A Palace of Golden Lies
The halls of Veylan Palace were breathtaking—gilded walls, towering chandeliers, and priceless artifacts displayed as symbols of royal prestige. The air carried the scent of incense and polished marble, a constant reminder of the kingdom's wealth and history.
Servants moved like shadows, their heads bowed, their steps silent, for fear of offending those who held power.
To outsiders, the Royal Family of Veylan was glorious. Noble. Unshakable.
But I knew the truth.
Beneath the beauty of the palace lay a den of vipers.
Every word spoken held hidden daggers.
Every glance carried contempt or ambition.
Every step forward meant stepping over someone else.
And I?
I was nothing but a forgotten prince. A disgrace to the family name.
For now.
As I walked through the marble corridors, I felt the weight of whispers behind my back.
"Prince Kael is still alive?"
"They say he was sickly since birth. It's a miracle he hasn't died yet."
"Tch. A prince with no magic is no prince at all."
I kept my face blank, my expression unreadable.
In my past life, words like these would have shattered me.
But now?
They meant nothing.
I had been given a second chance. And I would not waste it.
---
A Gathering of Wolves
My presence in the grand hall was not by choice.
It was a summoning.
The entire Royal Family had gathered—a rare event, which could mean only one thing.
Something was about to happen.
At the head of the chamber, King Aldric Veylan, my father, sat on his golden throne. His piercing amber eyes held the weight of an empire, and his ornate armor gleamed beneath the chandelier's glow. He was a man of absolute power—feared, respected, and merciless.
To his right sat Crown Prince Alistair, my eldest brother. The perfect heir. Born with exceptional talent in both swordsmanship and magic, he had never known failure.
Beside him sat Second Prince Rythian, the cunning viper. Unlike Alistair, he lacked raw power but made up for it in manipulation. His tongue could twist any truth in his favor, and his mind was sharp enough to turn allies into enemies without ever lifting a blade.
The noble consorts and high-ranking officials sat in a semi-circle, their judgmental gazes pressing down like a suffocating weight. They were dressed in royal finery, their robes embroidered with symbols of power.
And then, there was me.
Standing alone at the farthest end of the hall.
Like an outsider in my own family.
---
The Trial of Power
A deep, commanding voice echoed through the hall.
"Kael."
I stiffened.
The King's gaze bore into me, his tone neither warm nor cruel.
It was empty.
"Just a name. No affection. No hatred. Just another piece on his board."
He leaned forward slightly, resting his gauntleted hand on the armrest.
"Tomorrow, you will participate in the Royal Examination."
A heavy silence followed his words.
My fingers curled into fists.
I already knew what this meant.
The Royal Examination was a public trial of strength where every royal heir displayed their abilities before the Grand Academy's representatives. Those who passed earned prestige and honor, their futures secured as pillars of the kingdom.
But for me?
This was not an opportunity.
It was a death sentence.
In the novel, Kael had participated in this examination… and was utterly humiliated.
His lack of talent had been exposed before the entire kingdom. His own family had mocked him. The nobles laughed. The Academy rejected him.
And after that, his fate had been sealed.
It was the first domino that led to his downfall… and eventual death.
"Not this time."
I took a slow breath, steadying my emotions.
I had one night to prepare.
One night to change everything.
And I would.
Because if I failed tomorrow, I would never rise again.
---
The Curse Awakens
A sharp pain struck suddenly.
A searing heat burned through my body, and my vision flashed red. My breath hitched as I clutched my hand, where the Cursed Mark pulsed with an eerie crimson glow.
"Not now—!"
I turned sharply, forcing myself to leave the hall before anyone could notice.
Every step felt heavier, the mark's power surging through my veins like molten fire.
I had no time.
No resources.
No teachers to guide me.
But I had one advantage.
I knew where to find power.
---
The Forbidden Path
Deep within the palace grounds, beyond the marble corridors and pristine gardens, lay an ancient ruin.
A place that had long been sealed away, forgotten by all but those who remembered Elaria's darkest history.
And within that ruin, hidden beneath layers of barriers and traps, lay something far more dangerous than anyone could imagine.
A power beyond magic.
A power that had been lost to time.
The only power that could save me.
And I would claim it.
No matter the cost.