**Beeatrix Kingdom — Six Years Ago**

  The capital, **Golden Sting**, pulsed with life.

  The streets were filled with merchants, hive patrolwomen, and nobles in carriages.

  But inside the palace, the atmosphere was different: cold, silent, suffocating.

  In the royal tower, **Queen Beatrix** calmly read a book by the window.

  Sunlight passed through the stained glass, reflecting off the jewels adorning her body.

  Her gaze was firm, cold… yet carried an imposing charm.

  Hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.

  — **Mommy, mommy!**

  Without lifting her eyes from the book, the queen replied:

  — Stingara, we’ve discussed this. Inside the Hall of Ancient Scriptures, address me as **your highness**. As my successor, you must show manners and class.

  Young Stingara, only 13, lowered her head.

  — Yes, your highness… — she answered timidly.

  The queen closed the book and stared at her.

  — Well? Be brief.

  Stingara smiled, excited.

  — Your highness… my birthday ball is this week. I wanted to invite a boy…

  The queen’s expression darkened.

  — A commoner? Are you insane? And on top of that, you’re in love?

  Stingara tried to protest:

  — But, mom—

  — Do you really want me to repeat an order, Stingara?

  The veiled threat was enough to freeze the girl.

  She simply lowered her head, yielding.

  The queen stood, imposing.

  — We, of the throne’s direct bloodline, shape the empire from birth. You are proof of that. You were born from a planned union.

  Your magical power is incredible. Although Meliora’s mana quality is superior, you have more quantity.

  — Mana quality can be improved, but quantity cannot be increased.

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  — When I decide you’re ready, you’ll marry someone of royalty, someone influential.

  The queen approached and touched her daughter’s chin.

  — I don’t care if you get involved with men. If you want someone, just take them. But never forget: you are my firstborn. You have more power than I had at your age. I have plans for you. Don’t disappoint me.

  — Yes, your highness… — Stingara replied, her voice hollow.

  *Since I was little, my mother was strict with me.

  She saw me as her reflection.

  Whenever I questioned her, whenever I disobeyed… I was punished.

  She hurt my body and my mind.

  The physical pain faded with magic.

  But the trauma… that stayed carved into my soul.*

  The last time I disobeyed was when I got involved with **Sousa**, a commoner boy.

  He had no mana. He was weak.

  But I liked him.

  When my mother found out, she ordered his execution.

  And since he was just a commoner man, the matter was quickly forgotten.

  *That day, I learned to hate the weak.

  I locked my heart away.

  To me, men became nothing but pleasure. Nothing more.*

  Years later, Stingara, now 19, was brushing Melisara’s red hair.

  — You’re getting pretty, sis. Too bad your face looks just like Meliora’s.

  In the next room, Meliora sneezed.

  — Achoo! — she scratched her nose, distracted by a book.

  Melisara, innocent, asked:

  — Sister Stingara, why do you hate sister Meliora? Aren’t sisters supposed to care for each other?

  Stingara answered seriously.

  — I don’t hate her. It just annoys me that mother keeps pressuring me and spoiling Meliora. It’s unfair. You might not understand, but it’s frustrating.

  Melisara blinked slowly.

  — So you’re jealous.

  Stingara shoved her sister’s face into the blankets.

  — Who’s jealous?!

  The moment was interrupted by the sound of hive patrolwomen’s footsteps.

  The palace was always in motion.

  *Ever since the summoned ones began to appear, the routine changed.

  Five were found just that week.*

  Stingara got dressed and went to the royal hall.

  There, 19 drones were already gathered.

  Gabriel Gaiden, the first to be found, had been named **First Drone of the Court**.

  Stingara watched them with malice.

  *These drones are actually attractive… the first one is the most handsome. He looks so young…*

  Three days later, rumors spread: a **twentieth drone** had been found in the forest.

  The guards escorted him to the hall.

  Everyone was already waiting.

  And then he entered.

  **Souta Kihara.**

  The last of the summoned.

  Stingara’s eyes sparkled as she saw him.

  — Who’s that? — she asked firmly.

  Meliora replied, distracted.

  — He’s the last drone found. You’re not paying attention?

  Stingara narrowed her eyes.

  — He has a handsome face… but a weak appearance.

  And she thought to herself:

  **I hate him.**

  Stingara’s hatred was born long before Souta appeared.

  Is Stingara a victim or a villain? Every bit of support helps us dig deeper toward the throne! ??