The first rays of dawn illuminated the dark sky, painting the horizon with a soft orange hue that gradually blended into a serene blue, signaling the arrival of twilight. Only a handful of stars defiantly shimmered on the celestial canvas, as if unwilling to yield their radiance to the approaching sun. The stars and the sky resembled a poetic masterpiece, their sparkling lights akin to words etched across a vast, dark-blue parchment.

Yet the message they conveyed was ethereal, beyond the grasp of understanding for any sentient being. It was as if the cosmos whispered secrets that eluded comprehension. And then, as it had done for eternity, the sun asserted its dominance over the world's light.

In the Capital of Sylphrena, a new day had begun. Farmers arose early to tend to their crops and livestock, the rhythmic clinks of blacksmiths' forges resounded in a few corners as they prepared to shape metal, and the alluring aroma of freshly baked pastries wafted through the alleys. Household servants, maids, and personal attendants readied themselves for their masters' awakening, preparing breakfast, organizing schedules, and selecting appropriate attire.

In the temples, priests of the sole religion offered prayers to the one God, the deity of life. They performed a special ritual at dawn and dusk, symbolizing the cycle of existence from beginning to end.

The kingdom was already abuzz with activity, even though most of its inhabitants still slumbered. At this hour, a few individuals had finished their jobs and were headed to their homes. The night watch of guards concluded their shifts, and their colleagues took over to ensure the kingdom's safety, unyielding guardians in the quietude of dawn.

This morning was like any other one in the Kingdom of Sylphrena's everyday routine except for a certain uniqueness. A cloaked figure moved swiftly through the grand corridors of a castle nestled in the northern reaches of the capital city.

Princess Rina had exchanged her elegant ballgown for a dark robe, its length somewhat cumbersome as it trailed along the castle's marble floors. Her once voluminous silver hair was now concealed in a tight bun, tucked away beneath the hooded garment. Strands of silver peeked out like moonlight breaking through thick clouds.

Rina had made up her mind; it was too dangerous to remain within the castle's walls. Duke Damocles knew of her impending ascension to the throne, and Prince Remian harbored a grudge. While she didn't have a clue about their exact intentions, she was certain staying to find out was not an option. After her birthday celebration ended a mere few hours ago, she had not been able to find sleep, closing her eyes for more than a few seconds had become a challenge.

She had sought her father after her party, who had left for discussions following the first dance. When the King's attendants informed her of his departure to another city for political matters she cared little about, Rina felt adrift.

Why was he always so busy? Just for once stay at the same place for more than a few minutes.

King Urtemis was her fortress, her sanctuary within these walls. More like a wandering castle. In his presence, no one dared to even breathe too loudly around her. However, with him absent, anything became possible, and she found herself without a trustworthy soul.

And so, she decided to disappear, at least for the duration of her father's absence.

One day would be enough, then she would tell him everything, and he would take care of the matter. A single day should suffice, after which she would tell him everything, and he would handle the situation.

That's a good plan... I guess.

Taking advantage of the changing of the guards, their momentary lapse in attention, and an excuse she provided to her maids, Rina left the palace. She offered silent apologies and prayers for the guards and maids who would likely face repercussions later, though no blame could be placed upon them.

Never had such a situation arisen that necessitated these men and women to act seriously. Who would dare to create a disturbance in the home of Sylphrena's most formidable figure? And what maid would defy her mistress's orders to be left undisturbed?

In history class, her tutor had expounded upon the remarkable state of their world. Wars and rebellions had become exceedingly rare, with only one or two recorded in the last millennium. This era of tranquility was attributed to the benevolence of the deity of life. His descent had brought about a profound transformation in the world's laws and order.

Prior to His intervention, their world had been a desolate and barbaric place, marred by untimely deaths and violence. Now, they lived without much fear, a blessing not only for the populace but also for Rina herself. In such a secure place, the role of guards had diminished significantly. They had become more of a symbolic presence, decor to uphold the reputation of the kingdom.

Soon, an unremarkable hooded blob, cloaked in dark brown, emerged from the castle's northern precincts and headed toward the city center. Where to go and what to do were questions to be answered by her future self.

For now, it was time to explore the capital city, something she had never been allowed to do. It wasn't her first time here, but she had never been alone. An entourage of guards had always shadowed her every step, and that couldn't be called true sightseeing.

As Rina walked the streets of the capital, she seemed to forget the fear she had experienced just hours ago. Instead of stealthily avoiding the eyes of the nobility, she curiously observed her surroundings. Her hood-covered head swayed from left to right, trying to encompass the entire street within her narrowed field of vision.

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All kinds of people bustled around her.

Mothers held their children's hands, pulling them away from stands selling sweets. The children's pouting faces and their sad retorts brought a smile to Rina's face. Merchants haggled with their customers, teenagers laughed in groups, and some kids ran around, occasionally bumping into adults and then darting away from their angry shouts. Rina saw it all, and an indescribable feeling welled up inside the princess. It was warm and cozy, urging her to stay here forever, far from the castle, responsibilities, and intrigues.

"Is this how freedom feels like?" Rina asked herself, contemplating the unfamiliar emotion.

She continued her stroll, careful not to bump into anyone and risk exposing her identity. Her silver hair was like a symbol of royalty, although not unique to the royal family, it was rare to see. She didn't want to take unnecessary risks.

