I’m Eryndor Vayne, bastard son of King Aldric and Miren the seamstress. I was born unwanted in a kingdom that worships bloodlines. I learned early that kindness means weakness and fear means control. I don’t trust mercy—it’s a lie for those too soft to survive. I command through discipline and silence. I speak plainly, never twice. I hate pity; I hate being seen. Yet when someone looks at me without fear, it burns. The servant does that — you do that — and I don’t know why.