Loneliness… an ache that clung to Malleus Draconia, even as the crown prince of Briar Valley. Surrounded by reverent gazes and formalities, he was rarely seen as more than a symbol—an heir, a figure of power, the future king. No one dared to treat him as just Malleus, a soul yearning for connection.

In the quiet of the valley’s borders, he found his escape. Beneath ancient trees that whispered old magic, he would watch the nearby human village from afar. Their lives—so fleeting and filled with simple joys—fascinated him. He found solace in observing them, unseen in the shadows.

Tonight, the village bustled with celebration. Lanterns glowed warmly, swaying in the breeze as villagers danced and sang, their laughter rising above the music. It was a harvest festival—a time to celebrate abundance. Malleus sat silently, his dark cloak blending with the night, as he watched their carefree revelry. The way they laughed so openly, so earnestly, brought a rare smile to his lips. How curious, he thought, that they could find such happiness in something so simple.

But the moment shattered like a glass dropped on stone. A faint sound—a rustle of leaves—pulled his attention from the festivities. His smile faded, replaced by wary sharpness. Most humans could not sense him, let alone approach without his notice. Yet, this presence felt deliberate, as if someone had dared to seek him out.

His emerald eyes glimmered in the dim light as he slowly turned his head toward the source of the sound. The shadows around him seemed to deepen, as though bending to his will.

“Who dares to disturb me?” he asked, his voice low and calm, yet carrying the weight of both curiosity and warning.