Calendar: 4/1/1016
Lyanna von Skystone's Point of View
I am Lyanna von Skystone, daughter of the Emperor—the second child, to be precise. I am 15 years old now, as well as a student at the Ostrivien Grand Academy. Alright, enough with the pleasantries.
I am currently at an auction house, not just any auction house, but a famous one that has been around for a long time. This place always presents interesting items, and who knows, there might be a good item. If there is, I will buy it. After all, I am an emperor's daughter; I have a lot of wealth. In the middle of the auction, the auctioneer announced a new item, making me and the other visitors curious.
The time finally came—a young man with black hair and silver eyes appeared, causing a stir among us visitors. Not without reason; the surprise was his black hair. The majority of people in this world have brown hair—black hair is very rare. Seeing it reminded me of the first Stellaris Emperor—Emperor Arsen von Stellaris. And his silver eyes, those are also rarely seen around here. However, the excitement didn't last long, because it was possible that the hair and eye color were deliberately changed—in other words, not his real features.
That's the first point. The second point is his appearance. He was ugly, fat, and dirty—not dirty with dust, but with pimples, blackheads, and chapped lips. He didn't take care of himself at all. His facial structure was also asymmetrical; one of his eyes seemed smaller than the other. His nose had a strange curve, as if it had been broken multiple times. His hair was tangled; even though it was black, it resembled dry corn husks left in a field. His body was fat, with chubby cheeks and a potbelly.
For these reasons, his starting price was 50 gold coins—a very small price for a human. Usually, a human is sold for 50 platinum coins. The visitors who intended to buy him were low-ranking nobles like Barons. I, a member of an imperial family, was not worthy—no, more precisely, that slave was not worthy of being owned by me.
"1 platinum coin!" someone shouted.
Hearing that surprised me. Who would bother buying that man? It would be better to spend the coins on an artifact or something else. I turned to the source of the voice, and my jaw dropped when I realized who had bought him. She wore a luxurious but not excessive gown—a navy blue dress with silver accents, dark brown hair tied neatly, a beautiful face with sharp, plum-colored irises.
Plum-colored irises... that's the characteristic of the Heartstone family. Different from me, whose characteristic is red hair.
"Princess Seraphina von Heartstone!" the auctioneer bowed respectfully. "The Princess of the Heartstone Imperial Family bids 1 platinum coin!"
"What the?! Why is Seraphina interested in that ugly slave?" I said to myself. "Did I miss something?" Yes, I must have missed some detail. Seraphina wouldn't do something without a reason, but... what if she was just buying him for her own satisfaction? Hehe, a little mischief wouldn't hurt, right?
"10 platinum coins!" I shouted, making a bid.
I saw several pairs of eyes turn towards me, wondering who was behind this mask. I was currently wearing a mask and had changed my hair color to brown.
"20 platinum coins!" a shout came from across the room, which was definitely Seraphina.
"30 platinum coins," I replied with a smirk behind my mask.
My personal maid was a little worried. "Will this be alright, Lady Lyanna?" she whispered to me as I was bidding. "I'm afraid His Majesty the Emperor will be angry for spending money on a slave."
"You're a fool. If Seraphina is bidding on that slave, it means there's something special about him," I answered her. I wanted to see Seraphina's real motivation for doing this. "And I want to interfere with Seraphina's plans a little, hehe," I said with a small laugh.
From across the room, I stared into my rival's sharp eyes. She didn't look like she wanted to give up; in fact, her determination to get that slave was growing stronger. "100 platinum coins!" said Lady Seraphina.
Damn it, you're making me even more curious. What are you after with this slave, huh? Seraphina's stubbornness increased my curiosity. But I couldn't be impulsive; I also had to think about the consequences. If I won this fight, I would get the slave. What if the slave was just an ordinary slave? Not the special one I was imagining. What if Seraphina was just doing this for fun? She might just be luring me in and then leaving me like trash. It's better if I don't get too involved.
"Anyone dare to go higher than 100 platinum coins?" the auctioneer asked, scanning the room. "100 platinum coins for this special young man!"
Silence.
"One..."
"Two..."
"Three! Sold to Lady Seraphina von Heartstone!"
Thunderous applause erupted, not from me, but from the others. I stared flatly as Seraphina walked towards the male slave.
Seraphina has been my rival for a long time. Even though there was an alliance between the Empires and other races 15 years ago, it doesn't mean their descendants have to get along.
Back to the present - Third-Person Point of View
Carsel's hair and eye color returned to their original state: pink and pitch-black. Seeing this, Seraphina broke into a sweat without realizing it. Her heart pumped rapidly.
