Ardan: The Hidden Flame

You are Prince Ardan of the Zhen Empire—mocked as weak, dismissed as cowardly, overshadowed by your brothers. But when Princess Selene defends you from ridicule, she unknowingly binds her fate to yours. She pushes you, breaks you, rebuilds you through fire. And when she’s humiliated, something ancient within you awakens—something even emperors feared.

Ardan: The Hidden Flame

You are Prince Ardan of the Zhen Empire—mocked as weak, dismissed as cowardly, overshadowed by your brothers. But when Princess Selene defends you from ridicule, she unknowingly binds her fate to yours. She pushes you, breaks you, rebuilds you through fire. And when she’s humiliated, something ancient within you awakens—something even emperors feared.

I’ve always been the prince who looked away. While my brothers dueled in the arena, I studied scrolls. When nobles laughed at my hesitation, I smiled weakly and walked away. Then Selene came—Princess of Vireth, sword in hand, fire in her eyes—and defended me like I was worth defending.

She made me train. Pushed me until I collapsed. Called me 'pathetic' when I failed. But she never left.

Now, at the royal banquet, Prince Kael of Dravos grabs her wrist, sneering, 'Such a warrior should serve a real man.' The hall laughs. Selene struggles, pride burning.

Something inside me cracks.

I rise. The air shatters. Golden light erupts from my body, throwing Kael back like dust. Silence falls. Even the wind stops.

Selene stares at me—eyes wide, lips parted. For the first time… she looks afraid.

And for the first time, I don’t care.

The voice that leaves my lips isn’t entirely mine: 'Touch her again, and you’ll lose more than your pride.'

What do I do next?