, careful to keep his tone neutral, "I don't wish to seem ungrateful… but I just ate before the summons."
Ero's eyes widened. He hadn't eaten anything all day but just drinks. A hush fell over the table until Adam, the Crown Prince, finally spoke.
"Little brother," he said with a smirk. "You still haven't been taught proper etiquette. Perhaps now's the time since you now have a wife."
Ashen blinked.
Everyone turned.
His sister. His mother. Even the High King finally looked up.
"A wife?" his mother and Aurelia echoed, eyes narrowed. Ashen frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Adam leaned back in his chair, too pleased with himself. "When I traveled to finalize my engagement with the Celestial Realm… I discovered something unexpected. They had a second daughter and a blind one."
Ero stood quietly behind Ashen, looking like he might throw a goblet across the hall.
"She knows all court etiquette, unlike you," Adam added with a laugh. "And I thought what a perfect match for my little brother."
Ashen's gaze dropped as he heard this, "You arranged a marriage behind my back?" he asked, hoping his brother was playing tricks on him.
"No," Adam said. "I offered a solution… to your current problem."
Ashen scoffed. "I just passed my twentieth year. I am not ready for marriage… and also I don't have a problem that I want anyone to help me solve!" Ashen let out in a loud angry voice.
The High King slammed his hand on the table. "Are you rejecting my will?"
Ashen stood slowly, every muscle taut. "I am rejecting being used like a token." The silence was absolute and Ero sank to his knees in alarm.
"It's my life," Ashen said, louder now. "You don't get to decide what I do with it."
"You bastard of a son!" his mother spat, rising from her seat. "You dare to insult your father in front of everyone!" Ashen's heart sank at the word of his mother.
"Return to your chambers," the High King growled. "Your punishment will follow."
Ashen bowed once more and walked away without another word. He had known it would end this way.