Cilia had always felt a strange yearning, an ache she couldn't quite explain. It was as though she had been missing something all her life, a piece of herself she had never even known. But today was different. Today, she saw her. The figure that had always been a blur in her mind came into sharp focus—a girl of incomparable beauty, power, and youth, her aura red as blood. Her name remained unknown, but her face was etched into Cilia's memory. The moment was transformative; Cilia knew this woman was the one she yearned to find. She silently vowed to search for her, to serve her as her humble queen.
For seven long years, Cilia had lived a life of suffocating isolation. Treated like a rare gem, she was cherished yet caged, shielded from the world. Her unique nature, brimming with extraordinary potential, only deepened the restrictions placed upon her. It was a gilded prison, one where her only solace was the vision of the mysterious woman. The memory of that figure ignited a longing within her, a desire to be united with the one who made her heart stir.
Elise, the loyal bodyguard of the Duke's daughter, had witnessed the girl's unusual life unfold. From the moment of her birth, the young lady had been hailed as a miracle, a source of immense pride for the Dukedom. Yet not everyone celebrated her arrival. The fact that she was a girl—the future successor to the Duke's legacy—drew its share of skeptics. Still, none could deny her brilliance. Her beauty was radiant, her mind sharp, her taste refined beyond her years. She was treasured by all who knew her, yet her solemn demeanor spoke of a melancholy no one could quite understand.
Elise knew the truth. The girl's life was anything but happy. She was stifled by expectations, growing up far too quickly under the weight of others' demands. Her world was confined within the castle walls, and she had never experienced the freedom of the world outside. Elise, moved by pity, had tried to share tales of her own adventures beyond the walls, hoping to coax a smile out of the girl. But her efforts backfired. Instead of comfort, her stories awakened an insatiable curiosity in the young lady—a desire to see the outside world with her own eyes.
Determined to grant her charge even a sliver of freedom, Elise sought the Duke's permission to take the young lady outside the castle. The Duke, however, was resolute in his refusal. He feared not only for his daughter's safety but also for the stability of his realm, whispering to Elise his suspicions of an impending coup. Undeterred, Elise assured him of the prosperity and peace of his reign and explained the suffocating loneliness the girl endured. Her persistence finally won him over, though with one condition: the Duchess must also approve.
After hours of pleading, Elise secured the Duchess's reluctant consent. The next day, the disguised young lady and her bodyguard ventured beyond the walls. For the first time, the girl tasted freedom. Elise watched with quiet satisfaction as her charge observed the bustling capital streets with wide, curious eyes. The excitement radiated from her, subtle but palpable. After exploring the city, they passed through the gates and mounted a horse, galloping across the fields where the Dukedom's staple crops grew. The glow on the young lady's face filled Elise with pride.
Their journey took them through a lush forest, where Elise led the girl to her favorite spot—a secluded area brimming with fruit. It was meant to be the final stop of their little adventure, a peaceful moment to enjoy their packed lunch before heading home. But peace was not to be. Without warning, two mutated deer burst from the foliage, charging at them with terrifying speed.
Elise reacted immediately, drawing her sword to face the first deer. Its antlers aimed directly for her chest, but she used the terrain to her advantage, luring it toward a tree. At the last second, she dodged, trapping the creature. Turning to the second deer, Elise used a skill called Flash Step to intercept its charge. The technique came at a cost, straining her legs to the breaking point, but she managed to land a powerful blow. Yet the creature only grew stronger, its miasma thickening ominously.
Realizing the danger, Elise ordered the young lady to run. But the girl defied her, standing firm as the battle escalated. The first deer, now free, charged again. Elise, unable to stand due to her injuries, was forced to activate a forbidden skill: Paladin's Rage. As her mind clouded with fury, a sudden explosion halted her attack.
The sight that greeted Elise was both terrifying and awe-inspiring. The young lady's snow-white hair had turned crimson, her eyes glowing with a sinister light. The first deer had been obliterated, its blood forming blades that hovered in the air. Before Elise could react, the blades struck the second deer, piercing it with brutal efficiency. The creature fell, its body riddled with wounds.
Elise braced herself for the worst, fearing the girl's newfound power might turn on her. But instead, the young lady approached the fallen deer and performed a spell that healed Elise's injuries completely. The effort left her unconscious, and Elise carried her back to the castle.
The Duke's reaction was one of fury and fear. He berated Elise for her failure to protect his daughter and expressed deep unease about the power she had displayed. The news of mutated animals so close to the capital only heightened his anxiety. He ordered an immediate investigation and locked his family within the castle for their safety.
The girl recovered four days later, with no memory of what had transpired. Yet a lingering unease hung over the castle. The weeks that followed brought disaster to both the Duke's family and the Dukedom, their troubles only beginning to unfold.