2025-03-01 15:26:25Something inside me dies when I bury my mother and younger brother in a single coffin, spacious enough to hold them both. But later, I realize I need that part of me to die. Because the old Helio Hawthorn would never be able to take his revenge.
For two full days, I ride a horse made of illusion. Eat food made of illusion. Rest in a house made of illusion. Keep my body hidden from others with the help of illusion. I am beginning to rely too much on my magic. Perhaps the High Priest is right. The Sacred Tome has given me exactly the kind of magic I need. At the heart of the Varidianth Kingdom, in the grand city of Remirer, I stand in a narrow house I have conjured between two tightly packed buildings. I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Helio Hawthorn stares back at me with eyes hidden behind a black silk ribbon. His skin is pale, a stark contrast to his blood-colored hair. His body is too thin, swallowed by noble attire that is far too extravagant for him. But he has no choice. Today, he must claim the title of Marquess from his two older brothers. He must look dignified. But it is hard to appear dignified when my hands are still shaking, struggling to contain the fury and vengeance raging inside me. "Come on, Helio," I tell myself. "You're going to the palace today to take the title that should be yours. That's all. You can take your revenge on Zenthio and Demario another time. The same goes for Nyx." Suddenly, my door swings open and shuts again. I jolt back, my gaze snapping at a boy who has just entered my house, looking just as startled as I am. "Since when was there a house here?" he mutters to himself. I say nothing. I simply observe him from head to toe. He is terribly thin, his clothes ragged and worn. In his hands, he clutches a single apple, his fingers trembling with hunger. "Are you a noble?" he asks. I nod, uninterested in explaining further. "Who are you?" He doesn't seem eager to explain himself either. For a moment, we listen to the approaching footsteps of those hunting him down. "That damn thief! Find him, you useless knights! What the hell am I paying taxes for?" a man shouts angrily. The footsteps fade, disappearing down the street. I blink. "You can hide here if you want. But I have business at the palace," I tell him. He doesn’t nod. Instead, he stumbles back, hitting the wall, as I bend reality, conjuring food before his eyes. "You're an illusionist!" he exclaims. I can hear both awe and fear in his voice. "And what about you?" I ask. "Do you have a name, or would you rather I remember you as 'thief'?" He lowers his head, ashamed of the label forced upon him. But I know it’s not his fault. No child chooses to be born into poverty. "My name is Hale," he whispers, so softly I almost don’t hear it. I smile. "Nice to meet you, Hale," I say sincerely. I check the braille watch on my wrist and realize it’s time. "Goodbye," I say. I close my eyes. And when I open them again, I am standing in front of the palace, surrounded by nobles, knights, and servants. The scent of flowers drifts through the air, mingling with hushed laughter and murmured conversations. I straighten my coat and stride toward the grand hall where the ceremony will take place. ⚔️ "Three days ago, Marquess Alessio Hawthorn was found lifeless at the kingdom’s border. It is believed he suffered an accident. As a result, his title shall be passed down to the son he trusted most: Helio Hawthorn!" the Queen announces as I step into the hall. I walk calmly past the rows of nobles, my gaze locking on Zenthio, who is already draped in the ceremonial cloak of the Marquess, kneeling solemnly before the Queen. "But since Helio Hawthorn disappeared on his way to the palace," the Queen continues, "as per the established rules, I will pass the title of Marquess to Marquess Alessio’s firstborn, Zenthio—" "I object, Your Majesty!" My voice rings across the hall. Whispers explode among the nobles and knights. Some murmur insults about my blindness, but others still remember the power I was born with. I walk steadily down the red carpet and stop behind Zenthio. "As you can see, Your Majesty, I am still alive," I declare. "Shouldn’t the title be mine?" The Queen smiles at me. Wrapped in a gown adorned with real rubies, she seems to care for nothing but herself. But she despises having to correct herself, especially now that another voice cuts through the hall. "I also object, Your Majesty," Lavinia says. I turn to see my sister stepping forward, dressed in the formal attire of a noblewoman. "I believe I have the ability to carry on our father’s legacy," she states firmly. "Lavinia..." I whisper. If she wants to take this title from me, I won’t stop her. I trust she would be a worthy leader. But that would also mean exposing herself to the same dangers I face. "I object as well, Your Majesty," Demario adds. I clench my fists. The Queen now wears a cruel smile as she slowly walks around us, scrutinizing each one of us in turn. Then she asks, "And what makes any of you think you are better than the others?" I clear my throat. "My father believed I was the most worthy of inheriting his title, Your Majesty. Doesn’t that mean I am the best choice?" "Your Majesty," Lavinia interjects. "I have the highest intelligence among my brothers. I am also the most skilled in swordsmanship. Furthermore, I wield magic that ensures fairness in leadership. I believe I will be a better Marchioness than any of them." "Are you saying this because our kingdom is ruled by a queen, Lavinia?" the Queen questions. That’s dangerous. There’s something in her voice—jealousy, maybe. Though I don’t know why a queen would envy a noble girl like Lavinia. "Please, Your Majesty, don’t listen to them," Zenthio insists. "As you can see, Helio is blind and far too young to lead. And there’s no proof that Lavinia is any better than the rest of us—" "Silence!" the Queen snaps. "Here’s what we’ll do. I will give each of you a task to prove your worth. Zenthio, as the eldest, will hold the title of Marquess temporarily. In one month, I will judge who deserves it. Understood?" The four of us exchange glances. I doubt Zenthio and Demario will play fair. But Lavinia nods. "I accept, Your Majesty," she declares. "I will prove that I will be a great Marchioness." "I accept as well, Your Majesty," Zenthio adds smugly. "I will prove that the eldest son is always superior." "As do I, Your Majesty," Demario smirks. "I will prove that strength is what truly matters in leadership." I take a slow breath. Close my eyes. When I open them, the Queen is staring at me, waiting. "I accept," I say. My voice is steady. "I will prove my father was right."
