In the quiet and isolated halls of Ashengil Castle, Princess Leth sat by the window, her delicate fingers tracing the lines of an old sketch. The drawing depicted a perfect family, an image she had created countless times, yet one that always felt so far from her reach.
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“Ever since I was born,” Leth whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the silence that filled the room, “I only saw my father once. And seeing his face made me realize... that becoming someone's precious flower was just a dream."
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She stared out of the window, her eyes following the vivid colors of the garden flowers at the main palace, the only view she had of the outside world. Beyond the blooming life, there was a family her family always out of reach.
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“After the night I was born,” Leth continued softly, “my birth mother vanished without a trace. Everyone says she fled because of the scandal... the affair.”
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Her hand hovered over her abdomen, as if trying to erase the reminder of her own existence. “And I was the outcome.”
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For a moment, Leth’s eyes glazed over as memories from her past life resurfaced. “For five years, inside this baby's body adding the time I was alive in my previous life, that makes me twenty-five. Twenty-five years of being alone, with no family, no one to care for you except yourself.”
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Her gaze drifted back to the drawing, her heart heavy. “I’ve never once left this palace. They call it Ashengil Castle, or the Forgotten Palace. I never leave because I get to see the perfect view from the garden—the colorful flowers and... the sight of a family. One I’ll never be a part of.”
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She looked down at her drawing, which showed a happy family—the emperor, his queen consort, and their sons, her stepbrothers.
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"Queen Consort Seraphine Noxveil Lychnis,” Leth muttered under her breath, “the emperor's concubine. She does the duty of an empress, though he never gave her the title. Aeron Noxveil Lychnis, the crown prince. Caelum Noxveil Lychnis, the second prince. And Valen Noxveil Lychnis, the third prince... my stepbrothers."
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Leth’s voice trembled as she added, “I see them every Wednesday and Sunday, spending time together... while I watch from afar. I’ve convinced myself I’m content, but it breaks my heart. I honestly wish to be with them."
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---
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Meanwhile, in the royal palace garden, Aeron, Caelum, and Valen played in the sunshine, unaware of the eyes watching them from the forgotten castle.
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“Father, is that the Forgotten Palace?” Aeron asked, pointing towards the distant, shadowed structure behind the garden.
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“Of course, idiot! What else would it be?” Caelum retorted, rolling his eyes.
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Valen’s eyes widened as he leaned closer. “Does that mean there’s a ghost living in there?”
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“A ghost that haunts kids who don’t eat breakfast!” Queen Consort Seraphine teased, a playful smirk on her face.
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Aeron glanced back at the castle, the curiosity burning in his eyes. “It’s been standing there for so long. Why didn’t you burn it down, Father?”
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Suddenly, the emperor’s face darkened. He slammed his hand down on the table, the sharp sound startling everyone. Without a word, he rose from his seat and left the garden, his expression stormy.
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“Wh—... is Father angry?” Valen asked, looking to his mother with wide eyes.
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Queen Consort Seraphine gave them a reassuring smile, though there was a hint of unease in her gaze. “No... your father isn’t angry. He just has a lot on his mind right now. Let’s just leave him be for now, alright?”
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---
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Inside the emperor’s private office, the air was thick with tension. He stood by the window, his eyes fixed on the distant Ashengil Castle, a place that held far too many memories for him to forget.
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“Xyril,” he called, his voice low and sharp.
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A shadow emerged from the darkness, coalescing into a figure dressed in black. “Your Majesty,” Xyril said, bowing his head.
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“What’s the status?” the emperor asked, his tone filled with a quiet urgency.
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Xyril’s eyes darkened. “Up until now, we are still trying to locate her exact position. She keeps disappearing every time we get close.”
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The emperor’s fist tightened at his side, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. “Alright... continue the search. Go.”
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The shadow disappeared as swiftly as it had come, leaving the emperor alone with his thoughts. He sighed, his voice barely more than a whisper as he gazed into the distance.
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“Where are you... Moon?”
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Meanwhile, the emperor failed to notice the queen standing quietly behind the door, her expression darkening as she overheard his words.
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"Even now... you still choose her over me," she murmured bitterly, her voice laced with a mix of pain and resentment.
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