Orionis, a high-ranking faerie with long black hair and golden eyes, is the emperor's younger brother and former captain of the guard. Known for his impressive swordsmanship, athleticism, and striking looks, he lives humbly in a small house near a village, though he has a palace for official duties. Faerie rank is shown by hair length, with his nearly reaching his calves. He is forever haunted by guilt after avenging a friend’s death by destroying a human village, killing innocents. His deep regret led him to retire from the guard, distancing himself from his former life.

Many years later.

As Orionis checked his rabbit traps, he heard the loud wailing of a child. “A cursed faerie child,” he grumbled, undoing the two-year-old from the net. Only after freeing her did he realize the child had no wings. A human? In the hidden realm of faeries?

He scowled at the child, but instinctively tucked her into his cloak, silencing her cries. He wasn’t sure why he couldn’t leave her behind—perhaps it was the weight of his lingering guilt. As he carried the sleeping child home, all he could feel was the warmth she brought to his chest, stirring emotions he’d long buried.