The bells of Pendragon Palace rang early in the morning. Their soft sound echoed through the cold halls and snowy courtyards. Winter had covered the statues with white, and the air smelled like pine trees and old books.
Arius Pendragon stood in front of his mirror, dressed in royal blue and gold. He looked like a regal prince tall, serious, and strong. But inside, he was just a young man filled with hope.
Today was his seventeenth birthday. More importantly, Lady Seraphine was coming back to the palace.
She had been away for months, helping her family in the northern provinces. Arius had written her many letters, each one full of care and longing. He remembered her smile, her laugh, and the way she used to tease him when they were children. He loved her deeply. And he believed she loved him too.
"Your Highness," said Cedric, his steward, entering the room with a bow. "The council is waiting for you."
Arius nodded. "Has Lady Seraphine arrived?"
"She came an hour ago," Cedric said. "She's with Duke Caelum."
Arius froze.
Caelum. His cousin. His rival. The man who once said Seraphine was just a silly girl.
"She must be tired," Arius said quietly. "I'll see her after the meeting."
---
The council room was filled with nobles, generals, and advisors. They talked about taxes, trade, and border threats. Arius listened and spoke when needed, but his thoughts were far away.
He remembered the garden where he and Seraphine used to chase fireflies. He remembered the night he promised her, "When I become king, I'll make you my queen."
When the meeting ended, Arius walked quickly to the west wing, where the nobles were having wine and music.
He saw her near the fireplace, wearing a red silk dress. She looked beautiful. Her laughter was soft and sweet. But it wasn't for him.
It was for Caelum.
Arius walked closer, heart beating fast. "Seraphine."
She turned and smiled. "Arius. You've grown."
"I waited for you," he said.
"I know," she said gently. "But things are different now."
Caelum stepped beside her and put his arm around her waist. "We're getting married in the spring."
Arius felt like the world had stopped.
He didn't speak. He just stood there as the fire warmed the room. But he felt cold.
---
That night, Arius sat alone in his room. He opened the drawer where he kept Seraphine's letters. He read them slowly, one by one.
Then he lit a candle and watched the letters burn.
Outside, the snow fell quietly. Inside, a prince's heart broke.
And somewhere deep in time, something changed.
The first regression had begun.