Chapter 1: Born to Rule, Destined for Betrayal

Selene’s birth was marked by a celestial alignment, a sign that she was destined for greatness. As the daughter of Emperor Caelan and Empress Althea of the mighty Anzarian Empire, she was raised in a world of opulence and power. From the moment she took her first steps, it was clear she was no ordinary child. Her eyes sparkled with intelligence, and her curiosity knew no bounds. By the age of six, she had already learned to read ancient texts, by ten she had mastered the art of swordplay, and by twelve, she was studying medicine and poisons under the finest scholars and healers in the empire.

Her royal tutors marveled at her ability to grasp complex concepts and her natural intuition, which seemed almost supernatural. This gift of foresight, passed down through her mother’s bloodline, allowed Selene to see glimpses of the future—a rare and powerful ability that both impressed and terrified those around her. The emperor was particularly proud of her, often saying she was destined to rule after him. He took great care in her education, ensuring that she was prepared for the throne from an early age. Selene was his heir, and nothing could change that, or so he thought.

But fate had other plans.

When Empress Althea died giving birth to a second daughter, Lyria, the balance of the royal family shifted. Lyria, the younger sister, was adopted by the emperor, and though she was not of royal blood, the emperor treated her as though she were his own. The two sisters grew up side by side, and while Selene loved Lyria with all her heart, she couldn’t help but notice the subtle changes in her younger sister. Lyria, who had always been kind and gentle, began to grow distant, her eyes filled with a jealousy that Selene couldn’t quite understand.

The palace was a place of constant competition, where every action was scrutinized, and every achievement was weighed against another. Though Selene had earned her place as the heir to the throne, Lyria, though less talented, found herself coveting what Selene had. She watched her sister’s rise to power with growing envy, always in her shadow, always compared to the perfection Selene embodied.

As Emperor Caelan’s health began to decline, the whispers of betrayal grew louder. The once vibrant ruler became frail and weakened, and in his sickness, he turned to Lyria, who had learned the art of deception from a young age. Lyria, knowing she could never match Selene’s strength, played the role of the dutiful sister, comforting her ailing father and offering him false assurances of her loyalty. Meanwhile, behind closed doors, she conspired with the corrupt ministers who sought to weaken the emperor’s reign, eager to seize power for herself.

The night of the royal banquet arrived, and with it, Selene’s fate was sealed. It was supposed to be a celebration of the emperor’s recovery, but unknown to Selene, it was a trap. As she raised her glass, her vision flickered, a sudden surge of nausea overwhelming her. The poison worked quickly, its deadly effects taking hold as her mind clouded with confusion. The last thing she saw before she collapsed was Lyria, standing by the throne with a tearful smile on her face—a smile that, for a fleeting moment, seemed to contain both sorrow and victory.

The empire’s future was no longer hers. As Selene’s consciousness faded, her last thoughts were not of revenge, but of the empire she had sworn to protect, and of the sister who had betrayed her so cruelly.

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