prologue

His fingers tapped on the arm of his throne; continuous and rapid. He was good at pretending. He could just pretend that there was nothing wrong. Except... there was something very wrong this time.

Anastasia Hyard emerged from the shadows behind him, her curtain of long black hair weaved into a complicated braid. Usually she would let her hair down. But whenever she was very focused on her work, her fingers would subconsciously fiddle with her hair, turning it into a wondrous piece of art.

"Is there something bothering you, sir?"

He let out a dry laugh. "Look at you, acting all innocent. You of all people definitely know when something's not right. I've had you as an advisor long enough to see through your façade, Ann."

A mischievous smile stretched across Anastasia's cocoa face. "You do know me too well, sir. If I am not mistaken, you are going through Confusion. According to my research, it is recorded to have occurred only twice in history. This happens when the middle gem of the Crown flickers to yellow, which indicates the Lead Serene having second-thoughts about the current Crowned."

He clenched his fist until his pale skin turned paler. Hearing it from somebody else's mouth, especially Anastasia's, just made the situation a lot more real.

Anastasia brought out a sheaf of papers that was concealed in her cloak. "Well, I made a plan last night in order to defeat this Confusion."

"Always the planner, aren't you?"

"Of course, sir."