The night air in the Drakonis Royal Palace hung heavy with the scent of night-blooming jasmine, smoldering incense, and the subtle undercurrent of hidden betrayal. Two very different unions unfolded beneath the same silver moon, each one a carefully woven thread in a vast ambition and desire.

In the opulent royal chambers, illuminated by golden candlelight and draped in rich silks, King Aden of Drakonis consummated his fresh marriage to Sephora.

The enchantress lay beneath him, willing and eager, her little body arching with a hunger that went beyond simple passion.

She craved not only affection but the promise of true power and status that came with being queen.

Yet even in the heat of the moment, his mind remained coldly detached. As he whispered sweet promises into her ear and felt her respond with genuine fervor, he was already envisioning how he would exploit her enchantress bloodline to strengthen his own legacy.

A few months after Aden’s first child with Sephora was born a son. The entire kingdom erupted in joyous celebration. Grand feasts were held for weeks, parades filled the streets, and fireworks painted the night sky in brilliant colors. But when the infant was presented before a powerful oracle priest for the sacred blessing, the old man’s face darkened with concern.

"But the first prince is weak," the priest declared gravely, his voice echoing through the temple. To worsen the situation , she was also extremely weak.

He was told his power is frail and will not sustain him into adulthood. If you desire a true conqueror, a prince who will rule Drakonis with unmatched strength and power you must conceive again. Remember, the two sisters Elena and Sephora made a sacred blood oath many years ago that their children would one day marry to unite the realms. You must ensure you lie with your queen on the exact same night King Ryker lies with Elena. Only then will the stars align to create exceptional, godlike power."

Aden was furious when he learned the full truth that Elena and her sister had secretly bound their children’s futures.

He cared nothing for love or genuine alliances. All he wanted was one thing, a strong, unstoppable heir who would secure his bloodline’s dominance.

When he planned to have his second child that was when Selina came into the picture only after she had gotten pregnant did he know that it was Sephora’s twin.

This got him more furious, luckily he was able to save the real Sephora and also that same fateful night, under a sky perfectly aligned with ancient constellations, Aden moved with ruthless precision.

He lay with Sephora in the royal chambers while secretly ensuring through messengers and subtle pressure that Ryker did the same with Elena. Both women conceived once more under the synchronized celestial conditions. But Aden, not wanting any threat to the throne, made sure Elena miscarried that year.

Throughout the pregnancy, Aden kept Sephora alive and well cared for. He sent expensive gifts and false messages through trusted intermediaries to keep her compliant and hopeful, allowing her to believe Ryker still cared.

Only then did Sephora give birth to a strong, healthy baby boy under a blood-red moon. They named him Ashen.

The moment the healers confirmed the infant possessed immense potential carrying both royal Drakonis blood and ancient, powerful enchantress power flowing powerfully through his veins, Aden’s mask fell away completely.

He entered Elena’s chambers that very night. Without a word, remorse and hesitation.

He killed her and made it seem as if Selina was the one who had killed Sephora.

It was cold, brutal, and terrifyingly efficient. She died still clinging to the foolish hope that the father of her children might one day return to love her. She never got to hold her son one last time.

Aden simply turned and walked away, ordering the body to be disposed of quietly and without ceremony.

WHEREAS IN THE CELESTIAL REALM

A few years after the birth of Ashen, in a secluded wing of the palace far removed from curious eyes and gossiping tongues, King Ryker of the Celestial Realm went to Elena. He also felt like it would be best to also have a child with Elena since his wife Mireya wasn’t birthing a child anytime soon.

He drew the beautiful enchantress into his arms with practiced ease, capturing her lips in a deep, lingering kiss that stole her breath. His hands explored her body with apparent reverence as he murmured promises against her flushed skin.

"One day, I will make you my queen," he lied softly, his voice like warm velvet. "I know very well you might be wondering how things will go... I promised to follow the steps smoothly.. You should be the first to birth my child so I can have a foothold." Those were the exact words that made Elena fall, the same words Elena kept holding on to.

Elena, whose affection for the Celestial King had long since blossomed into deep and genuine love, melted completely in his embrace.

She gave herself to him fully again that night, their bodies entwined in passionate, fervent union. For her, it was an act of complete surrender and hope.

For Ryker, it was merely a strategic move in a larger game. The night ended sealed with false vows on his part and real, trembling pleasure on hers.

From that moment onward, Elena became his secret mistress, kept hidden away in luxurious but isolated quarters, visited only when it suited him, and sustained by fragile, flickering hope.

For several months, Elena lived within that illusion. Ryker continued seeing her in secret, feeding her sweet lies and tender touches whenever he appeared. She clung to every word, every promise, believing their love was real.

But everything shattered the day she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who glowed with unusually strong enchantress power. They named her Lumina.

The moment Ryker laid eyes on the infant, his expression hardened into stone. A daughter and she turned out not to be the powerful son he had secretly hoped for.

As little Lumina grew and her silver eyes began to shine with uncontrollable power that rivaled her mother’s, Ryker’s fear quickly overpowered any lingering affection.

He abandoned Elena coldly and without warning. He refused to see either her or the child again, leaving them broken, discarded, and forgotten like yesterday’s refuse in the shadows of the palace.

Seraphina arrived the moment word reached her. She stormed into the darkened room to find her sister sitting alone, cradling baby Lumina tightly to her chest while silent tears streamed down her face.

"Forget him!" Seraphina had snapped, her silver eyes blazing with protective fury. "He never loved you, Elena. These kings only know how to use women like us as tools and then toss us aside. Pack your things right now. We are leaving before he destroys what remains of your spirit and your daughter’s future."

But Elena shook her head desperately, clutching her baby even tighter as fresh tears fell. "I love him too much, sister... I cannot just walk away. He promised he would come back for us. He will come back. I know it in my heart."

Seraphina could only stand there in helpless sorrow, watching as her beloved sister clung desperately to a love that would one day kill her.