Four Ruined Realms - by Mai Corland

Here is a summary with spoilers for Four Ruined Realms

After the assassination attempt on King Joon, five assassins—Sora, Royo, Euyn, Mikail, and Aeri—are forced to work for him. The group sets out by boat for the kingdom of Khitan, where they plan to steal a magical ring from Joon and Euyn’s sister, Quilimar. Tensions are high, especially toward Aeri, who is revealed to be Joon’s daughter. She led the group straight to the king. Royo is the most devastated by this revelation, having been falling in love with Aeri. Still, the group remains motivated, driven by the high rewards Joon has promised them.

Sora is to be granted the Eastern Count’s house in Aseyo, where she can live with her sister and Ty. Mikail will become regent of Dal’s young son and gain control of Tamneki, the capital. Hwan will be freed on Royo’s behalf. Aeri will be acknowledged as a princess of Yusan, and her late mother will be posthumously recognized as Joon’s first queen.

As the group travels, they begin to uncover troubling developments: King Joon has disappeared, and Queen Quilimar was recently involved in an assassination attempt—no one is permitted to visit her. Eventually, the group decides they may be better off working with Quilimar rather than trying to kill her. Regardless of the plan, their first step is clear: they need to secure a meeting with her.

Meanwhile, Sora discovers that her sister has been taken. She will remain captive unless Sora can pay for her release. This news plunges Sora into a deep depression and rage, giving her a new, desperate purpose: she must find the ring to save her sister.

Others in the group soon learn that if Joon acquires the ring, he will become the most powerful being in the realm. He already possesses several other magical artifacts, and the ring would solidify his supremacy. The group realizes they cannot allow him to obtain it.

Throughout the story, Tiyung is given several chapters. He is imprisoned in Idle Prison, awaiting his fate. Though things seem bleak, he clings to hope that Sora will come for him. One day, he receives a new cellmate—a young man named Ailor—whom he does not trust.

Royo and Aeri are reunited when Aeri rushes to find him and ensure his safety. She finally apologizes for her betrayal and insists she had no knowledge of her father's true plan. Royo accepts the apology but says they shouldn’t be together. However, the next night, the two share a kiss. Days later, while bathing in a hot spring, Aeri slips and starts to drown. Royo rescues her and performs CPR. When she awakens, she admits that although she knows she shouldn’t fall for him, she already has.

Mikail, still in communication with allies both inside and outside the realm, receives two devastating notes: one revealing that Tiyung is still alive in Idle Prison, and another saying that Sora’s sister, Daysum, is dead. He is at a loss for how to tell Sora, knowing that her only reason for living is to save her sister.

At this point, the group splits. Aeri, Royo, Euyn, and Mikail align themselves with Quilimar, even though she refuses to see them directly. Instead, she sends them on a quest to retrieve an egg. Sora, still determined to help Joon in hopes of saving her sister, focuses on breaking Tiyung out of prison.

The group of four eventually retrieves the egg and earns a brief audience with Quilimar. She explains that the egg can only be turned to gold by someone of royal blood. Aeri never attempted to touch it. Quilimar then reveals a shocking truth: Euyn is only half-royal, and touching the egg would have no effect. The group is furious—Euyn was their intended replacement for Joon on the throne.

Despite already knowing the truth of his lineage, Euyn insists on trying to touch the egg. He knows the risk—it could kill him. He asks the others to leave if it fails. When he touches it, he experiences searing pain and dies. But it wasn’t the egg that killed him—it was Quilimar, who delivered the final blow.

Before the group can react, rumbling shakes the ground—Joon has arrived with his army.

Meanwhile, Sora successfully infiltrates Idle Prison and rescues Tiyung.

Back at Quilimar’s palace, Mikail is devastated by Euyn’s death—he had truly loved him. As Quilimar escapes, she sends her guards to kill the others. Enraged, Mikail slaughters most of them. They then give Euyn a proper farewell, burning his body to release his soul.

As the group processes their grief, Royo notices something different about Aeri—her eyes have changed color. She now possesses several artifacts, including the ring and the egg. They flee the palace and see Joon’s fleet approaching for war. Despite her earlier betrayal, Quilimar asks to join their side. Reluctantly, they agree and begin to strategize.

Both sides meet for a parley. Quilimar uses the opportunity to show off Aeri, adorned with the ring and her amulet, demonstrating what Joon is up against. But Joon is undeterred—he wants war.

Aeri begins to panic, remembering a prophecy: she will have to choose which of her loves to save. The moment becomes real when attackers go after Royo. Using the ring, she kills them. She continues wielding the ring’s magic, turning two of Joon’s ships to gold and sinking them. Mikail is stunned—she shouldn’t be able to do that without touching them. That’s when he realizes she must also possess the Sands of Time, yet another powerful relic.

During the battle, they manage to steal Joon’s staff—bringing their count to three of the five relics of the Dragon Lord. Mikail tries to pass the staff to other royals from Gambria so they can escape, but they fail to wield it—they aren’t true royals. That’s when they reveal the truth: Mikail is.

Aeri later awakens, having passed out from overusing her magic. Royo is at her side, furious. He’s hurt that she lied again, never revealing she had the Sands of Time. He tells her not to speak to him again. Mikail approaches her next, holding the staff. He tells her they’re going to his home—and that they will be ready for revenge.