A Monarch's Gamble

Prologue

Once upon a time, there was a princess named Elliana. She was the youngest daughter of the royal family in the powerful and ancient Habixen kingdom. Known for its vast libraries and well-trained soldiers, the kingdom had an unusually peaceful history.

According to the history books, the Faiellian family had ruled over the kingdom since its inception. They were benevolent rulers who prioritized the safety and well-being of their citizens, resulting in a prosperous and wealthy kingdom. With a higher number of sorcerers than other kingdoms, they cleverly utilized their magical prowess in strategic warfare.

The Habixen family originally comprised six members: the queen, the king, and their four children. The eldest son, Charles, was next in line to become king. The second and third children were twins, Brendon and Brianna were considered the family's prodigies. Elliana, the youngest, had little interest in royal affairs and instead insisted on training to become a member of the royal guard. Despite becoming one of the kingdom's most skilled warriors by the age of 13, she couldn't save her family when they were betrayed and poisoned by their former allies, the serpent people. These creatures, often referred to as lamias or nagas, grew jealous of the kingdom's prosperity.

Elliana was the sole survivor of the attack and unexpectedly found herself crowned as queen. Ill-prepared for the role, as it was supposed to be Charles who assumed the throne, she had to take on the responsibility of ruling the kingdom. Previously spoiled by her freedom, she now felt bored and stressed with the sudden burden of leadership but had learned to adapt fast. She was a stern but compassionate ruler and proved to be a formidable force.

Twelve years later, she would have a peculiar encounter with a renowned bounty hunter that would turn her world upside down..