“Kill them all,” Lize stretched out her hand. “All people with blonde hair and blue eyes. All of them. This is God’s will. Take revenge, kill, and end it all.”

She then grabbed Raytan’s trembling hand with all her might. On his wrist, where blood was splattered, the emerald bracelet shone under the moonlight. Lize pulled hard on the bracelet. With a snapping sound, the broken bracelet fell to the floor along with its jewels.

“Don’t be shaken, Raytan.”

The bracelet’s fragments reflected his shocked red eyes.

“You must never be.”

“…”

“Even if you have to die.”

Ending with those words, Lize got up from the bed and left the bedroom without even looking back.

Left alone, Raytan slumped down in front of the bed. He blankly stared at his hand. On his trembling hands, blood was still there. It was like he dipped his hands into a bucket of blood. He couldn’t even tell if it was his or Duke Liran’s.

If all of this was God’s will…

Was it also the will of God that he was born with red eyes and dark hair like the legend? Was everything really already decided from the beginning?

“Then why…”

‘Am I like this…?’

Raytan covered his face with trembling hands.

‘I came here because I was worried. Because I think something might have happened to you.’

Sezh’s weeping voice passed through his ears. Her blue eyes full of tears came to his mind as well.

‘Like that day again, you looked lonesome…’

Then, the fact that he has to kill Sezh… is that God’s will too?

Raytan slowly lowered his hand. He then held the ruby ​​necklace that hung on his neck and closed his eyes tightly.

“…Sezh,” His pained voice echoed through the silent room.

‘Brother Raytan!’

He could hear her cheerful voice. Her eyes curled when she smiled, and her movements… Raytan didn’t make any other moves and only held the necklace devotedly.

***

After that day, Sezh spent more time sitting alone since she had more spare time. Raytan still didn’t come to Sezh’s palace, and neither did Sezh go to his.

And during this period, she heard something unimaginable: a servant from the Regent family had gone to Raytan’s palace.

It was clear what was going on, but Sezh couldn’t understand. Did Carolyn Regent approach him like this before her return? Sezh thought hard, but at that time, she had never paid any attention to Raytan. That’s why she had no memory of it.

“Princess, I have received another letter from Lord Mathias.”

There was a neatly folded letter in Luna’s hand.

In the past few days, Sezh hadn’t sent any letters to Mathias. She just didn’t have the energy to write one.

Sezh, who finally opened the letter, slowly started to read it. Mathias’ concerns were abundant in the letter as he was worried about the lack of replies.

At the end of the letter, these words were written:

[…If you are not feeling well, you can reply slowly. Is there anything I can do to help? The physicians I know are excellent. And I don’t know if you’ve heard, but the rumors have been very horrifying the last few days. It may be discourteous to dare to say this to the Princess, but I think it would be better to refrain from going out for the time being.]

Sezh’s eyes narrowed.

“Luna, what’s going on these days? Whether inside or outside the Palace… “

Luna’s face hardened for a moment, then she spoke in a small voice, “Lady Yulia’s father passed away yesterday, Duke Liran.”

“Duke Liran…? Why all of a sudden?”

Come to think of it, since morning the Imperial palace seemed to have been noisy. However, she didn’t know the news about Duke Liran being dead.

“I don’t know the details…. but I think it was probably an assassination. I heard everyone talking about it earlier. They found Duke Liran in his bathroom in a sea of blood……”

“He was… murdered?”

“Yes. It’s not just Duke Liran. Baron Eind, General Hayden, Prime Minister Horn… and many more. All have died in the last few days.”

Sezh’s face hardened. It was because they all had one thing in common. All of them supported Bern as the next emperor. They were close with the current Emperor, Rowain III, and had a good relationship with Yulia Liran.

“The atmosphere has been a bit uncomfortable lately. His Majesty is also not in good health. Things keep happening…”

Sezh stayed quiet. She only recalled Raytan’s figure the other day. He was doused in blood and held a sharp sword with fresh blood dripping down from it.

“However, please don’t worry too much. After all, it has nothing to do with the Princess, right? Nothing will happen. Please don’t concern yourself,” Luna said in a gentle voice.

Perhaps she thought that the silent Sezh was frightened.

“Ah, that’s right. Princess, you will reach adulthood soon.”

….Ah, correct. Sezh was so alone in her thoughts that she didn’t even notice her birthday was approaching. Now that Sezh thought about it, there’s only a week or so until her 17th birthday.

“Is there anything you would like to eat or something you would like to have?”

“…Nope. I don’t want anything in particular,” Sezh shook her head.

If her 17th birthday was on the way, it meant that the time when her neck was slashed was very near.

And there was one more thing…

It was around this time that Luna died, right before Sezh turned 17.

Sezh still remembered it clearly. The 17th birthday that no one cared about. That day, Sezh cried until dawn. Embracing the gift Luna had prepared in advance but never got the chance to give her personally. So there was nothing to wish for. If only she could spend her birthday with Luna, that was enough.

“I just want to eat cake with Luna. Don’t bring any gifts. I’m serious.”

“But…”

“And the cake Luna makes is the best in the world. I really love it.”

Flustered, Luna laughed.

“Do you need anything? There’s still quite a bit of money left from selling jewels last time.”

“I’m fine, Princess.”

“Or maybe something else…”

“Then, it’s embarrassing, but can I ask you one thing?” Luna asked cautiously.

Sezh nodded anticipatedly.

“It’s not a big thing… I want to go out for only a couple of days.”