Pink hair? Wait, that's not possible, is it? Weren't they all slaughtered that night? Even the strongest emperor at the time, Arthur von Stellaris, died in that incident, along with his personal aide. But the proof is right in front of my eyes. Pink hair... The last time this world had a woman with natural pink hair was Empress Elena. What if this young man is her son, or perhaps a distant relative? No. If he were Empress Elena's son, his eyes should be sapphire blue: the characteristic of the Stellaris family. After all, Empress Elena married Emperor Arthur. But he only has pink hair. It seems he's a relative of Empress Elena. Or could it be... an illegitimate child? It's possible Empress Elena was pregnant with someone else's child, not Emperor Arthur's. That's why he didn't inherit the Stellaris genes. The imperial family's genes are very strong: dominant and intimidating. No, let's focus on what's in front of me.
"Continue," Seraphina ordered.
Carsel continued to take off the necklace he always wore—but he stopped halfway. Carsel hesitated because his mother had always told him to wear it at all times.
"Why? Take it off now!" Seraphina exclaimed, her gaze as sharp as an eagle's.
Carsel slowly removed the necklace. As soon as it was off, nothing changed about him, according to Carsel himself. However, it was different for Seraphina—she froze like a statue. Carsel, noticing Seraphina's stillness, looked confused. "What's wrong?" he asked. Seraphina came back to her senses, shaking her head from side to side. "It's nothing," she answered.
"Put both necklaces back on."
"Alright."
Silence. Carsel and Seraphina said nothing more—they just stared at each other. Seraphina looked at Carsel's eyes with a probing gaze, while Carsel, receiving that gaze, became nervous. Carsel then shifted his gaze out the window, where the moon shone beautifully, creating a calming atmosphere.
Why is it like this? Hmph, I just arrived and I'm already a slave. Why did I appear there? In an auction cage. Was that the portal's designated appearance point? Or was it random? That mysterious figure... they moved through shadows. A shadow affinity—a branch of darkness. And what was that person's goal? How long have they been in my home? If they could enter and exit Heartwood freely and kill its inhabitants... why was I left alone? They said their goal was me—why didn't they kidnap me instead of going to the trouble of kidnapping my mother? Then, giving me information on how to get out of Heartwood. From the beginning, he wanted to lure me out of there. But for what? What do I have that would make them do that?
...
Seraphina actually wanted to interrogate Carsel—even if it had to be done with force:
Who are you? Why do you have pink hair? Do you have a close relationship with Empress Elena Rose? Are you Empress Elena's illegitimate child?
But she stopped that train of thought. Seraphina was also hesitant. What she saw was an innocent young man, who didn't dare to look at her for long and seemed kind. He didn't try to fight back—he accepted all of this like a pet. For these reasons, she had a feeling that if she asked those questions, Carsel wouldn't be able to answer them. Even Carsel himself seemed confused by all of this.
Seraphina looked out the window as well, her hands clenched in her lap. The questions spun in her head like a whirlwind—demanding, forcing, clawing to get out. But her lips remained sealed.
The carriage came to a gentle halt. Carsel woke from a light sleep—he hadn't realized when his eyes had closed. Through the window, he saw a tall iron gate with intricate carvings of a rose and crossed swords. The emblem of the Heartstone Empire.
"Get out," Seraphina said curtly.
Carsel followed, nearly stumbling as he descended the carriage steps. Before him stretched a magnificent palace complex. Not the main palace, but a separate building with equally luxurious architecture—dark blue roof tiles, pristine white walls, a perfectly manicured garden with a fountain in the center. The private residence of a princess.
"Lady Seraphina, welcome back." A middle-aged maid bowed respectfully. Her eyes flickered to Carsel for a moment—there was surprise there, but professionalism kept her from asking.
"Prepare a room for this new slave," Seraphina said, removing her gloves. "A servant's room in the east wing. Make sure he is bathed and given proper clothing."
"And tell the others, do not touch him—he is mine."
"Yes, Lady."
Carsel followed the maid down a long corridor. The walls were filled with paintings—mountain landscapes, portraits of past emperors, heroic battles. The marble floor reflected the light from the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. This was a very different world from Heartwood. In Heartwood, everything was organic—trees, grass, natural waterfalls. Here, everything was orderly, controlled, shaped by human hands. Beautiful, but cold.
"My name is Marta," the maid said without turning around. "I am the head maid in Lady Seraphina's residence. You will receive instructions from me."
"Y-yes," Carsel answered stiffly.
Marta stopped in front of a simple wooden door—a stark contrast to the luxury of the corridor. "This is your room. Simple, but clean. You will not lack for anything as long as you obey your mistress well." She opened the door. Inside: a single bed with white sheets, a small table, a wardrobe, and a small window overlooking the back garden.
"Bathe first," Marta said, pointing to a door in the corner. "There is a bathtub and soap. After that, I will bring you clothes. Lady Seraphina wishes to see you in her private study in one hour."
After Marta left, Carsel sat on the edge of the bed. His hands were clenched. I will play your game, mysterious figure. I will find my mother and punish you for killing my people. With that determination, he stood up and went into the bathroom.
One Hour Later - Seraphina's Private Study
The room was smaller than Carsel had imagined for a princess—but every corner was filled with books. Bookshelves reached to the ceiling, a desk was covered with parchment and ink, and a large map hung on the wall. This was not the room of a princess who pampered herself with mirrors and jewelry. This was the room of someone who sought knowledge.
