Remnants: I. The Banished—The Serpent They Hailed

I was never born to kneel in light, A bastard shadow cast from night. They crowned her rose, they crowned her kaiserin— But thorns are sharper than they’ve ever seen. I watched her from the marble edge, Rozetria, perfect, on her gilded ledge. Raven hair, sapphire gaze so pure, While I hid scars no one could cure. Father’s eyes slid past my face, Acknowledged me only in disgrace. The court whispered “harlot’s child,” So I learned to smile and bide my wild. Then came Darius, golden, tall, The prince who promised her it all. I saw the hunger in his stare, The weakness waiting buried there. I brushed his sleeve in darkened hall, Let silk whisper secrets to his call. One touch, one glance, one poisoned word— And loyalty became absurd. I will take what should be mine, Steal the crown, cross every line! She kisses joy with lips so sweet— I’ll make her laughter taste defeat! Darius bends beneath my spell, Rozas will fall, and I will swell. From bastard birth to empress high— I’ll watch the rose wilt, watch her die! Why her? Why always her name in lights? While I choke on endless nights. Father’s love never reached my door, So I’ll carve my love in blood and war. I seduced him slow, I broke the vow, Turned his heart against her now! She’ll smile in public, mask the pain— While I rise laughing through the rain! Rozetria, sweet and fragile thing, Your empire’s end is what I bring. I am the shadow, I am the bite— And tonight, the banished claims the light! One kiss from me… and kingdoms fall. One whisper more… and she’ll lose it all. Seraphine rises… hear my call— The rose will bleed… and I stand tall.