Prologue

Amidst the magic and splendor of the Celtic kingdoms, a union was forged between the Quinsley kingdom and the Stygian Empire. The emperor, father to Prince Kier, declared the bond eternal, uniting the two realms in a celebration of joy. The Old Royal Engraver, however, looked upon the scene with a hint of displeasure, carving the symbol of this bond for the young prince and princess, who seemed to accept it without flinching. The engraver inspected for any signs of poisonous thorns but found none. As he left, the queen and empress approached him, seeking reassurance about their children's well-being. He kindly provided them with medical aid, 

"If any strange marks appear on their skins inform me immediately." Said the royal engraver before leaving.

The bond was sealed with the thorns of the forbidden blackthorn tree, believed to possess magical powers that would bring change. However, such beliefs were not without risk, as the poison it bore could lead to the death of many princes and princesses. The two queens, however, shared a smile, hoping that their children would grow up liking each other.

What if after children grew, fears arose that they might find someone else to marry, jeopardizing the kingdom's fate? The royal males laughed, content with how they had converted their long-standing friendship into a relationship. The king ordered the guards to keep the children guarded and dismissing the commoners with gold coins. The empress pleaded to allow the children to grow and get to know each other before uniting them in a marriage-like ceremony. But the king and the emperor believed that the union of their children's souls was already sealed, and they were more than married.

As the discussion went on, the engraved marks on their children's skin started glowing green, unnoticed by the adults. As Prince Kier neared the little girl's mark, their hands collided with sudden force, and they fell into a deep sleep, hand in hand. The sudden silence of the crying girl caught the attention of the adults, who smiled at the sight of their children sleeping peacefully.

"Isn't it evident that they're already head over heels for each other?" the emperor chuckled, to which the king replied, "Indeed, keep your boy in control, Earl." They chuckled in-joke.