The Shadow Queen’s Romance

In the kingdom of Rosskellin, at the center of the Kingdom's heart, lay the King's fortress, a beacon of both the kingdom's ruler and the location of the world's most powerful spirit core, housed and monitored by the king himself: Lord Arthur Stone. In the courtyard of this prestigious location was the princess, Selene Stone, training her spiritual abilities by utilizing a specific selection of weapons, sourced from all over the world, honed not only to attack physical materials, but also to channel spiritual power. The first type was a special drum known as a Tongen drum, an eastern drum used by shamans from the east to enter the spirit world modified to emit shockwaves of spiritual power to stun or shake spirit cores and included retractable blades that could cut and saw through physical material when thrown at a distance. The second type was the inclusion of a thin blade known as a katana from Japan and a wooden sword known as the kendo blade, though this sword was reinforced with steel to magnify the kendo blade's destructive capabilities (though it was better used in the spirit world than in the physical world). The third type was a series of special bells and rattles from different parts of the world to flush out spirits from an area or banish them back to the spirit world through specific rituals. The fourth type was a series of staffs, daggers, swords (Longsword, rapier, and short sword), mirrors, and a trident. All of these weapons were available to use if one had the spiritual power and physical skill to use them, and Selene had both one of, if not the highest recorded spiritual power in history, but also trained with each of these weapons, giving her a high level of potential that surpassed even her father's capabilities. Rooting for her on the sidelines was her best friend, a young man by the name of Jasper, who was always there for her; who handled both the maintenance of her weapons and to the storage of these weapons. He never trained with her, but Selene didn't mind. After her latest training session, she gave Jasper the rapier, which prompted him to begin cleaning the blade. "You did well today, Selene!" Jasper exclaimed while focusing on the blade. "Thank you, Jasper. I would not push myself as hard as I do without your words of support," Selene stated, a wide smile spreading across her face. "That's quite kind of you, my friend," Jasper admitted, "I'm always glad to offer my assistance to you." Selene's smile softened into a grin and her cheeks began to look slightly pink as she sat next to Jasper. As she did, Jasper sighed. Selene looked over to him, her grin bending into a small frown. "What's wrong?" Selene asked. "I wish I could protect you like how you protect me," Jasper confessed in a melancholic tone, "I feel like I could do more for you, since you have been keeping me safe since we were children." Selene's eyes gazed upon Jasper softly before she placed a hand onto his shoulder. "Jasper," Selene murmured, her grip tightening, "Creatures like Jinns, Yokai, ghosts, and evil spirits are not things that are fought without risk. I wouldn't want you to suffer. Especially from whatever those disgusting entities attempt to curse you with…" Jasper nodded silently, finishing his cleansing and oiling of the rapier before sheathing the blade. From afar, Arthur glared at the pair from above, grimacing at the interaction. From behind, his wife and queen, Jasmine Stone, nestled close to him and whispered, "What has you in such a mood, my love?" "Our daughter is fraternizing with him," Arthur grumbled. "Oh, Arthur," Jasmine began, "The boy is not doing any harm." Arthur huffed, nostrils flaring and fists clenched as he slowly turned to Jasmine. "Darling… You know that he lacks the prestige to match up with our lineage. He has none to his name! He's likely doing this to rise up the social ladder and cheat when he must remain in his place." Jasmine sighed, shaking her head. "I know there are many greedy men in this world who want your throne. But my power has not warned me of such traits in this boy," Jasmine stated. "But he has no spiritual power!" Arthur ranted, "That boy's bloodline has been cursed and weakened so thoroughly that he has no ounce of spirit power in his body. I tolerated his presence around our daughter when they were children because I believed he would at least cultivate a miniscule modicum of might. But no! He has the most pathetic excuse of a spirit core I've ever seen. If it weren't for the kindness and grace he shows to our daughter, I'd assume he was a soulless ghoul, prowling in disguise to learn our weaknesses so that the void could destroy us." Jasmine frowned, bowing her head. "I must concede to that," Jasmine admitted, "However, could he not be a friend to her? I wouldn't dare suggest he marry in. But he would continue to be a great friend to her." Arthur shook his head. "I have other ideas," Arthur exclaimed. Jasmine's eyes widened. "Careful, my love," Jasmine warned, "The heart is stubborn and not to be trifled with." Arthur huffed, replying, "I will take that into consideration. But for now, I have personal business to attend to." Arthur left the hall, leaving Jasmine alone. 'I hope he is willing to accept the consequences of what may come,' Jasmine pondered, knowing she had to accept Arthur's authority as his wife and queen. Meanwhile, Jasper and Selene continued their chat. "Ah, so your father has been distant lately?" Jasper asked. Though while Selene leaned in, Jasper pulled back, making sure Selene had enough space. "Yes, I don't know what is wrong? I try to speak with him but he never wants to talk… Unless it's about you," Selene answered. Jasper immediately sat up straight. "Huh?!" Jasper exclaimed, "Why?" Selene began, "Well-" At that moment, she was interrupted by one of the servants, a man by the name of Guile T. Reiges. "My Lady, your father has requested your presence in the throne room," Reiges stated. Selene nodded to Jasper, who nodded back in gentle understanding. "I will head there at once, Mr. Reiges. How have you been, by the way?" Selene asked. Reiges' gaze grew soft and cottony and the ends of mouth curled upward as he uttered, "I'm doing well, My Lady. Thank you for asking." As Selene left, Reiges' gaze hardened to his usual no-nonsense, sharp demeanor as he turned to the approaching Jasper. "Will she be available