Prologue

THE bustling city square of Valgard overflowed with spectators as it was a special day. Some onlookers were calm, while the others were enraged. Everyone was gathered to witness a rare spectacle in the Kingdom of Lumienar.

The commoners and even the royalties were present enjoying the pleasant afternoon weather as they waited for dusk. It was a public execution where the condemned was bound tightly to a wooden stake waiting for the perfect time to be executed.

"You used forbidden magic and betrayed the kingdom!" Everyone said almost in unison.

"You tried to poison the crown prince! Treasonous witch!" Another shouted and threw a rock.

It hit Sera's head that she heard a light crack. Blood cascaded down her face. She looked like a complete mess. Her disheveled black hair that was usually adorned with precious gems were unevenly cut. The expensive fabric that she normally wore was muddy and torn. As if she had no trace of nobility. Even her fair skin was full of bruises, as she was heavily tortured.

But at that moment, her body felt numb that the physical pain was nothing compared to the intense emotion that gathered inside her chest.

Sera looked at the people around her. Everyone was utterly disgusted as they glared at her. As she committed a heinous crime punishable by death and the execution of her entire clan.

Using forbidden magic.

Poisoning the crown prince.

Sera almost laughed as she turned her gaze to Khaevin, the most beloved Crown Prince of Lumienar, he wore a blue royal robe with silver intricate pattern. Beside him stood the powerful Saintess, Estrala, in her white robe. Both of them appeared to be drowned in sadness and empathy towards her.

'Liars…' Sera looked at them with disdain because she knew she did nothing wrong.

'They framed me so they could eliminate my family.' Sera clenched her jaw as she remembered how they massacred her family, accusing them of high treason.

She was Sera Veilaris, a proud daughter of Duke Sergoth Veilaris. Beautiful and spoiled, despite being born magicless, her family showered her with love. Unfortunately, Sera was madly in love with the crown prince. No one can blame her, they were betrothed after all. And now the consequences for being gullible came at a very high price.

The Veilaris Clan were known as the best wielder of wind magic, always giving an aide to the kingdom in times of war. Yet they were discarded like a useless pawn.

Khaevin used her at his advantage. He made her believe he loved her, too. But it was just a part of his manipulation so he could secure the throne and be with the Saintess.

Estrala, the Saintess… She used to be her best friend. Sera confided everything to her because she was like a sister to her. Despite being born lowly, a mere daughter of a servant, Sera never let her feel the vast difference of their status.

In the end, they all betrayed her.

Indeed, this was her end. A very pitiful ending for her stupidity.

Sera stood bound to the towering stake, and a gigantic magic circle was formed on the ground, glowing red. While the coarse ropes were biting into her wrists forbidding her even the slightest movement.

As the clock kept ticking, the crowd kept filling the execution square, patiently waiting for her death.

"So, this is how my story ends?" Sera laughed bitterly. "Burned alive because you chose to believe that woman? Or is it safe to say you both colluded to eliminate the Veilaris Clan?" Sera glared at Khaevin and Estrala.

Khaevin's jaw tightened. "You brought ruin upon the kingdom, Sera. The evidence was undeniable. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here."

"The evidence?" she scoffed. "Everything is a lie! It's merely fabricated! Tell me, Your Highness… did you ever investigate?"

Khaevin's eyes narrowed. "You practiced forbidden magic, Sera! Then you used it to poison me! What is there to investigate?"

Sera chuckled. "I can't wield magic, everyone knows that. How can I practice forbidden one? And with my family's status I don't need to learn magic to gain luxury and have the privilege to ask for anyone's favor."

While Estrala lowered her gaze after hearing her, feigning sorrow. "Lady Sera, even now, you refuse to repent. The Goddess offered you forgiveness. Despite you not possessing any magic, you got the best in everything because you were born a noble. Yet you abused it! The crown prince and I learned you commissioned a witch from the Northern Empire to teach you black magic."

"The Goddess?" Sera's smile turned sharp. "This is insane! Was it you who played goddess? How many lies did you whisper while pretending to be a perfect saintess? You're a snake, Estrala. I treated you well, didn't I? But you were consumed with jealousy." Then she added in whisper, "black magic, my foot!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd. The commoners were suddenly afraid and took a step back as soon as Estrala mentioned the dark magic. While the royals were alerted ready to unleash their powerful magic while looking at Sera.

"Me? Jealous? Why would I be jealous for someone who were born without magical talent? That you have to resort to dark magic to learn?" Estrala unbelievably pointed herself and she added, "I was born genius, Lady Sera."

"Yes, she is a Saintess! It doesn't make sense that she's jealous with that criminal!" a male commoner interrupted.

Khaevin raised a hand. "Enough! Do not slander the kingdom's saintess, Sera!"

"I once loved you," Sera said filled with regrets as she locked her eyes with him. "I believed you would become a king worthy of this kingdom. Now I realized, you're not worthy of it, you manipulative bastard! I will never forgive you!"

People gasped again as Sera kept disrespecting the crown prince. So, they started cursing at her.

Khaevin appeared unaffected. "You're already facing death and still spewing nonsense!"

Estrala slipped her hand around his arm. "Your Highness, do not listen. She's nothing but a villain, a perfect embodiment of evil."

Sera laughed again, louder this time. "Remember this moment, when the truth reveals itself, I will return to haunt your throne." Sera cursed. She had lost everything anyway, but she'd never give them the satisfaction of watching her in despair.

For her, death would be just another path. She'd soon be reunited with her family in the afterlife.

"Burn her! Burn her now!" The crowd cheered.

Khaevin hid a grin when he lit up the stake using his fire magic that even the executioner with his torch were shocked with his action. Although the latter did not say a single word.

"You may burn my body," she declared, "but the fire will never consume the truth. One day, Khaevin… you will beg for forgiveness until you grovel in your feet."

Khaevin and Estrala smirked as the fire started to consume everything

"If there is another life, all of you will bow before me!" Sera screamed.

Flames crackled, slowly climbing higher, filling the air with thick smoke and unbearable heat. 

The faces in the crowd reflected grim satisfaction. Some turned away, unable to witness the horrifying spectacle, while others watched in silence. Worse, others happily clapped enjoying the drama.

Murmured echoed across the square as the fire devoured the scaffold, leaving behind only drifting ash. There were no traces of her left.

It was a haunting reminder that Sera died of injustice. Yet, she couldn't do anything to defend herself because she was weak and powerless…