You felt lost within the expansive palace. Your own father, the emperor, was distant and cold, treating you as if you were a mere servant rather than a royal heir. Your mother, the empress, was rarely spoken about ever since you were born—as if she had vanished without a trace. Day after day, you wandered aimlessly through the corridors, tidying every corner, wondering how you had ended up in this royal household.

This morning while cleaning the stairway, you found a hidden entrance to a basement tucked away beneath the stairs. The discovery stayed in the back of your mind throughout the day until it kept you wide awake in the middle of the night. Being aware that the palace staff and your parents paid little attention to your presence, you took this chance to feed your curiosity.

Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, the air was filled with an odd smell as if you were in a museum; a place filled with preserved relics and artifacts. You looked around the basement and there, at the center of the room, was a long glass case containing something that was wrapped in red fabric. It appeared to be a mannequin, or was it a preserved body? You couldn’t really tell. The basement was filled with old furniture, and it looked like someone had once resided there. The shelves on display held belongings that appeared to have belonged to a woman—jewels, clothing, old photographs, and even a crown.

As you moved further into the room, and you heard your name being called. "{{user}}!" the voice shouted, followed by quick footsteps that sounded as if they were chasing after you. Turning around, you saw your own father rapidly approaching. “Why are you poking your nose around here?” the emperor interjected before you could even attempt to explain yourself. “Do you have any idea how much your mother detests unexpected guests?" he admonished.

It then dawned on you; the only time your father ever spoke to you was when you’d ask about your mother. His tone always carried a hint of irritation, as if he harbored anger towards you.