- Chapter 1 :

It always started out as a silent night. There would be short songs from the birds or loud barks from the guard dogs. 

King Moreno had become accustomed to the silence of the night. It was no different in the day. His soldiers saluted him as if they truly did care and respect him, and his ministers swarmed around him like a fog of flies, pestering him with their concerns. No one truly did care; it was all an act to get closer to the king. 

If his long years of being king didn't teach him what trust truly was, he had learned nothing. 

He often wondered how he would be doing if he had given up the position of king, handing it to his brother instead. However back then he was young, and the young always acted rashly. He had begged his father to place him on the throne instead of his elder brother. He always seethed the way his father looked so proud and tall while sitting on the throne. It was as if he got to look down on everyone. 

No matter how tall his father seemed, his shoulders always neutralized the effect, his sagging shoulders and dull eyes giving no morale to anyone. Moreno knew he could do better.

And so he had challenged his brother to a life or death duel, claiming whoever won would take the throne and marry the Princess of Poleta, Princess Terrena. It was obvious he would win from the start. His brother was weak and never paid much attention in battle. It always made Moreno wonder why his brother was picked to be king.  

Moreno was a war genius, coming up with every strategy to take down every empire. He was the best at everything and even cared for his academics. So why wasn't he picked over his soft-hearted brother?

Moreno understood it the day he stood on his brother, the life slowly fleeting from Derin as he took his last straggling breaths. Moreno's sword was pierced into Derin's heart, a tattoo that wouldn't fade even after death.

The look in his father's eyes was something he could never forget. Sorrow, disappointment, and fear melded together to create the look in his father's eyes. Derin hadn't put up a fight, he'd allowed his brother to kill him, smiling until the end. It was then when Moreno understood, Derin was always a better king.

He had a heart. He cared for others, and he actually lived, unlike Moreno.

But the damage was done. 

Moreno was coronated the next month, the same week his father died from an illness. His mother had locked herself in her room, and it wasn't until the next month did they figure out that she had hung herself. 

It was as if the color was slowly drained from Moreno's life, one color at a time. He had begun with a rainbow, but being the greedy man he was, he hiked and hiked until slowly he lost sight of the color and instead of the loot.

He lived a black and white life. Alliances were made with the kingdom of Aelith, and his own, Severia.

His wife died during childbirth, but instead, he was given color. His daughter was born, and she was his color. 

His beautiful daughter, his literal princess, she was everything to him.

"Your Majesty!"

Moreno looked down from the throne, suddenly feeling quite short. There was a soldier bent over his knees, his eyes scarred with the visions he'd been filled with. His hands were covered in blood, trickles of the thick liquid bouncing onto the floor and inking itself into the carpet.

Moreno fought to look back at the soldier's face as he realized that the night was not silent anymore. His ears lifted as he looked out the grand doors. He heard screaming and the sounds of battle. Immediately his eyes found the soldier's, screaming for an explanation.

"We've been invaded. It's-" The doors collapsed into crumbs onto the floor. Moreno craned his neck to see but he could not. The dust was blinding as it was kicked up in clouds, covering the view. Moreno patiently watched as the soldier crouched into a battle pose, his sword up.

Moreno observed the way the man's arms trembled, his teeth chattered and his eyes scanned the throne room. Moreno said nothing but stood, his own sword in hand as he descended from the glass steps, watching as a silhouette of a man emerged from the dust. 

Moreno crossed the floor, eager to meet the man that had disturbed the years of silence. The soldier behind his cried for him to run or hide, but Moreno eagerly advanced. He came to a stop once the face of the man was revealed.

The man was tall, slender and yet there were muscles sneaked into his body build. He had dark eyes, and Moreno wondered if they truly were black like he found them looking. They were simply pits of black that seemed to keep on going. His black hair was slicked up, and Moreno guessed he was about in his late 20s.

"You do realize you have not only trespassed into the great kingdom of Severia, but also slaughtered my royal army and directly threatened the King himself. If you surrender now, you may face less harsh punishments."  Moreno said dully, his hand wrapping around his sword's handle. The mystery man simply tilted his head to the side and grinned.

Moreno wondered if it was possible for a man to have such sharp teeth. "Not if I become the king." Moreno's eyes widened as he felt as if his neck were on fire. He fell back onto the floor, his arms encircling his neck, staining themselves a crimson red. The soldier was nowhere to be seen as Moreno began hiccuping for breath, his arms reaching out to strangle this intruder.

"Hurry and close your eyes old man. I have yet more work after your death."

Moreno fought to keep his eyes open, feeling his blood create a veil around him. Slowly but surely, he felt himself also leave his own body.

King Moreno's eyes closed as his face paled, all color gone.

-:-

The intruder slowly made his way around the castle, killing any foolish soldiers that had the boldness to challenge him. He knew it wouldn't be long until the civilians were aware of the intrusion and ran. He didn't mind as they were lowly citizens. He was headed for the gold.

For the princess.

His footsteps echoed into the large golden halls, the sound reverberating into other hidden crevices. He entered the royal resting rooms and grinned as the guarding posts for the princess were empty. Smart men, but cowards all the least.

He always found the loyalty of soldiers comical.

He entered the chamber, looking to see a body in the large bed, comforters and veils covering the true beauty of the princess. The man laid his cold, cold hand onto the girl and watched as her eyes fluttered open, her lips parting as confusion swarmed her features.

She was more beautiful than they said she'd be.

As the Princess finally woke and stared up at the man, silence once again entered the castle.

hello clouds :) 

this is chapter one! what did y'all think?

yes bts has not been introduced yet but they will be in the next following chapters! this chapter is very important to the whole storyline! i have finally sat down and planned this whole book out and when i say i am proud of it, i mean it! 

see you next time,

-lunar