To the members of the Victoria family, Solomon had become nothing more than a "waste," a lost cause. The admiration and expectations once showered upon him had faded into indifference and disdain. Yet, Solomon never gave up. Each silent night, under the gentle glow of the moonlight that bathed the corners of the courtyard, Solomon would slip away to train in solitude. His sweat soaked through his clothes, and every punch, every kick, carried with it a desperate determination, as though he sought to shatter the chains of fate itself.
On this lonely path of perseverance, Solomon encountered Lianna, a young woman also shunned by the family. Despite her fragile appearance, Lianna possessed a resilience and kindness that far surpassed the norm. Her eyes always glimmered with warmth and determination, like a beacon in the darkness, offering Solomon hope when he needed it most.
Every evening, Lianna would quietly come to the place where Solomon trained. She would sit to the side, watching him with an expression full of care and encouragement. Whenever Solomon's movements slowed from exhaustion, she would approach, her voice gentle but firm: "Solomon, you can do this. I believe in you. Every time I see you work so hard, I see limitless potential in you." Her words filled Solomon with a warm resolve, as though his weariness melted away. Fueled by her belief in him, he trained even harder, determined to transform her encouragement into strength.
Solomon, in turn, cared deeply for Lianna. One day, when she injured her ankle while avoiding the harassment of other family members, Solomon rushed to her side, abandoning his training without hesitation. Kneeling before her, he examined her injury with a heart full of concern, softly asking, "Does it hurt? It's my fault for not being there to protect you." Gently, he began to massage her ankle, his touch careful and tender, as though handling the most precious treasure in the world. Lianna, moved by his attentiveness, smiled and said, "It doesn't hurt when you're here."
One fateful night, as Solomon trained with unwavering focus in the courtyard, an eerie chill descended upon the air, shattering the tranquillity. Before he could react, a mysterious and overwhelming force struck him like lightning, hitting him squarely in the chest. The impact was devastating—he felt as though his very insides had been torn apart. Blood gushed from his mouth, and his body crumpled to the ground.
When Lianna heard of Solomon's injuries, panic consumed her. She rushed to him without hesitation, her heart breaking at the sight of him lying weakly on the ground. Tears streamed down her face as she knelt beside him, cradling him in her arms. Her voice trembled as she whispered, "Solomon, stay with me. I won't let anything happen to you." Solomon, weak but touched by her devotion, opened his eyes slightly and murmured, "Don't worry… I'll be fine…"
Lianna knew that the family's rules were strict, and entering the forbidden grounds to retrieve healing medicine was a grave transgression. Yet as she gazed at Solomon's pained expression, she made her decision without hesitation.
Supporting Solomon, Lianna carefully avoided the family's guards and headed towards the forbidden grounds. Shrouded in mystery, the forbidden grounds were said to be a place of immense danger, filled with countless secrets. Entry was strictly prohibited, and few dared to venture there.
As they stepped into the forbidden grounds, a suffocating aura enveloped them. The air was thick with a strange, ominous mist, and eerie growls echoed intermittently in the distance. Guided by fragments of childhood tales and relying on her agility, Lianna navigated the treacherous terrain with Solomon in tow.
Despite his severe injuries, Solomon remained vigilant, shielding Lianna from every potential threat. Whenever danger arose, he would throw himself in harm's way without a second thought, even at the cost of worsening his own condition. "Solomon, don't worry about me," Lianna pleaded softly, her voice full of emotion. "You're still hurt!" But Solomon's reply was firm: "I can't just let anything happen to you. As long as I draw breath, I will keep you safe."
Together, they faced numerous perils—hidden spikes that shot from the ground, colossal boulders crashing from above, and lurking beasts that prowled the shadows. Each obstacle brought them closer to the brink of despair, yet their mutual support and encouragement carried them forward.
Finally, when hope seemed all but lost, a faint glow appeared in the distance. Lianna's heart leapt with anticipation as she guided Solomon towards the light. At last, they found it—the legendary healing elixir. Bathed in a soft radiance and emitting a subtle, otherworldly fragrance, the elixir seemed to hold the power to heal all wounds and pain.
Without delay, Lianna administered the elixir to Solomon. Under its miraculous effects, his injuries gradually healed, and colour returned to his pale face. Relieved and overjoyed, the two embraced tightly, their eyes brimming with gratitude and affection. In a family rife with betrayal and ambition, they knew they were each other's sole source of solace.
However, their actions did not go unnoticed. Alfred, the ever-vigilant butler of the Victoria family, detected unusual signs during his patrols. A meticulous man, Alfred understood the gravity of anyone trespassing in the forbidden grounds. Determined to uncover the truth, he resolved to investigate discreetly.
Meanwhile, Elder Claude, ever suspicious of Solomon, heard whispers of someone entering the forbidden grounds. To Claude, Solomon was a potential threat to the family's stability—a wild card that needed to be controlled. Sensing an opportunity, Claude decided it was time to act, aiming to eliminate what he saw as a dangerous variable.
Would Alfred discover that it was Solomon and Lianna who had ventured into the forbidden grounds? What measures would Elder Claude take against Solomon? And how would Solomon and Lianna confront the storm that loomed on the horizon? The answers lay hidden in the shadows, waiting to unfold…