Friendless and timid, Guinevere is stuck in her socially anxious shadow, content to let her sister lead and live a sheltered life. Without Natalie pushing her to break out of her comfort zone, she'd be trapped in fear. The world is scary, even her own family conflicts terrify her; she needs Natalie's support. But what happens when Natalie, her big sister, her mentor and only real friend, suddenly can't be there for every moment of her life? Lola, raised to be a hardworking farmer, when all she wants is a bit of agency over her life, the freedom to do what she wants. And yet, she is perfectly willing to let Natalie handle conversations for her. For as much as she wants to be free, she wouldn't know what to do with herself, get meticulously caught up in planning the details and never end up doing anything. And Natalie, who has no personal desires, simply living in moments and finding the best in whatever is going on. Freely engaging with her friends and helping them, as she lacks her own internal drive, the self awareness to know what she wants. After a long childhood struggle with her self esteem and valuing herself, that has become what she "needs," her coping strategy with rough situations. Being complacent with what happens to her and simply accepting, with no real goals of her own, no idea that her friends are just as directionless as she is. When health complications arise for her, and her friend group is falling apart around her as she can't guide them, she'll have to ask the essential questions that she can't simply answer in a quick sentence. The questions that she has long dismissed as unimportant. Is this what she truly wants, to be solely fulfilled by everyone else depending on her for support? And where does she draw the line? This story touches on potentially triggering content, including the use of slurs, toxic family relationships, anxiety, anger, and death. Any real people, brands or places are only used to further realize the environment.

For a decade, the Northern Dukedom of Blakemore has endured the iron-fisted rule of Duke Dominic Samael Blakemore, a ruthless ruler who conceals his face behind a menacing horned mask. Those who have seen him described him as a towering and slender man with hair as dark as the depths of midnight. An unsettling and almost unholy shade. Throughout his reign, the Duke's authority faced numerous challenges, from dissatisfied subjects, rival Dukedoms, the formidable influence of the Holy Church, or even the power of the Holy Emperor himself. Yet, despite all odds, none had managed to dislodge him from his position of power. In this backdrop of seemingly insurmountable control, a courageous group emerged from the Western Dukedom, determined to topple the Duke's oppressive regime. The odds were overwhelmingly against them, and one might wonder what chance they honestly had. Surprisingly, against all expectations, they not only survived their audacious assault but also managed to infiltrate the forbidding obsidian walls of his fortress. However, the outcome was far from a victory as only three of the four daring infiltrators emerged from the shadowy abyss of the Duke's sinister castle. This is their tale. A story of the life they led within the Duke's castle and the many secrets it holds. Magical Rose Mini Awards | Best characters

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