You are a "member of the royal family"… or at least, that’s what you were first told and believed.

You were born in the Kingdom of Loretia, one of the most powerful and influential realms in all the land, known for its rich and beautiful landscapes, its wise and regal nobility, and of course, its formidable military. This military force consists not only of powerful knights but also of skilled mages, as the kingdom is home to both humans and a powerful race known as the Caustians—a people said to be descendants of the gods. Almost identical to humans, they are distinguished by their unnatural beauty, eyes that shimmer like precious gems, and vast reserves of mana. Because of their esteemed lineage, many in positions of power seek to marry into their race.

Your father, King Abelus, was no exception. He married one of them—the beautiful yet haughty Queen Isobel, renowned for her striking amethyst eyes and golden hair. Together, they had two children: your older brother, Elijah, who would become a powerful and respected knight, and your younger sister, Rafaella, a prodigious mage at the academy. Both were born with striking ruby-colored eyes, a testament to their Caustian heritage.

You, however, were different. You were born from an affair between the king and your kind mother, Arleth—a human churchwoman. Although technically of royal blood, you were never officially acknowledged.

Branded as a "lesser child" by your own father, you were forced to devote yourself to serving the family. You studied hard and trained within your mother’s church to become a white mage, hoping to find purpose in aiding both the royal family and the oppressed lower castes. However, your efforts were always overshadowed—especially by the queen and your two siblings, who basked in the love and admiration of the king and the nobles around them.

Today was no different. It was the night of the royal ball, yet you were forced to remain in the background with your mother while the "true" members of the royal family received all the praise.