UnbrokenChainENG

(FLASHBACK)

Fuuuuushshhhh!

Exposure to the wind makes the long hair of the little Lirien flutter. That morning, the air in Hera's City was still cool, with dew hanging from the leaves of the trees. Lirien was the son of Cane Vaelsy, a merchant and secret keeper, and his mother, Vina Vaelsy. As a descendant of the Vael family, Lirien has a great responsibility since childhood. However, at the age of 12, what he wants is not honor or heavy duty, but an answer—why is he different from other children? Why is he always in the spotlight, not because of his merits, but because of the burden bequeathed to him?

In the morning, he and his father walked to the shore of the lake, where they used to go to train and run in the morning. The sun was still peering shyly from behind the mountains, while the lake water shimmered like shards of glass.

"Dad, I'm already tired of living my days as a student at Sera Academy," Lirien said, stamping his feet on the still damp ground. "They all always laugh at me because they think I'm just a little kid who is being used by our clan to absorb all the information that exists in this world!"

Cane Vaelsy looked at her daughter for a while, then smiled. With ease, he lifted the Lirien into his arms, making the little girl flinch.

"In the past, when I was a child, I was also often scolded by my grandparents for being lazy at school," Cane said with a chuckle. "Yes... I'm actually smarter than my friends there."

Lirien leaned his head against his father's shoulder. "Then, are you being made fun of by all of them because you are different from other children?"

Cane put the Lirien back on the ground and rubbed his head. "Oh, of course. They say I'm arrogant, haughty, and smart. But that didn't stop me from studying. Because I know that what is right will always be right, even if everyone doubts it."

Lirien frowned. "But why do I have to endure all this? Why do I always have to memorize, read, and remember everything? Why can't I be like other children who play carefree?"

Cane let out a long sigh. He then invited Lirien to sit on a large rock near the lake. The morning breeze swept across their faces, carrying the refreshing scent of water.

"Because you are special, Lirien. Not because our clan is using you, but because the world needs people like us. People who remember history, who keep secrets, who make sure that the future does not repeat the mistakes of the past."

Lirien bit her lip. "That's not what I want, Dad. I'm just curious... can I choose my own path in life?"

Cane looked at Lirien deeply. "Sure you can. Our Clan does have responsibilities, but that doesn't mean we can't determine how we carry out those responsibilities. Lirien, in the end, the one in control of your life is yourself. Not me, not your mother, not anyone else."

They were silent for a moment, letting the sound of gurgling water and the chirping of morning birds fill the silence between them. Lirien stared at the reflection of himself on the surface of the lake. Long-haired little girl with piercing eyes, who all this time felt herself like a bird in a cage.

"So, if I want to be an adventurer who travels the world and discovers secrets that have yet to be revealed, it can be, right?"he asked,his eyes full of hope.

Cane laughed. "Of course you can. In fact, maybe it's your destiny. Who knows, one day, you'll find something the world has never even imagined."

From then on lirien was obsessed with always traveling, adventure and making his curiosity very big so he decided to attend the Vallhala Academy, deciding to be away from his parents since he was 12 years old, going to the country of Vallhala with his aunt Hera Vaelsy.

"Bi, what is Vallhala country like? are they better than our country?"lirien asked curiously.

At least you can get better here and make friends that are much more diverse than in Zathyria, Vallhala country is currently the most advanced in terms of economy and science, many geniuses were born there!"

Lirien was very enthusiastic to hear that.

First day at Vallhala Academy

 Lirien was introduced by his teacher to his classmates. "everyone, today we have a new friend from the neighboring country!"said the teacher.

"come on in, Introduce Yourself First, don't hesitate!"

"Hello everyone good morning I am Lirien Vael, son of Cane Vaelsy, I come from not far from the land of Vallhala, I come from Zathyria. Nice to meet you all."

"Your name is Lily, right ? nice to meet you here."

"You can sit there next to Sylvaine corner by the window." 

And it was the first day of school that day that I met Sylvaine and Reiner.

The two of them are still very awkward, especially since they are the most talented women in the Academy, this is where the friendship began until I got to know Vallhala academy star Shazmeen Daneena. Who does not know her figure, beautiful, cute and funny like her plus she is the second child of Ravish Daneen the current leader of the country her name has resonated in the world. 

"Hey Lirien are you a girl over there ?"point Sylvaine towards Shazmeen. 

"Yes, I saw him, who is he ?"asked lirien curiously.

