The kingdom of Antioca was a land that showed great devotion to myths and legends; Paying tribute to the heroism of the men and women who shaped the life of the kingdom, the day of the founding was the most important holiday within the continental calendar.
In the beginning, when the universe was plunged into chaos, the matter that surrounded the world gradually gained consciousness. Studying and analyzing the fundamental principles of the essence of matter, that consciousness began to manifest a greater intellect as the eons progressed.
That was how he defined himself as a god with the name of Ignis , taking power over everything that existed and beginning an ambitious desire that he imagined in those eras of stony dreams. To do this, from his consciousness I take four fragments that I mold according to a different personality each one, but essentially unanimous in their desire: The four Pleiades.
Pathera , Eris, Astaroth and Minerva, celestial beings to whom that entity granted the title of daughters, served as architects to give shape and essence to the surrounding worlds that were molded according to their will. At the end of their work, the Pleiades bestowed the gift of life on each of the lands that they themselves had created, thus originating all the existing races in those vast worlds.
Over the course of the lunar cycles, the Pleiades were pleased to see their planets evolve peacefully. The creatures existing in them understood the meaning of their lives and the importance of the harmonic balance transmitted by the celestial beings. But one day, all that came to an end.
Seeing how his daughters had reached that creative pinnacle, the god Ignis experienced for the first time a feeling that he had never experienced in the millennia that he had existed. Jealousy turned into greed and with it, fear took the form of hate.
Turning his fury on the creations of his seed, the father god infected the hearts of the creatures with those dark thoughts that he had accumulated inside. Races that once treated each other as equals soon took up arms and began hurting each other. Killing and taking what belonged to the other, the living beings lost their way and gave free rein to their basest passions.
Seeing with horror that curse that their father had brought to the lands they had created, Pathera , Eris and Astaroth , took sides to face him. But Minerva, the last of the sister Pleiades, joined her father and made war against them.
As the virtues of the heavens are moved and fall from the firmament, so one by one the sisters experienced their annihilation. Only the Pleiade Astaroth remained standing , who inherited the will of her fallen sisters, taking for herself the title of goddess. Fighting with greater impetus against his sister and his father, until the scales turned the tables even.
Unaware of his daughter's nature, Ignis fell prey to Minerva's ambitions, who imprisoned him in a space called the Void. Leaving only the two sisters face to face in that bloody fight.
Realizing that the power of both was comparable, the goddesses realized that prolonging that fight would bring nothing. So they opted for a solution that would satisfy each other.
From the worlds created by the deities, four races were chosen to fight on behalf of the goddesses. Hand in hand with Ashtharot , the Lichen and Lupus stood up proudly to dedicate their lives to their creator; while the Aspirtenos and Manekis , took sides with Minerva.
In the forge of that crucible of war, the blood of both sides spilled over the lands without respite, experiencing the horrors that come hand in hand with battle.
At the moment when the endless struggle seemed to tip in favor of Minerva, the Aspirtenes conspired and betrayed the will of their mother goddess. Joining Astaroth 's side , leaving the Manekis in a crushing defeat.
Humiliated and abandoned by her own creation, the goddess Minerva could not prevail in Astaroth 's presence ; fleeing from that plane, getting lost in the darkness of the cosmos.
Fully pleased with their achievements, the goddess rewarded each race according to their merits. Being the Lichen the most favored, giving them the power to reign over the other races.
Fearing that this decision could cause discontent, Astaroth observed that the seed of sedition was latent among the Lupus and especially with the Aspirtenos . Deciding with this that the defeated race of the Maneki would be perpetual servitude to the other races, as a sign of mercy on their part instead of annihilating them.
Over the years, the descendants of the three main races gave order and origin to the civilizations of that planet. Arriving to leave the balance of the world in the following way: The territory predominantly dominated by the Lichen , took the name of the kingdom of Antioca . The lands that rested on the desert sands were called the kingdom of Sidelia . Home of the members of the Lupus race.
