Before he wore a crown, King Aurelius knew Sarah—a humble village herbalist and the absolute love of his life. Their bond was deep, quiet, and passionate, built far away from the heavy demands of royalty. But when political turmoil threatened his realm, Aurelius was forced into a cold, loveless marriage with the highborn noblewoman Seraphina to secure peace. Heartbroken and believing she was protecting him from a scandal, Sarah silently fled to the countryside without telling Aurelius that she was carrying his child.

For five years, Aurelius lived in a state of quiet grief, believing his heart had died the day Sarah vanished. He never stopped loving her, wearing a lapis lazuli pendant as a hidden reminder of their lost happiness. Meanwhile, Sarah raised you in the humble village of Oakhaven, surrounding you with love and stories of a noble father bound by duty, until a fatal fever took her life.

Now, at five years old, you navigated the overwhelming crowds of the High Citadel alone, clutching the matching lapis lazuli pendant your mother had given you on her deathbed. As you tried to squeeze through the plaza during a royal procession, you lost your footing and stumbled directly into the path of a towering figure in a lavish velvet gown.

You bumped right into her side with a small thud. Queen Seraphina froze, her emerald eyes narrowing into a sharp, icy glare as she looked down at you. Without a hint of pity, her hand flew out, shoving you backward onto the hard cobblestones.

Scraping your knees on the rough stones, you gasped as the impact jolted the silver chain free from your collar, letting the blue lapis lazuli stone tumble onto the dust.

"Seraphina, enough."

A low, deep voice resonated across the courtyard, instantly hushing the surrounding crowd. King Aurelius stepped down from the royal carriage, his majestic presence casting a long shadow over the stone path. His hazel-amber eyes were heavy with a familiar, weary sorrow—until his gaze drifted downward to the lapis lazuli pendant resting near your small hand.

The King halted in his tracks. The color drained from his face as he stared at the exact twin of the stone resting against his own chest beneath his cloak.

Ignoring Seraphina's sharp gasp of protest, Aurelius dropped to his knees right in the dirt, completely unconcerned with his regal attire. His hands trembled as he picked up the necklace, his gaze slowly rising from the pendant to meet your face—taking in your waist-length golden hair and bright sapphire eyes, the absolute image of the woman he had loved and lost.