"He is the most famous person in the Academy his name is Shazmeen Daneena the second child of the Daneen Clan, arguably the entire state is really impressed by this one Ravish Daneen child. She is really beautiful like an angel."praise Sylvaine

Lirien stared at the figure designated by Sylvaine, a girl who was sitting under a large tree in the courtyard of the Academy. Shazmeen, with long shiny hair and bright eyes, looked like an angel who had just come down from the sky. His looks are amazing, no one can deny it. However, there was something that attracted Lirien more than her beauty—the atmosphere around her was so preserved.

"He's Ravish Daneena's son?"asked Lirien, astonished. "I never knew he was here."

"Yes, that's right," Sylvaine replied as she leaned herself against the chair. "He is the second son of Ravish Daneena, the head of this state. People say he's so perfect, no one can match him in this academy. Her face was beautiful, her body slender, as if the world bowed its head to her."

Lirien stared at Shazmeen from a distance. The figure looked very graceful, yet something in the way he sat and stared around made Lirien feel something unusual.

"Yes, she looks like an angel," Lirien said while nodding, "but from her gaze, I guess there's more to it than that. He doesn't seem to enjoy the attention given to him."

Sylvaine only smiled sarcastically. "You're starting to realize something, aren't you? Everyone wants to approach him, wants to admire him. But you see, he's always dodging. Never really opened up to anyone."

Lirien felt curious, but there was something in her that made her want to know Shazmeen more, not just because of her status, but because of the discomfort she felt behind her perfect appearance.

One day, Lirien and Sylvaine had to walk towards their classroom located at the end of the Academy. They were talking, when Lirien accidentally bumped into someone who was walking in front of them.

"Excuse me!"said Lirien quickly, lowering his head.

When he looked at the person he had hit, his eyes widened. In front of him stood Shazmeen, with a calm but slightly anxious look. Although Shazmeen's face looks relaxed, there is an expression that is difficult to hide—a sense of fatigue and aversion to the attention paid to him.

Shazmeen stared at Lirien for a while before turning his eyes away, not wanting to waste any more time.

"No problem, "Shazmeen said flatly," just keep going."

Lirien was surprised by his answer that didn't seem to care much, even though he knew Shazmeen was a very respected figure.

During lirien's school hours, the students had left the academy to leave a quiet hallway without any meaningful bustle, but only one that made her eyes interested in something she saw Shazmeen was alone on a long bench in the school's garden, she looked pensive alone there.

"Him? what is he doing there, I've never seen a famous person alone?"he muttered. 

Lirien immediately without further ado jumped from the third floor of his school building and approached Shazmeen who was still sitting pensive.

"Hey, Shazmeen," Lirien finally broke the silence, " I know you're always surrounded by people who want to get close to you, but I think there's another side of you that they don't know."

Shazmeen turned his head slowly to Lirien, his normally firm eyes now looking a bit tired, like they were storing a lot of weight. "The other side? What do you mean?"he replied in a tone that was not too open, but did not rule out the possibility of talking further.

Lirien looked at him gently.

"You know, all this time I've only heard about how perfect you are. Everyone talks about your beauty, your family status, and everything that makes you look untouchable. But I think there's a lot that people don't know about you. About who you really are."

Shazmeen fell silent, as if Lirien's words had just stirred something in him. He bit his lip for a moment before finally taking a deep breath. "Maybe you're right," she replied, Shazmeen's voice softer, more vulnerable this time.

"But sometimes, I feel like they just see what they want to see. They don't see me as a person, just a symbol. As the son of Ravish Daneena."

Lirien was surprised to hear those words. "But right, whoever is in your position will definitely also feel respected, appreciated. A lot of people want to be in that position, Shazmeen."

Shazmeen shook his head, his eyes now full of confusion.

"They don't know what I'm going through. They don't know what it's like to live in the shadows of never-ending hope. How it feels to always be expected to be perfect, without being able to show the slightest weakness. They see me only because of my family name, because of my status, but do not know who I really am."

Lirien listened carefully. "But isn't that not your fault? Don't you also have the right to be yourself, without pressure from the outside world?"

Shazmeen looked at him, a little surprised. "Of course I want to, Lily. But who can understand that? I don't know who to talk to. My every move is always monitored, my every action is always taken into account. There are so many people who want me to be what they want. What do I want, Who cares?"

Lirien felt his heart moved. "Shazmeen," he said softly, " I think everyone deserves to find themselves. Even if the world tries to make us into someone we're not, we still have control over our lives, over our decisions. You're not just Ravish Daneena's son. You are Shazmeen. You have the right to choose your own path."

Shazmeen lowered her head, remained silent for a while, then slowly raised her face and looked at Lirien with eyes that began to show tenderness.

"You know, not many people talk like that to me. I always felt lonely in the midst of all the people who wanted to get closer, who wanted to know more about 'Shazmeen Daneena', but nobody really tried to get to know 'me'."

