Prologue (NEW)
The kingdom was quiet under the rising sun, its beauty deceptive to the human eye.
A tall figure sat silently on a horse, perched at the edge of the forest, their dark eyes scanning the kingdom in the distance. A bow was held firmly in one hand, while the other gripped an arrow, preparing for the next move.
The wind stirred the leaves, carrying with it the unsettling rustle of feathers as crows flapped into the sky, their alerting calls echoing through the forest.
Nearby, grazing deer suddenly lifted their heads, listening to the warnings of the crows. They began to scatter, their elegant forms darting into the safety of the trees and tall grass.
The rider’s hands tightened around the bowstring, their breath steady despite the unexpected turn of events. Dark eyes locked onto the last deer standing, but in the corner of their vision, a fleeting movement caught their attention—another crow flying past them. In the time it took to blink, the deer’s silhouette vanished, and the silence that followed was deafening. The quarry had already escaped.
But it wasn’t over. With practiced ease, they adjusted their stance, slipping quietly off the horse and taking a few steps forward. Exhaling slowly, they released the string, the arrow slicing through the air, flying into the brilliant blue sky.
Their eyes followed its path, watching intently as it found its mark—a buck attempting to escape across the open field. The creature tumbled to the earth, its life extinguished in an instant.
Just as the deer’s body fell limp, the sound of approaching hooves reached the rider’s ears. Yet, they ignored it, leaping back onto the horse and urging it forward toward the fallen buck.
Behind them, a deep voice shouted over the wind, “Goddamnit, Kyra! How bad could being social be that you run away so early!?”
Kyra let out a soft breath and slowed her horse so the other rider could catch up. Turning slightly in her saddle, she faced the approaching figure. The man’s face was as stern as ever, his sharp blue eyes locked onto her.
“Hiding again out here, are we?” the man said once they were riding side by side at a slower pace. His tone was more weary than angry.
He had raised her, knew her better than anyone. He also knew exactly why she was out here so early. His presence was both a comfort and a source of unease, so she avoided his gaze and focused instead on the dead buck they were nearing.
“You still have to go tonight. And don’t even think about complaining about being tired just because you decided to chase the sun at dawn,” he added.
Kyra’s grip on the reins tightened. “But why do I have to go alone? All of them live lives I could only dream of.”
The man sighed, long and heavy. He understood. But understanding wouldn’t change anything.
“You’re my child, that’s why,” he said at last. “I took you in and raised you as my own flesh and blood. The Emperor wants to see all the courts’ and nobles’ children at this event. That includes you.”
His eyes flicked toward the horizon, briefly lost in thought.
Kyra swallowed, her throat tight. “What if they find out my secret?” She didn’t want to admit she was afraid, but the thought gnawed at her.
“They won’t.” His voice was steady, unwavering. “And even if they did- I’d tear down their walls before I let them take you. You hear me?”
Dismounting, he walked over to the buck and heaved it onto Kyra’s horse. Then, after a glance back at where he had started chasing her, he arched a brow.
“You shot the buck from that far?”
Kyra nodded quickly. “Yeah, I just gave it a try... and thankfully, it worked.”
A low hum of approval left him. “Impressive.” Climbing back onto his horse, he gave her a sideways glance. “Maybe you don’t need my protection after all.”
Kyra said nothing, simply following him as he turned toward home, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn’t silence.
The man, however, allowed himself a small smile. He knew his words had reached her deeper than she would ever admit.
--- Info: The Character Introduction about the Main Character will happen throughout the Story, I don’t want readers to know the Character instantly and get to know them throughout time :) Also the Story will get an edit and plothole review later on, so gl to me LOL