Finally, a kingdom that extended between the marshy lands of exuberant vegetation, received the name of Melina: The mother land of the race of the Aspirtenos .
After years of bloody disputes to establish the territorial limits , those kingdoms rose on the continent of Attila. And with it, a tense peace was proclaimed annually with that celebration. Of which, the three kingdoms each participated in their own way, desire and devotion.
In the case of Antioca , the kingdom was decorated for a week for reasons of the festivities; where the royal family opened wide the treasury coffers, to show the world that the wealth of the kingdom was the unequivocal sign of its power and prosperity.
That particular year, the celebration of the founding day had a special significance, as the royal family was about to make an announcement that would bring about important changes in the historical flow of the nation.
The commercial cities in charge of each duchy, dressed in majestic adornments with the vintage of culinary dishes, crafts and shows, showing the reflection of the prosperity achieved by each one of the ducal lordships.
But certainly none of them compared to the kingdom's capital, the city of Velamia , where countless nobles and dignitaries from the other kingdoms congregated for festivities.
The imposing buildings belonging to the bourgeois families displayed banners and heraldry adorned with fine gold and silver threads. The squares and gardens were arranged with various species of roses and ornamental plants that were brought as presents by the ambassadors of other nations.
On the other hand, the city block where the mansions of the noble families were located, had military parades and rehearsed skirmishes by the soldiers belonging to the ducal families and baronies.
Finally, the imposing and majestic palace of the king, where the towers rose dressed in fine ivory quarry rock and scarlet banners that fluttered with the wind that blew from above.
The garden that served as the entrance to the palace had leafy lilac-leaved trees arranged wide on the sides of the main path. The carriages of the noble families that traveled under the shade of those trees used to say that this spectacle was idyllic in cold times when the leaves were shedding.
- "Is everything ready Maximiliano?"
- "Yes father, as you have requested. Every detail was reviewed and is in place by the time of the announcement."
- "You are an excellent son, I knew I could place my trust in you" - A mitrile crown inlaid with emerald stone and the sign of the miter that simulated the sun, rested on chestnut hair that was already beginning to show its first gray hair typical of age.
With abundant eyebrows and a pair of red eyes characteristic of the Lichen , that bearded man placed his right hand on the head of the prince who remained submissive on his knees before his presence.
King Alfonso de Antioca , a solemn man with a candid temperament with his family and fierce with his enemies, knew that this celebration was about to bring a tide that he could hardly handle if he did not have the support of the third prince.
With the growing position of the ducal houses, the crown was dwindling due to the last territorial conflict that took place just ten years ago, when the young prince Maximilian had barely entered his teens.
- "I am sorry to have to put such a heavy weight on your shoulders my dear son, but you know very well that you are the only one to whom I could entrust this task without major incidents."
- "I know father, I know very well" - Clenching his fist against his chest, the young man who had grown up in the fire of the battlefield, felt how those words fell into the wounds of his heart as if he were adding salt to the wound.
- "Your Majesty, Queen Andrea has requested to see you in private" - A maid with a bowed face opened the door reverently. Behind her, the queen was waiting to enter her majesty's apartments.
- "I think it's time for me to retire father" - Giving a kiss on the back of the king's hand, the prince made a last bow and went to the door where Her Majesty Queen Andrea was still .
- "Greetings to the moon of the kingdom, holy mother Andrea"
- "Third Prince" – With a look as cold as ice, the beautiful woman with reddish hair raised her eyebrow with an expression of indifference as she looked over her shoulder at Prince Maximilian.
The son of a concubine, the young prince was greatly despised by the queen because she blamed him for the death of her blood son, the second prince Adrian.
Being barely teenagers, the two princes served on the battlefront under the orders of Captain Eusebio. Making his way with the dignity that only members of the royal family could ever demonstrate.
