Chapter 1: Flawed Meat
The Kingdom of Geraldion, situated at the heart of the Central Continent, stood renowned for its captivating and ethereal beauty, competing even with the grandeur of the surrounding empires.
Extending over the fertile southern lands, the kingdom beckoned individuals from distant lands to explore its hot summer retreats along the expansive shores of the Crystal Sea, while winter had always captivated foreigners with magical sceneries created by the heavy snowfalls. The capital itself served as the epicenter of opulence and extravagance that defined Geraldion in all its glory.
Yet, behind the thick veil of this pristine beauty lay a concealed and grim history—the narrative of how the current ruling family, under the leadership of King Euris Ruan, ascended to the throne, wielding the mantle of power with its own shadowy past.
Deceit, clandestine machinations, and intricate conspiracies, which had been unfolding over the span of years, culminated in a nationwide rebellion instigated by none other than Euris himself.
This uprising, characterized by its ruthlessness and cruelty, dealt a devastating blow to the royal family of King Aster Valentine, Euris’ cousin. It was more akin to a brutal massacre than a calculated political maneuver. Even fervent supporters of the Ruans were aghast at the appalling consequences wrought by their allegiance.
Termed the "Fratricide Rebellion," this dark Chapter etched itself into the annals of Geraldion’s history, marking a period of unparalleled horror.
Euris Ruan, the orchestrator of this tragic upheaval, earned the moniker "Brotherkiller." This name encapsulated the grim reality of a king who severed familial ties by beheading his own brother, King Aster, all in the ruthless pursuit of the throne. The echoes of this act reverberated through the kingdom, forever staining the legacy of the once-glorious ruling family.
The sole individual within the Valentine family to be bestowed mercy by Euris was Elindine, the Queen Consort, for whom Euris harbored secret affections. Posing as an effort to restore his tarnished reputation, King Ruan ordered her exile to the North—a desolate expanse shrouded in mystery and undiscovered horrors. There, in the embrace of solitude, Elindine was destined to spend her remaining days.
Unbeknownst to King Ruan, however, Elindine’s womb cradled the seed of new life.
Now, a quarter of a century later, that nascent life has blossomed into the formidable ruler of the North—Duke Tillian Valentine, the solitary and surviving scion of the once-mighty Valentine family.
***