Instantly, Sezh’s blood turned cold.

“My sister had a baby a few days ago. My parents live right next door, but they are both old, so it’s difficult to take care of them.”

“…”

“Of course, I’ll be back before the Princess’s birthday!”

“Y-You can’t!” Without realizing it, Sezh screamed.

She hurriedly grabbed Luna’s sleeve. She was afraid Luna would disappear right now.

“…Princess?” Luna made a puzzled expression.

‘Are you uncomfortable anywhere? Are you okay?‘ Luna asked a few times, but Sezh didn’t answer.

Sezh could only feel her body trembling.

…Everything is all starting to happen.

***

In the end, Luna couldn’t go home even though she tilted her head at Sezh’s refusal.

‘Don’t ask me the reason, and just stay by my side.’

Another few days passed, and Sezh stuck close to Luna for almost 24 hours. She was scared. Sezh was afraid that something unexpected would happen. Something that ended with the same result as the past.

The kind and gentle Luna couldn’t even ask why Sezh was displaying such a ridiculous act, but she always stood by her side.

During this time, Sezh’s birthday quickly approached.

Yerena, who usually doesn’t bother to pay attention to her, summoned Sezh to her palace early in the morning. Sezh thought it was finally the time Yerena told her about the old Duke.

Her guess was right on the mark.

“You’ll be an adult soon,” Yerena put down her teacup.

Sezh just stared at the table silently without even bothering to drink her tea.

“Within this month, someone from the Franz house will come.”

“…I see.”

After all, Sezh was already aware of that. It’s time. Even before her return, Yerena did the same thing as soon as Sezh came of age.

“Is that your answer?” Yerena’s eyes narrowed.

Perhaps she didn’t like her reaction. Sezh, who came to her senses late, stuttered and asked, “Oh, no. What happened? Franz Dukedom…”

“You remember that I said there was someone who took a liking to you in your debut last time, right?”

“Yes.”

“He’s Duke Franz. The Duke wants you to be his second wife. He’s old, but he’s a good guy. I’m sure he’ll be nice to you.”

Is a person who has spare time to beat his wife and concubine a good person? Sezh nearly couldn’t hold back her laughter.

“The preparations are done. You may feel that this is too sudden, but the marriages of the royal family are all like that.”

“Yes, mother,” Sezh nodded and replied.

Yerena looked slightly baffled as she didn’t expect her daughter would accept the marriage this graciously.

Sezh was optimistic. Duke Franz will die anyway, and it’s going to be caused by a disease.

Since Luna’s death was an accident, she could prevent it. But death due to chronic disease is probably unavoidable. Even if it was preventable, there was no way to do it easily. There’s no need to upset Yerena for no reason by saying that she doesn’t want to get married.

“Alright, then the marriage talk ends here.”

Yerena sipped her tea.

“You’re not meeting with that Raytan kid again, are you?”

“…No.”

“It seems that the wedding will happen quickly, so I won’t let it pass if you create useless rumors in the meantime. Do you understand?”

Looking into Yerena’s gleaming eyes, Sezh nodded slowly.

“Stop going out for now. If anyone from the Franz Dukedom comes, I will call you back.”

“Yes, mother.”

Sezh slowly stood up from her seat then politely bowed before walking out of the room.

‘I’m sorry, mother, you won’t get what you want from Duke Franz.’

***

From Yerena’s palace to her own, Sezh tried to figure out what time it was. It was because she hoped she would be able to meet Raytan like last time. However, she couldn’t even catch sight of his shadow.

Their last encounter was when Sezh saw him drenched in blood at the training ground a few days ago. He seemed not to realize how worried she was. Sezh wondered if she should go and talk to him again, but she didn’t have the courage.

Sezh guessed it was Raytan who killed the nobles.

Can she really stop it? What if even though she succeeded in preventing Yerena from killing Lize, the coup still happened?

Whenever Sezh was shaken by that uncertainty, what came to mind was Raytan’s face as he stared at her.

‘And never come here again. Anyway, now you too are afraid of me.’

Why was he making such a hurt face… Sezh didn’t know. She only sighed and fiddled with the cloak he gave her that day.

First, she has to stop Luna’s death. That’s her priority now. If Luna lives, if she can change the future… It’s something that she could only bet on. Will she stop that tragedy?

Sezh walked into her bedroom with staggering steps.

“Luna.”

At that very moment, Sezh froze.

“Luna!”

Luna wasn’t there. But… she kept telling Sezh she would stay there… A sudden feeling of anxiousness crept into her heart. Sezh’s face turned blue, and she ran out into the hallway.

“Princess?”

A maid, walking in from the opposite side, opened her eyes wide as Sezh rushed towards her. She was Kaen, a maid who was the same age as Luna.

Sezh could hardly even breathe and urgently asked her, “Kaen, Luna- Where did she go?”

“Luna?”

“She didn’t leave the palace, did she? She’s still here, isn’t she?”

Sezh’s voice sounded like she was begging for a ‘yes’.

“What happened? If you tell me, I’ll instead-“

“No, no. Just tell me where Luna is.”

But Kaen’s answer was unbearable.

“Luna went away for a little while…”

“…What?”

“It’s the Princess’s birthday in a few days, so she said she wanted to personally choose the ingredients for the cake.”

“…”

“She won’t take long. She’ll be back before the sun goes down, so if the Princess needs anything, I’ll-“

Sezh didn’t waste her time hearing the end of Kaen’s words and only hurriedly started running down the hallway.