With a heightened talent for magic, Prince Adrian kept up the rear as support, while Maximilian cut his way with the edge of the sword. The two brothers were very close despite only sharing half of their blood, to such an extent that one terrible summer day in the heat of the inclement sands of the Lupus desert, Maximilian was outnumbered by the soldiers of the enemy army. .
Contemplating that situation, Adrián disobeyed Captain Eusebio's orders and broke the formation of magicians, launching himself with attack magic on the soldiers. Saving his brother, but falling down on the ground by the edge of the enemy spears.
- "I hope I don't embarrass the family this day"
- "Don't worry, queen mother. With your permission" – With the door of the king's bedroom closing behind him, Maximilian raised his hand to his face, caressing his hair with a sigh of anguish and discomfort.
- "What ails you, my good sir?" – Looking up, Maximiliano could see the face of Miss Rivera who was accompanied by her personal maid. Experiencing a series of mixed feelings inside.
On the one hand, the prince felt a deep contempt for the self-centered daughter of the Rivera house, while, on the other, the woman behind her caused him an innocent curiosity when seeing those green eyes that were not common among commoners.
- " Prince? The prince!" – Coming out of his trance, Maximiliano reacted to the annoying timbre of Berenice's voice. Who did not hide the expression of annoyance when realizing that once again, the attention of whoever was her fiancé, was directly focused on her servant.
- "What do you want, Miss Rivera?"
- "You might as well start calling me by my first name since we are engaged"
- "I think that is something that could be frowned upon by other nobles, miss."
- "And looking at your fiancée's servant isn't it?" – Remembering that terrible incident that he observed through the window of the mansion, Maximiliano turned his face away with a hint of guilt. That gesture being recognized by Aurora, who maintained a serious expression despite being intimidated by Miss Berenice.
- "My father is looking for him in the royal guard barracks. He wants to discuss with you some last details in the preparations"
- "Then I must say goodbye, Berenice" - Giving a kiss to her hand, the prince tried with that gesture to divert the anger of the impulsive young lady. Who blushed and nodded bowing while saying goodbye to her fiancé.
- "Can you see the big difference between trash like you and a lady like me?"
- "Yes my lady, thank you for teaching me"
- "Remember that the life of your dear Eunice is in my hands. Never forget who you serve."
- "My lady, when?"
- "When that? Be clear damn useless"
- "Tell me when you will release Eunice from your spell?" – Putting the tip of the fan on her chin, Berenice observed poor Aurora mischievously. At the same time that he brought his lips to her ear whispering that he would only do it until his loyalty was complete.
Four years had already passed since that incident in the mansion's pond and during all that time, Aurora couldn't help but feel guilty about the fate that unfortunate Eunice had fallen prey to. First there was María, the product of Emilia's dark ambition; who a few years after having fled from the Albert mansion, was plunged into a deep sleep from which she would not wake up. Later, Eunice who saw her body become that of a wooden doll, with her soul imprisoned while she was submerged in the cold waters of the pond.
It didn't matter if it was this life or the previous one, young Aurora was aware that misfortune could only come to those who were involved with her. That was his thought that remained like heavy chains on his contrite heart.
- "Go get me a drink, I'll go to the reading room of the palace." – Extending her hand waving her fan, Berenice threw her maid who observed out of the corner of her eye that Baron Eusebio was present in that room.
The palace servants who passed by the maiden were frantic in their work while preparing the final touches to start the celebration, being unable to attend to the young woman . Who lost his way while searching for the area where the palace sommelier was located.
Walking lost through the corridors of the first floor, a corpulent presence collided with her as she turned a corner, knocking her to the ground.
Coiling around her ankles and wrists, a pair of jade-colored snakes violently squeezed around her joints, dragging her body until she was suspended from the corridor wall.
With hair as silver as moonlight, her slit-pupiled asp eyes had a golden hue like the sun. With a sharp nose and a face on which a scar ran from his neck to his forehead, Demetrio Barbosa, Viscount of the territory of Engracia in the confines of the Melina kingdom, slapped his hand on the wall to one side of Aurora's face.
