1 Prologue

Chapter 1: Prologue

" When we lose the right to be different , we lose the privilege to be free."

- Charles Evans Hughes

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Lunar Severance Calendar Year 1212,

A day in late Autumn, winter is already showing its vicious canines around the edges. As a very cool breeze blows through the open window of the spacious room with a balcony. A young teen no more than the age of 15 can be seen looking at a well-polished silver, acting as a mirror.

'Today needs to be perfect.' Chuckles the teen. 'It's my cute little brother's name day after all. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees the present I got for him.'

While the young teen was musing on his thoughts and trying to set his hair, there is a knock. A very sweet voice can be heard from the outside, "My lord, it's almost time for the royal gathering to start. Do you need my assistance to dress up?"

The prince looks towards the door and smiles gently. He knows whose voice that is. "Wait just a moment Lily, I am almost done just doing some finishing touches.", the young teen says to the maid waiting outside the door. He looks one more time at his getup and rushes to open the door.

"Oh!" the lad seeing his maid still standing. "You scared me there, hahaha. I thought you must've left."

"It's a maid's duty to wait for her master, my lord." Says the maid chuckling lightly.

"Sigh! Stop joking around." Rolling his eyes, he says, "I still don't understand why Aunty even let you work here in the first place. Are you some kind of pervert that finds joy in working odd jobs perhaps, Lady Lisbeth?"

"You know very well why I am here my dear Lucian." She pouts while glaring daggers at him. And started walking towards the Great hall.

Of course he knows, how can he not. He the crown prince has known this young beauty for all his life and also knows how she feels, but he just didn't think it was the time for them to develop anything romantic. As he was the crown prince of the kingdom of Rorengar. He will be king in a few years and he needs to think about the betterment of his people first. After the long bloody history of war and destruction the kingdoms finally are at a peaceful state. So, it's the right time for development.

There was something else looming over the prince's mind though. It hasn't really been that long since his royal tutor died. The man was a father to him and he was one of the Sages of the continent of Bendever. What Bothers him the most is his dying words, "The seal will br-reak, m-must s-stop the fools."

He died when he was trying to divine the fate of the kingdom as it was one of his jobs, as one of the Sages. The prince wasn't sure what this seal was but he has his guesses. After all the prince may be young and may not look like it but he finished his whole study and research under his tutor when he was eleven and he did way more in the rest of the years. He may not be able to divine yet because of his inexperience but the prince was already a splendid mage at the level of a Sage. But he never took the proficiency exam at the Mages University so he isn't certified.

His teacher was worried that people might target him if they knew such a monster existed in the world. So, he made him understand the consequences of his existence and told him to hide his magic power so people aren't suspicious. But real diamond will always shine and alas people did find about his talent but not the monstrous one, just what he showed to the masses.

It was inevitable really. It happened when the prince was 11 years old. He was enjoying his afternoon tea in the garden when suddenly he saw his brother waving his baby hands at him from the 2nd floor balcony. But, suddenly he leaned forward while kicking the maid holding him and he started falling. The young prince had no time to think and he just used his magic to slow his fall and cushion his little brother so he wouldn't get hurt. He sighed in relief when he saw his brother was safe but that was also the day his magical genius was found out and he started showing a bit of what he was capable of. People started hailing him as a genius of the generation when they saw an eleven-year-old boy having the power of an advanced Mage.

The prince chuckled remembering the past as after that, he started showing his magic on a daily basis. But it made him happy too. Because with his magic he started helping the masses as he could do so much with his magical prowess.

His conduct earned him the love of the people and admiration of a lot of nobles. As he was the crown prince people would love to see a competent king in the future. But not everything is nice and rosy. When you have fame you attract the wrong crowd as well. And the pinnacle of that would be the current Queen mother of the second prince, Queen Bethelda.

The Queen hated the lad with every fiber of her body. And it only grew when his prowess on magical arts came to be known. She tried to do a lot of things to harm the prince in different ways even started unsettling rumors about the 12-year-old boy. 'The woman can go all types of low.' Sighed the prince.

"What are you sighing for?" sounded an annoyed little beauty by the prince's side.

Hearing her he chuckled. Flicking her forehead lightly, he just replied "Nothing much. Was just thinking about a certain cutie." Lisbeth blushed and looked away. The prince just smiled wryly 'It wasn't you though, well whatever she doesn't need to know that.' He looked forward and told the guard outside the door to announce his arrival.

"The crown prince Lucian Vince Franzer has arrived." Saying so he opened the gate to the hall. The chattering stopped and everyone looked towards the blonde haired, light blue eyed and a gently smiling young man walking towards the hall. Many nodded to him as a greeting and others went towards him to greet him.

