Chapter 1: THE NIGHT THE MUSIC FELT WRONG
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CHAPTER ONE
The Night the Music Felt Wrong
Content Warning:
This chapter contains themes of political betrayal, violence, and an attempted assault (non-graphic).
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The Grand Ballroom of the Mythrian Palace glittered like a sky full of trapped stars.
Crystal chandeliers dripped light across polished marble floors, and the orchestra played a waltz so elegant it felt almost cruel. Tonight was not merely a celebration.
It was a performance.
And every noble in the empire had come to watch its most famous jewel.
Princess Iris.
Her entrance silenced the room without a single word.
Her gown shimmered in layers of pale silver and midnight blue, threaded with fine crystals that caught the light like frost. The sleeves were sheer, dusted with embroidery so delicate it looked painted onto her skin. A diamond circlet rested in her bright red hair, and wherever she stepped, whispers followed.
Everything she wore became fashion within weeks. Every ribbon. Every jewel. Every silhouette.
Tonight would set the next year’s trends.
And the court knew it.
Clusters of noblewomen leaned together behind jeweled fans, their whispers sharp despite their smiles.
“She’s even more beautiful than last season.” a lady exclaimed
“A pity beauty doesn’t secure power.” another replied
“I heard Queen Margaret is arranging her marriage abroad.” one lady told another
“To a foreign king?”exclaimed
“A concubine, perhaps.”
“How tragic. Once she used to be the king’s favorite daughter… now merely a bargaining chip.”
Iris lifted her wine glass without reacting.
She had long ago mastered the art of pretending not to hear. "Not like it would matter if she spoke once," Iris thought in her own head.
Across the ballroom, the doors burst open.
Trumpets split the music in two.
“Her Majesty Queen Margaret and His Majesty King Bastian.” enters
Applause thundered instantly.
Queen Margaret glided in wearing velvet the color of midnight, a symbol of royal blood ,her smile polished and perfect. At her side walked King Bastian—young, regal, and newly crowned.
The crowd bowed deeply. Chattering about the possibke marriage candidates for the young king.
Just then Iris saw the man who was supposed to be her only safe haven, staring at her batantly as if wanting to convey something. DUKE HERDHARDT ,the childhood sweetheart of Iris ,who left her alone in the most vulnerable part of her life. He had returned onky now not as a mere duke but also as an undefeated warhero.But none of it mattered to her now.She was all alone and wanted to remane untouched by anything.She averted her gaze and focussed only on the sweee red wine as red as her shiny dazling hair shimmering like fire in midst of a forest.
Iris took a slow sip of wine.
It tasted… strange.
Bitter.
She frowned slightly.
The orchestra swelled again, nobles returned to dancing, laughter rose into the golden air.
But the room began to tilt.
The chandeliers blurred into streaks of light. The music stretched into distant echoes. Heat crawled up her spine.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Setting the glass down carefully, Iris slipped from the ballroom, keeping her steps steady the growing dizziness.
No one stopped her.
No one noticed.
The palace corridors were eerily silent compared to the celebration behind her.
Walking casually, she reached her the main door of her chamber with the word looking hazy and blurry.A mnute too late was when she saw it.
Her door.
And the empty hallway.
No guards.
Her heart skipped.
Margaret had removed them.
Just as she was about to run or escape even a little far.
The realization landed cold and sharp,Just as she was about to run or escape even a little far but before she could react, strong arms seized her from behind.
A hand covered her mouth, cutting off her cry. She struggled instantly, panic flooding her limbs, but her body felt heavy and slow, betrayed by whatever had been slipped into her drink.It was a man ,far stronger than her ,his face coered by a black mask .
The stranger dragged her into the shadows behind a curtain.
“Stay quiet,” his voice threatened .His hand had muffled her desparate cries and Fear exploded through her chest. She fought, twisting and pushing, but her strength wouldn’t respond fast enough. The corridor remained silent, the ballroom music distant and uncaring.
Tears blurred her vision.
And then— he started to do the unimaginable,creeping closer and started violating her .He used his two hands to bind the princess's hands and started stripping her, his hands lingering closer and closer to her thighs rising above as he simultaneously started sucking on her neck.Despite the muffled cries ,princess was helpless.She could now feel the horrible realisation of what was about to become of her after this disgusting and traumatic thing she was facing.
Just as she lost all hope, a sliver of hope ame in the form of hr greatest enemy DUKE HERDHARDT!!
“Step away from her.” DUke exclaimed!!!!!
The voice cut through the darkness like a blade.
The grip vanished instantly.
Boots pounded down the corridor as the attacker fled for his life.
Iris now was now safe but traumatused for life in her own home.Stuck by the sudden rush of adrenaline ,just as he was about to collapse ,strong hands of Duke Herdhardt caught her.She buried her face into his muscular shoulders an cried like a child out of her misery.
Only the duke knew as to how much resilience and fortiude it took to not crush that imbecile man who tried to rape the princess if he gets caught.
“Iris."
“You’re safe,” he said quietly.
The words shattered the fragile control she’d been holding. Silent tears slipped down her cheeks—not from weakness, but from the terrifying realization blooming inside her mind.
The wine.
She had been drugged.
Herdhardt’s expression darkened as he understood. Fury flashed across his face—raw and terrifying.
“Guards!” he roared.
Armored footsteps thundered toward them.
“Seal the palace. No one leaves unless and until we Find him.”
Then his voice softened as he turned back to her.
“Take her to my chambers. Now.”
Wrapped in his cloak, shaking but silent, the princess disappeared down the corridor under heavy guard.
Moments later, Duke Herdhardt stood before King Bastian.
The young king’s face hardened as the report ended.
“Seal the palace gates,” Bastian ordered coldly. “Search every corridor. Every room. No one leaves until we find who dared lay a hand on my sister.”
The command echoed through the throne room.
Doors slammed shut across the palace.
For the first time since the king fell into his endless sleep—
The Mythrian Palace became a cage.
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End of Chapter One.
