Involuntarily, I jumped to the side, dodging its deadly hooves.

“Agh,” I gasped, shielding my face from the splinters of the shattered door.

The creature glared at me, eyes gleaming with murderous intent. The green hue around its body flared brighter, as if feeding on its rage. At the same moment, the gem in my pocket throbbed violently.

Its gaze locked onto the bulge in my pocket.

Was it after the gem? Was it controlled by it? Should I throw it away?

Before I could decide, the beast lunged again.

I hurled a chair in its path, buying myself precious seconds, and bolted into the corridor.

The hallway twisted and warped as I ran. The whole space grew darker with every step. Only the doors lining the sides remained sharp, strangely unaffected by the encroaching darkness.

Under one of them, I saw a soft light. Moonlight.

“A window,” I thought. “Maybe I can escape.”

The thunder of hooves roared behind me. I darted into the room, slammed the door shut behind me, my heart pounding in my chest.

To my surprise, someone was already inside.

Aloen.

He stood at the center of the room, his eyes closed, poised between me and the wide-open balcony door. Moonlight poured in behind him. He had no shadow.

“Aloen, you’re alive,” I said, my voice faltering. “That’s… odd. Alphonso told me you were dead.”

I glanced over my shoulder. There was no sound, no hooves, no shattered wood, nothing.

“Funny, I was just being chased by a Zephariel… It seems I lost him,” I added, half to myself.

Aloen opened his eyes. A green hue shimmered in their depths.

“Oh? Did you now?” he said, with a voice that seemed too calm.

“Damn…” I thought, “That green light again.”

There was no guarantee the beast wasn’t still lurking behind the door. But this man, this thing, was definitely not an ally.

“Well, since I am out of options, I’ll be bolder than ever,” I whispered.

I pulled the gem from my pocket and held it up for all to see, as if daring whatever hunted me to come and get it.

“I bet you’re after this, aren’t you?”

He didn’t flinch. But I could feel his rage fueling bit by bit, as though he was charging to give a final piercing blow.

Three. Two. One… Now!

With all my might, I flung the stone out the balcony window.

Immediately, he began to unravel. His form lost substance, like smoke. He collapsed to his knees, clutching his head tightly, emitting a sharp scream, and then vanished.

“Am I finally safe now?” I breathed, clutching the edge of a nearby table for balance.

Suddenly, I felt someone moving behind me, slowly approaching.

“Are you alright, Lady Mia?”

“Agh! It’s you! You startled me, butler!”

“Apologies,” he said solemnly.

“Calling you butler is bothering me. You do have a name, right?”

“Yes. Call me Zephariel,”

“Zepha—whaaat?” I blinked, taking in his features.

He met my gaze. “If you’re wondering whether I am the same Zephariel you rode on or not, well yes I indeed am.” He replied coldly.

So, it was him. The beast. The eyes. The stone. Was he controlled? Did he forget? Or was it all an act?

Anyhow, discussing this with him may revive his savage nature, so better keep it for myself.

“Now, I must congratulate you on behalf of my master. You have passed the first two trials with flying colors.”

“Trials?” I said to myself. “So the voice from the gem wasn’t lying…”

“For the last trial, I will not be escorting you Lady Mia. You won’t need me.”

“I have a question, please,” I said, pressing him for answers. “Is losing my past memories a part of this test?”

He glared at me.

“I may not be suited to answer all your queries, Lady Mia,” he replied, “but it certainly has to do with your real nature. My master is not as wicked as you think.”

“My true nature… Alba’s sister… The darkness is your kingdom, the light is your salvation,” I hummed.

The Zephariel glanced sideways at me. This time, I could see pity in his eyes, even if he tried to hide it behind his frowning eyebrows.

“You won’t recall that this is a test once you wake up again,” he said quietly, like a secret he wasn’t supposed to share.

“Thank you for your kind assistance,” I said softly.

I closed my eyes as the ground started fading again. The space bent around me, folding into itself with a sound like distant wind.

Then, nothing. Silence.

I opened my eyes.

I lay stretched out on a luxurious bed, nestled within an exquisitely decorated room. The soft glow of delicate lamps cast warm shadows on ornate walls draped with rich fabrics. My nightgown was smooth and delicate. It was undoubtedly crafted from the finest silk.

“Hahaha. What even is this?” I chuckled, glancing around the lavish room. “Am I some kind of princess now?”

A grin tugged at my lips. “Sylvara must’ve decided to let me enjoy a little luxury before throwing me into another trial.”

Knock. Knock.

A young girl, maybe fourteen, stepped in slowly, bowing her head.

