The room was silent, except for the soft breathing of Rosalena as she lay motionless in her grand canopy bed.
Her father, brother, and sister sat beside her, their faces filled with worry.
One month.
It had been one month since the night of the monster attack. One month since Rosalena's divine power awakened. One month since she had fallen into an unconscious slumber.
The Duke, once a formidable and unshakable man, now looked fragile as he held his daughter's cold hand.
Christopher, her brother, clenched his fists. He had sworn to protect her, yet he could do nothing but watch her suffer.
Airna, her younger sister, refused to leave Rosalena's side, constantly praying for her recovery.
And then—
Her fingers twitched.
A soft groan escaped her lips. Her lashes fluttered.
"R-Rosalena…?"
The maid, who had been tending to her, gasped and immediately burst into tears.
"L-Lady Rosalena, you're awake!"
The Duke's head snapped up, his eyes wide. "Baby…?!"
Christopher and Airna rushed to her bedside, hope and fear warring in their hearts.
Rosalena blinked slowly, her body feeling weak. Why do I feel so heavy…?
Her father grabbed her hands, his strong grip trembling. "My dear baby, are you alright? Does it hurt anywhere?"
Christopher swallowed his emotions. "You've been asleep for an entire month, Rosalena. We… we thought…" He looked away, his voice cracking.
Airna's eyes filled with guilt as she threw herself onto her sister, sobbing. "I was so afraid… It's my fault. I shouldn't have left you alone that night!"
Rosalena, despite her weakness, gently stroked her sister's hair. "It's not your fault, Airna. I promise."
A heavy silence followed, filled only by their relieved sobs.
Then, a knock at the door interrupted the moment.
A maid entered, holding a large bouquet of flowers.
"My lady, these arrived for you. They are from… the Crown Prince."
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.
The warmth in the Duke's expression disappeared.
Christopher's hands clenched into fists.
Airna's innocent blue eyes darkened with an unreadable expression.
The Duke's voice was sharp. "Burn them."
The maid hesitated. "B-But, my lord, they were sent as a gesture of goodwill—"
"Goodwill?" Christopher snapped. "If it weren't for that damn Crown Prince, my sister wouldn't have been caught in this disaster! If it weren't for him—she wouldn't have suffered for a month!"
"He does not deserve her," the Duke spat. "He never did."
But before the tension could settle, another knock came.
A second maid entered, holding a sealed letter with the imperial crest.
"My Lord," she said hesitantly. "This is from His Majesty, the Emperor."
The Duke took the letter, his sharp eyes scanning it quickly.
And then—his face darkened with fury.
Christopher read over his father's shoulder, his expression turning equally grim.
Airna, who had been silent, clenched her hands into fists.
Rosalena, still weak, forced herself to speak. "What… what does it say?"
The Duke's voice was cold as steel.
"The Emperor has proposed… a royal marriage between you and the Crown Prince."
Silence.
Then—
"Over my dead body."
Rosalena narrowed her eyes. She had no intention of marrying the Crown Prince.
But as the room was filled with furious discussion, one person remained silent.
Airna.
She stood in the corner, clutching her dress tightly.
Her fingers dug into her palm, her nails nearly drawing blood.
Her wide, innocent blue eyes were dark with something unreadable.
Her lips trembled… before curling into a slow, eerie smile.
"No… this isn't right…"
Her voice was barely a whisper.
She bit her lip, shaking her head. "It wasn't supposed to be like this…"
"Why… Why is everything changing?"
Her nails dug deeper into her skin.
She had thought the Crown Prince loved her.
He had always looked at her, smiled at her.
But now… he was asking for Rosalena's hand in marriage?
Her shoulders trembled.
Her once-gentle smile twisted into something terrifying.
Her voice was soft, shaky—yet full of something dangerous.
"No… This won't happen… It CAN'T happen…
I won't let it."