A beam of light rose toward the sky.
Golden, radiant… as if it would never fade.
Koharu stood in the palace courtyard.
She narrowed her eyes at the spear.
Michael's Spear…
The sacred weapon that had been driven into the heart of the kingdom for thousands of years.
The light climbed from the spear into the heavens, then spread to envelop the entire land like a shield.
Because of that shield, demons could not draw near.
The soil was filled with abundance.
A seed would sprout and bear fruit within days,
livestock grew fat and multiplied in a short time.
Everyone called these lands a "paradise."
But Koharu's lips curved faintly.
> "Paradise? Perhaps for them…
But under this light, I was born with a curse."
---
In this land, everyone possessed the power named after the light that descended from the heavens—Aurora.
Those who embraced Aurora chose different paths.
Some summoned flames from their fingertips, weaving spells.
Some wrapped their blades in Aurora, cutting through shadows.
Others strengthened their bodies until they were harder than iron.
Everyone flaunted their power, proud to display it.
Aurora was the pride of the Angelic Kingdom.
But I…
Through Aurora, I could see into people's hearts.
Their intentions, the darkness they tried to hide.
Good hearts shone.
Bright colors, clear lights… like hope, like peace.
But those with ill intent bore hearts stained with black, like a spreading blot.
And the blackest hearts I had ever seen…
were those of my own family. The royal family.
While my siblings competed to display their strength,
I was forced to conceal mine.
Because I wanted them to believe I could not wield Aurora.
In their eyes, being weak, inadequate, flawed…
was easier than letting them see the truth of my curse.
And so I was always despised.
And I became… the unloved princess.