Fated flame's

The grand hall of cealthron shimmered like a jewel under the flickering light of a thousand torches. Musicians played lively tunes, filling the air with melodies as dancers swayed gracefully across the polished marble floor. Tonight was no ordinary celebration—it was the 35th birthday and crowning feast of Crown Prince Rhaegel, heir to the throne of one of the mightiest kingdoms near the empire.

The long banquet table was laden with sumptuous dishes, from roasted game to platters of exotic fruits. Nobles and emissaries raised their goblets, toasting the prince's health and future reign. The king, seated at the head of the table with his nine queens, surveyed the hall with pride.

Yet amidst the laughter and music, a certain absence was impossible to ignore.

"Where is Rendyll?" a young princess whispered to her brother, her gaze darting toward the main doors. Servants and guards whispered among themselves, unsure whether to search for the missing prince or await the king's orders.

Prince Rhaegel, seated beside the king, leaned back in his chair with an amused smile. "Typical Rendyll," he remarked lightly. "Only he would dare skip a feast like this." His voice held no disappointment, only a quiet admiration for his younger brother's audacity.

The king's brow furrowed, but he said nothing, sipping from his goblet. Lady Amara, the queen who had raised Rendyll, glanced nervously at the empty seat beside her.

Queen Lystra, ever eager to stir the pot, seized the moment. "Perhaps he's too busy gallivanting in the woods to remember his duties," she said, her tone sweetly condescending. "It's no surprise, given his bloodline."

Lady Amara stiffened but kept her composure. "Rendyll has always been spirited," she replied evenly. "A trait not everyone can appreciate."

The other queens exchanged thin smiles, each eager to undermine the others without drawing the king's ire. Meanwhile, the royal children chatted and laughed, oblivious to their mothers' veiled jabs. Despite the tension among the queens, the siblings shared a rare bond, treating one another with warmth and affection.

Far from the palace, Rendyll was in his element. Deep in the woods, he sparred with an old knight, the clang of their swords ringing out against the quiet night.

"Keep your stance steady!" the knight barked, dodging Rendyll's strike and countering with a swift blow.

Rendyll blocked it with a grin, sweat glistening on his brow. "If I wanted lectures, I'd have stayed at the palace."

The knight chuckled. "And miss the feast? You have a gift for testing your father's patience."

"It's a skill," Rendyll quipped, stepping back to catch his breath. His gaze shifted briefly, sensing a movement among the trees. For a moment, he said nothing, pretending not to notice.

Peeking from behind a cluster of bushes was a young girl, her wide eyes fixed on him. She was a servant at the palace, but her admiration for Rendyll had grown into a quiet infatuation. Unable to resist, she often followed him on his escapades, hoping to catch glimpses of the prince who seemed more like a figure from a dream.

Rendyll was unlike anyone she had ever seen. His tall frame and strikingly beautiful eyes, which seemed to hold the secrets of a thousand stars, set him apart from his siblings. His ethereal looks drew admirers wherever he went, from noble ladies to palace maids—and even the occasional bold nobleman.

As the girl leaned closer, a twig snapped under her foot. Rendyll's head turned sharply, his piercing gaze locking onto her hiding spot.

"You can come out now," he called, his voice firm but not unkind.

The girl froze, her heart pounding. Slowly, she stepped into the clearing, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment.

"You've been following me," Rendyll said, his tone more curious than accusatory.

"I—I'm sorry, Your Highness," she stammered, bowing low. "I didn't mean to disturb you."

The knight raised an eyebrow, glancing between Rendyll and the girl. "Should I leave you two alone?" he teased, sheathing his sword.

Rendyll shot him a look but said nothing, turning his attention back to the girl. "What's your name?"