- "It seems that the servants inside the palace have lost their manners and good customs towards the dignitaries of other nations. Don't you think so Lucretius?"
- "Indeed my lord, the Lichen seem to have relaxed the discipline with the Maneki garbage ." – With black hair held in a ponytail, that man was Lucrecio Santorino . Advisor and childhood friend of Viscount Demetrius.
Known for their coolness, the pair of friends carried rumors about his behavior towards commoners. Mainly influenced by the doctrine of the goddess Astaroth , the Aspirtenes were a race that despised the Maneki with all their hearts.
While in the territories of the kingdom of Antioca and Sidelia a caste system was maintained where the commoners could have limited rights, for the Aspirtenos the only possible goal for the descendants of the Maneki race was to become slaves without exception.
- " Sniff , sniff . You smell that Lucretius, a delicious aroma comes from the skin of this damn Maneki trash " - Giving the order to their snakes to sneak under the maid's blouse, the reptiles snaked violently under the cloth until the buttons of the clothes gave way to your movement. Exposing the mark of slavery that was etched on Aurora's skin.
- "I knew I had smelled something delicious when we turned around my dear Lucrecio! It's a delicious field rat. Observe the tenderness of her cheekbones and how the veins on her neck throb so discreetly with fear. Don't you fancy an aperitif before the celebration begins?" – Disengaging his jaw like a snake would, the noble Aspirteno dangerously placed his mouth on Aurora's head, while violently squeezing the lady's delicate neck.
- " Arrrgh " – Without warning, a dagger flew through the air, stabbing into Demetrius's shoulder, causing Lucretius to draw his sword to stand between his friend and the man who maintained a stoic position who, before Aurora's failing eyes, he was like a savior god.
- "Lower your weapon, Baron Lucrecio. Although this is a day of celebration, I will not overlook a citizen of the kingdom of Antioca harming himself " – Wearing his purple-hued cape edged with Termiso fur (a large feline with snow-white fur ), Prince Maximilian heard the murmurs of the servants who had fled the place when the incident occurred.
- "This slave offended a member of Melina's nobility! I was punishing you for this offense when you arrived, Your Excellency" – Gasping from the pain of the deep cut made by the dagger, Demetrio was still holding the unfortunate Aurora, who already showed on her face that she would soon die from lack of oxygen.
- "If a palace slave committed a mistake, only members of the royal family can impose a punishment on them" - Approaching Demetrius, Maximilian squeezed his wrist making him let go of Aurora, who collapsed almost unconscious on the hallway carpet.
- "If you have said so, then we should take it as a legitimate promise of restitution" - Putting away his saber, Lucrecio made a slight bow and took his friend with him to withdraw from the corridor, leaving them alone.
Taking Aurora's body in her arms, covering the nakedness of her chest with part of her cape. Walking through the corridors before the curious glances of the servants, while she was preparing to enter her rooms to lay the maiden on her bed.
- "Vargas"
- "Tell me my lord" - Calling his personal assistant, Maximilian ordered him to bring the doctor from the palace to check the maiden's condition. Under the pretext that she was Miss Berenice's personal servant.
Being alone in that room, Maximiliano went to the window that overlooked the main garden and opened it so that fresh air could enter the bedroom. Making the breeze go waking Aurora little by little. Who, upon realizing that she was lying on the prince's bed with her chest covered by the royal cape, felt embarrassed by bringing her legs into a fetal position.
- "Do not be afraid, no one has laid a hand on you to harm your dignity. I give my word of honor for it."
- "What am I doing here?"
- "A few moments ago you were going to be the snack of an Aspirteno , but I arrived just in time before the unfortunate guy bit your head off."
- "I thank you, Your Excellency!" – Bowing her head with a blushing face, Aurora showed on her white skin that hint of shame that made the always serious third prince laugh slightly.