“Good morning, Your Highness. I apologize for disturbing you this early in the morning, but today you have a rather hectic schedule,” she said politely.

I guess I have to play the role of a princess now

“It’s fine… Can you please remind me of what is due for today?” I asked.

“Of course, your Highness. Allow me to prepare you while I explain.”

Oddly though, I couldn’t focus on her words. She mentioned meeting some Lords, Dukes and other prominent figures. My role seemed to be that of a beautiful doll, paraded around as the Crown saw fit.

“I see…” I said, trying to sound composed. “Shall I get going, then?”

The head butler led me to where the first meeting would be held.

“Lord Dante is waiting for you inside, Your Highness. And as per your request, it’s a private meeting, so no word will leave these walls.”

Dante?

The one who treated me like a wandering slave back in the city?

A slow smile curled on my lips.

I’d love to see his face when he realizes I now outrank him in this filthy hierarchy.

The moment I stepped in, he rose and bowed. He looked like an esteemed gentleman, charming and composed. His blonde hair was slicked back with meticulous precision, and his eyes glinted like polished coins, watchful and calculating. He was dressed in deep navy and silver, an ensemble so extravagant it could rival royalty.

He was quite the contrast to the man who once barked at me the other day.

“Your Highness,” he said, his voice smooth, “it’s an honor to see you again.”

“The honor is mine,” I replied coolly, walking past him and settling into the ornate chair at the head of the table.

He didn’t look like he recognized me.

He calmly spread some papers on the table and remained silent, as if waiting for me to initiate the conversation.

“What are those, Lord Dante?” I asked solemnly.

“These are the documents you requested… regarding our secret business,” he replied.

Secret business? With this man? I must have been drunk that day…

I took the papers and began to skim through them.

Human merchandise.

Ten years old. Some were even younger.

Orphans. Slaves. Children sold by their own parents…

Those words kept repeating across the first document, staining the page like blood. The second sheet listed numbers, mostly price tags, assigned to each of the… living merchandise.

My fingers tensed around the page.

So this was the kind of game I was playing now.

“Oh, right,” he added. “I’ve also managed to get photo samples of each. Here, take a look.”

He slid a small folder across the table. I hesitated before opening it.

Photographs. Faces.

Children, mostly dressed in white, as if to emphasize their innocence and purity.

Some stared blankly into the camera, others wore expressions of confusion, fear… or worse, resignation. My stomach twisted.

Each photo was labeled with a number. Some even had brief notes, obedient. No known ailments, attractive eyes.

I clenched my jaw.

“I must admit, Your Highness,” Dante said with a twisted kind of pride, “without your precious efforts, we wouldn’t have gotten our hands on such marvelous merchandise!”

He gestured toward the folder with a smirk.

“Some even have unique features that fetch a high price among certain mages.”

As if seeing this wasn’t already unbearable… I was now expected to play a part in this farce?

I should stop this… but how?

My position is strong enough to command anything, so why did my voice feel like glass in my throat?

“Are you alright, Your Highness? You seem pale,” he said, his tone laced with false concern.

I steadied my breath.

“Lord Dante, I am afraid I summoned you here today to end this business,” I said, my voice sharp.

He froze for a moment.

Then he smiled fiercely.

“Surely you jest, Your Highness,” he said coldly. “After everything we’ve built? After all your hard work?”

“I am afraid these children are also one of my subjects whom I ought to protect,” I said firmly.

“Is that so, Your Highness?” he sneered. “Allow me to remind you, these loyal subjects you speak of have been plotting against nobility. They are traitors! Selling them as slaves is a mercy!”

He slammed a hand against the table.

“If it weren’t for your kindness, I would’ve burned them all!”

His eyes blazed with fury, veins rising beneath his skin. But I didn’t flinch.

“That was in the past, Lord Dante. How can children possibly hurt us? I said with a resolute voice. “The traitors have already been executed, so there is no reason to condemn an entire group for the sins of a few!”

“Mercy breeds rebellion,” he snapped. “If we show weakness now, the rest will rise again.”

“I will repair what has been destroyed,” I replied, my voice unwavering. “I’ll do everything in my power to correct the nobility’s past deeds!”

He scoffed, standing straighter. “Then I am afraid you’ll have to proceed without me, Your Highness. If you walk this path, you’ll lead the entire kingdom to ruin!”

“Shall I take this as you declaring yourself as my enemy?” I asked, my eyes locked on his.

“I would not dare, Your Highness,” he said, bowing with stiff formality. “However, I expect you not to stand in my way either.”

So be it, I thought.