The Hyperion Empire

The Hyperion Empire was one of the oldest and most powerful empires on the continent. For generations, its noble families had served the Imperial Crown with unwavering loyalty, each house contributing to the empire's prosperity in its own way.

Every noble family within the Hyperion Empire had secrets.

Some protected the throne.

Some protected their honor.

But one secret...

Had been buried for nearly twenty years.

Long ago, there had been only two marquis families within the empire. As the empire expanded and new territories were conquered, two additional houses were granted the prestigious title of marquis for their outstanding service. Thus, the empire came to be ruled by four great marquis families, each possessing immense wealth, military strength, and political influence.

Among them, the Spencer family was renowned for its military achievements and unwavering loyalty to the throne.

---

The grand gates of the Crown Prince's Palace slowly opened.

A luxurious carriage rolled through the entrance before coming to a graceful halt.

The servants hurried forward, opening the carriage door as three young nobles stepped onto the marble courtyard.

Rian adjusted the cuffs of his dark navy coat before stretching his shoulders.

"It's been years since we've been here," he said with a smile.

Kaleb glanced around the magnificent palace grounds before nodding.

"It hasn't changed at all."

Alicia smiled softly as she admired the beautiful fountains and blooming gardens surrounding the palace.

"It feels nostalgic.

Before they could take another step, a familiar voice called out.

"I was beginning to think you'd forgotten the way here."

The three turned toward the palace entrance.

Standing there was a handsome young man dressed in a black noble uniform embroidered with silver threads.

His blonde hair was neatly combed, and his calm gray eyes carried the confidence of someone who had already stepped into adulthood.

It was Luther Spencer, eldest son of Marquis Raymond Spencer.

The moment Rian recognized him, his face brightened.

"Luther!"

Without caring about noble etiquette, Rian hurried across the courtyard and embraced his old friend.

"It's really you!"

Luther laughed warmly as he returned the hug.

"You haven't changed at all."

"You've gotten taller," Rian complained while stepping back.

"I had two extra years."

Kaleb chuckled.

"Still showing off, I see."

Luther smiled at him before turning toward Alicia.

"My Lady."

He bowed politely.

"It's good to see you again."

Alicia returned the greeting with an elegant curtsy.

"You've become much more gentlemanly than before."

"Graduation forces people to mature."

The four laughed together, quickly slipping back into the comfortable friendship they had shared during their childhood.

---

Since Luther was two years older than them, he had enrolled at Orion Academy earlier and had already graduated. Unlike the others, he was no longer a student but an official noble preparing to inherit House Spencer.

After the servants led them into the palace gardens, refreshments were served beneath a white pavilion.

Luther leaned back in his chair before smiling mischievously.

"So..."

He rested his chin on his hand.

"Did the heirs enjoy their graduation ceremony?"

The cheerful atmosphere instantly disappeared.

Rian's smile vanished.

Kaleb looked away.

Even Alicia sighed in frustration.

Luther blinked.

"...That bad?"

Alicia crossed her arms.

"'Enjoy' isn't exactly the word I'd use."

She let out another sigh.

"How was I supposed to enjoy it when Kyra was there?"

The memory alone was enough to sour her mood.

"Every time I looked at her, she acted as though the entire academy revolved around her."

Rian shook his head.

"I seriously don't understand why our parents never tell us anything."

Luther looked at him curiously.

"What do you mean?"

"No matter how many times we ask," Rian continued, "our fathers and mothers refuse to explain anything about our families."

Rian frowned.

"Whenever Father hears Princess Kiara's name..."

"...his expression changes."

Alicia slowly nodded.

"Mother once burned an entire stack of letters after I asked about her."

Kaleb looked toward the garden.

"My father simply said..."

"'Some truths are kinder when forgotten.'"

"It's like everyone is hiding the same secret."

Silence filled the pavilion.

"They always change the subject," Alicia added. "It's as if they're waiting for us to discover the truth ourselves."

Silence settled over the pavilion.

Luther's smile slowly disappeared.

For just a moment...

A shadow crossed his face.

