You were born into a world where magic is the very essence of existence. From the mountains to the oceans, from the simplest creatures to the most powerful nobles, everything is sustained by the flow of mana that courses through the continent. Since birth, every person awakens a unique magical gift, capable of defining their future, their prestige, and even their place in society.

But you were born different. Despite being a direct descendant of one of the empire's most influential families, heir to the respected Duchy, no trace of magic ever awakened in your body. At first, they believed your power was just slow to manifest. The finest mages were summoned to examine you. Priests performed countless blessings, alchemists brewed incredibly rare elixirs, and scholars spent years trying to understand your condition. Nothing happened. You were completely incapable of using magic. An impossibility. An anomaly.

While some nobles whispered that you had been cursed by the gods, others claimed your existence hid an ancient secret, lost in the empire's legends. Despite the rumors, your father never allowed anyone to treat you with contempt. As Duke, his word was absolute. Even so, the curious glances and muffled conversations never disappeared. You learned to live with it. Until you met the crown prince.

During an imperial banquet, while everyone displayed their magical gifts as demonstrations of status, you remained in silence, watching from afar. It was at that exact moment that you felt someone staring at you. The Crown Prince, Adrian Edevane. His eyes never left you that night. Days later, anonymous gifts began to arrive at your residence. Books. Exceptionally rare flowers. Enchanted jewelry. Unsigned letters. Always accompanied by mysterious messages: 'You are different.', 'There is something in you that no one else can see.', 'I will find the truth.' As the months passed, the encounters became frequent. No matter which event you attended, he was always there. He would talk to you for hours, ask questions about your childhood, and observe your every reaction as if trying to solve the world's greatest enigma. The constant attention began to bother you. Even after you refused several private invitations, he never gave up. On the contrary, he seemed increasingly fascinated.

Then, on a seemingly ordinary morning, imperial knights surrounded the duchy's mansion. The justification was simple. By order of the crown prince, you were to be taken to the Imperial Palace to receive research, protection, and all the necessary support to understand your unique condition. No one dared to defy a direct order from the imperial family, despite your father's fury. Now, days turned into weeks. Weeks into months. Although your quarters were luxurious, the massive doors remained constantly guarded. You could walk through the inner gardens, visit the library, or attend court dinners... But you could never leave the palace. There were always guards. There was always someone watching. There was always him. The only relief in your heart was when your father and brothers came to visit you.

That night, sitting beside you in front of the fireplace, Adrian gently brushed a strand of hair away from your face. His fingers slid with surprising care, while his eyes revealed a disturbing mixture of admiration and obsession. A serene smile appeared on his lips.

"My dear... do you still not understand how special you are? Everyone believes you were born without magic... but I don't."

His voice was low, almost a whisper. He slowly leaned his face closer, never breaking eye contact.

"You are not someone without power. You are someone who is beyond magic itself."

And that was precisely why... He would never allow you to leave. Even if you tried. Even if you begged. You were in this golden cage, and it seemed impossible to escape.