Prince Ryuuji of Qian

Ayumi was born on March 11th, on a light rainy night, in a small rural town. Her mother, Hana, was a primary school teacher. Her father, Kazuo, worked as a delivery man. In her early years, Ayumi was a sweet, sensitive, and curious child. She enjoyed watching ants, talking to trees, and laughing to herself while watching old cartoons.

When Ayumi was just six years old, her father was in a motorcycle accident while making a delivery on a stormy day. His death was sudden, and Ayumi never fully understood what happened—she only felt the absence, the silence that replaced her father's hugs and warm voice.

Her mother, despite trying to be strong, sank into a silent sadness. Over time, she became distant, busy, exhausted. Ayumi began to grow up alone, always very mature for her age. She learned to cook for herself, pack her own school supplies, and hide her feelings. She discovered early on that she couldn't count on many.

At school, Ayumi was a good student but shy. She enjoyed reading fantasy stories and watching old dramas. She didn't care about fitting in, and soon earned a reputation as "weird." Some classmates laughed at her, and little by little, Ayumi began to avoid social contact. She created her own inner world—where everything made more sense.

At 14, Ayumi had her first and only best friend, Sayaka. Together, they shared laughter, songs, and secrets. But Sayaka moved away two years later. Ayumi, once again, was alone.

From the ages of 16 to 18, she wore headphones all the time, listening to sad songs and lyrics that seemed to speak directly to her. She began writing in a hidden notebook—not poems, but rants, loose sentences, desires she didn't have the courage to say out loud.

Despite her delicate appearance, Ayumi carried an invisible weariness. It wasn't about hating life... but about no longer knowing where she belonged.

Long before Ayumi was born, in an ancient kingdom called Qianlu, lived Crown Prince Ryuuji Lin Xuan, the second son of Emperor Tian and Empress Mei. Unlike Ayumi, Ryuuji grew up surrounded by wealth, noble studies, and heavy obligations.

From an early age, he displayed unusual abilities—he could listen to elders respectfully, learned quickly, and had a strong heart. However, the weight of the throne prevented him from being free. He studied war strategies while other children played with kites in the fields.

His older brother, Liu Shen, was the Emperor's favorite. Strong, charismatic, and beloved by the people, he was the direct heir—until the tragedy that changed the fate of the kingdom.

When Ryuuji was 15, Liu Shen died mysteriously during a mountain expedition. Suspicion of internal treason made the Emperor sick with grief, and the responsibility fell on Ryuuji, who became crown prince without wanting the position.

Since then, Ryuuji lived amid ceremonies, councils, and political pressures. He was wise, yet solitary. The only thing that truly calmed him was going to the Temple of the Silent Sky, where monks prayed and meditated on the ancient gods of water and time.

With the arrival of a great drought, the people began to suffer. Crops failed, rivers dried up, and despair grew. The temple elders announced