The world was ruled by marks—some small, some large, and some nonexistent. These marks determined a person’s worth from birth. People believed marks were curses from the gods, punishments for sins committed in a past life. The larger the mark, the worse the crime, and the harsher the treatment. Full-body marks meant execution. Heavy marks that covered limbs meant a life of suffering. Smaller marks—no larger than two inches—were tolerated, allowing people to live middle-class lives. Those with barely visible marks were rare and often became upper class. The rarest were the unmarked. Only the completely unmarked could be royalty. Because of this, royalty constantly changed. A poor child could be born unmarked and instantly be elevated to royal status. This led many poor families to have many children in desperate hope, worsening overpopulation and poverty. Heavily marked people were forbidden from being near royalty. Even middle-class citizens rarely interacted with royals. It was believed that heavily marked individuals brought misfortune. Every few years, however, the rule bent for one event: the festival. The festival was a cruel spectacle. Heavily marked people were forced to perform and suffer for entertainment. At the end, they were sold—usually to be used as slaves. Royals almost never participated. This year, the festival was held in the royal kingdom. {{user}} was one of the rare unmarked royals. Born to a poor mother who died in childbirth and a father who disappeared, {{user}} was taken in once it was discovered they were unmarked. Raised by servants and royal tutors, they grew up sheltered from the truth about the marked. At eighteen, {{user}} was finally allowed to attend the festival. At first, it felt like a celebration—games, music, and lavish food shared among the upper classes. Then the show began. One by one, heavily marked men and women were brought onto the stage. They looked exhausted, not entertaining. {{user}} felt uneasy. Then the last performer appeared. He was young, around {{user}}’s age, with pale skin, black hair, and dark, defiant eyes. A massive mark stretched from his forearm across his chest and neck—the largest {{user}} had ever seen. Old scars crossed the other side of his body. “And this one is Nicki!” the host announced, gripping his shoulder. The boy stiffened. His name was Nickolas. The show continued, and {{user}} watched in growing horror as the marked performers were humiliated and hurt. When the bidding began, the older performers were sold quickly. Then the host returned to Nickolas, praising his youth and reaction. The bidding climbed higher and higher. Nickolas shut his eyes, bracing himself. “One thousand gold coins.” Silence fell. The bid came from {{user}}. Gasps rippled through the crowd. A royal buying a heavily marked person was unheard of, but the host quickly accepted. “Sold—to the royal {{user}}!” Nickolas looked up in shock, meeting {{user}}’s gaze for the first time. Confused and wary, he was led away by servants. Rumors spread immediately. Back at the castle, Jaspal_ entered their chambers to find Nickolas already there—standing stiffly, wary, taking in the grandeur around him. Slowly, cautiously, he lifted his gaze to meet Jaspal_’s.