1.
The sound of footsteps echoing through the corridor was unmistakably clear.
At the thought that the envoy of the allied nation would soon step through that door, her lips went dry.
‘I am the Crown Prince of the Empire. If I fail to persuade him, I can do nothing.’
If she failed to carry herself properly, he would surely question her competence. Determined not to forget the words she had prepared all night, Idis silently repeated them to herself.
Several sets of footsteps stopped before the door. A moment later, it opened.
Taking a deep breath, Idis straightened her posture. Failure was not an option.
“I, Terdian of Calion, greet His Highness the Crown Prince of Luhaim.”
A deep, weighty voice filled the room.
The moment Terdian stepped inside, Idis immediately understood the source of his reputation.
His face carried an elegance both sharp and refined—like finely polished obsidian. Shadows cast across his features, giving him a striking presence. With each step he took, strands of his black hair swayed lightly above his brow, capturing Idis’s gaze.
Within his deep, cool eyes, her reflection was perfectly contained.
“It is a pleasure. This is our first meeting, Prince Terdian of Calion. Thank you for coming.”
“I am merely fulfilling my duty as an ally.”
In a time when everything had been lost, even those words alone felt like a blessing. But there was no time for sentiment.
Loyalty alone could not sustain an alliance.
Idis spoke bluntly.
“What does the allied nation seek from me?”
“…Before that, I would ask that all others be dismissed.”
“Prince Terdian, everyone here is trustworthy.”
His cold gaze pierced into her.
Though she tried to remain composed, the inexplicable pressure emanating from him made it difficult to breathe.
“Then may I borrow Your Highness’s ear for a moment? I am certain you will wish for a private audience with me.”
If it was only that much…
At her permission, Terdian slowly inclined his head and stepped closer.
It was her first time being this close to a stranger, whispering so intimately.
Without realizing it, Idis drew in a sharp breath. The warmth of his breath brushed against her ear, sending a ticklish sensation through her. Every nerve in her body became heightened.
“…Isn’t that so?”
At his next words, Idis nearly lost consciousness.
His voice was so quiet that only she could hear it.
“Princess Idis.”
* * *
Flames rose along the castle walls.
It was the rebellion of the Second Prince, Rishar.
It happened less than a month before the Crown Prince’s twenty-first birthday.
For 150 years, the Luhaim Empire had enjoyed an era of peace and prosperity—but now, screams filled the imperial palace.
The prince’s private army surrounded the palace without leaving room to breathe. Unprepared, the palace staff fled helplessly.
Even the Imperial Guard Knights, once sworn to protect the royal family, fell easily—rendered meaningless by their own complacency during peaceful times.
“Princess Idis!”
The doors burst open as two armed knights rushed into her chamber.
Behind the gently swaying curtains, a young girl stood on the terrace, staring blankly into the distance. She turned her head.
Her hair shimmered like moonlight under the night sky, and her amethyst-like eyes carried a deep shadow, giving her a sorrowful, almost otherworldly presence.
For a moment, the knights were entranced.
“…Who are you?”
Snapping back to their senses, one quickly spoke.
“We are from the Third Knight Order. We will escort Your Highness.”
There was no one left to reprimand their rudeness.
The young maid who had been guarding the room had fled as soon as the chaos began, promising to call for help—after warning Idis never to leave the room alone.
Idis’s eyes quickly scanned behind them.
The person she was waiting for… was not there.
“What about His Majesty and my brother?”
“They are still safe. You must evacuate immediately, Your Highness.”
Could this be called fortunate?
If the Emperor and Crown Prince were safe, the rebellion would soon be suppressed.
Trying to steady her trembling hands, Idis clasped them together and let out a small sigh of relief.
Just as she was about to follow them—
A faint metallic scent of blood reached her nose.
“…However.”
Her steps halted.
“I’ve never seen your faces before.”
The knights’ expressions instantly changed.
A chilling sensation ran down her spine.
“…His Majesty sent us.”
‘A lie.’
Her mind went blank.
“We will take responsibility for escorting you to safety.”
The knights slowly approached her.
Though their swords remained sheathed, it was clear they would drag her away if she resisted.
Even if she screamed, they would catch her before anyone could help.
Idis instinctively stepped back.
‘I have to run… but how?’
The door was blocked. Escape seemed impossible.
Her eyes drifted toward the terrace—but her room was on the third floor.
‘If I’m lucky… maybe falling into the garden bushes…’
The absurd thought vanished as her back hit the table.
The candlelight flickered.
Close enough to reach.
As the knights closed in, instinct overtook reason.
Idis grabbed the candlestick and swung it hard—hot wax splattered across their faces.
“Ah—hot!”
They recoiled in shock.
It was her only chance.
Idis ran.
Just a little further—if she could reach the door—
“Catch the princess!”
The knights quickly regained their composure and gave chase.
Her flowing hair was nearly within their grasp.
“Got you—!”
“…Huh?”
At the last second, she slipped from their grasp.
A man in a navy uniform rushed in through the doorway and pulled her into his arms.
Looking up, she saw disheveled brown hair soaked in blood.
“Karl!”
“My apologies for being late, Your Highness.”
Karl quickly moved her behind him.
His familiar face wore an unfamiliar expression—his usually gentle olive eyes now burned fiercely.
“Second Prince’s soldiers?”
“Well, if it isn’t the esteemed Knight Commander.”
One of the knights sneered.
“We thought you’d be at the Emperor’s side. Didn’t expect you here.”
“Do you think you’ll get away with this?”
“We’re both just following orders, aren’t we? Don’t take it too personally.”
The knights exchanged glances and attacked together.
Facing the empire’s strongest knight alone was suicide—but two against one was worth a try.
“Your Highness, do not look.”
Karl moved swiftly.
He deflected the first strike and pierced the man’s throat. The heavy body collapsed with a thud.
Before the second could react, Karl struck again.
His head fell.
Karl wiped the blood from his blade.
“…No scream?”
He glanced back, worried—
But suddenly, he froze.
A cold presence pressed against the back of his neck.
“Speak. How did you get here? What of His Majesty and the Crown Prince? Prove you are not a traitor.”
Idis stood behind him, holding a fallen knight’s sword.
Though her face was calm, the blade trembled visibly.
Karl immediately dropped his weapon and knelt.
“I swear upon my life—His Majesty ordered me to escort Your Highness.”
“…Father…”
Her eyes wavered.
“If His Majesty stays behind alone… the outcome is obvious.”
Karl continued carefully.
“The Crown Prince has likely escaped through the eastern gate. I am to escort you out and regroup later.”
“…How can I trust you?”
“If you wish, I will give my life here to prove my loyalty.”
“….”
“But if anything happens to you, I will have failed His Majesty’s command.”
His gaze was unwavering.
“…There’s no time, Your Highness.”
She knew.
The boy she had grown up with would never betray her.
Her sword fell.
“…I’m sorry.”
Karl shook his head.
“You must stay strong.”
He wrapped his cloak around her and lifted her into his arms.
As they ran, the horrors of the palace unfolded before her.
The maid who had left never returned.
Blood. Bodies. Silence.
Everything felt distant.
When they finally stopped, they stood inside the imperial library.
“Why here…?”
“There is a secret passage beneath this place.”
Karl activated the mechanism among the statues.
A hidden path opened.
“Your Highness—quickly!”
Without hesitation, Idis stepped inside.
Moments later, the entrance sealed behind them.
By the time soldiers arrived—
There was nothing left.
