Ash's early years passed without a hitch.
Despite the monumental shift from his past life, he adjusted to his new reality with surprising ease. He wasn't sure if it was because of the time spent in the womb, or something deeper… but his memories of Earth felt distant — hollow echoes fading into nothing. It was as if he'd been given a blank slate.
During his first year, he began to grasp his situation.
Though unable to speak, Ash learned quickly thanks to his system. Its passive functions allowed him to understand the words of those around him, translating tones, intentions, and even complex statements into pure comprehension.
And with that came revelation.
He was Ash Neyru, the Fifth Prince of the Neyru Empire.
Not a kingdom. Not a nation. But the ruling power of the entire world.
It was overwhelming at first. The weight of being born into the most dominant bloodline in existence should have triggered panic.
But the truth was… Ash wasn't scared.
Because from the very first day, he was enveloped in something even more powerful than fear:
Love.
Despite Empress Selyra's public persona — calm, regal, and cold — she became a completely different person when it came to Ash. Her steely resolve melted into warmth, kisses, and constant affection.
She clung to him as though he were a part of her soul she never knew was missing.
Even more curious was the bond he shared with his three older sisters: Ary, Selvira, and Nyssari.
The princesses adored him. No — they worshipped him.
They fed him. Dressed him. Bathed him. Carried him everywhere. The royal maids rarely had a chance to even approach the Fifth Prince.
Wherever Ash went, his sisters followed like guardian stars orbiting a newborn sun.
One quiet evening during Ash's second year, the three princesses were seated around his crib, watching him sleep peacefully beneath silk covers.
Or at least, they thought he was sleeping.
In truth, Ash was wide awake — eyes closed, mind open, communing silently with his system.
'I still don't get it,' Ash thought.
'What makes me so special to deserve all of this?'
[Patience, Master. Curiosity is good. But mystery is what makes destiny worthwhile.]
Ash was about to press further when soft voices interrupted his thoughts.
"Little brother," Ary whispered, brushing a hand through his hair,
"I promise to protect you always and forever~"
"Right," Selvira murmured, her voice low and sharp,
"If anyone dares hurt you… I'll make them suffer in ways they can't imagine."
The temperature in the room dipped slightly as her words lingered.
Nyssari, the youngest, said nothing.
She only smiled and nodded, her gaze intense despite her silence.
Then all three spoke together — softly, like a prayer.
"Always and forever, little brother~"
Ash didn't open his eyes, but his heart stirred.
He hadn't cried since his birth. Hadn't felt vulnerable. But in that moment… something clicked.
'Even if everything else turns out to be a lie… these three?'
'They're real.'
And for the first time in this new life — Ash Neyru slept without thinking.
----
While Ash's life continued in blissful tranquility — wrapped in warmth, family, and affection — the world outside was shifting.
Tension brewed beyond borders not visible to the common people. Not just in Neyru, but far beyond.
Because the Prophecy of Monarchs had not only echoed through Ash's world.
It had been divined in other worlds as well — worlds older, larger, and immeasurably more powerful than Neyru.
In the Imperial Throne Room, Emperor Vaerion Neyru and Empress Selyra Neyru stood in solemn silence before a hovering projection. A crimson-tinted magical screen rippled in the air before them, pulsing with heavy mana.
On the other side of that projection sat a figure cloaked in opulence and blood-born grace.
A woman with flowing, silken hair like cascading wildfire. Her eyes were dark crimson — deeper than wine, sharper than blades. From her lips protruded polished, gleaming fangs. Her skin was pale, her ears slightly pointed, and around her floated an aura of pure ancient sovereignty.
This was no human.
This was Empress Vera Noctis
Ruler of the Crimson Sovereignty
Queen of the Endless Night
First Matron of the Vampiric Houses
Despite being from a different world altogether, she spoke with perfect fluency — her voice low, seductive, and commanding.
"Let us cut through pretense," Vera said, reclining gracefully in a throne forged from obsidian bone and bloodwood.
"I come not as an enemy. But as one who sees the winds of change stirring."
"The prophecy has reached us. As it has reached you. And I intend not to resist fate — but to anchor myself to it."
Selyra remained calm, unreadable.
Vaerion's gaze narrowed slightly.
"Speak plainly, Empress," he said.
Veralyth smiled, her fangs glinting.
"I propose a two-way marriage."
"My daughter, Vaelora, will be three years of age soon. I believe she will match perfectly with your son — the Fifth Prince of Neyru."
The throne room fell into a moment of dense silence.
Even Vaerion blinked.
A vampire-human royal union?
Such a thing had never been done. The world of Neyru was purely human — no other races had ever set foot upon its soil. Not because of war, but because of protectionism. Yet here, one of the most powerful beings in the known galaxy was offering an alliance through bloodline.
Selyra turned toward her husband. "This would be... unprecedented."
"Which is why it must be done," Vera interrupted.
"When the Prophecy fulfills, the storm will not remain on a single world. And while many will try to fight it…"
"I would rather birth the eye of the storm into our bloodlines."
Vaerion's jaw tensed. Then, slowly, he stepped forward.
"Terms?"
"Unbreakable pact. Soul-bound engagement. Hidden from the galaxy until both parties reach 16 years of age. This will give enough time for this Era to truly begin. We all know the beginning of an Era doesn't truly begin until that first generation matures. No political movement until then. But once the bond is acknowledged — the Crimson Sovereignty and Neyru Empire will stand as one."
Silence again.
And then — Vaerion nodded.
"So be it."
A blood-crystal materialized on Veralyth's side of the projection. A soul-seal formed on Vaerion's end.
They reached forward, and in a synchronized gesture, sealed the pact.
A vampire princess… and a human prince.
Both born under the same prophecy.
Their destinies now woven — silently, secretly.
No announcement would be made. No banners would fly. Not yet.
But in fourteen years, when they both reach maturity, the galaxy will learn of a marriage that defies race, power, and cosmic order.
And nothing will ever be the same again.