Chapter 1: Season 1 Chapter 1

Once upon a time, in the realm of Gods and Goddesses, a lone human infiltrated their divine world. He was a destitute wanderer. Seeking refuge from the other deities, he sneaked into a palace, assuming the guise of a common labourer. Unfortunately, his ruse was uncovered by Aurelia, the Goddess of wealth, not long after. Desperate to save himself, he seized her by the neck, threatening to end her life if anyone dared approach. Subsequently, he transported her from the Celestial realm to the mortal world, coercing her into marriage.

Unbeknownst to him, as he fled back to the mortal realm, the Goddess left behind a fragment of her jewellery. Soon, other deities discovered her location, and Aurelia was rescued. The Goddess punished the man, declaring, "This place is where my last diamond fell." She encircled him, proclaiming, "Your soul shall be trapped here, never to escape." While she cursed him, she blessed the land for its kindness, naming it Diamanto. In this realm, poverty was banished, wealth abounded, and the river perpetually gleamed gold. Winter never touched Diamanto, for it became the realm blessed by Aurelia. Over time, the man transformed himself into a labyrinth, a dwelling for negative spirits—The Labyrinth of Magic, one of the deadliest mazes in existence.

"What do you glean from this, Amaryllis?" My uncle's words cut colder than winter. His silver hair, akin to mine, cascaded like a snowstorm. Today, that storm had a target—the one who would face demise.

"Don't attempt deceit," I retorted, pondering my earlier actions.

He continued, "In the course of time, this tale evolved into a lesson for young boys and girls, teaching respect for women. Centuries later, women emulated the Goddess, donning veils post-marriage. What did you learn from what I said now?"

"I shouldn't wear Aunt's veil without permission. Ah!"

I tumbled to the floor, the book suspended by magic crashing down. "Leave," my uncle's apathetic command echoed.

I rose silently, bowing, and limped away. After finding out what I had done, he called me in his study and asked me to stand on one foot, reading until his signal. The last fall intensified the pain in my leg. I had already fallen two times before and it hurt but he asked me to stand up and continue reading disregarding the fact that I was in pain.

But now that I was in my room, I felt more at ease. Slumping on the floor, relief washed over me. My foot throbbed from the enforced stance. Was it wrong to desire a glimpse of myself in a veil?

Approaching the mirror, I applied medicine to my sore cheek. It stung—a consequence of my aunt's forceful slap. My reflection revealed a crimson hue on my cheek, likely the reason for the servants' shock while I was coming back.

Why the animosity? Sharing Uncle's silver hair and blood, was it because I mirrored my father? Why this disdain?

Head bowed, a knock interrupted. Who? Uncle? Aunt?

"Amy," a tender voice; it's Luka's. "I am coming in."

"Luka!" Relief flooded me; it wasn't Uncle or Aunt.

"Show me," he said, inspecting my hit cheek. Reciting a spell, a green light emitted, healing my bruise. "Look in the mirror."

My cheek appeared normal, a testament to Luka's spell. "Was it mother or father?" Concern laced his voice.

"Your mother, my aunt," I replied, avoiding eye contact. I didn't want to delve into the pain. I was upset wondering why did they loathe me?

"Why?" Luka inquired.

"I tried one of her veils without permission."

"Why would you do that?"

"Just because."

"Calm down, Amaryllis," Luka began, "Do you have someone you like?"

"Wh- What are you implying?" Flustered, his sudden question surprised me.

"I mean," he explained, "it's normal for girls your age to develop feelings. Did you try the veil thinking about some boy?"

"No, I did it because I wanted to. Why assume it's a boy? And I'm not little."

"Typically, kids your age start falling for someone. I don't know a 14-year-old who'd willingly put on a veil for women above 30."

"Now you do. It's not a boy. I just liked the new golden veil."

"I see, I see." His teasing tone conveyed doubt. "Amy, if you have a crush, tell an adult, okay?"

"Who's 'us'?"

"Me, mother, father."

"I'm not telling Uncle and Aunt. They'll punish me."

"Okay, okay," he said, pulling me into an embrace. "At least tell me. I'm a responsible adult, you know?" His heartbeat was comforting, and he patted my head. It made me relaxed.

"I know better. And don't flaunt the age difference. You'll grow into a lousy old man before me."

"Yeah, yeah. But you're still little. Keep me posted if you have a crush. We don't want our girl running away in love, do we?"

"What makes you think that?"

"People make rash decisions. I want to help you avoid them. If you need to talk, you know where to find me."

"Yeah..." I mumbled, growing drowsy. "It's odd, isn't it? The stern man who raised you."

"Hm?"

"Despite your near-identical appearance, he's colder. Is it because of my different eyes?"

"My father was burdened by work early in life. Life made him bitter. Your golden eyes are unique. Even though my father and I share red eyes, it doesn't affect his love for you."

"He doesn't love me. He's just raising me because I'm his brother's daughter. He doesn't want me around."

"Amy, enough," Luka scolded. "Father cares. It's because you're you. He's not doing it out of obligation but desire. Never say he doesn't care."

I remained silent. One doesn't treat a loved one with such coldness. I couldn't challenge him, knowing Uncle was his father. I should stop.

"I'll go for a walk," I declared, standing. The conversation left me more upset for some reason.

"Amy," Luka called, but I ignored him. I wanted solitude, not Luka's company.

Walking through the garden, bare feet on grass, offered solace. I was grateful for my decision to come outside; the indoors felt stifling.

"Amaryllis!" Urgency coloured my cousin's voice through the communication ring.

"What happened?"

"Father forbade you from leaving your room. Hide until I calm him down."

"What?" This is the garden. Where do I hide? Behind the trees... Ah! Behind the trees! I forgot about my grounding. If Uncle finds I defied his orders, I'll face his wrath.

Hiding behind a tree, I prayed the servants wouldn't discover me. But it was wishful thinking. The voices of approaching servants reached my ears.

Suddenly a shrub caught my attention, revealing a small opening in the wall. I stealthily approached the shrub, my eyes widening as I noticed a small opening in the wall. A hidden escape? Hurriedly, I removed the shrub, revealing a larger crack in the wall. A glimmer of hope sparked in me; perhaps I could slip away unnoticed. Yet, the consequences of defying Uncle's orders loomed in the background. The voices of approaching servants intensified my urgency.

Crouched behind the nearest tree, I covertly observed the servants. Their voices grew louder as they neared my hiding spot. Panic set in as I pondered the consequences if I were discovered. I hurriedly put on a spell on myself which would make me invisible and went to that shrub and removed it forcefully and snuck out of the larger gap. I can't use that magice for a very long time, that's why, when I was on the outside, I realised that my magic had worn off. It was really a very close call. But suddenly, I remembered something. I needed to hide the crack from the inside for no one to find it.

In a desperate attempt to divert attention, I strategically placed the shrub back, concealing the crack to the best of my ability.

When the servants passed, oblivious to my clandestine escape, I breathed a sigh of relief. The road ahead lay empty, offering a tempting path to freedom. The weight of my grounded existence lifted as I stepped onto that deserted street. Finally, after the confines of the garden and the strictures of my uncle's rules, I felt the exhilaration of liberation. I am finally free now.