- The Fall of the Crown Princess
Without the backing of her maternal family, Ketrisia Elphonhein had risen to power through her own sheer talent, earning the Emperor’s unwavering support. She became the undisputed heir, the First Imperial Princess, the one destined to rule.
In an age when magic and aura could only be harnessed through the rarest of mana stones, Ketrisia stood alone as the continent’s sole aura user. A visionary, she pioneered trade routes that spanned the golden age—an era born from peace after years of war’s turmoil. She was the savior of the impoverished, eradicating the black market that trafficked in human lives.
All these titles, all these accolades—each one was etched with her name.
Ketrisia’s very name was a symbol of greatness. It was rare for a day to pass without the empire’s citizens whispering it with reverence, admiring the girl who had risen from nothing.
Today, the moment had finally arrived—Ketrisia was about to claim her birthright, to step into the role she was destined for. The title of Crown Princess was hers.
“Ketrisia Elphonhein, step forward.”
At the Emperor’s summons, she moved toward the podium with poise, the eyes of every noble and official in the hall upon her. The coronation was taking place in the Imperial Palace’s grandest hall, flanked by civil and military officials, their presence a testament to the weight of the occasion.
Magical tools levitated above the crowd, broadcasting the ceremony across the empire. The Emperor had chosen to share this moment with the entire populace, to let them witness the coronation of the woman hailed as the empire’s greatest hope, the one destined to lead.
Before the Emperor, with the entire world watching, Ketrisia knelt, her eyes steady as she awaited his words.
“Ketrisia, do you swear to place the people above all else, to protect this empire as its future sun?”
Her answer came swiftly, unwavering, the words she had prepared long ago, when she first decided to claim the throne as her own.
“Everything I have will be dedicated to protecting the empire and its people.”
The Emperor’s gaze softened, his voice solemn as he continued.
“The weight of this crown is the same as the weight of your vow.”
And with that, the Emperor placed the crown upon her head, the symbol of her new title, her new destiny.
“From this day forth, Ketrisia Elphonhein is appointed as the Crown Princess!”
As the Emperor proclaimed her ascension, he also bestowed the Crown Princess’s sword upon her, a weapon that would symbolize her rule. The hall erupted in cheers, the sound so deafening that it seemed to echo through the entire palace.
The citizens outside the palace joined in, their voices rising in joyous celebration.
But as often happens in the most glorious of moments, tragedy struck.
As Ketrisia raised the sword high, her aura crackling around it in a brilliant display of power, she faltered.
“Your Highness, the Crown Princess!”
Blood spilled from her mouth as her powerful body, which had never once betrayed her since she first manifested her aura, suddenly collapsed.
The screams of the onlookers filled the air, the joy of the coronation turning into chaos in an instant. But even as the hall descended into turmoil, Ketrisia did not rise.
***
“Due to the irregularities in the circulation of your aura, using it in the future will place great strain on Your Highness’s heart.”
The words echoed in Ketrisia’s ears, the diagnosis now an unfortunate truth that had already been her reality for two long years. The Crown Princess could no longer summon her aura. The once-powerful energy that had defined her strength and grace had become a distant memory.
She gripped a handkerchief to her mouth, stifling a harsh, racking cough. Her body, once full of vitality, had become a fragile shadow of its former self. Over the course of the past two years, it had withered, each day an unrelenting reminder of her helplessness.
After news of Ketrisia’s loss spread throughout the empire, the dangers had only multiplied. Assassins, sensing her vulnerability, had infiltrated her quarters with disturbing frequency, leaving her no time to rest. The once-untouchable Crown Princess found herself fighting off threats with nothing but her fading strength.
As the attacks mounted, Ketrisia watched helplessly as her knights were picked off one by one. The halls of her palace were now eerily quiet, with nearly all of her guards gone. And though she knew the risk it posed to her deteriorating health, there was little choice but to rely on what remained of her aura to defend herself.
She had scoured the empire for a cure, visiting every healer and mystic she could find. But none had provided any answers. The result was inevitable: with each passing day, her body deteriorated further.
Exhausted, Ketrisia lay in her chambers once again, trying to find solace in rest.
But peace was fleeting. The door to her quarters burst open with a suddenness that sent her heart racing.
“Lord Petran, what do you think you’re doing?” Ketrisia demanded, her voice cold, her expression stiff.
It was one thing for Guinness Petran, the leader of the Imperial Second Order of Knights, to be in her presence. But this—this audacity was unforgivable.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Guinness, usually a man of unwavering respect, met her gaze with a steely resolve. His tone brooked no argument.
“Your Highness the First Princess,” he said, his voice unwavering, “His Majesty the Emperor has ordered that you depart for the Summer Palace by tonight.”
The First Princess.
Ketrisia froze. The words cut deeper than she had anticipated. Through Guinness’s unyielding tone, she understood the full implication of his message. The title—once hers, now lost—echoed in her ears. Her transfer to a place outside the Imperial Palace was no mere logistical change. It was a declaration. A brutal one.
The Emperor had abandoned her.
