Wilted Crown

The stars shimmered in the vast night sky, casting a soft glow over the quiet land. Amidst the tall grass of an unfamiliar realm, a young boy—no older than four—lay motionless, his small body battered and covered in wounds. His ethereal hair, faintly glowing silver, marked him as something beyond ordinary. His breath was shallow, his frame weak, yet his hollow eyes slowly fluttered open.

Pain surged through him as he tried to move. His hands trembled, stained with dirt and blood. His mind was blank—empty, as if he were a vessel stripped of its past. No memories, no name, nothing but an ache deep within his chest.

Then, a voice.

"Kun."

It echoed in his mind, soft yet insistent.

"Kun."

He clutched his head, his heart pounding. Who was calling him? Where was he? His lips parted, and in a whisper, he repeated the name.

"Kun."

The word felt right, like a piece of himself he had forgotten. And so, with no other choice, he claimed it as his own.

Wandering through the endless forest, Kun walked aimlessly, his small feet stumbling over roots and stones. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, but he pressed on.

A sudden scream tore through the silence.

"Aahh!"

Kun's head snapped up. A boy—no older than himself—was backing away from a massive stag1, its antlers sharp as blades. The child held a flimsy wooden stick, waving it desperately.

"Go away! Please, go away!" The boy's voice wavered with panic, his hands trembling.

The deer, enraged by the boy's movements, lowered its head, preparing to strike.

Kun moved before he could think.

A blinding light burst from his hands, forming a glowing barrier between the boy and the beast. The stag reared back, its antlers cracking upon contact with the shield. With a startled snort, it turned and fled into the darkness.

Silence followed.

The boy, eyes wide with shock, stared at Kun. "Who... how did you do that?" he whispered.

Kun remained still, his expression blank. He had no answer.

Before the boy could ask more, a group of knights and servants arrived. The knights immediately raised their spears, pointing them at Kun.

"State your name, beggar!" one knight barked.

Kun said nothing, merely staring. The boy he had saved, however, gasped. "Wait! He—"

But the servants swarmed the young noble, fussing over his injuries. Meanwhile, the knights held their ground, their weapons still trained on Kun.

Kun turned to leave, unwilling to stay where he was unwelcome. Yet, before he could take a step, the knights blocked his path.

"Step aside," a deep, commanding voice echoed through the clearing.

The knights immediately lowered their weapons as a tall man stepped forward. His golden robes shimmered in the moonlight, his long dark hair flowing with the wind. The air around him felt heavy—powerful.

Kun felt something stir inside him at the man's presence.

The man—the King—studied Kun with piercing eyes before reaching out, his hand glowing faintly as he touched Kun's forehead. A flicker of recognition crossed his regal features.

"It is you..." he murmured under his breath, before turning to his men.

"He is no mere beggar. Bring him with us. As for my son, take him home."

- - -

A Day After

Kun sat alone in the chamber of the East Palace. Though he was technically a guest, the servants paid him no mind. His wounds remained untouched, his presence ignored.

The room was grand but felt empty. Kun, sitting in a corner, had no thoughts of complaint. Instead, he simply hummed a soft, haunting melody—a tune that seemed to drift from a distant memory he could not recall.

The door burst open.

"Where is he?" A young girl stormed in, her voice edged with impatience. "Where is he hiding? Alice!"

Her attendant hurried after her, flustered. "My lady, please! You shouldn't be here!" she pleaded, glancing uneasily at Kun.

But the girl ignored her. "Alice!" she called again, stubbornly pushing forward—only to suddenly pause.

Her sharp gaze landed on a boy sitting in the corner, his long hair slightly unkempt, his hollow eyes watching her with quiet curiosity.

She frowned. "Who is this? A peasant?"

"This is why I told you not to come here," the attendant whispered nervously.

Before the girl could question further, a familiar voice cut in.

"What are you doing here, Lizzy?"

The young noble—the same boy Kun had saved—stepped between them, blocking her path. His voice was thick with irritation. "Didn't I tell you I don't want to talk to you?"

Lizzy huffed. "Hmph! But I want to talk to you. Don't tell me you're still blaming me for telling your father that you skipped your lessons? It wasn't me!"

"I don't care."

Alice shot her a side glance, clearly unimpressed. Then, almost instinctively, his eyes flickered toward Kun.

Lizzy followed his gaze.

"Who is she?" she asked.

Alice blinked. "She?"

"Yes, she! I didn't know you found another playmate besides me!"

A smirk tugged at Alice's lips. He turned to one of the servants. "Escort her out."

Lizzy scowled, but instead of waiting for the servants to guide her, she spun around and marched out herself, her steps loud with annoyance.

The door clicked shut.

Silence followed.

Alice turned back to Kun, arms crossed.

"All of you—leave." he commanded.

The remaining servants bowed and exited, leaving only Alice and Kun in the dimly lit chamber.

For a moment, Alice simply studied Kun.

"Why are you in such a state? You haven't even taken a bath. You stink."

Kun didn't react.

Alice let out a sigh before kneeling to Kun's level, his golden eyes filled with unspoken curiosity.

"Well… from this angle, you really do look like a girl." he mused, tilting his head. Then, he reached out and gently touched Kun's cheek.

"Thank you for saving me last night."

His voice was softer this time.

"My name is Alice Ravencourt.1"

Kun stared at him, unmoving.

Alice waited, then asked, "What's your name?"

Kun lifted his hand, mirroring Alice's gesture. He touched the noble boy's cheek in return.

Alice's eyes widened in surprise.

Then, to Kun's bewilderment, Alice let out a soft laugh.

"Whoa, whoa, now! You dare touch a noble?" he teased, amusement flickering in his gaze. "And excuse me, do you think I'd fall for such tricks? No."

Yet, despite his words, he didn't pull away. Instead, he gently grabbed Kun's hand, trying to read his blank expression.

Then—at last—Kun spoke.

"Kun."