Chapter 1: The Crown Princess They Refused to Accept

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."

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