Lucian started handling the guest with a gentle smile and practiced movements as he had done this a few times before. He started addressing and greeting the upper nobles that were arriving late as per the rule of nobility. Well according to that said rule, he should have arrived even later. But he was of the royal family and it was his brother's name day, so he was acting as the host.

"Good to see you today lad." Said a bear like man with blond hair and deep blue eyes looking at him intently. While having a glance at the maid standing behind him.

"Greetings lord Alvarez, Hope you are in good health." Smiled Lucian at the man.

"Cut the noble crap boy and give you uncle a hug, haha, been too long since we met", the man laughed loudly as he hugged the prince.

All the eyes were staring at them, but none of them thought it was inappropriate. The man that was hugging the prince was his uncle after all. Not to mention, a Marquis of the kingdom no less. Finally not to forget a war veteran. Every single person in the room had a look of respect for the man. Not to mention the man was married to the current king's elder sister. Only one Red haired old noble, on the higher noble circle was looking at their way in a mocking leer.

"How is auntie Oriana doing lately? Is she still under the weather?" Lucian asked sounding a bit worried, he loved his aunt very much. She was a mother to him. After his mother passed away, she acted as his mother and he respected her as so.

"Sigh! What to tell you lad? She still hasn't gotten out of that cold she caught a month ago." The giant of a man kept on sighing. "But after this banquet for your brother I will be visiting the forest. Maybe they can do something about it."

"The elves are good with nature magic, I also think they might have a way to cure Aunt Oriana." He said thinking a bit.

"Well maybe I should take you with me for that extra convincing." Smirked Lord Alvarez while eyeing him and the girl behind him.

'Ouch' Lucian's back was covered in cold sweat as he was feeling some serious pain on the right side of his waist. 'Damn this old bastard. Had to tick of the murdering lily for no reason.' He looked behind him to find a calm blonde girl. He then glared hatefully towards his uncle who was smirking at him.

"Well anyway more guests are coming, I will go talk to the other lords so see you later, little Luce." Lucian just slightly bowed as he walked away.

"Are you still mad?" He asked to the girl walking with him.

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Lisbeth said without even looking at him.

He could only sigh and greet the other lords until his father and brother arrives. And not long after.

"Attention! Now arriving the rightful ruler of the kingdom and the protector of masses, the wielder and protector of the Sealed Blade, His majesty Orion Vince Franzer the first of his name with him follows her Majesty the Queen Bethelda Liona Brendenrod and his highness the second prince Geovan Vince Franzer."

""Your grace!"" Everyone in the room kneeled and greeted the king as did Lucian.

The king walked in and sat on his throne, seemingly not in a very pleasant mood which was weird as today was his youngest son's name day.

The king raised his hand to shut everyone up. "Everyone rise. This king thanks you all for coming to this event for this ones son. This king also appreciates the gift and praise that the royal family received and the service you all have done towards the kingdom and our family." Taking a goblet from the serving maid beside him "This one drinks to all of you, Cheers!"

""We Thank the lord for his kind words"" The lower nobles said cheerily and the upper nobles just nodded with a smile.

"But before this king starts the banquet, there is something important this one wants to announce." The king said in a grave voice which sounded rather gloomy.

Everyone started muttering and chattering with the people beside them thinking what could it be. What could possibly be so important that the king wanted to announce for them before the joyous event. 'Could it be another war?' similar thoughts were in most of the noble's mind, only one red haired elder was smiling while looking at the crown prince. Well not only him but the queen too was looking at the crown prince with venomous eyes.

Lucian felt the gazes on him and he looked to see who were staring at him. And he found that the Queen, Duke Brendenrod and his father were all looking at him. Each had a different type of gaze looking at him.

The king sighed and announced "Lucian Vince Franzer and Geovan Vince Franzer stand before me!"

The brothers quickly stood before the king. Little Geovan was nervous but also happy to see his brother standing with him. His brother was someone he always relied on and always looked up to. His sole dream was to become someone important so he can support his brother on the throne someday. He never felt jealous of his brother's talent, only admiration.

Lucian saw his younger brother standing beside him and gave him a gentle smile, which Geovan returned. Then they both looked at their father, as they are curious to know what their father had to say.

The king looked at his elder son with guilt and announced, "From this day forth Lucian Vince Franzer has been stripped of his title and Geovan Vince Franzer will inherit his title as the new crown prince!" He breathed heavy then looked determined, "And This Decision is Final! This King will hear no opposition. any opposition to this decision will be treated as treason and THEY WILL BE EXECUTED."