Long before the empire was founded, the Oracle of the Divine Temple left behind a prophecy:

"When the empire is consumed by greed and division, an Enigma shall be born into the royal bloodline. That ruler will either unite the continent... or destroy it."

For centuries, no Enigma had ever appeared.

Most people believed the prophecy was only a myth.

Until Crown Princess Aurelia was born.

The Imperial Palace stood proudly at the center of the continent, home to the most powerful royal family in the A/B/O world.

The empire recognized many ranks:

Dominant Alpha

Elite Alpha

True-Blood Alpha

Rare Omega

Royal Beta

Enigma—the rarest existence of all.

Only one person in the empire possessed the Enigma trait.

Crown Princess Aurelia.

At nineteen, Aurelia was announced as the official heir to the throne. When Emperor Aldric grew old, she would become the first reigning Queen in centuries.

Not everyone welcomed the decision.

Inside the royal council chamber, the ministers bowed before the emperor, but their expressions remained grim.

"Your Majesty," Prime Minister Cedric began, "the empire has never been ruled by a woman. Prince Kael is a True-Blood Alpha. He would make a more suitable heir."

Several ministers nodded in agreement.

"The Crown Princess may be an Enigma, but the throne should belong to a True-Blood Alpha."

The chamber fell silent.

Then...

A heavy pressure filled the room.

The grand doors opened.

Princess Aurelia walked into the council chamber wearing a white and gold military-style royal uniform. Her silver crown rested elegantly on her head, and her calm violet eyes swept across the ministers.

Every Alpha instinctively lowered their heads.

Even the strongest Dominant Alphas felt the overwhelming aura of an Enigma.

No one dared challenge her directly.

Aurelia stopped beside the emperor.

"I heard my name," she said calmly. "Continue."

The ministers exchanged nervous glances.

None of them had the courage to repeat their insults in front of her.

From the side of the hall stood Prince Kael.

The handsome True-Blood Alpha watched silently. The ministers clearly favored him over his sister, but Kael showed no reaction.

Emperor Aldric struck his staff against the marble floor.

"The succession has already been decided."

His voice echoed through the chamber.

"Aurelia is my heir."

"And to unite the empire, she will enter a royal marriage with five representatives of the great noble houses."

Shock spread through the hall.

The names were announced.

Duke Lucien — Dominant Alpha.

Marquis Cassian — Elite Alpha.

Count Elias — Royal Beta.

Prince Rowan — Rare Omega.

Sir Adrian — Elite Alpha and Captain of the Royal Knights.

None of them looked pleased.

They accepted the emperor's command because it was their duty—not because they wanted to marry Aurelia.

Some doubted her.

Some pitied her.

Only one man looked at her with unwavering loyalty.

Sir Adrian.

As the meeting ended, Aurelia gazed out the palace window toward the capital below.

"They think I cannot rule..."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"Then I'll make the entire empire kneel—not through fear, but through the strength of my reign."

Far away, hidden in the shadows, someone whispered,

"The Enigma Queen has finally begun her journey."

Ten days had passed since Emperor Aldric announced that Crown Princess Aurelia would become the future Queen and marry five noble men.

The news had spread across the entire empire.

Some nobles supported the decisionand.

The ministers secretly visit Prince Kael.

"Your Highness, the empire needs a True-Blood Alpha, not a woman."

Kael remains silent, refusing to answer whether he supports his sister or not.

Each noble family receives the imperial decree.

Duke Lucien's father orders him to obey.

Marquis Cassian throws the decree onto the floor in anger.

Count Elias begins researching everything he can about Princess Aurelia.

Prince Rowan quietly accepts the alliance for the sake of his kingdom.

Sir Adrian simply smiles and prepares to protect the woman he has admired for years.

The Emperor brings Aurelia into the royal court.

She sits beside him during council meetings, listening as nobles debate taxes, trade, and military affairs.

Many ministers ignore her opinions.

She says nothing...

She simply watches and remembers.

Others mocked it behind closed doors.

Most of the ministers still believed that Prince Kael, the True-Blood Alpha, should inherit the throne instead.

On the tenth morning, five carriages arrived at the Imperial Palace.

Each carried one of the men chosen by the Emperor.

Duke Lucien, the Dominant Alpha.

Marquis Cassian, the Elite Alpha.

Count Elias, the Royal Beta.

Prince Rowan, the Rare Omega of the Kingdom of Elaris.

Sir Adrian, Captain of the Imperial Knights and an Elite Alpha.

The royal guards escorted them into the throne room.

Emperor Aldric sat upon the Golden Dragon Throne.

The five men knelt before him.

"Rise."

The Emperor's commanding voice echoed through the hall.

"You already know why you have been summoned."

Duke Lucien stepped forward first.

"We do, Your Majesty."

The Emperor looked at each of them before speaking.

"Ten days ago, I announced my daughter as the future ruler of this empire."

"And today, I ask you one final time."

"Do any of you object to marrying Crown Princess Aurelia?"

Silence filled the throne room.

Finally, Marquis Cassian spoke.

