In the early days of the Arthdal Chronicles, during the initial stages of world-building, readers learned that the human continent was originally ruled by five great nations, not just four.
To the west lay the Council of States, a confederation of cities bound by treaties of esteemed individuals, mostly merchants and wealthy class.
In the south, the Federal Republic prospered through its complex web of alliances, a pratice of the people's voice.
To the north, the Dokadan Dynasty held its icy reign under a monarch and his ministerial cabinet.
In the center, the Theocracy governed with iron will and divine mandate.
And finally, to the east, the proud Imperium of Kandrel ruled over vast territories.
Together, these five great nations formed the backbone of the human continent's governance.
But as the story unfolded, two years into the first time skip, three years after the fall of the Aldaman clan, it was revealed that the Imperium of Kandrel had fallen to the Dokadan Dynasty.
A large punitive siege had razed the Imperium, wiping out all remnants of Kandrel's rule.
The echoes of war, swift and merciless, had obliterated its very foundation.
And now, Aldrich was faced with the grim reality that he was living in a nation doomed to war—a war that would break out just two years from now.
The knowledge unsettled him.
His mind raced.
'If it was conquered two years before the start, doesn't that mean the war happens sooner than expected?' he pondered, a cold sweat forming on his brow.
Time was short.
Aldrich sketched the timeline in his head.
He had less than two years to escape the Imperium if he didn't want to get caught in the crossfire.
The realization was sharp, like a knife driving his will to recover faster.
He couldn't afford to waste time.
For the next few days, Aldrich focused on healing.
The maid, Selina, attended to him diligently—cleaning his body from head to toe, spoon-feeding him three meals a day.
He found the act both humiliating and comforting.
Selina was gentle, never speaking much, only offering a polite smile as she cared for him.
After twelve days of recovery, Aldrich felt strong enough to stand.
His muscles no longer ached, and the weakness that once kept him bedridden was fading.
Yet, he chose to keep this to himself.
He hadn't told Selina about his regained mobility for reasons that would appear childish when spoken.
---
Every night since his awakening, something strange had occurred.
Someone entered his room. Silent. Their presence lingered, heavy and cold.
He could feel their gaze on him, piercing through the darkness.
The first time it happened, it had unsettled him. By now, it had become a twisted routine.
Tonight, Aldrich decided he would turn the tables.
He lay in bed, listening.
The footsteps echoed in the corridor, growing closer.
His heart thudded, his muscles tensing. He waited.
The door creaked open, just like the previous nights.
The figure slipped in, their glowing purple eyes scanning the room.
They froze. The bed was empty. Panic flashed in their expression as they took a step closer, trying to confirm the absence of his body.
Aldrich grinned, crouched in the shadows by the door. His chance had come.
"Booh!" he barked loudly.
"Kyaaa!" The figure let out a sharp gasp, startled by the sound.
Their body jerked, and in their haste, they slipped. Aldrich's eyes widened as they tumbled forward, losing balance.
"Crap!" he muttered, rushing to catch them.
He reached out and grabbed their arm, but he underestimated their weight.
In the end, they both fell, tumbling to the floor in a clumsy heap.
Aldrich landed on top of the figure, groaning as the impact hit them both.
He winced, not from pain, but from the sheer awkwardness of the situation.
What was supposed to be a harmless prank had gone spectacularly wrong.
He looked down at the person he had fallen on.
His breath caught in his throat.
It was dark, but the moonlight streaming through the window illuminated her face.
She had delicate features, sharp and ethereal.
Her skin was pale, almost glowing under the soft light.
Long violet hair framed her face, cascading over her shoulders, and her shadowy eyes, though cold, were captivating.
She wore a simple white gown, plain and unadorned, but on her, it looked regal.
Aldrich felt his cheeks burn.
"Pre-pretty…" he muttered without thinking.
Her eyes locked onto his, indifferently.
"Can you get off me?" she asked, her voice icy, yet smooth, a stark contrast to the warmth he felt on her chest.
Aldrich's face turned crimson.
"Oh… uhm… sorry!" He scrambled to get up, his movements clumsy in his rush to stand.
Once he was on his feet, he held out his hand, offering to help her up.
She glanced at his outstretched hand, then took it without a word.
Her touch was cool, her grip firm as she pulled herself up.
There was no gratitude in her eyes, no warmth—just the same indifference that had been there from the start.
"I'm really sorry about that," Aldrich began, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I just wanted to scare you a little, you know, give you a taste of your own medicine. I didn't mean for it to end like… well, this."
The woman dusted off her gown, her movements graceful, unhurried.
"It's fine," she said flatly. "You can walk now."
Aldrich blinked. "Uh… yes, I can." He hesitated, eyeing her cautiously. "But who are you? You've been coming in every night, staring at me. Why?"
She didn't answer right away. Instead, she crossed her arms, her purple eyes sweeping over him.
"Your body," she said, her tone clinical, "how does it feel? Any pain? Discomfort?"
Aldrich frowned, confused by the abrupt change in topic.
He flexed his arms and legs, checking for any lingering aches. "No… nothing. I feel fine now."
"Good," she said, as if dismissing him entirely. She turned on her heel, heading for the door.
"Wait!" Aldrich called after her, his frustration bubbling up. "I asked you a question. Who are you?"
She paused at the door, her hand resting on the knob.
"It's good to know you're feeling better," she said softly, almost to herself.
Then, without another word, she opened the door and stepped out, closing it quietly behind her.
Aldrich stood there, dumbfounded.
His heart still racing, his mind swirling with confusion.
"What was that about?" he muttered under his breath.