•Chapter 2•
The priest stood tall on the platform, looking down at Leah and Crown Prince Edward.
“Congratulations on your sacred marriage. May the blessings of the gods be with you,” he said coldly.
Leah blinked, unsure if that really counted as a blessing. The priest’s stiff tone and blank face made her doubt her own ears.
“Thank you, High Priest Jeffrey. We hope to always walk with the gods,” Edward replied politely — but his voice was noticeably colder than when he had spoken to Priest Thomas earlier.
Leah turned her head to check his expression. His face was calm, but completely emotionless.
“Then, let us begin the ceremony.”
High Priest Jeffrey stepped forward, holding out the cushion in both hands toward them.
“These rings were made from a single topaz we excavated a month ago from the Laminé Cave, which is connected to the Castello Temple’s holy grounds.”
The platinum rings, each set with a clear topaz, seemed to glow faintly with sacred light.
“Please exchange rings.”
Edward went first, picking up the smaller ring and gently sliding it onto Leah’s left ring finger.
Then Leah picked up the other ring and placed it carefully on his finger.
When she saw the two matching rings side by side, reality suddenly hit her — she really was about to share her life with this man she barely knew.
“Lastly… please seal your vows with a kiss.”
“Huh?”
“This is the final part of the ritual,” Edward whispered softly, noticing her shock.
“Don’t worry. It’ll be over soon.”
He smiled faintly, trying to put her at ease.
But Leah was stiff with nerves, her shoulders tight and her hands clenched together like she was praying.
Even if he’s absurdly handsome… kissing a man I met just today? Seriously?
She hesitated, looking up at Edward, then took a deep breath and shut her eyes tightly.
Edward smiled a little at her expression, then slowly leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.
Just then, both of their topaz rings began to glow — the clear stones filling with color, shining softly like sunlight through water.
In that instant, every sound vanished.
The world turned silent, as if all air had been sucked away.
Leah’s eyes flew open — and she saw nothing.
Only darkness.
[How have you been, my kind girl?]
A young woman’s voice echoed around her.
It was the only thing that existed in that void.
Leah turned her head, looking around at the invisible space.
[Don’t bother looking. You can’t see me.]
The voice had a playful tone.
What…? First I fall into a strange world, and now I’m hearing voices? Am I going crazy?
[You don’t remember me, do you?]
“Who… are you?” Leah asked into the empty air.
[Ah! Of course. My voice sounds too young now, doesn’t it?]
“Um… yes. You sound very… young. But who exactly are you?”
The voice laughed warmly, as if amused by Leah’s nervous trembling.
[Oh, sorry! Hahaha. You helped me once, remember? The nice girl who lent me a hand.]
“Me? I helped you? But… how could I help someone I can’t even see?”
[Do you remember the subway station before you came here?]
“The… subway?”
Leah tried to recall the subway she took every day, but nothing special came to mind.
“Subway station… The only thing I remember is… the old lady… Wait, it couldn’t be you, could it?”
[Why not?]
“…”
[I am that old lady, kind girl.]
Leah’s brain froze.
[You helped me on the stairs, remember? You got hurt in the accident afterward. I told you I’d let you meet your parents again. You don’t remember that either?]
“…Not at all.”
[Hmm, I see. Well, anyway. Did you meet your parents?]
—
Her mind flashed back — the memory of falling down the subway stairs after bumping into someone running down, and then… waking up in another world.
When she opened her eyes back then, she had been in a royal bedroom — the room of Princess Leah Drake of the Kingdom of Trance.
She had stared blankly at the ceiling mural filled with angels, thinking she must be dreaming.
“Are you awake, Princess Leah?” a maid had asked.
Leah?
The moment she heard that name, strange memories flooded her mind — not just her own, but Leah’s.
‘What the…? So was my old life a dream?’
She remembered being Ye-rin, but she also remembered being Leah. Both memories felt equally real.
Her confusion built up until she suddenly jumped out of bed and ran out of the room.
“Princess! Where are you going — in that outfit?!”
The maid hurried after her, carrying a robe.
Leah didn’t stop running until she reached a large door guarded by two knights.
They bowed quickly, startled by her sudden appearance.
Ignoring them completely, Leah grabbed the handles and threw the doors open.
“Ah…”
Sunlight poured through tall windows into a luxurious room. At a round table in the center, a refined middle-aged couple sat drinking tea.
Their peaceful moment shattered as Leah burst in.
“…Leah? What on earth—” the elegant woman stammered.
Leah ran straight to her and threw her arms around her.
“Mom!”
“Mom? What’s gotten into you, child?”
Leah buried her face in the woman’s chest, then looked up through teary eyes at her — her mother, both in Ye-rin’s life and in Leah’s.
“I missed you so much… Mom… sniff.”
“Oh my, did you have a strange dream or something?”
“Hahaha, she must be feeling emotional since she’s leaving us soon,” said the man with a gentle smile — her father.
Leah turned toward him, voice trembling.
“Dad…” hic.
“Haha, and to think, you haven’t called me that since you were little.”
Smack!
Suddenly, her mother hit her on the back.
“Ow!”
“What were you thinking, running around like that? Look at you — wearing that in the hallway!”
Leah reached behind to rub her back and finally realized she was wearing only a thin nightgown.
“Princess Leah!” the maid called, rushing in and quickly draping a robe over her shoulders.
“I’m so sorry, Your Majesties,” the maid said, bowing deeply to the king and queen.
“Haha, it’s alright,” the king chuckled. “We know how much work it is to take care of our daughter.”
“Oh, no, it’s my fault for not stopping her sooner,” the maid said.
“Just be patient. Once Leah’s married, your hard days will be over.”
Leah blinked, listening to them talk.
“Aren’t I supposed to go with her?” the maid asked.
“Well… the Kloster Empire said they won’t accept anyone from our kingdom — except Leah.”
“Oh dear… that’s terrible…” the maid murmured, then quickly bit her tongue.
“Marriage?” Leah interrupted suddenly.
“You’re leaving in a week to marry Crown Prince Edward of the Kloster Empire,” her mother said, looking at her worriedly. “What’s gotten into you today?”
Marriage? In a week?
—
“Yeah… I met my parents. But we had to say goodbye again just a week later,” Leah said quietly, remembering.
“Anyway… who are you, really?” she asked the voice again.
[I’m Eloise.]
“Eloise?”
[Oh no—time’s up!]
“What?”
[If you want to talk again, come to the prayer room.]
The voice faded quickly, and a small white light appeared in the darkness.
It grew larger and brighter until it completely filled Leah’s vision. Startled, she shut her eyes tight.
Then her senses slowly returned.
She could feel the warmth of the lips that had just been touching hers — then that warmth gently disappeared.
“Crown Princess Leah?”
Leah opened her eyes at the calm, low voice.
Crown Prince Edward was looking down at her, his golden eyes deep and steady, filled with quiet light.
