I have not spoken my name until now. I am Mahiru, the first prince of the Eternal Kingdom. Yet my fate feels as empty as a blank ledger—pages waiting to be written, but burdened by the weight of silence and shadow.
People often learn from their pasts and dream of shaping brighter futures. But I had no past to remember. I never saw my parents. I never knew their touch, their voices, or their love. They became stars in the sky before I could form a memory. Distant. Unreachable. The cold palace walls raised me, not a family.
There were moments I wanted to escape that prison of gold and duty—to run beyond the gates and disappear into the unknown. But each time, I reminded myself: Who will care for the kingdom if I leave?
How cruel fate is. I had once stayed out of responsibility. Now, I am forced to flee for survival.
But that's enough. I will no longer walk the path carved for me by others. I will forge my own. I am free now. I will begin again—not as a prince, but as Mahiru. I will learn of the world, of people and beasts and lands far beyond what books have shown me. I will collect experiences like fragments of a shattered crown—and rebuild myself from them.
As I walked deeper into the forest, a gentle sound rose through the trees—a distant, rushing flow. A fountain?
I had never seen one with my own eyes, only read about them in old tomes. Curious, I followed the sound. After weaving through branches and underbrush, I found it—a spring, cascading from a high cliff, pouring into a crystal-clear pool. A fine mist hung in the air, catching the morning sun and splitting it into a shimmering rainbow.
Small, silvery fish leapt in and out of the water. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
Thirsty, I drank from the spring. The water was cold, pure, and refreshing. My hunger, however, gnawed at me.
I had no fishing tools. But I had a knife. So I broke off a branch and used some vine to tie the blade to it, forming a makeshift spear. It wasn't easy—nearly an hour passed, and I caught only one fish.
I gathered stones and sparked a fire. As the fish cooked, I stepped into the water to bathe. It was cold, but it cleared the weariness from my body.
When I returned, something small and curious sat near my fire. It looked like a squirrel, but not quite. I remembered seeing sketches of such creatures in books... but the name escaped me.
It stared at the fish, nose twitching. I tore off half and placed it on a flat rock before it. Cautiously, it crept forward and began eating. I smiled.
The fish wasn't particularly delicious, but it was warm, and I had a companion—even if only for a moment.
When I finished, I stood to leave. The little creature followed. I knelt, patted its soft head, and turned away.
By late afternoon, the trees thinned. In the distance, rooftops peeked through the branches. I had reached the edge of the forest... and crossed into another state. I remembered the map—this forest marked the border.
After a long walk, I arrived at an inn on the outskirts of a Town.
The Magical Town of Liora's Vale
The sun dipped behind the mist-kissed cliffs, casting golden streaks over Liora's Vale, the enchanted town nestled between whispering woods and silver meadows. This was no ordinary town — the air shimmered faintly with arcane energy, and every cobblestone street hummed with life and history.
Crystalline lanterns floated gently in the air, glowing in shades of soft amber and azure, casting delicate ripples of light along winding roads. Houses here were crafted not just with wood and stone, but with intention — their rooftops curved like blooming petals, and ivy that glowed faintly at night draped over walls like living lace.
Children giggled as they chased luminous butterflies made of wind-spun magic, while merchants at the open-air bazaar called out in melodic voices, selling enchanted trinkets, self-sweeping brooms, and honey-glazed fruits that whispered dreams when bitten.
A gentle breeze carried the scent of lilac and glowing moss. The sound of harp strings echoed faintly in the background, played by an old elven woman whose fingers danced on the strings as if weaving spells into the melody.
In the heart of Liora's Vale stood the Moonspindle Tree, tall as a tower, its bark silver-veined and its leaves glowing faint blue. It pulsed gently, like a heartbeat, a source of protection and magic for the whole town. Beneath its sprawling branches, travelers would often gather to share stories, or lovers would whisper their secrets to the wind.
Locals greeted each other with warm eyes and open hearts, their voices laced with musical cadence. "May the stars guide your steps," they would say in parting, or "Let the mist shield your dreams."
Here, magic wasn't just cast — it was breathed, lived, and loved.
I was exhausted and sore, but relieved. For tonight, I had shelter. I didn't know what became of the palace after my escape. Likely, the search had already begun.
I must become stronger. There is so much to learn, and so far to go. But I made a silent vow: one day, I will return—not as a fugitive, but as a hero.
That night, I slept deeply.
When morning came, I awoke to a strange warmth near my head. To my surprise, the same creature from the spring—small, squirrel-like—was curled beside my pillow.
Had it followed me all the way here? Hidden in my cloak or my bag? Regardless, it meant no harm.
I named him Squit.
As I prepared to leave for breakfast, Squit climbed nimbly onto my shoulder. Together, we headed downstairs to the inn's dining area.
While I was eating, a man approached and sat across from me. He wore light armor and carried a sword. A knight, perhaps.
"You're a strange sight, boy," he said, gesturing to Squit. "That's a Queen's Hope, isn't it? You don't usually see those outside the deep forest. They're magical beasts—strong and rare. But this one's just sitting on your shoulder, like it belongs there!"
I was startled but kept calm. "I'm not strong. I'm just… traveling."
He raised a brow. "An adventurer?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
That was a lie—but one I didn't regret.
He smiled. "That's good. I always wanted to explore. To see the world. But family… duty… kept me here. You're young. Go. See things I never could. May your path be full of wonder."
"Thank you," I said quietly.
"Well, I'd better get going. Work calls."
"Take care. Maybe we'll meet again."
He left, and I returned to my meal, Squit still perched at my side.
As I stepped into the sunlight, the breeze felt different—welcoming. I glanced at Squit. So, he was a magical beast. And yet, he chose to stay by me.
Why?
I didn't know. But I was grateful.
That man's words echoed in my head. I had lied about being an adventurer… but maybe I would become one. I had little money, but if I joined a guild, I could complete quests, earn coin, and see new lands.
So I walked toward the guild.
Today, I begin the first step of my new life—not as a prince, but as a wanderer.
A learner.
A fighter.
A future king in the making.