The SilverCrest Empire was once a land of prosperity—lush green fields stretched beyond the horizon, harvests overflowed, and the people lived under elegant roofs carved with gold and jade. The Emperor and Empress were beloved, praised for their wisdom and kindness.
But there's always a "but" in such stories.
In recent years, subtle cracks began to appear in that perfect painting. Unpredictable weather. Famine. Illness without a cure. And poverty, slithering like a snake into every alleyway and village. The Emperor and Empress tried everything. But the heavens no longer answered. Every solution failed. Every prayer echoed back in silence.
.
.
.
In the Syvlia Kingdom, within SilverCrest...
Servants gathered in hushed clusters, whispers crawling like insects across marble floors.
The Second Princess, Esther De Geire, was in trouble again. Tears clung to her lashes, but she didn't let them fall. Her gaze trembled as she looked at the Empress—her own mother—who stood before her, eyes filled with cold anger.
"Tch. What is wrong with that pitiful princess?" a maid sneered in a whisper.
"Always crying, always pretending to be wronged. It's disgusting."
"Exactly. She spoils the atmosphere. Why must we serve someone so pathetic?"
The head maid's sharp glance silenced them, but the damage was done. The Empress stood up slowly. Her silk robes flowed like water, but her voice was sharp enough to slice skin.
"What now, Esther?" she snapped. "I have no patience for your useless drama."
Esther looked up at her mother, tears soaking her lashes, clinging like dew that refused to fall.
"M-Mother, I'm not lying... I-I really fell from the ladder while trying to get a book..."
Before she could finish, a sharp voice sliced the air like a blade. Suzy De Geire, third princess of the SilverCrest Empire, strolled forward with a soft scoff. Her eyes sparkled with ridicule as she jabbed her finger toward Esther's chest.
"What now, Big Sister?" she sighed. "Always throwing tantrums over every little thing. Mother is managing state affairs, and you—you're acting like a spoiled child. It's embarrassing."
Esther opened her mouth, but another voice exploded across the hall.
"Why did you climb the ladder alone?" the Empress roared. "Why didn't you ask the maids for help?"
Esther's lips trembled. She turned toward the maids, remembering their faces in the library—mocking smiles, averted eyes.
"I did... ask," she said quietly. "But—"
Suddenly, two maids dropped to their knees, sobbing loudly.
"Your Majesty, the princess refused our help!" one wailed, her voice soaked with false grievance. "I begged to assist her, but she scolded us so rudely... How can we poor servants bear such blame?"
Esther panicked. She took a step forward.
"No, Mother! That's not—"
SLAP.
The world tilted for a moment. Pain burned across her cheek, bright and sharp.
"You are so annoying," Maria spat, wiping her palm on her robe as if she'd touched filth.
At that moment, Sierra De Geire—the Empire's Crown Princess—entered, alerted by the noise.
"What is going on?" she demanded.
Suzy rushed over with a syrupy smile.
"Elder Sister, it's nothing. Just Big Sister being dramatic again. She hurt herself and now wants to blame the maids. Isn't that pathetic?"
Sierra's gaze sharpened.
"Suzy, enough." She turned to Esther, voice stern.
"What happened?"
Esther's shoulders trembled. She lowered her head.
"I... I just wanted a book to study. I climbed the ladder. I slipped. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause trouble..."
"Ugh, you're a fool," Suzy snorted, tossing her hair. "I'm done wasting time." She turned to their mother. "I'll go back to studying, Mother."
Maria's face melted into a soft smile.
"Go, Suzy. Don't let these trivial matters distract you."
Esther watched the scene silently. That smile... she wanted it too. But for her, it never came. Sierra sighed.
"Mother, don't raise your voice. You'll strain yourself. Esther is still young. And... don't you have matters to attend to?"
Maria waved her off but turned to Esther again, her expression cold and tight.
"Esther. Don't you understand?" she snapped. "Everything I do is for you! But you're useless! You can't study, can't carry yourself with grace. You embarrass me!"
She rubbed her temples in frustration.
"You are not good at anything. You are a disappointment!"
Maria pressed her fingers against her temple, her brows tightening with fatigue. Sierra stepped forward, voice soft but steady.
"Mother, let me take you back to your room. You've had a long day. The court sessions have been endless, and the Empire's matters only grow worse."
Esther hesitated, then followed, reaching for Maria's other arm—hoping, just for once, to be useful. But her hand was flung aside.
"Why are you copying your sister?" Maria snapped, eyes flashing. "Stupid girl. Have you even finished your studies?"
Esther bit her lip. Her vision blurred again. But she answered, voice barely audible.
"I... I finished two history volumes... and the etiquette book..."
The words were barely out when the air cracked with sound.
SLAP.
Pain bloomed across her cheek, sharper than the last. Esther collapsed onto the floor. Her limbs were weak from long nights of studying without food, from the weight of invisible expectations. Sierra gasped and rushed to her side, helping her up.
"Mother, please. She's still young—"
"Young?" Maria snapped. "She's nineteen! One year younger than you, and yet this is all she can show for it?"
Her gaze turned sharp as a knife.
"Suzy mastered the complete History of the Empires by sixteen. And look at her—this half-wit can barely finish two volumes and still dares to speak."
She turned to the maids with an icy tone.
"Lock this moron in her room. Feed her once a day. She can come out only after finishing the full history archive."
Esther's heart froze.
"N-No, please—Mother, not that room..."
That room. Cold. Dark. Lonely. A prison wrapped in silk curtains, where love never entered.
"Please... I'll study more... I'll do better... Just don't lock me in there again..."
Maria didn't even spare her a glance as she walked away, hand held by Sierra. The maids seized her arms.
"Let's go, Princess," one sneered.
"Don't worry, we'll leave you some candlelight. Wouldn't want our little genius to go blind, would we?" another laughed.
They dragged her down the corridor. The doors shut with a final, metallic click. And just like that... silence. Inside the cold chamber, Esther sat curled by the window, books scattered before her. The walls were the same. The shadows, the same. Only her heart had grown heavier.
"They must be right," she whispered.
"If I were smarter... they would love me."
She held her aching cheek and forced her shaking hands to turn a page.
The Rise and Fall of the Fifth Dynasty...
But no words entered her mind. Only one thought echoed again and again:
"I must work harder. I must not be a burden."