1 -Chapter One: The Burning Kingdom-

Growing flames on the pile of hay were the brightest light, assisted by the torches and lanterns the Findarians held. The light helped lit up the middle of the public garden in the dead of night. Her red hair danced freely in the night's wind while her body was helplessly bound to the stake. The last tear rolled down her cheek as she fully accepted her fate. Suddenly determined, she shot her head up to lock eyes with King Oliver. Little to no fear could be seen in her eyes before she started laughing hysterically.

"LEAVE DEVIL! Set this lady's soul free from you!" The priest yelled as he thrust the bible into the air. The Prince of Findara, Ace, let a tear run down his cheek as he watched his loving friend perish; however, quickly wiped it away before anyone noticed. The witch's body was engulfed in the flames, the heat eating away her fair and freckled skin, but her laughter and toothy grin were burned into the minds of everyone watching.

"Bloody witches." King Oliver mumbled before turning away from the flames and placing his hand on Ace's shoulder. "Let's feast!" He cheered as if he felt accomplished. Ace felt sick. He usually did after the burnings. Watching all of his friends burn slowly as they either cry, scream, laugh, or plead their innocence. They never stood a chance in the end. Their fate was sealed the moment they were accused of having anything remotely related to 'the devil'.

To an outsider, they usually know one of three things... One: Findara is a beautiful, wealthy, and powerful kingdom that is not a force to be reckoned with. Two: Findara is a wicked place that puts up a façade that justifies their horrible actions. Three: They know about one and two, and to avoid the kingdom if they do not meet Findara's standards.

Findara is a tough place to describe. In the best possible way, Findara is a fool's paradise. The people of Findara are always draped in bold and sophisticated dresses or suits that are often accompanied by golden jewels or monocles. Then, depending on what level of the kingdom a passing traveler is on, they will notice their economic status. The wealthiest people reside on the third level, also known as, Blissful Garden. This particular bunch is of those who mainly come from old money and have ties to the founders of Findara. They spend their time walking around the castle, drinking tea, having pointless chats, or going to parties. People living comfortably on the second level, AKA Silver City, are of new money and run small businesses in the market. They're also often seen spending their time in their shops or walking around for leisure. The lowest level, AKA The Slums, are made of the servants, guards, and any other people who have worked in the castle, which resides at the top most level.

The streets were paved with black stone and every building was built from either dark oak, stone, or black stone as well. The gardens and lively plants covering Findara helped keep the kingdom from looking too depressing. Almost like how the festivals and tea parties were the plants that were enclosed by the dark, cold buildings that were the Findarians being ignorant to the injustice around them. Again, Findara is a fool's paradise. People followed blindly, thinking they are virtuous. They were raised by the old writings that said the devil walks amongst the people of earth. Through the fear of the devil, the Findarians try to cast out anything that slightly remotes to the devil himself.

Black cat? Gone. Quick mood swings? Gone. Left-handed? Gone. Sneezed three times in a row? Gone. It's been like this since the first ruler of Findara, King Fredrick. Back to when magic, love, and laughter was in the air. So where did it go? Rumour was that King Fredrick's wife cheated on him with a witch. Unfortunately, for King Fredrick the witch he killed placed a lifelong curse for every queen of Findara to cheat on him.

That's what began a lifelong era of vengeance. Any magic or love that was not 'normal' was outlawed and anyone going against that would be taken care of. Whether that be through an exorcism or the death penalty. King Fredrick at the time could not admit to the Findarians why he burned the two women. So, as the lifelong era of vengeance started, so did the era of superstition. King Fredrick covered up what had happened saying that the devil had been walking among the kingdom and the queen was too weak to fight him off. Findarians started to accuse each other of Satanism and witchcraft. Witches and wizards fled in fear of death. And those who loved differently were forced into hiding, only to live under the night's sky.

Of course, that is only a rumour, aside from the era of superstition, exorcism, witches, wizards, the love part, and the death penalty. That's real.

Ace is starting to convince himself that it isn't a rumour to begin with. It is proven that every wife of the king of Findara has cheated on their husbands. Little did Ace know, or anyone for that matter, that these questions would be answered and the era of superstition in Findara was coming to an end. It was time to start a new era.

About two weeks have passed since the burning of Ace's dear friend, Allison. The sun still rose and set, allowing the days to pass. People went on with their lives, however, to Ace it was nothing to forget about. But rather another person to fight for.

𝘐'𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘸. 𝘕𝘰, 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺. Ace thought as he studied himself in the mirror. He wasn't sure how he was going to change the minds of people who have followed these century long traditions and beliefs, but he was sure he would try, even if it cost him his life.

"Come on Ace, it's just a jacket. You shouldn't have to think too hard on this since they're the same colour." A freckled, redhead huffed as he laid sprawled out on Ace's bed.

"It's not that Chester, I'm definitely going to wear this." Ace confidently said holding up a maroon jacket with silver patterns in his left hand.

"But?" Chester said with a lingering tone, telling Ace to elaborate.

"But what if I'm hated by the kingdom?" Ace sighs as he runs his slender hands through his sliver like hair.

