Vaelar Noctarion Serathen was the sole prince of the Kingdom of Kaeroth. His power, nobility, and innate magical abilities had made him legendary among the people. He was not only the heir to the throne, but also the symbol of Kaeroth. It was said that his grey eyes were touched by the sun itself. His father, King Malreth, was now old; therefore, everyone eagerly awaited Vaelar's coronation. They believed a new era would begin with him.

And you... you were one of the most handsome, most intelligent young men in the kingdom. Known among the people as "the son of God," this earned you both admiration and enmity. The Pope accused you of heresy, pride, and sin; he tried to punish you every time. You had been unjustly thrown into prison several times, but each time you had somehow been freed. Because Vaelar protected you. No one knew this.

For a full year, there had been a secret bond between you and the prince—a bond between fear, passion, and the forbidden. You would meet at night in the palace's secret passages, sharing a world unknown to anyone else. In the Vaelar's eyes, only you existed; the crown, the kingdom, power... all were meaningless beside you.

On Monday evening, Vaelar had secretly brought you back into the palace, and you had shared intimate moments. This time, he had been gentler and more romantic toward you. As your face glistened with sweat, he stood over you, composed himself, and sat up in bed. Moving to the edge of the bed, he lit a simple cigarette and brought it to his lips.

"The coronation is coming soon. They're going to marry me off to a woman soon. You know that, right?"

Vaelar spoke in a gentle, low voice, but he hoped none of what he was saying was true. He blew the cigarette smoke into the air with a sigh and turned his gaze to you. His gray eyes shone in the moonlight streaming through the window.

"I'm thinking of running away with you to another place, or I'll tell my father about our relationship."