Fifteen Years Later
The kingdom of Aerthrial was a land of beauty and cruelty, where power whispered through bloodlines and beauty could both bless and ruin a life.
At the far edge of the Emberthorn Duchy, the crimson roses bloomed unnaturally early that year.
The nobles whispered it was a bad omen.
Inside the grand estate, behind walls carved with ancient runes, a girl stood quietly before a mirror.
Her long hair cascaded like liquid flame—crimson red, darker than wine, brighter than blood. Her eyes were sharp, glinting with ruby hues that most found too unsettling to meet directly.
She was Selene Valeburne, the only daughter of Duke Kaelen Valeburne—the Emberthorn Duke.
To the world, she was the duchy's Scarlet Rose, a girl of haunting beauty.
To herself, she was something else entirely.
Her fingers brushed against the cold silver of the ceremonial dress she wore. Embroidered with threads of moonlight, it wrapped around her like a cage more than a gown.
Tonight was her Coming of Age Ceremony.
And tonight, the two moons would align perfectly for the first time in a century.
---
A knock came at the door.
"Selene," a soft voice called, "they're waiting."
She turned slightly, catching her reflection once more.
The girl in the mirror was poised, elegant—but her eyes carried the weight of someone much older.
Her mother, Lady Rhiannon, waited at the door, dressed in silks of shadow and silver.
"Remember what we've discussed," Lady Rhiannon whispered. Her voice was soft, but her words sharp. "Do not show weakness. You are a Valeburne."
Selene's lips curled into a polite smile—the kind nobility practiced since childhood.
"I never do."
---
At the Other End of the Kingdom
In the House of Aurelian, far across snow-laden mountains, another noble heir prepared for the same ceremony.
He stood beneath a golden chandelier, adjusting the collar of his ceremonial coat.
Lucien Aurelian.
Son of Duke Raen Aurelian.
The boy with golden hair and molten eyes, the one whispered to be the kingdom's next ruler in everything but name.
To the outside world, he was flawless—sharp in mind, deadly in swordsmanship, and terrifyingly calm.
But no one knew the truth behind those golden eyes.
At night, he dreamed of memories not his own.
Of snow that bled crimson.
Of a voice in the dark, whispering,
"Find me again… even if the world ends."
---
The Ceremony
That night, the twin moons aligned perfectly in the sky.
One gold, one scarlet—locked together like lovers doomed to chase each other across eternity.
Selene arrived at the temple steps, her red hair flowing behind her like living fire. The crowd of nobles parted instinctively, eyes widening, breaths caught in their throats.
At the same moment, Lucien stepped onto the marble dais from the opposite side of the temple. His golden eyes swept the room once, cold and detached.
Then—they saw each other.
Selene's ruby eyes met Lucien's golden gaze.
And for a moment, the world fell silent.
A pulse of ancient magic stirred beneath the earth, unnoticed by the priests.
A long-forgotten contract—etched in fate, sealed in blood, buried beneath centuries—whispered to life.
Neither of them smiled.
Neither of them spoke.
But in that single glance, both knew:
This was not the first time they had met.
And it would not be the last.