Chapter one
🌑 CHRONICLES OF ANORA
## BOOK ONE: *The First Flame*
### 🌍 ANORA Realm
### South Region, Ligan State
### Aldovia Kingdom
The King’s Quarter was quiet that night.
Too quiet.
Cold wind brushed against the silk curtains as moonlight poured softly through the tall windows of the royal chamber.
Upon the great bed of carved crimson wood rested and his wife, .
Paulo’s short wine-red hair shimmered beneath candlelight while Luna’s soft white hair spread across her shoulders like fresh snow.
For a moment, they looked less like rulers…
and more like two exhausted people hiding from the weight of crowns.
Luna rested against him quietly.
“Tomorrow makes ten years,” she said softly.
Paulo did not answer immediately.
She continued:
“Ten years since Prince Peter died.”
At the mention of his elder brother, Paulo’s expression hardened instead of softening.
“I remember.”
But his voice carried no grief.
Only irritation.
Luna noticed.
“You barely speak of him anymore.”
Paulo stood from the bed slowly and walked toward the balcony.
Outside, Aldovia glowed beneath hundreds of lanterns.
Beautiful.
Fragile.
“Lord Albus grows bolder by the day,” Paulo muttered.
Luna frowned slightly.
.
Hand of the King.
Paulo’s closest ally once.
Ever since the death of Albus’ younger brother, Anthony Alanxadra, tension had spread through the court like hidden rot.
Luna sat upright.
“I do not understand what is happening between you both.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“You stripped him of the title of Hand.”
“And now he openly threatens your throne.”
She looked at him carefully.
“What are you hiding from me?”
Paulo’s jaw tightened instantly.
“That is not your concern.”
His tone turned sharp enough to cut stone.
“What concerns me now…”
He poured wine into a silver cup aggressively.
“…is discovering which council members crawl behind Albus like hungry dogs.”
His breathing deepened.
“After everything I have done for this kingdom…”
He clenched the goblet tightly.
“They now want me dead.”
Luna stared at him uneasily.
This was not the Paulo she married.
Before she could speak again—
BOOOOOOOOOONG!
The city bells rang violently through the night.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
War bells.
Screams erupted outside the palace walls.
Steel clashed in the distance.
Then came shouting.
Paulo and Luna immediately stood.
Within seconds they threw robes over themselves, armed with swords, and rushed out of the chamber.
The royal corridor was chaos.
Guards stood outside the doors gripping weapons nervously.
Then suddenly—
Footsteps.
Fast.
A figure emerged through the corridor shadows.
.
Sword in hand.
Blood splattered across his armor and face.
His breathing was ragged.
“They betrayed us.”
Paulo stepped forward instantly.
“What happened?!”
Ronal looked horrified.
“House Legaspi. House Aurello. House Conthanie.”
His voice cracked.
“They came with armies.”
Luna’s face paled.
Ronal continued:
“The city guard joined them.”
“Some of our soldiers too.”
“House Lavendra has been sold from within.”
Paulo cursed under his breath.
Ronal tightened his grip on his sword.
“They’re slaughtering everyone.”
Paulo grabbed his son’s shoulder firmly.
“Take your younger siblings.”
His voice turned commanding.
“Take Miguel and Rikuel to King Daemir Holdfast.”
“Go. NOW.”
Ronal nodded once and ran.
Almost immediately, armored warriors stormed into the corridor.
House Aurello soldiers.
Their golden armor stained red.
Paulo and Luna fought fiercely beside the remaining loyal guards.
Steel echoed violently.
Luna drove her sword into one man’s throat while Paulo cut another across the chest.
But there were too many.
Far too many.
“Inside!” Paulo shouted.
The royal couple retreated back into the chamber as guards blocked the entrance desperately.
Screams filled the corridor.
Then silence.
Heavy silence.
Moments later—
A wounded guard stumbled into the chamber.
Blood poured from his side.
“My king…”
His voice trembled.
“Prince Ronal…”
Luna stepped forward desperately.
“No…”
The guard lowered his head.
“He has fallen.”
“And the Lavendra army with him.”
Luna collapsed into tears instantly.
Paulo stood frozen.
Not speaking.
Not breathing.
Then—
The chamber doors slowly opened.
The guards outside were dead.
And stepping through the blood-soaked doorway was:
.
Short curly hair.
Sword dripping crimson.
Behind him stood betrayed guards of House Lavendra.
Paulo stared at him.
“You.”
Albus looked directly into his eyes.
“You should not have killed Anthony.”
His voice trembled with rage.
Paulo laughed bitterly.
“And yet…”
His eyes darkened.
“…you killed Peter.”
Luna looked between them in confusion.
Albus shouted suddenly:
“ON WHOSE ORDER?!”
His voice thundered through the chamber.
“You commanded it!”
Luna froze completely.
Shock crashed across her face.
Albus pointed his sword at Paulo.
“I trusted you.”
“I respected you.”
“I loved you like a brother.”
His breathing became uneven.
“And still you turned me into a monster.”
Paulo’s face finally showed fear.
But it was too late.
Albus stepped forward slowly.
“It seems you forgot who I am.”
Then—
One swing.
Queen Luna’s head fell first.
Paulo barely had time to scream before the second strike came.
Silence.
Blood spread across the royal floor.
And that night…
House Lavendra fell. 🔥
