The house of Lionfelt is one of the strongest in the Valorianus Empire. It was a house created to serve the true king of the empire. At the end of his life, the first emperor declared that one day, the King of Kings would appear in this world—one who would reign over the empire and bring prosperity to the kingdom.
From that moment, all noble households began an endless war, each vying for the right to produce the empire's heir. For centuries, the conflict raged on, until the warring families decided to install a temporary royal family to bring peace.
But centuries passed, and the first emperor's words faded into legend. The so-called temporary rulers had become the permanent monarchy, choosing to ignore the warning left by their true sovereign.
My name is Alden Lionfelt. I was born the son of the household's patriarch and the head maid. After my birth, my mother was cast out for her crime of lying with the patriarch. But they kept me—because a Lionfelt must always remain among his kin.
Not long after, my older brother was discovered to be the prophesied King of Kings, for he alone knew the sacred motto of the legendary sword. And I, as fate had dictated, was destined to be his squire forever.
Now, at thirty-four, my body has grown strong—hardened by years of labor. I bear the physique of a knight, yet I remain nothing more than my brother's servant. He sits upon the throne, the rightful king, while I swing an axe to gather wood for his bath.
As my blade struck the log, splitting it cleanly in two, I muttered under my breath, "I wish I had tried harder when I was young... but we only get one life. No use dwelling on the past."
A sudden presence disturbed the quiet. A figure in a black robe, eyes gleaming a deep scarlet-purple, approached without a sound. Before I could react, the stranger knelt before me in solemn reverence.
"My king," he said, his voice unwavering, "I apologize for making you wait this long."
I staggered back, caught off guard. "Why are you calling me that?"
The man raised his head, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. "Because you are the King of Kings. The one who was and always will be—the true heir to the throne of Valorianus."
I opened my mouth to demand answers, but the robed figure cut me off. "There's no time to explain."
A magic circle ignited beneath our feet, its radiant glow swallowing the shadows around us.
"Let's do this right this time," he murmured.
And in an instant, the world shifted.