Seraphina sat in a chair near the window, a teacup in her hand. She had changed her clothes—now wearing a simple gray house dress. Her hair was down, making her face look younger, more... human.
"Sit," she said without looking over.
Carsel sat in the chair opposite her—a safe distance, but close enough to talk. He now wore simple servant's clothes: a white shirt and black trousers. Clean, but generic.
Silence.
Seraphina sipped her tea slowly. Carsel stared at his own hands—his clean, pink hair fell over his eyes.
"How old are you?" The first question in the room.
Carsel lifted his head and counted on his fingers. "Early 15—I'll be 16 at the end of the year, Lady."
[In Heartwood, there is a calendar the same as the people in the outside world. A calendar that goes up to the year 1020. A calendar created by Emperor Arthur.]
"Where are you from?"
A pause. "A faraway place."
"Be specific."
"Umm..." Carsel scratched his temple, which wasn't actually itchy. Is it safe to answer her questions? What if she tells someone else, then it will be dangerous. Mama said not to get close to strangers. But she's not a stranger now, she's my 'owner'. If I say no, I'll be the one in pain. Mama always encouraged me to be honest, but there's a time to lie. Like in a desperate situation. It seems this is the time.
[Carsel found out about his special home, the outside world, and other things when he was 13 years old.] -by the author.
"I... don't know its name. A forest. A very faraway forest."
Seraphina put down her cup, her plum eyes sharpening. "You're lying."
"No, I—" Carsel's heart pounded fast.
"Can you read and write?"
A sudden change of topic. Carsel was taken aback. "Yes."
"What is your role?"
"Swordsman."
"Nothing else?"
"No."
"A lie. It seems my slave is a naughty boy." Seraphina's eyes narrowed at him.
"A-alright, I'm a swordsman mage."
"Good. You're being honest this time."
"You knew from the beginning, didn't you? Why did you ask?"
"I wanted to know if my slave was a liar or not."
Ugh, I walked right into her game. How stupid of me.
"What tier?"
"Tier 3 swordsman and Tier 5 mage."
"That's terrible."
This strengthens my theory that his father is definitely not Emperor Arthur. A prince would surely be talented.
Seraphina stood up and walked closer. Carsel reflexively shrank back in his chair. The woman stopped right in front of him—looking down at him.
"You are no ordinary slave," she said quietly. "Slaves are not taught to read or write. Slaves are not trained in swordplay or magic. And most importantly—"
Her index finger pointed to the two necklaces Carsel wore.
"—an ordinary slave would not possess artifacts."
Carsel swallowed. His throat was dry.
"I will ask one more time, and this time I want an honest answer." Seraphina bent down slightly, bringing their eyes to the same level. "Who. Are. You. Really?"
In Carsel's eyes, Seraphina had no ill intent. She just wanted to know the identity of the person near her. It seemed Seraphina was a very cautious person.
"I'm an ordinary boy—a commoner, not a noble."
"Who are your parents?"
"My mother's name is Clarasiel."
"Your father?"
"Althair."
Seraphina froze upon hearing that. Althair? Althair von Kaelvros or another Althair? It seems to be another Althair. How could Empress Elena cheat with her husband's student? Eh, but it's possible. Who knows—but... how could a talented father, who won the inter-species tournament and had many titles, have a son with so little talent?
"Just Althair?"
"Yes, that's right."
How stupid of me. I should have added a little more to it. Not Althair, maybe Althairo or Althairis. Like Clara became Clarasiel.
Seraphina looked at him for a long time. A very long time. As if trying to read the truth in those pitch-black eyes.
This boy. He has many big secrets. Hehe, it seems I've hit the jackpot today. He will be my weapon in the future. I must keep him by my side.
Finally, she pulled back. "Alright," she said, returning to her chair. "I won't force you... for now."
She picked up a thick book from the table and opened it. "Starting tomorrow, you will work as my assistant. Your duties: help me organize documents, read reports, and occasionally accompany me to the library."
Carsel looked up, confused. "Just... that?"
"Just that." Seraphina turned a page. "I didn't buy you to be tortured or shown off. I bought you because I was bored at the time. I had nothing to do, so I wanted to find something that might be interesting."
Bored? She bought me because she was bored? But maybe that's my good fortune. What if I had been bought by an evil noble? My fate would have been sealed.
Seraphina finally looked at him again. "Return to your room."
That night, in Carsel's room.
Carsel lay on his back, staring at the ceiling. The small window showed a crescent moon—the same as in Heartwood, but for some reason, it felt colder.
Mama, I will find you. I promise.
And for the first time since arriving in the outside world, he let his tears fall—silently, in the darkness, where no one could see him being weak. Because tomorrow, he had to be strong again.
Seraphina's room
Seraphina, who was about to close her eyes, opened them again. "Damn, I forgot to test what affinity he has."
"I'll do it tomorrow."