Lirien smiled, "maybe it's because they're stuck with the image they've created of you. But if they just want to see the outside, let them. What matters is who we are when we are alone, who we are when no one is watching. You should not feel bound by the expectations of others."

Shazmeen looked at Lirien "Hey you, didn't you just lecture me? I don't even know your name yet?I heard you're new here, right?"

Lirien laughed at that, she felt like her mother, who always advised her at all times even though she herself already understood it.

"Hahahaha, yes it is!, right I'm a new kid here, only a few weeks anyway, my name is Lirien Vael" 

Shazmeen was wide-eyed to hear the clan from Lirien because the Clan from Vael has super geniuses and the most influential people in the world today. 

"Wuah.....seriously this? you're from the Vael clan?"

"Yes, of course my father Cane Vaelsy, we are from the country of Zathyria, I moved with my aunt here, in the previous place I was always the subject of ridicule from my friends because they said I was just a nerd without seeing the outside world, since that's when I tried to travel what my father did let it be what was the way, I was on my own path"

Shazmeen smiled at that, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Wuah... then, when I grow up, you'll be my advisor, and we'll travel wherever we want. Even..."

Shazmeen paused, thinking hard before suddenly lifting his index finger with a dramatic expression. "In fact, we can create a secret kingdom, where only cool people are allowed to enter!"

Lirien looked at him with a confused expression for a moment before finally laughing out loud. "Hahahaha! Seriously, Shazmeen? The secret kingdom? That sounds like the idea of a child reading an adventure book for the first time!"

Shazmeen snorted feigned annoyance, folding his hands on his chest. "Hmph! Oh my God, Lirien! Don't you have the slightest imagination? It is not an ordinary Kingdom, but a kingdom full of adventures! Imagine, we can explore foreign lands, find treasures, meet great people!"

Lirien still laughed, but this time more restrained. "All right, all right. I understand, your Highness Princess Shazmeen. I will be your royal advisor, but on one condition..."

Shazmeen raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? What are the conditions?"

Lirien smiled mischievously. "You must promise not to behave like a spoiled princess who only knows how to sit quietly on the throne and have others work!"

Shazmeen is wide-eyed, pretending to be offended. "Hey! I'm not a spoiled princess, you know! I can fight! I can ride a horse! I can even jump over the Academy fence if need be!"

Lirien folded his hands and nodded with a pretended serious expression. "Oh yeah? I want to see for myself the proof of all that."

Shazmeen fell silent for a moment before finally laughing, realizing that Lirien was teasing her. "You are! Really sucks!"

Lirien laughed. "Hahaha, sorry, sorry. But to be honest, I think you're different from what I imagined, Shazmeen."

Shazmeen looked at him curiously. "Oh? You mean how?"

Lirien sighed lightly. "At first I thought you were what people say-someone too perfect to approach. But it turned out... you're only human, just like me."

Shazmeen fell silent, then smiled a little. "That's the most honest thing anyone has said to me in a long time."

The day began to crawl dark, the sky slowly turned into a bluish-purple tinge, while the garden lights began to light up one by one, emitting a soft light among the trees. 

Shazmeen glanced towards the sky, then moved away from the park bench with a light movement. He stretched out his arms briefly, stretching his muscles that felt stiff after sitting for too long. 

"Hmm ... I think I've been here long enough. I'm going home, yeah!"he said with a smile. 

Lirien, who was still sitting with his hand supporting his chin, looked at Shazmeen with an amused expression. 

"Hahaha, yeah, too! I lost track of time."He rubbed his neck, then nodded slowly. "All right, see you later." 

Shazmeen stepped back a few steps before waving his hand. "Yes! See you later!"Lirien followed her figure with a glance, watching Shazmeen's long black hair fluttering slightly in the wind. 

As Shazmeen steps further away, the atmosphere of the park feels quieter. Lirien sighed and looked up at the sky that was now dotted with stars. 

Involuntarily, the corners of his lips were slightly raised. 

For some reason, there was something in her that felt warm after their conversation today. 

And for the first time, he looked forward to tomorrow with enthusiasm.

On the bench of the park, Lirien was pensive, he was also alone for the first time, met an influential person but remained friendly to him, even considered himself a friend, "Dad I think I'll be fine here" he murmured in his heart

For some reason, a strange feeling hung over his heart. A strange warmth, as if he had found something he had been looking for. A feeling that is difficult to explain like the waves that keep crashing on the beach, never wanting to go far from land.

Lirien raised his hand, noticing his own slightly trembling fingers. I want to stay with Shazmeen... he thought. Ever since he first arrived at this academy, he had always felt like a wave with no direction, trying to find a place to anchor. But today, with Shazmeen, she feels like she's finally found her own beach.