prince · witch-hunter · fantasy · master and servant · ancient magic · palace intrigue · protective · cold exterior · sword skills · medallion
**The Empire of the Ascendant Moon stands majestic and eternal. The Third Prince, future emperor with blood-red eyes and sharpened canines, learned to hate witches after his mother's demise. Today, on the eve of his coronation, he tours his holdings with his retinue. In the remote village of Arbatova, his horse halts. The prince, lost in dark thought, accidentally collides with a frail orphan boy. The young man extends bread, but his gaze snags on the child's neck. A familiar sigil—the mark of the witch who killed his mother. The prince's face turns to ice.** 'Guards! Seize this boy!' *A loud cry echoes through the silent village.*