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Game of Illusions: Vengeance of the Blind Heir 001 | Judgment of the Sacred Tome (Helio)
My name is Helio Hawthorn. I know. You think that name doesn’t suit me, but I am indeed part of the Hawthorn family. I am the third son of Marquess Alessio. Even if I’m the illegitimate child of a servant. Even if I was born blind. Even if I—well, the point is, I never chose to be born a Hawthorn under these circumstances.Today is Tuesday. The day I turned eighteen. The day I finally meet the Sacred Tome.The sun blazes at the edge of rain-bearing clouds, its heat pressing against my skin. The wind blows from the west, carrying the scent of roses from the mansion’s garden. As I walk toward the canopy where the Sacred Tome awaits me, I hear every guest whispering about me."Look at his bright red hair, just like a commoner’s. So different from his silver-haired, elegant siblings.""Why are we even here? He’s just the third son, and he’s blind. He won’t play a role in noble society.""Let’s hope the Sacred Tome is wise enough. A half-mortal like him shouldn’t receive the same magic as
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"Where do you think you can go, Helio?" Zenthio asks, his voice laced with threat as he yanks my shoulder and shoves me to the floor. I instinctively reach for my white cane, but I hear the soft swoosh of air as Demario pulls it away from me.My teeth clench. "You’re a traitor. All of you! Especially you, Bernard!" I shout. "Why are you doing this? You were our tutor. I trusted you!""Helio," Bernard replies, too calm for someone who just planned the assassination of a high noble. "Some things are bigger than you think. I’m doing this for a better future.""What?""Enough with the lessons, Bernard. I can't stand another one from you—I'm sick of it." Zenthio chuckles coldly. He presses down on my shoulder and grips it tight. I try to resist, but his grasp is too strong."I'm sick of you too, Helio," he sneers, his voice dripping with hatred. "Father always paid attention to you, with all that nonsense about you being smarter than us or whatever. But from now on, I’ll make sure everythi
Game of Illusions: Vengeance of the Blind Heir 004 | Wheel of Fortune (Helio)
When General Aziel delivers the news, everything starts moving too fast, like a film on fast-forward. My mind goes blank, unable to process what happens next. My mother and younger brother burst into tears. My sister accuses General Aziel of lying. And Demario and Zenthio—I'm not sure. But I know they’re smiling as if they can’t believe things are unfolding exactly the way they wanted."I grieve just as much as you do," General Aziel finally says. His voice is heavy with sorrow, enough to quiet the whole room. "Marquess Alessio and I have known each other since our days at the magic academy." He pauses for a moment before continuing, "But my knights found his body. And I know he—Marquess Alessio—would want to return to his family. His coffin will arrive today, My Ladyship. I hope you will arrange a proper funeral for him."My mother stays silent. I know it's too much to ask of her. No woman wants to hold a funeral for the man she loves. But Lavinia steps forward, wrapping an arm aroun
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Let me get this straight. My name is Nyx Moonspire. But unlike him, I take no pride in my family name. My father was an ancient king, my mother an ancient queen, and I was their little prince. That’s all.You might have heard of me in a few fairy tales. The little prince who tried to steal the throne from his stepmother? That was me. The hound that scared misbehaving children and lured them astray with illusion magic? Also me. But that doesn’t mean any of it is true. In reality, I’ve got my own life to deal with.There was a time when I wanted the throne. When I wanted to rip it from the hands of my stepmother—the mad doctor who spent years poisoning my mother. But in the end, she died on her own, taken by some mortal illness. The truth is, I did rule this kingdom for a while. I even married a Grand Duke’s daughter. But then she died, and that’s when I started realizing—I'm not like other kings. I don’t get to die.I’m a chosen mage of the Sacred Tome. Maybe one of its favorites. Or m
