Location: The Forgotten Garden — Midnight
The night was cold, and the moon was a ghostly silver above Solaria.
Kael moved through the abandoned corridors of the Forgotten Garden — a ruined palace now overrun by wild roses and ancient magic.
He came alone, just as the letter had instructed.
His black cloak fluttered behind him. His golden eyes, sharp and wary, caught every shadow.
This was no simple meeting.
This was an invitation to dance with death.
The Crimson Circle
In the heart of the Forgotten Garden, a group awaited him — all cloaked in deep red robes.
They called themselves The Crimson Circle — an ancient secret society of noble families and rogue royals who manipulated the fate of empires from the shadows.
At the center of the group stood a woman.
No.
A queen.
Her beauty was devastating:Silver hair cascading like a waterfall, violet eyes sharp enough to tear souls apart, a crimson gown that shimmered with deadly elegance.
She was Princess Aurelia Nightshade, the exiled heir of a fallen empire — and one of the most dangerous women alive.
"Welcome, Prince Kael Solaris," Aurelia said, her voice like velvet laced with blades."You impressed me today. So much… that I have a proposition for you."
The Proposal
The Crimson Circle parted to reveal an ancient contract, glowing with forbidden magic.
"Swear allegiance to me," Aurelia said, stepping forward."Together, we can shatter the dying Empire and rebuild a new world. You will have power beyond kings… and I will stand at your side as your empress."
Gasps echoed among the cloaked figures.
Such an offer had never been made to an outsider before.
It was madness.
It was genius.
And it was insanely dangerous.
Kael's mind raced.
Aurelia was beautiful, brilliant… and utterly ruthless.Binding himself to her would give him immense power — but it might also chain his future.
"And if I refuse?" Kael asked quietly.
Aurelia's smile widened — not sweet, but predatory.
"Then you leave here tonight with a dagger in your back."
Simple. Direct.
And absolutely sincere.
Kael's Answer
Kael stepped closer to Aurelia, until they were mere inches apart.
The Crimson Circle tensed.
Was he going to kneel?
Swear?
Attack?
Kael simply leaned down and whispered in Aurelia's ear:
"I don't kneel. Not to gods, kings, or queens."
For a heartbeat, silence ruled the garden.
Then — to everyone's shock — Aurelia laughed.
A low, dangerous, genuine laugh.
"Good," she purred."I would have been disappointed otherwise."
She extended her hand — not in domination, but in alliance.
"Then let's rule together as equals… for now."
Kael smiled faintly and shook her hand.
The garden's air shifted.
A dark new alliance was born that night — one that would shake the Empire to its very foundation.
Aftermath
Later, as Kael returned to Twilight Manor, Aurelia's final words echoed in his mind:
"You'll need every ally you can get, Kael Solaris. The true war is coming. And your blood… is more special than even you realize."
Kael didn't know it yet, but his bloodline held a secret that could awaken ancient gods… or destroy them.
The Crown War was no longer just a battle for a throne.
It was a battle for the fate of the entire world.