Far beyond the mapped edges of the cosmos drifts a planet known as Serene—a world where starlight glimmers against steel towers and ancient power breathes beneath polished crowns. Like Earth, Serene is divided into seven continents: Sain, Ameria, Afron, Uoron, and others whose names are spoken with reverence across the stars.
The people of Serene are extraordinary. Some wield abilities that defy natural law, while others command technology so advanced it rivals magic itself. Yet power on Serene has never been equal.
Ameria, the most technologically advanced of all continents, is a land of towering cities and humming machines. Its people lack special abilities, but they compensate with invention and precision, shaping the future through intellect alone. In contrast, other continents draw strength from combat mastery, supernatural gifts, or ancient traditions.
Each continent is ruled as a kingdom, and every kingdom is divided into five chiefdoms—an order that has preserved balance for generations.
Until the day balance was broken.
---
The Prince of Sain vanished without warning.
The news spread like wildfire, sending tremors through every kingdom. Sain was the strongest of all continents, famed for producing unrivaled warriors and masters of martial discipline. If even a prince of Sain could disappear, then nowhere on Serene was truly safe.
An emergency council was summoned. Royals from every continent gathered beneath the vaulted ceilings of the Grand Hall, their expressions grim, their voices sharp with suspicion.
The Queen of Afron was the first to speak, her gaze cutting straight to the King of Sain.
"What is the meaning of this?" she demanded. "I believed Sain to be invincible. How could you allow your own son to vanish? Do you intend to make my daughter a widow before she even weds?"
Her fury was not without cause. The missing prince—Yaren, eldest heir of Sain—was betrothed to Princess Pien of Afron, her only child and greatest treasure.
The King of Sain did not rise to her anger. Instead, he exhaled slowly, as though the matter barely troubled him.
"You all worry too much," he said. "My son orchestrated his own disappearance. He desired respite from politics—and perhaps wished to search for something he calls true love. There is no danger."
A stunned silence followed.
The Queen of Afron's eyes flashed. "You mean to say he plans to take a concubine? I will not have my daughter accept second-hand affection."
A faint smile curved the King of Sain's lips. "Yaren has never followed tradition. He is wild—unwilling to be caged by ceremony. Tell your daughter to rescue him. Let her become the love he seeks."
The Queen of Afron laughed, her anger melting into intrigue. "As expected of my future son-in-law—dramatic and foolishly romantic. Very well. I shall indulge this game."
"Enough."
The voice belonged to the King of Uoron, barely nineteen and already crowned. He stood, eyes cold despite his youth. "Instead of playing along with this farce, perhaps we should address the chaos rising from the unknown kingdom."
The Queen of Afron scoffed. "Mind your tongue, little king. This auntie is still young—and far more radiant than you."
The Queen of Denna clicked her tongue. "Must you boast every time you speak? Your vanity is exhausting."
"And your envy is loud," Afron's queen replied sweetly. "Careful—snakes tend to bite."
Before the quarrel could escalate, the King of Ameria raised his hand.
"That is enough," he said. "My son, Kon, is already investigating the unknown kingdom. Until we know more, calm is required."
The Queen of Denna smiled thinly. "As expected of Ameria—ever the guardians. After all, tradition binds your princes to those of Sain. Born together. Destined to protect."
---
The council ultimately chose silence.
The truth behind Yaren's disappearance was concealed, and the planet was allowed to believe its prince had been stolen away.
When the news reached Princess Pien, panic replaced her usual composure.
She paced her chambers relentlessly, silk skirts whispering against marble floors. Watching her with open amusement was Ronen, her personal butler—raised beside her since childhood and sharpened by years of enduring her temper.
"Well, this is rare," he said. "The spoiled princess is genuinely worried about someone other than herself. Should we mark the occasion? Perhaps the sun has risen in the west."
At Pien's side stood Florate.
Gentle, soft-spoken, and endlessly patient, Florate treated Pien as a sister despite her cruelty. She was known across Serene as the wisest of her generation—the bearer of the Book of Wisdom, a living archive containing the planet's deepest truths. As Pien's appointed wise girl, Florate had long been both her shield and her shadow.
"Are you well, Princess?" Florate asked quietly.
"How could I be?" Pien snapped. "My wedding is ruined. My groom is gone—the perfect groom. Handsome, powerful, wealthy. Everything I deserve."
Ronen laughed. "He's the unlucky one."
"Silence," Pien hissed. "Do you understand what this means? My reputation is at risk. I will not become a widow before eighteen."
Florate rested a hand on her shoulder. "I will help you. I will do everything within my power to bring him back."
Pien turned, gripping Florate's wrist. "Promise me."
"I promise," Florate said without hesitation.
