Annie gently ran a large comb through the princess's thick, wavy pink hair.
Pale skin that bordered on translucent, large, round eyes whose gaze held an enchanting blend of soft sky blue and violet, and delicately full pink lips.
Reflected in the mirror was Princess Dalia, lovely and fair as a forest fairy.
For the first time in an age, the princess's eyes, long weighed down by sorrow, shone with vibrant life.
Dragging her out for a walk on the pretense of mold and inviting Princess Rose to the detached palace had truly been the right choice.
“My Princess, but… why did you suddenly ask me to dress your hair?”
Annie's red eyes flickered with clear surprise.
“Annie, is there an emperor in any empire right now who is still unmarried and named Gray?”
Instead of answering, the princess posed a strange question of her own.
“There is only His Majesty the Emperor of the Lucifon Empire.”
“No one else?”
“No. Why on earth do you ask?”
“His Majesty the Emperor of Lucifon must get married.”
Dalia set her features with firm resolve.
“Do you mean… you intend to marry him, My Princess?”
Annie’s eyes widened. Her hand froze mid-stroke, and she stared at the princess’s face in the mirror.
“What? Why on earth would I?”
Dalia met her reflection’s gaze in sheer bewilderment.
“You just said it yourself. His Majesty the Emperor must marry.”
“Yes. Not me—His Majesty the Emperor must marry!”
“And what does his marriage, or lack of one, have to do with you?”
“Who else is going to care, then?”
“I believe the citizens of his own empire ought to worry about that.”
Annie answered flatly, but the princess pretended not to hear, murmuring as if taking a solemn vow:
“I will see to it that His Majesty is married as soon as possible!”
“Ah… yes.”
Gentle Princess Dalia could be… rather peculiar at times.
In fact, quite often.
Was it because she had lived tucked away in the detached palace since childhood, rarely mingling with others?
‘Are your social graces truly intact, My Princess?’
Swallowing her quiet fret, Annie resumed moving the comb through her hair.
“So, I would like a hairstyle that looks more charismatic, more intelligent, and makes every word I utter brim with confidence.”
“There is no such hairstyle.”
Annie shook her head firmly.
“Why give up before we even begin? As long as we don't surrender, a path is bound to open!”
Annie had plenty to say in reply, but she swallowed her words, gave a faint nod, and focused on her task.
On her way to the King's office, Dalia studied the portraits lining the walls.
Along the left wall of the red-carpeted corridor hung portraits of the realm's kings through the generations,
and along the right hung portraits of the queens.
Then her steps halted abruptly before the final portrait.
Unlike all the others, this one depicted the King and Queen seated side by side.
“Father… Mother.”
It had been so long since she set foot in the main palace that seeing them together in the painting struck her with particular weight.
After her mother’s sudden death, her father had plunged into inconsolable grief, and it was not long before illness claimed him as well, leaving a single final wish behind: to be painted beside his wife in a single canvas.
Dalia's gaze settled on her mother's face.
It seemed as if words spoken long ago were echoing once more in her ears.
‘Dalia, this is a secret… but the gift you possess is a blessing from God.’
Dalia's lips moved quietly as she stared at the portrait.
“Mother… that's not true. I couldn't save you. But this time is different. This time, I will protect everyone, no matter what.”
Swearing the oath before the portrait, Dalia slowly walked on.
Upon reaching the King's office, she encountered the Head Butler standing guard outside the door.
“Princess Dalia, it is a pleasure to see you after so long.”
The Head Butler offered her a warm smile.
He seemed rounder and more comfortable each time she saw him.
“It has been a long time, Head Butler. How have you been?”
“I am always well. Please wait just a moment; I shall inform His Majesty at once.”
“All right. Thank you.”
The Head Butler gave the door a respectful knock.
At the sound of the knock, King Cain, who had been speaking with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, turned his gaze toward the door.
The heavy door swung open quietly, revealing the Head Butler alongside his younger sister, Dalia.
As Cain locked eyes with the pair, the quill slipped unconsciously from his fingers.
A cold chill shot through his chest.
…It was the exact same scene. Just like that day.
Knock, knock, knock.
Cain had just finished preparing when the sudden pounding prompted him to open the door.
Lowering his gaze, he found his little sister Dalia standing in the doorway, clad in sky-blue pajamas, her face blanched as white as plaster.
“Dalia?”
Dalia hurried inside, slammed the door shut behind her, and pressed her back against it, almost as though trying to barricade it with her small frame.
“What brings you here so late? Did you sneak over to the main palace without Mother knowing again?”
When he spoke with gentle warmth, Dalia squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head in sheer terror.
“Dalia?”
He called her name warily, sensing something profoundly amiss.
Dalia slowly parted her closed eyes.
In those peculiar eyes, where sky blue melted into violet, lay an overwhelming terror.
“Brother…”
“Yes, tell me. Did you have a scary dream?”
“Please… don't let the Head Butler come.”
“What?”
“Don't let him open this door.”
Tears spilled from Dalia’s wide eyes, drop by drop, darkening the carpet beneath them.
Cain dropped to one knee before her and gently patted her head.
“Dalia, don't worry. The Head Butler won't come to my room at an hour like this.”
“Really? Do you promise?”
“I promise.”
With fear still lingering in her face, Dalia held out her pinky, asking for a formal vow.
Cain smiled tenderly and reached to hook his pinky with hers…
Right at that moment—
Thud! Thud!
A violent pounding shook the door.
“Your Highness! Your Highness!”
It was the Head Butler's voice.
Cain's eyes snapped instinctively toward Dalia.
She had clamped both hands over her ears, trembling violently as the color drained further from her face.
“…No. He must not come in. Brother, don't open the door, please…”
“Your Highness, forgive me.”
Before Cain could stop him, the Head Butler pushed the door open and stepped in.
Catching sight of Cain and Dalia together, he pressed his lips into a tight, grim line.
Dalia raised her vacant gaze toward him.
Then she whispered in a strangled, barely audible voice meant only for her brother kneeling beside her.
“Brother… I had a dream. The Head Butler told me Mother died. I saw it… in my dream…”
“Your Highness, Princess… Her Majesty the Queen has passed away.”
The Head Butler delivered the news of their mother's death in a voice heavy with sorrow.
The moment she heard his words, Dalia crumpled to the floor like a marionette whose strings had been severed.
“Your Majesty, Princess Dalia requests an audience.”
“Very well, let her in.”
“At once.”
Cain signaled with his eyes to Minister of Foreign Affairs Ryan, who stood beside the desk.
“Let us delay the report for a moment.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
Ryan bowed respectfully.
“I have the honor of coming before you, Your Majesty.”
Dalia stepped into the study, offered a formal greeting, and lifted her head.
A young king with deep crimson hair and dark violet eyes that tilted slightly downward, lending him an approachable air despite his striking, commanding handsomeness—Cain Wyvern.
He examined her features closely.
“Dalia, is your health well?”
“Yes. I apologize for not having come to see you in so long.”
“Her Highness Princess Dalia, it is a pleasure to see you again.”
Ryan greeted her with an amiable smile.
Dalia returned the smile, then looked between the two men.
“It has been quite a while, Minister of Foreign Affairs. It is fortunate that you are both here together. I would like you each to hear what I have to say.”
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Cain's own wavered as if struck by a tremor.
“What is the matter, Dalia?”
He asked, his face clouded with worry.
Dalia drew a deep breath, and her rosy lips slowly parted.
“I wish to accompany the delegation celebrating the Foundation Day heading to the Lucifon Empire this time.”
