Episode One
The rain poured heavily over Seravelle Kingdom, accompanied by thunder and fierce lightning. The kingdom was in turmoil, and the storm mirrored its unrest.
A young lady rode swiftly through the rain on her horse. She was Avena, the outcast princess of the kingdom. As she rode, a piercing scream caught her attention. Turning her gaze, she saw a child trapped beneath a falling tree. Without hesitation, Avena urged her horse forward, pulled it to a halt, and leapt down. She ran toward the child, determined to save her.
Just as the little one thought her life was over, she found herself safely in Alena's arms. The princess gave her a reassuring smile.
"You're safe. Run to the fortress," Alena instructed gently.
The child nodded and hurried away. Alena turned to assist some elderly villagers who had been injured during the storm.
From the shadows, a pair of eyes observed her.
"Who's she?" asked Calix.
Anton, his companion, replied, "She's the outcast princess, my prince."
Calix studied Avena with interest. "She's intriguing. Let's go."
Anton looked uncertain. "Are you satisfied, my lord?"
Calix smirked faintly. "Seeing her is satisfying enough." Together, the two left the scene.
Soon after, the storm that had raged so violently cleared as if it had never been. Avena tilted her head to the sky, confused by the sudden calm.
"My lady, is something the matter?" Gorgon, her guard, asked with concern.
Avena frowned. "Do you feel it too—the abrupt end of the thunderstorm?"
Avena looked once more at the sky. "Is it strange?" she asked softly.
"No, my lady," Gorgon answered.
She exhaled and shook her head. "Maybe it's just me being ridiculous. Let's go help clean up."
"Yes, my lady," Gorgon agreed, following her.
Royal House
Dean entered with a bow. "Your Royal Grace, there's a message pigeon from Morgravia."
At once, Lance jumped up from his throne. "What? We didn't step on their territory, did we?"
"No, my lord," Dean assured him. "I don't think it's trouble. The pigeon carried a blue ribbon. Your Grace, that means it's for peace."
Lance sighed in relief and sat back down. "Bring it over."
Dean respectfully handed the letter to him. Lance opened it, read quickly, and let out another sigh.
Dean frowned. "What makes you sigh, Your Grace?"
"You're dismissed," Lance said curtly.
Dean bowed and left, just as Queen Ruperta entered.
"My lord husband," she greeted.
Lance nodded.
Ruperta stepped closer, watching him carefully. "Anything the problem, husband?"
Lance set the letter aside, his expression grim. "It is a marriage proposal for one of our princesses. The Lord of Justice of Morgravia seeks a royal bride."
Ruperta's eyes narrowed sharply. "You aren't seriously thinking of giving Melita's hand to that thirsty kingdom, are you?"
"She's the eldest princess, my queen," Lance replied evenly.
"I won't allow that," Ruperta snapped.
Lance turned to her, voice rising. "And who gave you the right to command here, woman?"
The queen dropped to her knees before him. "Your Grace, I beg you. You can't do this."
Lance waved her off. "Enough. Summon all the king's children. I must see them—and the council of elders."
Ruperta lowered her head. "Yes, my lord. Let your order be carried out."
The great hall filled as Lance addressed the court. His gaze swept over his daughters, though his eyes lingered longer on Alena.
"Morgravia has sent us a marriage alliance," he announced. "It requires a royal bond—a princess. We have three: Melita, Helena, and Avena."
The Duke stepped forward with a bow. "Your Grace, Princesses Melita and Helena already hold positions of importance, making them unfit for this arrangement. Let Princess Avena be chosen."
Lance nodded. "We need a princess with a title and standing. She can be granted one—Lady of Honour."
He gestured. "Third princess, step forward."
Alena took a steady breath and moved forward into the center of the hall.
Lance rose from his throne, his voice carrying across the hall. "I grant you the title Lady of Honour. From this day, the kingdom acknowledges you as such. Every soul shall bow before you—except the king and crown, of course."
Avena curtsied deeply. "I accept this title, Father."
The hall echoed as the courtiers bowed low, murmuring, 'Your Grace.' The third princess had been chosen.
Lance stepped down from the throne and beckoned her. "Come with me, daughter." He led Avena toward the palace's outer steps, his tone softening. "Your mother Sophia once had a revelation—that you would be given in marriage to the Lord of Justice. You, my child, have a great destiny. And though I shouldn't hold you back, can you check on your old man from time to time, Alie?"
Avena smiled faintly. "What? Has the old man grown afraid I'll abandon him?"
"Yes, daughter," Lance replied with a chuckle.
"Hm. I'll be treated well there, won't I?" Avena asked.
"I'll make sure of it," he assured her. "Besides, my daughter has so much luck, doesn't she?"
Avena smiled more warmly. "She does. She looks after her father."
They both laughed together, their moment easing the heavy decision.
Meanwhile, in another chamber, Helena's voice rang sharp with anger. "What? How could you allow that?" she spat.
Melita placed a calming hand on her sister's arm. "Calm down, sister. Haven't you heard? The Lord of Justice takes pleasure in tormenting women, and his face is said to be very ugly. Let her enjoy the moment while it lasts."
Shadow
Calix smiles "ugly, uhn?" Anton asks, "Do I go teach them a lesson, my lord?" But Galix replies, "they don't interest me. Let's go," he says to Anton.

Gorgon speaks: "Are you really willing to go, my Lady?"
Alena answers, "This is my destiny, Gorgon."
Gorgon tells her, "My Lady, destiny is never created for someone, a person finds his/her destiny."
Alena insists, "I know but my mind is made up on this matter."
She left for her quarter to meet Ruperta on her way with her two daughters. "Queen Mother Helena" tells Alena, "Go down on your knees and greet."
Alena responds, "That would be disrespect to the Crown after all. I'm higher than you all in status."
Melita says, "It seems you've forgotten that it's all for a while. The Lord of Justice is said to be ugly and infamous for torture. I bet you'd have a nice time there."
Alena coldly smiles and looks at Ruperta, "You seem to have forgotten that I am no longer a scornable princess, which means if I report this and he destroys this place while in a bad temper,
Ruperta " I apologize for your sister's foul mouth. Melita and Helena looked aggrieved "Mother!" Avena smiles, "You know what is good for you, Queen". Ruperta then leaves for her quarters.
Morgravia
Lysander asks, "Where's Calix?"
Wilder suggests, "maybe he is wandering over the surface of the earth". Suddenly, a shadow flies by and Lysander cries out in pain, holding his right hand in place. "Father!" Lysander replied him "Don't badmouth your fifth brother".
Calix nods.
Lysander welcomes them: "Son, well, I called this meeting to inform you all that I have sent a letter of marriage to Servelle for a princess. So we head to Servelle in a week for the marriage of the Lord of Justice. What do you think, Calix?"
Calix nods and leaves with his brothers.
Roan says, "I can imagine how scared your bride is right now, fifth brother."
Calix replies, "Just the way your wife tries escaping every day?"
Roan's face turns bad, "How did you know?"
Calix says, "The whole of Morgravia knows about the third prince who can't even control his wife."
Silas looked at Calix "Shouldn't you be worried about your wife, brother?"
Calix looked up sharply, his eyes narrowing.
"What? You like Seravelle ladies?"
Silas shifted uneasily but pressed on. "Father said you're to be married to one of the princesses. Which one?"
Calix leaned back, thoughtful. "Go and ask him," he said, almost dismissively.