Jay Reyes never understood why people envied him. They saw his expensive suits, the velvet ropes pulled aside for him, the flashes of cameras that followed his every step. They saw wealth, glamor, and a life that promised anything he asked for. But envy had a funny flaw. It only judged from the outside.Tonight was another celebration, another meaningless charity gala hosted under the golden crest of Reyes Corporation. Crystal chandeliers adorned the ceiling like diamonds plucked from the heavens. A polished marble floor reflected gowns and polished shoes. People danced, laughed, toasted expensive wine like joy was something you could bottle and sell.Jay moved among them with natural grace. His smile was crafted perfectly, every curve of his lips practiced until it looked effortless. He shook hands. He laughed at jokes he didn’t hear. He posed for photos his heart wasn’t in.His father had warned him before the event: “Tonight, you are the face of this family. Do not embarrass us.”S

Jay never imagined that waking up could turn into such an overwhelming spectacle. One moment he stared blankly at the six emotional strangers in front of him, and the next they were pulling chairs close, forming a protective circle around his bed like guards surrounding a precious treasure.The Queen gently brushed Jay’s hair away from his forehead. “You must be tired, but your siblings insisted on seeing you properly. They’ve been… restless.”“Restless?” one of the princes repeated with a dramatic scoff. “More like miserable.”That voice belonged to the eldest. He stepped closer, chest puffed with pride and authority. Thick black hair, silver eyes sharp with intelligence, posture impossibly straight. Even without remembering, Jay could tell: this was the crown prince.“I’m Aldrin Astrelia,” he declared grandly. “Your eldest brother. The future king. The smartest, strongest, and obviously the best sibling you have.”Two siblings groaned immediately.“Please, self-control,” a younger s

Jay chuckled again, which only made the king look smug about his accidental joke. Somewhere inside, a new thread tugged: belonging. Dangerous thing, that feeling. It could make a person stay.Not like he had anywhere else to run.The queen cupped his cheek tenderly, her thumb brushing his skin like he was something precious that might slip away if she blinked too long. “Breakfast will be served here today. We don’t want you to exhaust yourself.”Too late. Being adored to death was apparently a royal hobby in this palace.“There’s also the matter of the Crown Prince of Aurelius,” the king added, tone carefully neutral. “He wishes to visit as soon as possible.”A collective groan erupted from several siblings.“He only wants to steal Jay!” Yven accused, arms crossed like an angry kitten.“He has nice hair though,” Seraphine said thoughtfully.Theo gagged. “Ew. You only care about pretty faces.”Seraphine flipped her hair. “It’s a survival instinct.”The queen shot them a warning glance

The grand dining hall of Astrelia Castle gleamed in the early morning sun, its polished floors reflecting the long tables stacked with food. Platters of roasted meats glistened beside baskets of bread, bowls of fresh fruit, and golden pastries that smelled of honey and cinnamon. Candles flickered despite the sunlight, their soft glow adding a warm ambiance to the already opulent room.Jay sat at the center, his chair slightly too tall for him, and he barely reached the edge of the table. Six of his siblings hovered around him, each performing their usual duties of fussing, lecturing, or dramatically sighing. Aldrin, the crown prince, sat close with his posture impossibly straight, eyes sharp yet careful, observing Jay’s every movement.Seraphine fussed over the placement of his plate, adjusting silverware as if the balance of the kingdom depended on it. Yven bounced on the balls of his feet, whispering to anyone who would listen about how Jay had always been his favorite. Lucien mutte

The day of Jay’s first official royal demonstration arrived with the kind of tension that made the air itself feel heavier. The Astrelian royal hall had been prepared meticulously: tables gleaming with polished silver, banners fluttering with the crest of the empire, and a gallery of noble guests whose expectations weighed like invisible chains on every polished floorboard.Jay stood at the edge of the grand hall, trying to steady the orb of swirling magical energy hovering above his hand. Sweat prickled at his brow, though the room was comfortably warm. Today, he wasn’t just learning-he would perform. And perform meant every skill he’d learned in the past months would be scrutinized at once.Seraphine appeared beside him, her Alpha energy radiating calm authority. “Remember, Jay,” she said softly, leaning close, “control the magic. Let it flow through you, but do not force it. Your posture, your movements, your presence-all of it must convey confidence.”Jay nodded, feeling the weigh