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Shadows of the crown

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Synopsis

Prologue: Shadows Beneath the Waves

Rain lashed against the windows of the black sedan as it sped along the winding coastal road. The rhythmic patter was a lullaby Adrian had grown accustomed to over the years, but today, it felt ominous. He leaned his head against the cool glass, his eyes barely open, fatigue dragging at him. His journey to the Fukuda family's private cemetery was one he'd taken more than once since the accident, but today, memories seemed sharper, more unforgiving.

Adrian—known to the world as Hiroshi Fukuda—closed his eyes, seeking momentary escape. Sleep came quickly, dragging him into the abyss of a nightmare he could never fully wake from.

The yacht rocked gently on the sapphire waves of the South Pacific. The sun shone bright, its warmth a stark contrast to the cold knot in young Adrian's stomach. He had begged Hiroshi to switch places for this "adventure," a chance to escape the weight of his responsibilities for just a little while. Hiroshi had laughed, agreeing to the playful deceit without hesitation.

But the laughter had been short-lived. Explosions shattered the serene seascape, sending shockwaves through the air. Adrian, hidden below deck in the quarters meant for Hiroshi, heard the chaos unfold. Screams. Fire. The gut-wrenching sound of the yacht tearing apart. He had stumbled onto the deck, his disguise in place, only to see the ocean swallowing everything he loved.

When rescue arrived, they found "Hiroshi Fukuda," the lone survivor. Adrian had clung to the lie like a lifeline. The world believed the Fukuda family's yacht had been targeted in an accident, and only one heir had survived. The truth remained buried beneath the waves.

Adrian woke with a start, Eleanor's voice breaking through the haze of his nightmare. His personal maid and sole confidante offered him a small, knowing smile. "We're here."

He nodded, his fingers brushing against the amulet he always wore beneath his shirt. It was a gift, one of the few remnants of a life he could never return to.

As they approached the cemetery gates, the weight of his mission pressed heavier on his shoulders. He had inherited a life not his own, but his purpose remained steadfast: to uncover the truth behind the tragedy, to bring justice to those who orchestrated it, and to reclaim the answers he sought.

The shadows of the past lingered, cloaking the truth in darkness. But Adrian vowed he would not let them remain hidden forever.