Ronen tilted his head. "And if Yaren falls for you instead?"
Florate's expression hardened. "I would never steal Pien's happiness."
Pien scoffed. "As if he would ever look at a servant."
The words struck deeper than intended. Florate lowered her gaze.
Later, Ronen murmured, "You deserve more than this."
Florate only smiled faintly. "If she is happy, that is enough."
Fool, Ronen thought. With her wisdom, she could rule the world.
A knock echoed through the chamber.
Princess Pien was summoned by her mother.
And Florate, clutching the Book of Wisdom, was left behind—unseen, unthanked, and standing at the edge of a fate far greater than she knew.
Within the private bedchambers of the Queen of Afron, Princess Pien sat restlessly beside her mother. The usual elegance of the room did little to calm her racing thoughts.
"Mother," Pien said anxiously, "is it really true that Yaren has vanished? He is one of the strongest warriors alive—second only to his sister, Shuren, the most powerful of all. Who could possibly stand in his way? I… I don't want to become a widow."
The Queen of Afron regarded her daughter calmly. "There is no need to worry. Everything is under control."
Pien hesitated, then spoke again, her tone shifting. "Really? Then… do you have other marriage candidates for me? It had better not be Kon. I'm not ready to become a guardian's wife. My reputation would suffer, no matter his status. Honestly, I would rather marry the little king of Uoron—his power would become mine."
At those words, the queen felt a chill run through her. What she heard was not fear for a missing fiancé, but selfish calculation. Anger flared in her chest.
"I have indulged you far too much," the queen said sharply. "Is this truly all you can think of? Instead of worrying about your fiancé, you scheme for replacements. You have disappointed me deeply."
Pien scoffed. "Thinking about someone who's gone is pointless—and bad for my beauty. I don't want wrinkles at my age. What will be, will be. It's better to have a plan B."
Those words confirmed the queen's fears. Her daughter had been spoiled beyond redemption.
Very well, she thought. If she will not learn gently, she will learn the hard way.
Her expression hardened. "As your mother—and as the Queen of Afron—I order you to rescue your fiancé. If you fail, you will be stripped of your status and reduced to a commoner. You will receive no more princess treatment."
Pien laughed lightly. "Mother, are you serious? I'm your only daughter—the future ruler of Afron. You wouldn't dare treat me like this. Do you really want rumors spreading about how you abuse your own child?"
The queen's eyes narrowed. "Are you threatening me?"
She turned sharply. "Guards."
Pien's smile vanished. "Mother, this is unreasonable! Grandmother will never forgive you!"
The queen did not respond. "Escort her out of the palace," she ordered. "She is to leave with nothing. Until she finds Prince Yaren, she will no longer be recognized as the heiress of Afron."
The sudden commotion echoed through the palace halls, drawing servants, maids, and guards alike. Whispers spread like wildfire.
Among the crowd stood Ronen and Florate.
The maids murmured excitedly.
"The horrible princess's reign is finally ending."
"Her mother is finally standing up to her."
Ronen grabbed one of the maids. "What's going on?" he asked.
The maid smiled brightly. "The queen is punishing Princess Pien. Justice at last."
Before Ronen could react, Florate seized his hand and pulled him through the crowd. At the center of the hall, Pien stood restrained by palace guards—still proud, still defiant, struggling without a trace of guilt.
Florate immediately knelt before the queen, dragging Ronen down with her.
"Your Majesty," Florate said gently, bowing her head. "Please forgive the princess. This is my fault. I failed to guide her properly. Punish me instead."
Ronen stared at her in disbelief. This girl is determined to drag me into hell with her, he thought bitterly. She knows I would never beg for Pien. My peaceful days are truly over.
Pien relaxed slightly at the sight of Florate kneeling. Since childhood, Florate had always begged on her behalf—and things had always gone Pien's way.
The queen's voice remained firm. "Florate, I know your intentions are sincere. But Pien must learn a lesson. You cannot shield her forever."
Florate continued to plead, refusing to rise. Ronen felt lightheaded watching her stubborn resolve.
Finally, the queen spoke again. "Since you insist on sharing her punishment, you shall accompany her."
She turned to the guards. "Princess Pien, Florate, and Ronen are to be sent on a rescue mission to retrieve Prince Yaren."
Ronen barely had time to protest that he had not begged for Pien's sake before he was dragged away alongside them, his words ignored.
Left alone in the palace, the Queen of Afron released a quiet sigh. Knowing Florate would be by her daughter's side eased her heart.
"This will be a vacation," she murmured to herself. "A lesson to bring her back in line. With Florate there, she will survive… surely."
She looked out toward the distant horizon.
"I only hope nothing goes wrong."