Hajnal anxiously walked up and down in her room. When her handmaid stepped in the door, she rushed to her. 

”I heard noises in the night! I called for you, but no one responded. And the guards did not let me out nor tell me what had happened, ” Hajnal exclaimed.

”I heard that some kind of thief got into the castle. But they were already captured, so you don’t have to worry.”

”Then everything is going according to the plan?”

”That’s right.”

The fairy sighed in relief. Soon, they started to get ready for the big night. Hajnal hid Bíbor’s dagger in her undergarments, then put on her new gown, which was finished just in time. Her golden locks were organised into a fashionable hairstyle, then, as a final touch, she was decorated with many jewels. 

The result was a beauty out of this world. All eyes were focused on her. The ballroom was lit by a thousand candles, the air filled with beautiful fragrances, and light and lively music played in the background. Hajnal was glowing as she was led through the guests by the prince. They stopped in the middle of the ballroom, and then the music began.

The man reached his hand out for her, and she politely accepted the request. They danced alone. The countless watchful eyes made Hajnal even more anxious. Could they really make so many people fall asleep? Would they be able to run away in time? She tried to believe in her plan, mostly because she had no other option. She played her role perfectly. She did not make a single mistake during the dance rounds and smiled and laughed, just like this was the most beautiful day of her life. When the song ended, the prince led her to the side of the room and walked back in the middle to make an announcement. 

Hajnal ignored his words until she heard him order the guards to bring in a prisoner. Her blood froze in her veins as soon as she saw who it was. The scarlet red hair and the tall, slender figure were unmistakable. Hajnal immediately recognized her, even though she was covered in dirt, beaten up, and torn rags. But instead of the joy of finding out she was alive, she was horrified. She glanced at her handmaid, who, as a response, downcasted her eyes and stood aside. It couldn’t be more obvious. She was betrayed!

”Dear guests! I know I called you here for a completely different reason, but sadly, a horrible crime was committed against me. This woman, whom I saved from the claws of death itself and should have been grateful for me until the end, decided to take no part in my grace. During this night, she planned on poisoning all of us and running away with our prisoners. And if this wouldn’t have been enough, her beloved companion even tried to assassinate me last night!”

Hajnal stood in place, shaking, while everyone was staring at her. She heard them whisper and curse, and she noticed how disgusted they looked watching her. The prince then turned to her, and his face lit up with a devilish smile as he continued.

”I wanted you to be my wife and one day my queen so badly! But I cannot trust you like this. Unless you have something in your defence?”

What would have been the point of answering? Should she say that she didn’t want to poison anybody, just make them fall asleep? Or that nothing he said is true? No one would believe her. The maid probably told him every little detail of their plan. She gave the girl, who had the audacity to sleekly grin back at her, a murderous gaze. She realised then. There was no plan. It's just a trap and masterful acting. She looked at Bíbor with despair in her eyes. Neither of them had an idea what to do. The prince then stepped in front of Hajnal. 

”Do you regret plotting against me?”

”Yes.”- she replied helplessly.

”If I give you a chance to prove your loyalty to me, will you take it?”

”Yes. I will do anything for you to forgive me!"she said, downcasting her eyes.

The prince clapped, and then an elaborate sword was brought in front of her on a cushion. 

”Your friend wanted to kill me with this sword. I have to say this is an excellent piece. It would be in vain if we did not find use for it."– as he said these words, his gaze moved to Bíbor, who was kneeling on the ground.

Hajnal looked at both of them in panic.

”No! Please don’t kill her! She misunderstood! She didn’t know what was between us!”

”I never said that I would kill her."– he smiled innocently – ”You will!”

The fairy nearly fainted hearing his words. The prince took the sword in his hands and offered it to her.

”If you kill her, I will forgive you.”

”And what will happen to the other fairies?"– she looked at him, quivering.

”I will release them.”

”You promise?”

”I promise.”

Hajnal took the blade and looked at Bíbor in despair. But before she could say anything, it was Bíbor who spoke.

”It’s alright!"– she smiled – ”Do what you have to do!”

Hajnal squeezed the sword while battling her tears, and then she raised it high. Bíbor straightened her back and closed her eyes. 

”I’m sorry!”- she shouted.

But her voice did not ring with sadness; instead, it burned with fury. The sword was brandished but in the opposite direction. The prince had no time to dodge. Hajnal cut across his chest. At first, he didn’t even register what had happened. He stepped back and then realised that he was bleeding. His legs gave in, and he dropped down to the ground.

”The life of my wife is not a subject of bargain!"– Hajnal bared her teeth. 

She stepped closer and grabbed his hair, raised his head, and looked him in the eye.

”You forgive me? No one needs the forgiveness of a retard like you!”

The prince clenched his teeth in pain and was just about to speak when Hajnal suddenly cut his throat. Then she shook his blood off the blade with a disgusted look.

She looked at the blade, amazed. She knew it was no ordinary weapon the moment she touched it. But it still exceeded her expectations. 

Some foolish guards attacked her, but the smart ones had already fled. And those guests, who didn’t even dare to move, tried to shrink themselves to be as small as possible. However, even like this, Hajnal couldn’t stand them. Earlier, they were all having the time of their lives and would have watched her killing Bíbor with joy. Monsters like that didn’t deserve life. 

From the corner of her eye, she saw her handmaid trying to crawl towards the door. In the blink of an eye, Hajnal stepped in her way and was ready to bear down on her when she heard a sharp voice in her ear. 

”Hajnal! That’s enough!”

”But!"– she tried to explain herself, but Bíbor did not let her.

The maid jumped up from the ground and ran away; the fairy didn’t even notice that. Bíbor limped to her side and tightly hugged her. 

”I’m so glad that you are fine!" tears started rolling down her cheeks.

Hajnal let the sword go, and it fell to the ground with a clattering noise. She did not say anything, just tightly hugged her wife back and buried her face into her shoulders.

”Should we go home?"– Bíbor asked while pulling out the copper whistle from her pocket.

”Yes. I’ve had enough of this world.”