- "The mark on your chest is a slavery spell, right? In the kingdom of Antioca , slavery was abolished several centuries ago, but we reserve such ridicule for those who have committed a crime against the nobility. Only a few nobles and knights belonging to the ministry of justice can apply it, and the fact that you bear that mark means that you were considered a sinner."
- "My lord, I have not committed any crime!"
- "I know , I know perfectly well because the mark that you carry on your skin is different from the one that the court magicians apply in their work as inquisitors. What you have is a mark of slavery that has been applied illegally" – When Aurora heard from the prince's lips that he believed in her innocence, the young maiden began to cry, putting her hands to her face to hide her expression.
For eleven years, the weight of an undeserved punishment had stigmatized her, taking away her quality as a person and reducing her to a mere object. Unable to find sympathy from anyone within the walls of the cold Rivera mansion, save for his putative mother Eunice.
Slowly approaching to place his hands on the maiden's shoulders, Prince Maximilian asked her to raise her face and look into his eyes to ask for a special favor, which only she as Berenice's maid could accomplish.
- "You who have spent all these years close to that woman, know her blood lineage power. That magic that rests in his hands is a dangerous weapon in the possession of the Rivera family.
For years, Baron Eusebio has made a fortune illegally in the slave trade in cahoots with nobles from Melina's country. My people, the people of this nation, have had to endure the abuses of that man for being considered a war hero.
But his ambition has no limits and despite all the wealth he has amassed at the expense of the subjects of the crown, he dared to conspire with the second prince of the Aspirtenos .
Today, when the marriage of my half-sister Aurelia to the son of the ducal house of Albert is announced, Eusebio's men will storm the main square of the capital and try to assassinate the royal family so that I can ascend to the throne." – The prince's face when he said those words, was shaken with an expression of pain while he lightly pressed his fingertips on the skin of Aurora's shoulders. Who could feel that feeling of despair transmitted by the young monarch.
- "Your Majesty. Tell me what should I do for you?" – With a look full of determination on her face, Aurora took the prince by the forearms, running through them until she took his hands.
The young woman who, until a few moments ago, was crying, had a different face before Maximiliano, who was able to appreciate that the maiden was committed to a common goal with His Highness: Destroy the plans of Baron Eusebio.
- "My father and I knowing in advance Eusebio's plans through our spies infiltrated in his mansion, we decided to let him continue with his plan until we gathered enough evidence to unmask him. Right at the moment I give my signal, my men who are mixed with the traitors of the Rivera house, will proceed to attack them and I will take care of Captain Eusebio.
But her daughter poses a bigger problem with her ability. And that's where you come in, my dear maiden. I need you to pour this elixir into the glass of wine that your lady has requested" - Taking a small bottle with an intense red liquid from his sack, the prince deposited in one of the servant's hands that potion that blocked the magic of that to drink from her
- "With this, Berenice's blood lineage powers will be rendered useless and she will not be able to use the people around her as puppets. It is imperative that she drink this or our plan will fail and the traitors will succeed."
- "But if I do this, my mother, Eunice will be in danger! She's stuck at the bottom of the pond!"
- "I know, I am not a beast that will do anything to fulfill its purposes. I've already dispatched a few of my men to the Rivera mansion to retrieve the maiden's body. I give you my word that she will be safe" - In her past life Aurora had seen many criminals lie pathologically at work, people who to the untrained eye seemed to speak the truth in their statements.
But in his eyes, Maximiliano was not one of them. Looking at him from the first time in the mansion, she had felt that he was a different person from the nobles she met in her past.
- "If I have your word, then that is enough for me, my lord" - Getting up from the bed while kneeling in front of the prince, Aurora took Maximiliano's hand and gave a sincere kiss on his back as a sign of submission.
The window curtains billowed behind them like a blanket of clouds, while the sun's rays eclipsed their silhouettes in the middle of that room where the lies that had been veiled were revealed.