Lucia Frenre was a simple woman. Born in the east, where the never-ending fields carry echoes of the mockingbirds, she knew nothing of noble indulgences, only of peace and prosperity. Despite her naturally frail state, she smiled the brightest in her little home.

Lucia met Vivian’s father when his army stopped in the village during a journey. It’s said he fell in love on sight. Through their union, a beautiful baby girl was born: skin as white as snow, beautiful silver hair, and eyes as clear as the sky.

Vivian Lunaria was a girl born to be loved. Her name garnered subservience and gratitude. Her lineage was royal and proud, her beauty obvious, and her bloodline peerless. Since she was a young girl, elders, nobles, the clergy, and even her own family held her on a pedestal. Everyone had always thrown themselves at her—some with their arms around her, others kneeling at her feet. Regardless, the adoration was the same.

Despite this endlessly wholesome upbringing, very few could ever realize how life felt through her eyes. Those arms holding her snug felt like chains wrapped around her throat. The nobles praising her very presence, trying to make a good impression, were almost leaking ulterior motives through their loose-lipped smiles.

It sickened her.

The toxic slog of shallow personalities; a murky home where appearances were painted through blood. She was so disappointed. Hopeless. But she would tolerate it—she could tolerate everything because she had her north star: her mother, Lucia.

If only she knew how bitter reality truly was.

The political peak of her life came to a head during her official coronation. Nobles of this world had a public debut at around age twelve. The royals were not exempt from this practice, and Vivian’s coronation was held in line with these customs. The maids worked tirelessly as Vivian stood impassively in front of the dressing room mirror; a beautiful red dress, contrasting her naturally white skin, was being fitted. Her hair was tied up neatly, with a crystal ornament complementing her beauty.

After four long hours, Vivian was finally ready. Her normally lifeless eyes lit up as she rushed out of the changing quarters despite her maids' complaints. With a spark of mischief, she wanted to show her mother how she looked. She wanted her spoils of the day.

Knock... knock, knock.

"Why isn’t she opening the door?"

That’s when she saw something odd. The holy knight usually stationed in front of her mother’s quarters was missing. The night lamp was still lit outside the door... though the sun had risen three hours ago. The flames flickered weakly.

"!!!"

Everything after that felt like a blur. The sound of the guards breaking the door open. The immediate, nauseating scent. The slow trickle onto the floor.

The sight of her mother’s corpse lying lifeless on the pavilion, no light in her eyes. Her hands were still clasped in prayer, while the wound on her chest painted a vivid red rose on the silk sheets. When Vivian put Lucia’s head on her lap—when she touched the gaping wound—that beautiful shade on her dress blended so well.

Utterly perfect.

No matter how much she wiped off, it still looked the same.

"Ah... ahhhh!"

And then... she woke up.

"Hah... hah... hah... ugh."

Vivian shot out of bed and crumbled onto the floor, her heartbeat ringing in her ears.

Ugh... it’s been a while since I’ve had this dream.

She slowly pushed herself up and steadied her shaking legs before throwing herself on the bed again. She was covered in sweat, and tears were brimming at the corners of her eyes.

"This cursed family really does make people go crazy. Maybe the rumors were true."

"I think it’s a bit rude to call your hosts cursed now, isn’t it?" said a hushed voice from the corner of the room.

Next to the dresser, draped in the shadows, were two golden irises reflecting the pale moonlight. Vivian reached for her sword on the tabletop before responding to the lurking figure.

"What the hell are you doing in my room? Is this how you treat your guests?" Vivian said sharply.

"Oh, well, I’d love to get some sleep too, Princess. It’s just that you were releasing so much mana in your sleep that the guards outside your room started having panic attacks and woke me up."

Roel walked out of the shadows into the moonlight, shrugging as though this series of strange events was insignificant.

"I... was leaking mana?"

"More like erupting. Having a nightmare?" Roel said gently, looking at Vivian's unsettled expression.

"No... well, a bit. I apologize for waking you. You can go back now."

She stood up and nodded slightly in apology, her lips in a subtle pout. It was clear she was still shaken. Roel didn’t respond. He just stood in place, peering at Vivian with a blank look.

She’s clearly vulnerable right now... this might be one of my only chances to get past her defenses. If I can slip in a little magic in the background... it might just work out!

Roel took one step forward, Vivian one step back; one step forward, one step back, until eventually, Vivian had her back against the wall.

"W-what are you doing right now?" Vivian said nervously, her eyes narrowing doubtfully.

Roel stood right in front of her. He looked down at her dubious expression and raised his hand to touch her. Vivian suddenly grabbed his wrist.

"I said, what's up with you?" Vivian glared at Roel.

"Relax, Princess. You can tell if I’m trying to hurt you, can’t you?" Roel looked back without flinching.

Whether it was his intense, unending gaze or his indirect knowledge of her abilities, Vivian dropped her hand and let him continue. Roel wrapped his arms around her swiftly and pulled her into an embrace.

"!!!"

"Y-you! Let go!" Vivian resisted lightly, though she clearly wasn't trying to escape.

"Don’t worry. Red isn’t my favorite color either. You’ll be okay."

Roel slid his right hand around the back of her head as a pretense for a hug, while simultaneously applying light hypnosis magic. If he could slowly plant suggestions into her mind, he could eventually break through her mental barrier and get her on his side.

It was a truly cunning—and admittedly heartless—plan.

But as they say, love is blind. In Vivian's eyes, this was the first time she had been at such a close distance to a member of the opposite sex. On nights where horrors wouldn’t let her sleep, it had always been just her and the candlelight, barely staying lit until daytime. But now, she felt comforted.

For the first time in a very long time, Vivian Lunaria had a dream—an utterly ridiculous dream, but a sweet one nonetheless.