His eyes darkened with emotions he quickly buried beneath his usual calm expression.

No one noticed.

A heartbeat later, he smiled once again.

"Whatever happened at the academy doesn't matter anymore."

The three looked toward him.

"This is the Hyperion Empire."

His voice carried quiet confidence.

"Here, titles matter."

He leaned forward slightly.

"At your debut banquet, those nobles who looked down on you at Orion Academy will have no choice but to bow before you."

Rian's eyes widened.

Kaleb smirked.

Alicia couldn't hide the satisfied smile spreading across her face.

The thought of those arrogant students lowering their heads before them was undeniably appealing.

The gloomy atmosphere quickly disappeared as they began discussing preparations for the Imperial Banquet.

They laughed.

They joked.

They imagined the expressions of those who had once underestimated them.

None of them noticed that Luther had fallen silent.

---

Behind his gentle smile...

Luther's heart was filled with hatred.

A hatred so deep that it had become part of who he was.

And that hatred was directed toward one person.

Princess Kiara.

The moment Princess Kiara's name crossed his mind...

The warm smile on Luther's face disappeared.

His fingers unconsciously tightened around his teacup.

A faint crack echoed through the pavilion.

The porcelain had broken.

Every passing year had only strengthened his resentment.

---

Luther's mother

Her name was Amelia Hyperion.

She was the illegitimate daughter of the former emperor.

Although imperial blood flowed through her veins, she had never been acknowledged as a true princess.

Because she had been born outside of marriage, she was denied the Imperial surname and excluded from the royal succession. While legitimate princes and princesses lived within the Imperial Palace, Amelia grew up as an outsider, constantly reminded that she would never truly belong.

The nobles whispered behind her back.

The royal family ignored her existence.

Even history seemed determined to erase her name.

The man she loved loved her just as deeply.

For years, they dreamed of spending their lives together.

But that future never came.

According to everything Luther had heard from his mother, Princess Kiara had entered his father's life and toyed with his feelings. Whether intentionally or not, Kiara's actions prevented the marriage his parents had long hoped for.

His father never married another woman.

His mother spent the rest of her life carrying quiet heartbreak.

As a child, Luther had often watched his mother sit alone by the window on sleepless nights.

She rarely cried.

But the sadness in her eyes never disappeared.

Those memories had engraved themselves into Luther's heart.

Every smile she forced...

Every lonely evening...

Every silent tear...

He blamed them all on Princess Kiara.

Perhaps the truth was more complicated than he knew.

Perhaps there were things his mother had never told him.

But to Luther, none of that mattered.

His hatred had already taken root.

Everything Luther knew...

He had never asked Princess Kiara.

He had never heard the other side.

Nor had anyone ever dared tell it.

---

Now, fate had finally presented him with an opportunity.

Soon, the Imperial Banquet would bring together every important noble family in the empire.

Princess KIARA son would be there.

Theodore.

No one outside the Imperial Capital had ever seen Theodore's face.

Some believed he was exceptionally talented.

Others claimed he was weak and sheltered.

Rumors about the mysterious prince spread throughout the empire, yet no one knew which stories were true.

Luther wasn't interested in gossip.

He wanted to see Theodore with his own eyes.

He wanted to know whether the son resembled the mother he despised.

As the afternoon sun sank toward the horizon, Luther quietly stared into the palace gardens.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

It wasn't a smile of happiness.

Nor one of friendship.

It was the smile of a man patiently waiting for the moment when years of resentment would finally meet the people he believed had destroyed his mother's happiness.

The Imperial Banquet was only days away.

And Luther knew...

Nothing would ever be the same after it.

The Imperial Banquet would reunite families...

Reveal old wounds...

And awaken a name history had tried to erase.

None of them knew...

The woman they hated...

Had already sacrificed everything for them.

Princess Kiara Hyperion.

The Imperial Banquet is almost here, and the past is beginning to catch up with everyone.

Luther believes Princess Kiara destroyed his mother's happiness... but is the story really that simple?

What are your theories about Kiara's past and Theodore's first appearance?

I'd love to read your thoughts in the comments!