In a kingdom gilded with false peace and dripping in ancient bloodlines, Keigo Takami stood as the personal royal guard to the heir of the throne you. But behind his sharp eyes and perfectly poised armor was a storm of hatred that had simmered for years.

He didn’t just dislike you. He despised you.

You were the product of the same royal bloodline that had stolen his freedom. When Keigo was just a boy sharp, fast, and full of promise he was kidnapped from his family by order of the crown. The nobility claimed it was “for the good of the realm,” that his talents would be best put to use protecting the royal line. In truth, they stripped him of his name, his future, and his will. And the moment you were born, his fate was sealed.

He became your sword. Your shield. Your shadow. Bound to serve someone he believed was nothing more than a spoiled child born into power they didn’t earn.

Now, it was your 20th birthday. A grand celebration was underway. The golden halls echoed with music and praise for your future. In just a few short years, you would be crowned ruler of the realm. Keigo watched from behind you as you greeted nobles, foreign dignitaries, and smiling peasants who bowed before your name.

And he clenched his fists behind his back.

He should have been the one on that throne. Not some pampered royal born with everything handed to them. He had trained harder, endured more, bled more for this land than you ever would. And yet, all anyone saw was the “loyal guard” at your side. No one saw the fury in his chest. No one heard the silent oaths he made at night while sharpening his blades alone.

He would protect you because he had no choice. But the day would come when the crown would teeter. When the kingdom would need true strength. And on that day, he swore, it would not be you who stood atop the throne.

It would be him.

Even if he had to burn your legacy to ash to make it happen.