ngdom nestled beyond the veil of distant m

cursed to wither and fade with each passing day-paying the price for hi

the benevolence of the Mother Goddess. They existed in a realm of light and

ance, they were cast down to dwell among the mortals they had scorned. What truly perplexed h

is sights on the banishment of the Fallen, convinced that their very presence

ed a bleak prophecy: both the King and his only son, the crown prince, faced a dark demise that threatened the very legacy of their noble bloodlin

ss his kingdom, searching for a deeper understanding of his fate. His desperation turned into widesprea

ing unannounced at the opulent Palace gates. The shaman dazzled the court with mind-bending illusions tha

claimed to divine destinies but linge

tic abilities. The King, buoyed by hope, danced with delight, only to be struck with dread when the shaman delivered

ts. Why had the Goddess turned her gaze from him? Days turned into weeks, and the munda

early twenty innocents at the hallowed entrance of the Mother Goddess's temple. The brazen act didn't

amidst treacherous waters; in his mind, it

ples honoring the Fallen across his kingdom, ignoring the gasps of horror and prot

d powerful figure known as Malevolent, seethed with rage. In retaliation,

of the undead, their struggles painted with countless shades of sorrow as the dead turned immediately to the other side, fighting ag

ng daily, yet he remained bedridden, cons

one who had brought forth the warning. However, upon summoning the shaman, the King was

ight with the specter of death, fear

husband, whose health seemed to ebb away with ea

ncern as she reflected on the bleak state of affairs. Her heart ached at the sight of her husband, the King, who had succumbed to a ghostly pallor, seemingly lost to

ded influence and respect, she held a clandestine court, filled with hushed whispers and earnest deliberations. The air was thick with tension as they collect

force brought both trepidation and intrigue. In the shadows, a pact was made-one that would alter the course of their nation. Driven by a fierce love

s of the Goddess. With each confrontation, the air crackled with the remnants of a fading past. Yet, to the common folk, the departure of the old ways brought a breath of fresh air.

remained in a dazed state, oblivious to the sweeping changes around him, the air was alive with the fervor of new possibilities. Th

King's ears, though not brash enough to reach him directly. It was a fragile peace, indeed. Regardless, the palace thrummed with the reso

●●●

the heavy silence of the dimly lit study. Gideon, perched in a worn armchair by the fire,

can scarcely afford a new dress every other day, and I happen to have four sisters." H

isible trails on the worn fabric. "I do not know what has gotten into the

bt while desperately trying to maintain the façade of nobility as the late Count's offspring. Their fathe

mth of the fire and approached the rows of le

ough the pages of a book with an absent mind. "They should come down with the fl

remember?" Gabriella interject

be hidden away in her room, with her nose buried in some dusty tome, mumbling abo

you girls off," he muttered with a shak

fatuated with the second prince," Gabriella replied, her vo

ties they shared. "It's my fault Gracelyn can't let go of the prince. I'm simply too incompetent. We are of

their mother had fled to Merryloh with her scandalous lover, absconding with their wealth. It certainly wasn't Gideon's fault their parents had b

nued, turning towards her with a raucous laugh that echoed through the room. Gabriella felt he

er, a rather handsome young fellow, and known to be a dealer in opium poppies if you know who to ask

irritation. "The Earl, not the minister. He's as shameless as ever. Old enough to be your grandfather and still chasing after your hand.

ives, nine boisterous children, and two grandchildren, one of whom had the asto

la snapped, her voice cutting sha

study, his final words echoing with bitter resignation, "Ea

rries. Time seemed to stretch on for hours as she trudged over to the seat beside the hearth, sinking into the

ella thought, a wave of m

her noble families, parading his skill with a sword, a joy that now felt like a distant memory. The days of camaraderie were replaced by a st

herself in volumes, the outside world fadin away as the hours slipped by unnoticed until Gabriella had to rescue her from the pages, calling her for dinner. But that golde

ment dressing in finery, dazzling at extravagant banquets, and mingling with the glittering elite of the kingdom. Though it f

gossip and juicy scandals, a habit she showed no signs of outgrowing. Her c

e telltale smudge of color often marked the skin behind her ears. While her painting had once radiated li

Gracelyn wasn't the only one ensnar

ere jarred by Gideon's y

owed in concern as he paced back and forth. "You're still young, and y

g his tone. "With your thin figure, you can't hope to attract a suitor if you lose any more weight. You sh

with gentle urgency as he led her past the study

let out a hoarse, mirthless laugh, the

cipality,' Gabriella contemplated, a spark of determination igni