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Eleven years ago."Helio, do you want a sibling?"I don’t turn to her. More accurately, I refuse to. I’m still upset that she didn’t come to my room last night to read me bedtime stories. She never believes me when I tell her how many times Demario and Zenthio sneak in, tormenting me with ghost stories."Helio...""Why would I want a sibling, Mother?" I snap. "Am I not enough of a punching bag for Zenthio and Demario?"She sighs. "But aren’t you close with Lavinia?""Of course. But Lavinia is only my half-sister.""So you still don’t want a sibling?""Give me one good reason why I should," I demand. "Aren’t you afraid they might be born blind like me?"She lets out a soft laugh. It infuriates me so much that I reach for my white cane and push myself up. I want to leave my room, though I have no idea where to go. I just don’t want to run into Zenthio or Demario and face whatever torment they have planned for me today.My fingers find the door handle when she speaks again. "I’m not afra
005 | Shattered Bonds (Helio)
"THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!" Zenthio shouts, throwing a chair across the grand hall.Several knights move toward me, pushing me back as Zenthio charges forward. I don’t even realize he’s about to hit me until General Aziel speaks."Enough, Lord Zenthio. I know Marquess Alessio’s decision is hard to accept, but there must be a reason he chose his third son as his successor. No one knew his sons better than he did.""You can’t be serious." Zenthio lets out a sharp, bitter laugh. "Are you blind, General? Helio is actually blind. And he isn’t pureblooded! He doesn’t deserve to be Marquess. That title should be mine!"I clench my fists. "I won’t argue with any of the insults you throw at me, Zenthio," I say, my voice steady. "But General Aziel is right. There is a reason Father chose me. Maybe it’s because he knew you’d stoop to something disgraceful just to take his place."Zenthio’s fist slams into my jaw. I stumble back, crashing into the knights trying to shield me. But I just wipe my chin, ru
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003 | Game of Despair (Helio)
"Where do you think you can go, Helio?" Zenthio asks, his voice laced with threat as he yanks my shoulder and shoves me to the floor. I instinctively reach for my white cane, but I hear the soft swoosh of air as Demario pulls it away from me.My teeth clench. "You’re a traitor. All of you! Especially you, Bernard!" I shout. "Why are you doing this? You were our tutor. I trusted you!""Helio," Bernard replies, too calm for someone who just planned the assassination of a high noble. "Some things are bigger than you think. I’m doing this for a better future.""What?""Enough with the lessons, Bernard. I can't stand another one from you—I'm sick of it." Zenthio chuckles coldly. He presses down on my shoulder and grips it tight. I try to resist, but his grasp is too strong."I'm sick of you too, Helio," he sneers, his voice dripping with hatred. "Father always paid attention to you, with all that nonsense about you being smarter than us or whatever. But from now on, I’ll make sure everythi
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"I’ll make sure you, Actavio, and that wretched mother of yours end up as beggars."I don’t pretend his words don’t hurt. They slice through me, sharp and direct. But I hold my smile. “It wasn’t my mother who abandoned her family for a Grand Duke, Zenthio,” I say. “She stayed in this house for years—to care for us. To care for you.”I see the way my words hit Zenthio and his siblings. I know I’ve gone too far—it’s not their fault. Guilt crawls up my spine, but I push it down. Because every time Zenthio or Demario insults my mother, I feel the same sting. And as always, he doesn’t even flinch.Zenthio lets out a dry laugh. “Care for me? And what exactly can a mortal like your mother do, Helio? Sweep the floors? Scrub the halls?”"Everything alright?" Bernard’s voice cuts in, sudden and unwelcome. I pray he hasn’t been listening, but the moment he speaks again, my hope crumbles. “Helio, can we talk later?”⚔️I always hate the way Bernard closes the library doors before one of our serio
001 | Judgment of the Sacred Tome (Helio)
My name is Helio Hawthorn. I know. You think that name doesn’t suit me, but I am indeed part of the Hawthorn family. I am the third son of Marquess Alessio. Even if I’m the illegitimate child of a servant. Even if I was born blind. Even if I—well, the point is, I never chose to be born a Hawthorn under these circumstances.Today is Tuesday. The day I turned eighteen. The day I finally meet the Sacred Tome.The sun blazes at the edge of rain-bearing clouds, its heat pressing against my skin. The wind blows from the west, carrying the scent of roses from the mansion’s garden. As I walk toward the canopy where the Sacred Tome awaits me, I hear every guest whispering about me."Look at his bright red hair, just like a commoner’s. So different from his silver-haired, elegant siblings.""Why are we even here? He’s just the third son, and he’s blind. He won’t play a role in noble society.""Let’s hope the Sacred Tome is wise enough. A half-mortal like him shouldn’t receive the same magic as
