Chapter 1: The betrayal

"Lords and Ladies, distinguished guests, and beloved citizens of Ravendalle," The voice rang out, clear and strong.

"We are gathered here tonight to celebrate a momentous occasion: the 25th birthday of our esteemed Crown Prince Caius Ravenscroft!"

The crowd cheered and applauded, their voices rising in jubilation.

"Prince Caius," he continued, "is not only the heir to our kingdom but also the youngest grandmaster mage in the history of Ravendalle. His remarkable achievements and dedication have brought great honor to our realm."

The guests cheered again, their enthusiasm echoing through the hall. "Tonight, we will enjoy a grand feast, spectacular performances, and revel in the joy of our prince's special day. Let us celebrate the strength, wisdom, and grace of our beloved Crown Prince Caius Ravenscroft!"

As he finished, the crowds cheers grew louder, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Crown Prince Caius, with his striking white hair and piercing blue eyes, stepped out before the crowd. His regal appearance and the aura of confidence he exuded captivated everyone.

The guests admired him, their applause and cheers a tribute to his presence and achievements. After the grand celebration, Caius retired to his private chambers.

The room was quiet when Theodore, his lover, entered. He wrapped his arms around Caius from behind.

"Theodore," Caius whispered, feeling the familiar warmth. Theodore's lips brushed against Caius's neck, sending shivers down his spine.

"You smell wonderful," Theodore murmured, his breath warm and inviting. He turned Caius gently to face him, his eyes full of affection. With a soft chuckle, he began to kiss Caius's lips, slowly and deeply.

Caius responded eagerly, his hands finding their way to Theodore's shirt. He began to unbutton it, each movement deliberate and filled with desire. As Theodore's shirt fell away, Caius's kisses moved from his lips to his chest. He trailed kisses down Theodore's neck and across his shoulders, savoring the warmth of his skin.

Theodore's hands roamed over Caius's back, pulling him closer. Caius's fingers slipped under Theodore's waistband, and he began to pull at his clothes. Theodore's clothes were slowly torn away, revealing his bare skin. Each new touch and kiss was a promise of their shared desire.

Caius explored Theodore's body with gentle kisses and soft caresses. He pressed his lips to Theodore's chest, his hands tracing the contours of his body. Their movements were a dance of intimacy, each touch and kiss igniting a deeper connection. When Caius felt the intensity of their desire, he guided Theodore to the bed.

He straddled him, their bodies aligning perfectly. The night was filled with a rhythm of passion, their connection deepening with every motion. After they finished, both were breathless and content. Theodore sat on the edge of the bed, his expression a mix of satisfaction and tenderness, while Caius stood up to adjust his clothing.

Caius smiled playfully and said, "You're extra clingy tonight."

Theodore stand up and wrapped his arms around Caius from behind.

Suddenly, Caius felt something wet on his shoulder. He looked down to see Theodore's face, wet with tears. "Why are you crying? Let me see your face Theod- "

Theodore's voice was choked with emotion as he whispered, "I'm sorry, Caius."

Before Caius could react, Theodore's hand moved quickly, and a sharp pain shot through Caius's chest. Caius looked down to see a dagger buried in his flesh. He tried to push Theodore away, but his strength was fading. Theodore hugged him tightly, pressing the dagger deeper.

Blood trickled from Caius's mouth as he stammered, "W-why, Theodore?"

The pain from the dagger was overwhelming, and Caius's vision was growing blurry. Theodore, his expression cold, laid Caius gently on the ground. The poison in the dagger was stopping Caius from using his magic, making him powerless.

As Caius struggled to stay conscious, the door to his room opened. He tried to see who entered, but his sight was too blurred. A figure approached him and grabbed his chin, forcing him to look up. Caius's eyes widened in shock as he saw it was his sister, Seraphina.

Without saying a word, Seraphina slapped Caius hard across the face. The sting added to his pain, and he gasped.

"Look at you," Seraphina said with a sneer. "So weak and pathetic. I didn't think you'd be this much of a disappointment."

Caius tried to speak, his voice faint. "S-Sister… why?"

Seraphina ignored him and walked over to Theodore. She hugged him tightly and kissed him passionately. Theodore responded to her affection, showing a cold satisfaction.

Desperation tinged Caius's voice as he struggled to speak. "Theodore... why...?"

Seraphina looked over her shoulder, her gaze full of cold amusement. "Oh, Caius, don't waste your breath. You were always so naïve. Theodore and I have been planning this for a long time. It's too late for you now."

Caius, lying on the floor, felt his heart break as he watched them. His vision was fading, and he could barely make out what was happening.

Seraphina turned back to Caius, holding a small potion. She threw the potion onto his bed, and it immediately burst into flames. The fire crackled and roared, consuming the bed in a blazing inferno.

Seraphina stood beside Caius, smirking. "Goodbye, brother," she said with cruel delight. She then poured the remaining potion over Caius's face.

Caius's eyes snapped open, and he found himself sitting upright in bed. The pain and the fire from before seemed like a distant memory. As he tried to make sense of his surroundings, he saw a woman standing beside him.

She held a cup in her hand, and as Caius blinked, she quickly hid the cup behind her. With a splash of water, she had just jolted him awake.

"Wake up, Loser!" she exclaimed, her voice sharp. "We're going to be late! Hmph."

Without waiting for a response, she stormed out of the room, leaving Caius in stunned silence.

Caius stared at the spot where she had been, trying to process what had just happened. He put his hands to his face, as if to wash away the confusion. The water from the cup was still dripping down his cheeks.

Feeling overwhelmed, Caius sank back onto the bed, his mind racing. He muttered to himself, "I dreamed it again..."

Caius went to the bathroom and took a shower. The warm water helped him feel a bit better. After he finished, he looked at himself in the mirror.

"It's only been a week since I woke up in this weak body," he said to himself. "At least I still have my name. If it wasn't for this boy's memories, I'd be having a really hard time."

He quickly dried off, put on his uniform, and grabbed his bag. With a blank expression, he left his room.

As he walked down the hall, someone shouted, "What's taking you so long, Caius?! You should be grateful my boyfriend is letting you ride with us!"

Caius rolled his eyes and went outside. He opened the back seat of the car and got in, ready to face another boring day.