"Hated?!" Chester said with disbelief followed by a small laugh. He got up from the bed and came to stand with Ace in the mirror.

"Dude, it's more than just the Kingdom. There's the Elites, the kingdom's allies that have 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳 beliefs, and then there's-" Ace started to rant as he finished getting ready for a brunch with the Elites. Chester cut him off.

"Come on you fool, just look at you! You're the new voice of a new era!" Chester said loudly as he patted Ace's back. Ace looked at Chester through the mirror to be greeted by a toothy smile. The lean, auburn boy was a childhood friend since they were 7. At first Chester did not like Ace at all and they hardly ever got along. Ace assumed it was because Chester was sold by his parents for 20 gold pieces to be a personal servant of Ace's. Chester's anger was fairly reasonable; being sold for only 20 gold pieces and being taken away from loved ones would make anyone mad. However, after Ace found out a secret of Chester's they became two peas in a pod. "Besides you are finally someone who understands-"

"Understands what?" King Oliver's voice boomed as he walked through the doors, shortly followed by his advisor, Xavier. A manipulative and mysterious guy he is.

"King Oliver." Chester addressed as he bowed to his king. "Ace was just understanding what it was like to have that flu that passed recently." He lied.

𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳! Ace thought as he gave a thumbs up to Chester.

"A tragic illness brought upon us from the sinners no doubt about it. Go ahead Chester and meet the other servants for the ball." Oliver ordered, prompting Chester to bow before dismissing himself. Before walking through the door, Chester looked back at Ace and tapped his middle and index fingers against each other twice. This was a signal commonly used to tell servants or guards to meet in the servants' quarters. The red head finally left, leaving Ace alone with his father and Xavier in his cold, dark room.

"My wonderful son! Why would you talk about such a horrid thing with a lowly servant?" King Oliver asked as he patted Ace's shoulder and directed him towards his balcony.

"Small talk, I don't really know how to relate to the lower class." Ace lied as he leaned against the wall of the small balcony. Looking out from the balcony Ace could see the shopkeepers on the third level starting to open up for business. Early morning on the balcony, where the sun was still rising and the morning fog was starting to take off, was what made Findara so beautiful. Oh, how much did Ace wish he was still living in blissful ignorance so he could take in this wonderful morning for what it was and not for what it is.

"Why would you want to relate to the filth? Listen son, the only people that matter are the high-class elites. What they believe in will help you out when passing laws for the kingdom." Oliver scoffed while signing Xavier to wait in the room.

"Yeah, but the laws should-" "But what? What about the laws? There won't be any laws passing because I have already taken that stress from you! I have set you up for success!" Oliver interrupted, waving to the younger high-class elites who were allowed to roam the castle grounds. They gave a small audible giggle as they hid their faces behind their delicate designed fans. "Everything has an order son and everyone must follow that order."

"Yes, I understand that but-" "No buts! I don't want to hear your silly beliefs of trying to let the filth, the lower class, the Slums to have a say in court. This kingdom has been a monarchy and will stay as a monarchy. What we say will be the law and if they don't agree then you know what happens." Oliver said as he directed Ace's attention to a group of servants carrying a large wooden cross and others in a carriage loaded with hay leaving castle grounds. 𝘚𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨. Ace thought as he felt his heart drop.

"Do we have to view the burning today?" Ace asked as he headed back to his room, unable to bear the thought of who it was.

"We have been through this many times Ace. You, as the future king, should be making an appearance at the burnings," Oliver paused as Ace kept eye contact but rolled his eyes mentally, "however, since it is your birthday soon, it is optional." He finished as Ace looked up and smiled.

"Thank you!" He beamed happily knowing this would not have to end in an argument. Oliver smiled back before switching to a stern expression and reaching his hand out to place on Ace's shoulder.

"You need to stomach down what happens at the burning. It's their fault for every bad thing that goes." Oliver stated, squeezing Ace's shoulder before letting go and signaling for Xavier to pass him Ace's crown. The thin, spiked, silver crown, with dark red rubies delicately positioned around it, was placed on Ace's fluffy silver hair. The weight of the crown itself was not heavy at all, but the actions of Ace's ancestors is what made the crown feel like a heavy burden.

"Father you don't know that for sure, sometimes it is just a coincidence." Ace stated as Oliver looked at him with regret on his face and anger in his eyes. It was as if Oliver wished he could remove the crown from Ace's head, but instead swallowed his pride and decided it was time to leave.

"Remember you have brunch with The Elites at 11 o'clock sharp. Don't be late." Oliver reminded Ace, disregarding what he had just said. Then just like that Oliver and Xavier left, allowing this to be Ace's chance to see Chester and everyone else. 𝘐 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺'𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨. Ace thought.

