The Blood Crimson Kingdom, the largest and most powerful realm in the land, was ruled by the Hiellius family, a dynasty forged in blood and fire. For generations, the Hiellius had held dominion over these lands, their rule marked by both strength and cunning. The current king, Cassian Dubois Hiellius, a man of stoic demeanor and unwavering resolve, had three princes and one princess, each bearing the mark of their royal blood.
The first two princes, Yohanness Darrick Hiellius and Rainhert Brian Hiellius, were strikingly similar in appearance, their blonde gold hair and ocean blue eyes reflecting their shared lineage. But the princess, Aira Lilith Hiellius, bore a striking resemblance to her late mother, the first queen, with her white hair and delicate features, though her father's piercing blue eyes shone through. The youngest prince, Shard Glenn Hiellius, was a stark departure from his siblings, his black hair and golden eyes hinting at a lineage shrouded in mystery.
Every ten years, the royal family promised marriage to one of the four dukedoms, solidifying their political stance within the kingdom and ensuring royal support. This tradition, viewed as a symbol of stability and security, was deeply ingrained in the kingdom's culture, a testament to the enduring power of the Hiellius dynasty.
But the kingdom's fragile peace was shattered when a bloody coup d'etat erupted within the royal palace. The opulent throne room, once a symbol of power and grandeur, was now a scene of carnage and despair. The air was thick with the coppery scent of blood, the marble floor stained with the crimson lifeblood of fallen knights.
Aira Lilith Hiellius, the first princess, stood amidst the chaos, her sword pressed against the throat of her brother, Shard Glenn Hiellius, who sat upon the crimson-draped throne. His brow was beaded with sweat, but his gaze remained unwavering.
"It's over, Shard," Aira declared, her voice cold and resolute. She pressed the blade closer, a thin line of blood appearing on his skin.
The prince chuckled, his eyes flickering briefly to the crimson liquid welling on his neck before locking onto his sister's gaze. "Sister, no matter how much you resent me, I will always love you, deep down in my heart."
Aira, consumed by untamed rage, let out a scream and swung her sword, severing her brother's head in one decisive motion. The act was a stark representation of the violent overthrow of the coup d'etat.
Aira's eyes, once fierce and resolute, now brimmed with conflicting emotions. "Even to the end, you still smiled warmly at me, Shard..." Her voice, once commanding, now carried a weight of sorrow.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, a stark contrast to the anger that had consumed her moments before. She clenched her fists, the weight of her actions settling upon her shoulders as she sheathed her sword.
The dramatic stillness of the aftermath was shattered as the doors to the throne room creaked open. Rainhert Brian Hiellius, the second eldest prince, entered, accompanied by two members of the dukedoms: Duke Cloudimus and Duke Mirajane.
Rainhert's eyes darted between the gruesome scene and his sister, a mix of admiration and contempt playing across his features. "My dear sister. What a heroic and affectionate display."
Aira stood frozen, caught between relief at her brother's praise and the undeniable weight of her actions. Before she could respond, more members of the dukedoms poured into the room, their eyes widening at the sight before them.
As the witnesses to the massacre grew, so too did the air of accusation. Rainhert leaned closer to Aira and whispered, "You love me, right, my beloved sister?"
Aira was taken aback by his intensity. But his next words, spoken with a loud voice that echoed through the chamber, sent a chill down her spine. "Sister, how could you do this?! You killed our brother! Were you behind the coup d'etat all along?"
Aira felt a wave of nausea wash over her. "No," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I... I didn't..." She tried to explain, to articulate the turmoil within her, but the words caught in her throat. She had hoped her actions would be understood, that her pain would be recognized, that her love for her family would be evident. But she had been wrong. Her desperate attempt to be seen to be loved, had been misconstrued as a betrayal. She had been so desperate for their attention, for their love, that she had crossed a line she never thought she would.
Rainhert's voice boomed, issuing an order that tore at Aira's heart: "Guards, take her away and throw her in the dungeon. She is to be beheaded publicly in three days."
Aira, once a proud princess and now a condemned prisoner, was dragged away, her eyes fixed on Duke Newgate, searching for even a glimpse of the love they once shared. But all she found was detachment. As she was led away, her mind raced with conflicting emotions: "I love you both. I did it so you both will look at me. I thought you would both understand... I was wrong."