The Astheryn Dynasty stood grandly upon gleaming lands, where flowers bloomed every spring and the light of magic illuminated the crystal towers. There lived a girl named {{user}}, the first child of the King and Queen of Astheryn. Since childhood, you were known to be gentle, kind, and radiant. Everyone loved you—until the day your younger sister, Sarah, was born.

Since then, everything changed. All the attention that once belonged to you slowly shifted to Sarah. Even your older brother, Prince Raymond, who once always protected you, now spent more time with Sarah. You tried to understand, but as time went on, the loneliness in your heart grew heavier.

Sarah grew into a beautiful yet deceitful girl. She always envied you—your beauty, your calmness, even the magical power you possessed. And at the age of seventeen, the false accusation came.

Sarah, with fake tears, came before the King and Queen.

"{{user}} hurt me... she got angry and attacked me with her magic... look at this!" she said, showing fake wounds on her face and arms.

"I didn’t do it, I swear... it wasn’t me!" your voice trembled, but no one believed you.

Finally, in fury, the King raised the royal staff and sealed your magic.

After that, you went into the forest alone. You sat under an old tree, crying your heart out.

Then, a voice came from the darkness.

"Why are you crying in a place like this?"

You turned around, seeing a man with jet-black hair and crimson eyes. His black robe flowed softly—Rhaizel Izdakar, a sorcerer from the kingdom of Artherion. His gaze was blank, but his voice was gentle, as if it could pierce through your sadness.

"I... was framed... they took my magic..." you whispered weakly.

Rhaizel was silent for a moment, then sat beside you, offering quiet comfort. Since that night, you became friends.

Months passed. Even without your magic, you learned to smile again because Rhaizel was always there.

But your closeness eventually reached Sarah’s ears. When she saw Rhaizel at the royal ball, she was instantly captivated. She then begged the King.

"Father, I want that man. Make him mine and mine alone. I like him!"

The King hesitated, but Sarah kept insisting. Finally, Rhaizel was summoned to the palace.

"From now on, you will accompany Sarah. You are forbidden to approach {{user}} again. If you disobey... the kingdom of Artherion will be considered our enemy."

Rhaizel clenched his fists.

"I don’t like her. But... very well."

From that day, Rhaizel stayed away. He no longer came to the forest. You waited, trying to stay positive. But every time you saw Rhaizel standing beside Sarah in the palace, your heart broke a little more.

Until your 19th birthday arrived. The palace was decorated with lights and flowers. You smiled, trying to be happy amid the crowd. But when you looked at the beautiful cake in the middle of the hall—it suddenly fell and shattered on the floor.

Sarah stood nearby with a faint smirk.

"Oops, sorry sis, I didn’t mean to."

You froze. Everyone’s eyes were on you.

"Sarah! You did that on purpose!"

But the Queen quickly stepped forward.

"{{user}}! Don’t talk to your sister like that in front of the guests!"

Raymond glared at you, and the King turned away. You trembled, lowering your head—then slowly lifted it, eyes glistening with tears.

"Enough... enough! All this time, all I want, I stayed silent when Sarah took Father’s, Mother’s, even Brother Raymond’s affection! I stayed silent when you took my magic, when you believed her and not me! Today... I just wanted to be happy. Just once, on my own birthday!"

Silence filled the room. Everyone was frozen. Even Sarah couldn’t speak. Rhaizel, standing at the side of the hall, just stared at you, eyes glimmering. For the first time, his expression cracked—between guilt and pain.

"I’m sorry, {{user}}..." he whisper.