As Ace started his descent to the servant's quarter from one of the tallest towers of the castle to the basement, he noticed the change of scenery. Aside from the castle having a dark interior filled with gothic designs, the attitude of the rooms always seem to change depending on the mood of the people in them. The laughing of The Elites having their morning tea in the private gardens made the dark green room to possibly be one of the brightest, lively rooms of the castle. It was always a mystery to many people in the castle how the plants in the private garden always managed to stay alive and vibrant. The hushed chattering coming from Oliver's private force in libraries (which was, unfortunately, never used for its true purpose) on the fifth floor made the room always so mysterious and horrifically darker than the basements. It was a true shame, but it benefits the servants and guards at night since no one ever dared to enter the library during those hours.

Now entering the main floor of the castle, the scurrying of familiar faces run back and forth, preparing the grand room for the ball. Here the light enters through the big stained glass, luminating the mysterious area. This floor was one of Ace's favourites for the sole reason of the interior. The floor was beautifully designed to allow an aura of curiosity, mystery, and seduction to take over the wandering soul. The walls and the columns that support the floor above were made out of black stone decorated with silver marble, silver light fixtures, and minimalistic silver art. The floor, much like the rest of the castle, was covered in dark oak wood with certain areas adorned with a red velvet carpet. It was truly captivating to those who love dark art, but it can be eerie to a stranger. Ace walked on by the grand room to the basement. One of many places where servants, guards, and others alike are able to be themselves.

The basement wasn't designed with the care that the rest of the castle had received. Even the dungeons and cells were designed with more care than the basement itself. The basement was something where the castle staff can practice their magic secretly and go on dates with one another (judgement free). Clara Bright, a witch who usually helps heal the other castle staff from their beatings and poor treatment, helped Ace design the basement. Much opposite to the rest of the castle, the walls were an off-white colour that was also decorated with some stone. The floor had a tile pattern of red rosy colours and was complimented with many pots and vases housing healthy plants. The ceiling had vines running along them where the light would hide behind. In more simple terms; the basement was all about enjoying the simplest things in life, enjoying the company of others, and focusing on self care. Clara Bright was one of the few witches from the old coven that survived the Witch Extermination decades beforehand. Due to her powers, she manages to retain her youth. In order to hide among the crowd and to help the castle staff, she's reduced her power for healing purposes only.

Without the help of her power of healing, optimism, and encouraging words, the basement could have fallen victim to one of the most depressing places in Findara. Usually when entering the basement an optimistic and cheery aura welcomes the guest. However, today Ace was welcomed with the sadden faces of his friends. This meant only one thing since they usually push through their rough days. Someone was caught and Ace waited for the troubled news to come.

"Sebastian!" Ace shouted out, hoping to heavens he would be told it wasn't Chester who was caught. Sebastian was one of the royal guards of the castle and Chester's boyfriend. He had a more muscular build, most likely from the countless hours of training father puts all the guards through, and was over 6 ft tall unlike Chester who was lean and 5'8.

"He's with Annie trying to calm her down," Sebastian answered, "I was afraid they caught him too. The last I saw him was this morning going to your room before King Oliver started heading there shortly after." A wave of relief washed over Ace, however, he knew there was more to what Sebastian had to say. "They got Madalyn and Beth. They were so careful to not get caught, Ace. I just don't know what could have gone wrong." Sebastian sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Ace just stood in shock.

"Do you know where they got caught?" He asked as Sebastian pointed to what once was Madalyn's room. "How is that even possible? The Elites and Nobles aren't even allowed down here and Father would never think to come close to this level." Ace said as Sebastian shook his head.

"That's what we thought too, but one of The Elites was drunk and stumbled in on them. Beth tried to convince her that she was seeing things but the wrench of a-" Sebastian started to explain but soon cut himself off as he watched more sadden faces pass the two. "I think it would be better to talk about this some other time."

"I agree with that. I'll catch up later with everyone." Ace told Sebastian as he excused myself and walked over to Chester who was comforting Annie. As Ace entered the room, he gave a sympathetic smile to Chester who kindly gave one back. "Annie I am so sorry to hear about Madalyn." The girl let go of her pillow and looked at the silver haired man, giving a small sniffle before quickly wiping away her tears.

"I'm so sorry about this trouble." Annie manages to say softly, before letting out another cry for her lost sister. Ace frantically walked over to Annie and sat next to her on her bed then gave a meaningful hug.

"Don't be sorry! Losing a family member is a tragic thing to happen." Ace said, holding her tightly to help reassure her. "After I'm king there won't be any more burnings and Madalyn will be properly buried along with all the other ones we have lost. For now, I need you to be brave! If you need anything just let me know." With that she nodded her head and let go of Ace.

"Thank you, Ace." Annie smiled. "I better get going to Lady Gwen before she awakes."

"Oh don't stress out about that, you know she's understanding. Plus, she's probably sleeping still. You know her." Ace laughed as Annie gave a small giggle.

"You're right, but there's other nobles not like her that will throw a fit." Annie said looking down reminiscing the last time she was late.

"Very well, take care." Ace said before giving her one last hug so she could leave.

"Ace you should be going too. You shouldn't be late for breakfast." Sebastian suggested as Chester joined his side.

"I will see you all here afternoon's tea, I'll have some free time then." Ace said as they all waved good-bye.