The day had just begun, and she planned to stay until evening at least. Her father, a glutton for lavish dinners, would probably return before then. At least, Rina hoped so.

It had been around two hours since she had left the palace, and she imagined that the maids and guards were alarmed by now. They were likely searching for her all over the place, and soon their eyes would turn toward the city.

"I'll just take a look around the plaza and then find a hidden alley to stay in," Rina decided. "They can't find me in this disguise anyway."

Despite receiving an elite education from a young age, Rina, in her sheltered upbringing, had missed out on some of the experiences that had shaped the common sense of teenagers her age. Walking around in her oversized robe wasn't exactly an effective disguise; instead, it made her stand out like a sore thumb.

"Mom, look, a monk is here!" a fascinated boy pointed at the peculiar, robed figure on the streets. His mother promptly pulled him away and scolded him, saying, "Stop pointing at others. It's rude."

"Huh, what's a monk doing here?" A bewildered teenager asked his group of friends.

"Surely not to ask you for a donation, you broke peasant," one of his friends retorted.

"Shut up, I paid you most of it back..."

Raised eyebrows, strange looks, and snippets of conversation were directed at the comically disguised princess. However, Rina's mind was too preoccupied with all the new things she saw. If she could, she would have leaped from stall to stall, trying out various things and playing with the goods displayed for sale. But a speck of caution reminded her of her circumstances, so she restrained her urges.

"I will annoy Father until he allows me to come here again... and then I will buy everything... Hehe," Rina mused.

A budding shopping addiction was threatening to take over the innocent princess. That's when the street she had been following opened to an enormous plaza — the center of the capital, Sylphrena's heart.

Immediately, Rina's obsidian eyes were drawn to the center of the plaza, where a statue pulled her attention. Each time she stood in front of this work of art, she felt like an insignificant insect. The statue's height was breathtaking, towering even above the rooftops of the houses that encircled the open square.

Rina moved slowly toward the statue, her head tilting upward with every thud of her footwear on the ground. She stopped a short distance from the monument, completely captivated by the beauty before her.

This stone statue was a masterpiece, a timeless work of art that had fascinated people for centuries. Before Rina stood a woman crafted from granite, her striking facial features meticulously chiseled to perfection.

Long, flowing hair cascaded down the woman's shoulders, ending at her hips. She wore a linen robe that, despite being carved in stone, appeared as if it could flutter in the next passing breeze. Her legs, from Rina's vantage point, seemed impossibly long, and they had remained firmly planted on the ground for the past millennium, with no indication of changing anytime in the next thousand years.

Most captivating of all were the figure's hands, gracefully raised above her head, with palms touching at the base and fingers elegantly extended outward. When viewed from the front, it gave the impression of her forming a vase with her hands.

Rina was well acquainted with the reason for this pose. At the peak of the sun's ascent in the sky, it appeared as though the statue was cradling the very source of light itself in her hands. This image perfectly matched the statue's name.

Sylphrena, the...

"Woah... Who's that?"

A young man's voice broke through Rina's contemplation, snapping her back to reality.

"Huh, you don't recognize this statue? Are you perhaps sick? That's Sylphrena, the Light Bearer... One of the three Angels of Dawn."

She turned her attention to him, a touch absentminded from her earlier thoughts.

Oh no! Did I just say this out loud?

A moment of regret rushed over her.

The stranger let out an awkward response, "Uhg... Sorry and... Thank you... I guess."

At some point, a young man had appeared beside Rina, studying the statue before them. She had been too deep in her thoughts to notice his presence, even absentmindedly answering one of his questions.

No. No. No. Please just ignore me. Don't look at him, just look at the ground, and he will go away now... probably.

However, despite her inward pleas, the young man's presence lingered.

"Ehm...," he began tentatively.

No, don't "ehm" me. Please just leave. Don't ask me anything.

He continued, "Who exactly is... Sylphrena? Is she the founder of this kingdom... Oh, is that how the Kingdom of Sylphrena got its name?" His voice held a hint of enlightenment at his own conjecture.

"What!? Have you never been educated before? You're playing a trick on me, right? Everyone knows the Angel Sylphrena!" Rina's frustration simmered beneath her baffled tone.

Sylphrena was an idol to her, a figure she'd heard countless bedtime stories about, filled with tales of her miraculous deeds. How could there be a person who didn't know her? It seemed impossible.

The boy shrugged with a nonchalant tone, "Mhm... Maybe I've just slept through that part of class." He seemed to say this more to himself than to Rina, but she could hear him, nonetheless.

"Slept through class? You're saying you don't know one of the God of Life's, the creator of this world, Angels, who are His messengers because you slept? This is not some random historical fact you can just ignore. Such ignorance!"

He sighed, seemingly unperturbed by her anger. "Well, you seem to know a lot about this Sylphrena. How about you tell me something about her? Maybe that will help with my... ignorance."

While Rina kept her gaze fixed on the ground, she couldn't help but imagine an annoying grin on his face.

How infuriating... "Tell me something about her?" This is an angel, not some random stranger. Show some respect!

The anger inside her grew, and her clenched fists itched to punch through that boy's head.

It's empty anyway, a waste of space.

Thus, a serendipitous encounter set the wheels of fate in motion, intertwining the destinies of these two individuals on that fateful day by the statue of Sylphrena.