XYCLEOPS
Born a noble, treated as a bastard. Betrayed by blood, exiled to war. But a broken boy will rise-and the empire will tremble.
Adrian Evermont has spent his life as an outcast. The illegitimate son of Count Evermont, he is scorned by his noble siblings, ignored by his father, and ridiculed by the very servants who should obey him. His only solace is his betrothed, Seraphina-the one person who shows him kindness. But when he discovers her heart belongs to his elder brother, Adrian realizes he is truly alone.
When the emperor demands that one of the Count's sons be sent to war, Seraphina ensures that Adrian is chosen instead of Victor. Stripped of status, abandoned on the battlefield, and left to die among soldiers who despise him, Adrian faces a brutal reality. But amidst the chaos of war, he finds something he never had in his family's halls-a chance to prove himself.
As Adrian sharpens his mind, hones his combat skills, and rises through the ranks, he transforms from a discarded heir into a brilliant strategist feared by his enemies. But war is only the beginning. When he returns, he will not be the same weak boy they cast aside.
With new allies, a newfound strength, and a mind sharpened by battle, Adrian will reclaim his place-not as a forgotten bastard, but as the heir his family never saw coming. And this time, he won't be fighting for their approval.
He'll be fighting to change the empire itself.