"I object."

The room became tense.

"But I will still obey."

"My family serves the Crown. This marriage is my duty—not my choice."

Count Elias nodded.

"I share the same opinion."

Prince Rowan lowered his head.

"My kingdom has already accepted the alliance. I cannot refuse."

Duke Lucien crossed his arms.

"I have no intention of loving the Crown Princess."

"I will simply fulfill my responsibilities."

Only Sir Adrian answered differently.

"I have no objections, Your Majesty."

"I swore my loyalty to Her Highness long ago."

The Emperor watched them quietly.

"I never asked for your love."

"I only asked for your loyalty."

"Whether your hearts change in the future..."

"That is a path each of you must walk yourselves."

Just then...

The great doors of the throne room slowly opened.

A calm voice echoed through the hall.

"Father, you summoned me?"

Crown Princess Aurelia stepped inside.

Her silver-white royal uniform shimmered beneath the sunlight pouring through the palace windows.

The five men turned toward her.

For a brief moment...

None of them spoke.

The meeting that would change all of their lives had finally begun.

The massive doors of the Imperial Throne Hall slowly opened.

A wave of silence swept across the room as Crown Princess Aurelia stepped inside.

Dressed in a white-and-gold royal uniform embroidered with the imperial crest, she carried herself with quiet confidence. Her silver crown rested neatly atop her long hair, while her calm violet eyes met those gathered in the hall without hesitation.

The five noble men instinctively turned toward her.

For a brief moment, no one spoke.

Emperor Aldric broke the silence.

"Aurelia, come forward."

She walked across the polished marble floor and stopped beside the Golden Dragon Throne before bowing respectfully.

"You summoned me, Father?"

"I did."

The Emperor's sharp gaze shifted toward the five noble men standing before him.

"Today marks the first meeting between my daughter and the men who will become her husbands."

None of them looked pleased.

Duke Lucien remained expressionless.

Marquis Cassian crossed his arms, clearly dissatisfied.

Count Elias observed Aurelia with thoughtful eyes.

Prince Rowan quietly lowered his gaze.

Only Sir Adrian looked at her with unwavering respect.

The Emperor continued.

"I expect each of you to introduce yourselves."

Duke Lucien stepped forward first.

"I am Duke Lucien Ashford, Commander of the Western Army and a Dominant Alpha. I shall fulfill my duty to the Crown."

His tone was respectful but distant.

Aurelia nodded.

"Thank you, Duke Lucien."

Next came Marquis Cassian.

"I am Marquis Cassian Veritas, an Elite Alpha."

He looked directly into Aurelia's eyes.

"I hope Your Highness understands that respect is earned, not inherited."

The hall became silent.

Several ministers secretly smiled.

They had expected someone to challenge the Crown Princess.

Aurelia's expression did not change.

"I agree."

Cassian frowned.

She continued calmly.

"Respect cannot be demanded. It is earned through one's actions."

Her answer surprised everyone, including the Emperor.

Count Elias stepped forward.

"I am Count Elias Sterling, a Royal Beta. I look forward to serving the empire."

His words were polite, though his face revealed little emotion.

Then Prince Rowan approached.

His elegant silver-blue robes reflected the light as he bowed gracefully.

"I am Rowan of the Kingdom of Elaris."

"My title is Rare Omega."

"I accepted this marriage to strengthen the peace between our kingdoms."

He paused before adding softly,

"I hope our alliance brings prosperity to both nations."

Aurelia smiled politely.

"I share that hope, Prince Rowan."

For the first time, Rowan looked directly into her eyes.

He had expected an arrogant princess.

Instead, he found someone calm and composed.

Finally, Sir Adrian stepped forward.

Removing his sword, he knelt on one knee before Aurelia.

"I, Sir Adrian Valen, Captain of the Royal Knights and an Elite Alpha, swear once again that my sword shall protect Your Highness for as long as I live."

His oath echoed through the throne room.

Aurelia gently gestured for him to rise.

"Thank you, Sir Adrian."

Emperor Aldric stood from his throne.

"From this day onward, the six of you will begin preparing for the royal marriages."

"You will attend council meetings together, train together, and represent the empire together."

Marquis Cassian frowned.

"Together?"

"Yes," the Emperor answered firmly.

"If you cannot stand beside the future Queen now, you will never be worthy of standing beside her throne."

Just then, the doors of the throne room burst open.

A palace guard rushed inside and dropped to one knee.

"Your Majesty!"

"The eastern border has sent an urgent report!"

"A noble house has refused to recognize Crown Princess Aurelia as the future ruler of the empire."

The atmosphere instantly turned tense.

The ministers exchanged uneasy glances.

Aurelia remained perfectly calm.

Her eyes met her father's.

"It seems," she said quietly, "my first challenge has arrived."

The Emperor gave a faint smile.

"Then let the empire witness the beginning of your reign."

The five future husbands looked at Aurelia once more.

For the first time, they realized that marrying the Crown Princess would not simply be a political duty.

It would place them at the center of a battle for the empire itself.