later?" Jasper asked politely. "I'm afraid not, young man," Reiges answered politely, "I suggest you take your leave before you overstay your welcome here." Jasper nodded and headed to the front of the fortress. However, just as Jasper was about to leave, a large, meaty hand stretched out and grabbed him by the collar of his clothes and hoisted him up, straight into Arthur's face. "Ah… Your Highness-" Jasper began before being swiftly cut off. "Silence!" Arthur boomed, prompting Jasper to fall silent. Afterward, Arthur began to growl, "It's time you and I had a talk, boy. I've tolerated your presence up to now, but no more! I won't have you dragging my daughter down to your level!" Jasper's eyes widened as he hurriedly replied, "Y-your Highness, I assure you I mean no ill will to her! We are only friends, nothing more!" Arthur huffed before he snarled, "Do you think I don't see your ploy, weakling? You have no spiritual power, no authority in my hierarchy. So, to elevate yourself, you would seek to have my daughter for your own! Diluting the royal blood with your own tainted concoction! An utter act of selfishness!" Jasper shook his head, retorting, "No! I know I am not worthy of her; I wouldn't dare try to taint her. I swear I wouldn't!" Arthur's eyes narrowed as he walked out of the fortress with Jasper in his clutches. "Exactly what a fiendish rat would claim, boy!" Arthur spat before throwing Jasper to the ground, who quickly got to his feet. Arthur shouted, "You won't run!" Arthur then used spiritual pressure to force Jasper in place, almost chuckling at how Jasper only managed to stand thanks to his physical strength as the lack of spiritual power would've instantly led to Jasper being flattened into a paper-thin sheet from Arthur's sheer presence. Then, Arthur lifted him up with spirit energy, Jasper's weak soul leaving him unable to wiggle free. "Henceforth! I curse you, Jasper the Empty!" Arthur boomed, "Never again shall you lay foot in my kingdom. And as for your family, they are allowed to trade and stay for a few days, but they may never live here permanently again. Should any of you attempt to intrude, the perpetrators will face pain as they never have before! Be grateful that I did not banish your entire bloodline!" Meanwhile, as Selene made her way to the throne room, the scene outside caught her eye, making her gasp. 'No! Father… All of those warnings… Jasper needs me!' Selene thought, running to the window, yet she was unable to open it, realizing several strips of paper were overlaid along the lock and frame. 'Talismans?! Father expected I would try to save Jasper.' Selene thought, 'I'll have to remove them, quickly!' Selene set to work, desperately trying to open the window. Back with Arthur and Jasper, Arthur managed to complete the curse before zapping Jasper with it, sending it to all his kin as their home disappeared and they were promptly kicked out, with Jasper rendered immobile in Arthur's grip. "Get out of my sight!" Arthur yelled, launching Jasper at such a quick pace that Jasper crashed through several trees, causing them to fall on top of him. "Jasper!" his father yelled, running over to get him out. Jasper's mother and younger brother also rushed to help him. Arthur's eyes widened and his face went pale. 'I… I didn't kill the boy, did I?' Arthur pondered before seeing Jasper rise to his feet, looking mostly fine as he shook off the impact of the trees. 'Oh,' Arthur mused, 'Seems his muscles aren't all for show. Hmph! Doesn't matter, spirit is superior to muscle.' At this moment, Selene finally managed to get the window open, but she was too late. "No!" she shrieked, "Jasper!" Tears began to pool in Selene's eyes before she ran off. Arthur noted the screech, but he held firm, watching as the children and some of the other citizens came over and laughed at Jasper, calling him names because of his spiritual weakness. Jasper stood firm, letting the insults roll off of him as he turned around. "Come, let's go," Jasper stated, but he didn't move until his father put a hand on his shoulder and the family walked off on their own, clearly distraught. "Let it be known that weaklings who have no spirit power are not welcome in this kingdom!" Arthur declared. The people shouted cheers for Arthur and jeered behind the backs of Jasper and his family. As they went along the dirt path, Jasper's father saw that his head was bowed. "What is wrong, my son?" he asked. "I miss Selene already. I feel I've let her down, Father," Jasper admitted, tears threatening to fall from his eyes. Jasper's father patted his back, advising, "Don't worry my boy, the princess is strong. Be content that you had a decent childhood with a loyal friend. Not everyone gets that." Jasper nodded, grinning a bit and he reminisced on the time he spent with Selene. Selene, however, was in horrible shape, crying in her room as her failure played over and over in her mind. 'Jasper… I should've realized sooner! What have I done…' Selene thought, her tears unending. Arthur, having rushed back to the fortress after recognizing his daughter's distress, went to her room and knocked on her door gently. "Who is it?" Selene asked. "It's your father," Arthur answered. Selene's tone hardened as she glared pointedly at the locked door. "Why did you harm Jasper like that?" Selene asked coldly. "He was getting too close. I feared for your safety since he is a weakling and weaklings tend to scrounge about the place like rats," Arthur stated. Selene snarled, "How dare you! He did nothing wrong and you not only forced him out of our home, but shamed him and his family in front of the whole kingdom!" Arthur, attempting to maintain some peace, stated, "Do not worry, you will still be able to see his family from time to time and you can ask them how he is doing. That way you can still be connected without having to see him around as much." Selene huffed, her nostrils flaring and her tears raining from her face as she growled, "Jasper was a dear friend to me! He did not deserve this no matter what your reasoning is!" Arthur scoffed before commanding, "Don't take that tone with me, young lady. I know what is best, and that boy was not only weak, he was trouble!" Selene yelled, "I do not want to hear your excuses, get away from me!" Selene curled into her bed and continued to cry as Arthur slowly backed away from the door and left Selene alone.