kai

In the Kingdom of Aveline, there lived a princess unlike any other.

Her name was Lyra.

From the day she was born, the whole kingdom talked about her.

Her hair was as white as freshly fallen snow. Not gray, not silver. It was truly white, something so rare that no one had ever seen anything like it.

Her eyes were a crystal-clear blue, so bright they seemed made of ice and light.

Many travelers journeyed long distances just to try and catch a glimpse of her during the kingdom's festivities.

Because of her unusual beauty, the king and queen constantly protected her.

Guards accompanied her everywhere.

"A princess must be safe. Always safe," said the king.

But Lyra didn't like that very much.

She was twelve years old and wanted to run, play, and explore.

And there was only one person who treated her like an ordinary girl.

Kai.

Son of one of the castle's maids.

Kai had hair as black as night and eyes as golden as honey in the sunlight.

The two grew up together.

While the teachers tried to teach Lyra etiquette, she would gaze out the window, waiting for the moment to escape.

As soon as he had the opportunity, he would run to the gardens.

And there was Kai.

"You took too long!" he complained.

"It's all the embroidery class's fault!" she replied.

Then the two disappeared among the trees.

They were playing explorers.

They built forts out of branches.

They were trying to find secret passages through the castle.

And they invented stories about dragons hidden in the mountains.

With Kai, Lyra forgot she was a princess.

And with Lyra, Kai forgot that he was just the son of a maid.

In that particular world, they were just two children.

One spring afternoon, the two were sitting near a lake.

Lyra watched her reflection in the water.

Why does everyone keep staring at me?

Kai picked up a stone and threw it into the lake.

Because you are beautiful.

But there are many beautiful girls.