Episode 05
Acares de Mesio Atlanta.
He was the true prince of the Etlanta Empire — silver hair and red eyes, the clear mark of the royal family.
The Emperor’s favorite sword, known to the world by another name: “The Cruel Butterfly.”
Even on bloody battlefields, his steps were always graceful, and people said he was beautiful — like a spring spirit dancing among corpses.
As the white butterflies disappeared, Acares slowly walked up to stand beside Eiden.
The gentle, prince-like air he once had was completely gone.
Acares bent down and gently patted the head of the knight that Eiden was stepping on.
“Eiden, if you treat subordinates so harshly, it’ll ruin my reputation too. A superior should know how to take care of his men.”
The knight trembled all over.
His touch was as soft as butterfly wings — that’s what made it so terrifying. Because there was no reason for the prince to be kind.
“…Stand.”
At Eiden’s single word, the knights immediately stood up straight.
It was the Spell of Command — a cruel magic that let him control others just by speaking.
But the real reason they were afraid wasn’t the magic — it was Acares himself.
“You’ve all been working hard. Even though my orders came suddenly, you’ve done your jobs well.”
“Th-thank you, Your Highness.”
“But… I don’t recall giving you permission to do such disgusting things.”
Acares’ sharp red eyes swept over them, and the knights felt chills crawl over their skin.
His eyes glowed faintly crimson.
The knights panicked internally.
‘Did he come here because he already knows everything?’
“Surely, His Highness doesn’t know everything that happened, right?”
“Ugh…!”
“I didn’t do anything wrong! I was just following orders—he’ll forgive me, right?”
Acares smiled faintly.
“Oh, so the rumor’s true — that I can read minds. How does it feel to experience it for yourself?”
The knights froze.
They had all heard the stories: Acares could read thoughts.
It was said that his power was even more terrifying than Eiden’s mind-control magic.
Because controlling someone’s mind is far crueler than controlling their body.
“So… you’ve been going around, threatening women by claiming to be knights of Atlanta?”
“Y-your Highness! We’re sorry!”
“No, you’re not at fault. The real blame lies with the noble fools who let lowly soldiers like you do as they please…people like me.”
Their faces turned pale.
His red eyes gleamed like blood under moonlight.
“Do you agree with me?”
“P-please kill me…”
“I’m glad we see eye to eye.”
Then — in an instant — red light flashed.
By the time the knight realized it was his own blood in the air, his consciousness faded.
The last thing he heard was:
“I can’t allow any stain to remain on my name.”
***
Later, Acares lightly kicked a stone and hummed as he walked.
It was hard to believe this calm man had just killed someone.
Eiden finally spoke.
“…What do you plan to do now?”
“Hm?” Acares turned his head innocently.
That innocent look somehow exhausted Eiden.
For years, they had been searching for the Orasion user, a rare magic wielder.
Together, Acares and Eiden had finally found a lead — Bella.
Just yesterday, after watching her for months, they saw her use the magic by accident.
Now, all that remained was to capture her and bring her to the palace.
But instead of heading back, Acares was walking the opposite way.
“Your Highness, now that you’ve confirmed her power, shouldn’t we return to the capital?”
“Of course.”
“Then why—”
“Why am I going back to Bella’s house?”
“…Yes.”
“Because I promised her I’d come back soon.”
Eiden blinked.
‘Ah. So he really doesn’t know when to stop.’
He remembered what Acares said the previous night while spying near Bella’s home:
“Sir Eiden, I found a way to get close to her.”
Bella Isis, a small orphanage worker in southern Pione.
They could have easily taken her by force. But instead, Acares said:
“I overheard her say she wants a husband — someone exactly like me.”
“And so…?”
“Well, you said you prefer obedient prisoners over rebellious ones, didn’t you?”
“I never said that…”
That was how this whole strange plan began.
At sunrise, Acares teleported to Bella’s house, let himself get “arrested,” and played his role so perfectly that even Eiden couldn’t follow his logic anymore.
“Anyway, since the Emperor isn’t in the palace, I’ll rest somewhere peaceful for a while.”
“If he finds out…”
“I’ll die honorably.”
“…Together with you.”
Eiden froze in place.
“Then… the reason you spared that knight earlier?”
“Ah, Cassel, right?”
Acares scratched his chin.
“Well, it’s good to have someone around to keep watch. My dear half-brother is a persistent man.”
“It’s dangerous, though.”
“That boy learned his lesson. Watching his comrade die will keep him quiet for a while.”
Eiden nodded, though uneasily.
“There were easier ways… Why go this far?”
Acares looked at him and smiled faintly.
“Do you remember why you said you respect me, Eiden?”
Eiden realized his question had crossed a line. He lowered his head.
“Because Your Highness always makes the right choice.”
“Exactly. And this is one of them.”
Eiden sighed and followed silently.
‘There must be a reason behind it all…’
Even if Acares was reckless, Eiden trusted him — as both a prince and a friend.
“Bella, wait for me. I’m coming.”
Eiden stopped walking.
‘…Hopefully, there really is a reason.’
***
Later that night.
The moonlight shone through the forest as Acares walked alone.
He had sent Eiden back to the capital and was now heading toward Bella’s home.
“Looks like I’m late,” he murmured.
He thought about her — her soft gray hair, delicate face, small frame, and those bright beige eyes that had looked up at him that morning.
‘Wow, such a pretty man,’ she had said sleepily.
Even half-asleep, she was sharp.
After months of watching her, Acares realized he truly liked Bella.
“She’s smart, kind, and gentle. But not the type to stay quiet when something’s wrong.”
Except for forgetting to wear proper clothes this morning, she was perfect in his eyes.
He stopped and looked up at the stars.
“…You were right, after all.”
He clenched his fist tightly.
When he was a child, the Emperor had locked him in the underground prison for defying orders.
There, he met a woman — a prisoner with great magical power who had failed to please the Emperor.
She had taken care of young Acares for a week, telling him stories to comfort him.
One story stuck with him most:
‘My daughter… she lives outside the palace.’
Acares slowly relaxed his hand.
“Until I find a way to save her, I’ll stay by her daughter’s side. Think of it as… my atonement.”
He soon saw Bella’s little house.
With a smooth gesture, he brushed back his hair — and his appearance instantly changed to that of the golden-haired, green-eyed man Bella had seen earlier.
“Well then, let’s—”
“Waaahhhh!!”
A loud cry echoed through the woods.
“Bella!”
Acares quickly hid his sword and ran toward the sound.
