In the 228st year of the Benchu Era, the Kingdom of Light, at the gates of the Holy City Palace
Kimoon gazed at the magnificent palace enveloped in a barrier radiating a divine light before her, her thoughts swirling. She approached slowly, noticing that there were no guards at the gate. Of course, the royal family of the Kingdom of Light was known for their powerful spiritual energy, and a formidable barrier protected the palace. Without the permission of the royal family, no one could freely enter or exit. Kimoon extended her hand, feeling anxious. She was unsure if the barrier would allow her entry, but it was her only way to reach Shizuru. She had no other choice. However, Kimoon seemed to encounter an invisible barrier, preventing her from moving forward.
"No!"
Kimoon roared in her mind. She could no longer suppress the turbulent emotions, almost being swallowed by the overwhelming sense of despair. Since the day she woke up and didn't find Shizuru, discovering a farewell letter at the bedside, Kimoon felt powerless. The letter was Shizuru's farewell, but Kimoon thought it was just another one of Shizuru's pranks gone too far. However, where was Shizuru now? Kimoon, disregarding clothes, wandered through the villa, searching room after room for Shizuru's presence. Nothing, nothing, still nothing. "Shizuru, where have you gone?"
Kimoon lay on the bed, powerless, staring blankly at the ceiling. She didn't know how long it had been when Yoko returned. In the bedroom, Yoko found the disheartened Kimoon, naked and bearing visible marks of recent intimacy, lost in thought. Yoko also read Shizuru's letter and realized that the situation had far exceeded her expectations. She had thought Kimoon and Shizuru were close friends, not knowing that they had secretly become lovers, hidden from everyone's eyes.
After Shizuru left, Kimoon waited at home for several days, but Shizuru did not return. Kimoon went to the central garden, revisiting the places where she and Shizuru had shared beautiful moments, but there was no sign of the radiant purple figure she longed for. After weeks of fruitless search, Kimoon withdrew, spending days naked in bed, as if waiting for the left Shizuru to return on that day.
Although Yoko couldn't bear to see Kimoon's continued desolation, she couldn't reveal the truth. As the former queen and current king's aunt, she knew that in a month, Shizuru's marriage to Feng Mo would be known throughout the continent. Then, Kimoon would discover Shizuru's true identity. Could she accept it?
Kimoon didn't know where to find Shizuru. She had asked where Shizuru lived, and Shizuru only mentioned it was near the central garden. Kimoon didn't know how to explain her own past to Shizuru and didn't press Shizuru for more information. Shizuru did the same. Despite their ten years together, they knew little about each other's family backgrounds.
Finally, two months later, and a month before the wedding, an announcement from the Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Purple revealed the identity of the second princess of the Purple Kingdom and announced the wedding date of the King of Light and the second princess of the Purple Kingdom. In the photo, Shizuru wore the royal attire of the Purple royal family, arm in arm with the King of Light, looking elegant and noble in the Holy Palace's Eternal Garden.
Yoko didn't know how to break this news to Kimoon, so she silently placed the newspaper outside Kimoon's bedroom. She was also worried about Kimoon's health. Since Shizuru left, Kimoon had lost interest in food and had become noticeably thinner. Yoko had to check on Kimoon from time to time to ensure she wouldn't do anything reckless. However, the next day, the newspaper at the door was gone. Yoko entered Kimoon's room to find it empty. Almost all of Kimoon's belongings were there, except for her phone, passport, and wallet. Yoko searched everywhere but couldn't find Kimoon in Crystal City. She activated the tracking system she had secretly implanted in Kimoon's phone, discovering she was rapidly leaving the Purple Kingdom, heading towards the Kingdom of Light. Yoko thought, "Oh no," realizing she had to reach the Kingdom of Light before Kimoon returned to the palace to stop her.
On the other side, Kimoon continuously pounded on the protective barrier of the palace as if trying to shatter it. However, it was futile. The barrier silently dissipated each attack, almost mocking the frailty of humans. Kimoon didn't know what else to do, mechanically resisting with her hands. In the gradual numbness of her hands, she didn't notice the blood oozing from her fingers. Surprisingly, at the touch of blood, the barrier partially collapsed, allowing her to fall inside. Inside? Kimoon incredulously sat up, realizing she had passed through the barrier, which was now repairing itself. Without thinking, she flew away, eager to find Shizuru quickly.
Kimoon didn't like being here. In her memories, she always stayed alone in a vast and lonely palace. Walls surrounded her on all sides, and the only contact with the outside world was the untouchable sky above. Although masked handmaidens regularly brought food, clothing, and various unknown things, they came and went in haste, leaving no trace. Therefore, Kimoon didn't know where she was now. She just continued to run aimlessly until she was exhausted. When she came to her senses, she found a fork in the road not far away.
At this moment, the three princesses of the Benchu Royal Family, Kikyo, Zui Ai, and Ruo Pu, along with the future queen Shizuru, were walking from another direction at the fork. Kikyo and Zui Ai were about eight years older than Shizuru, and the three were about to become sisters-in-law. So, they invited Shizuru to explore the palace together, helping her get familiar with the palace and deepening their mutual understanding. Shizuru learned that Yoko was the former queen who chose to reside in the Purple Kingdom after retiring. It turned out that this was the destined reunion Yoko had mentioned. Shizuru thought. At the same time, Shizuru couldn't help but be curious and worried about Kimoon's background. However, she also knew that the Benchu Royal Family had only three princesses, so even if Kimoon had some connection, it wouldn't be too close. Thus, Shizuru's anxious heart finally found some relief.
However, at the next moment, the group saw Kimoon at another intersection, and everyone stopped in their tracks. Kimoon also saw them, and in the middle, she saw Shizuru.