"Oh my gosh... how could this stranger pin me against the wall like this? I could feel the hard bulge beneath his clothes pressing against me. I tried to push him away, but he was unbelievably strong. Every desperate attempt to free myself only drained what little strength I had left."

The night was unusually cold.

Heavy rain lashed against the palace windows as thunder echoed across the Kingdom of Aurelia.

The weather had a strange way of making the grand palace feel lonely, and despite the warmth of my chamber, sleep refused to come.

With a sigh, I slipped out of my room and made my way downstairs. I had always preferred preparing my own coffee whenever I couldn't sleep.

The maids had offered countless times, but making it myself somehow brought me peace.

As I descended the staircase, a few sleepy maids noticed me.

"Your Highness, do you need anything?" one of them asked politely.I smiled and shook my head.

"No. Go and get some rest. I'll be fine."

They hesitated before bowing and disappearing down the hallway.

The kitchen was unusually dark. Several lamps had gone out, leaving only a faint glow from the fireplace. I frowned but ignored it, reaching for a cup.

Just as I was about to pour hot water into it...

I froze.

A faint rustling sound drifted through the silence.

It sounded like someone hurriedly searching through papers.My heartbeat quickened.

The sound came from the storage room beside the kitchen—a room no one was allowed to enter without my father's permission. It was where King Richard kept confidential documents, important records, and valuable belongings.

Carefully, I placed the cup back on the table and walked toward the door.

The closer I got, the louder the sound became.

Who could possibly be inside?Taking a deep breath, I reached for the handle.

The door slowly creaked open.Standing inside was a man dressed completely in black.

His back faced me as he searched through my father's leather bags and confidential files with astonishing speed.

"What are you doing?" I demanded.

The room fell silent.

The stranger stopped moving.

"Who are you?" I asked again, trying to sound braver than I felt.

Slowly...

He turned around.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, and powerfully built. Shadows concealed most of his face beneath the hood, making it impossible to recognize him.

One of my father's files rested tightly in his hand.

A chill crawled down my spine.Instinctively, I stepped backward, preparing to scream.

But before a single sound escaped my lips—

He moved.

In the blink of an eye, he crossed the room.

A strong hand clamped firmly over my mouth as he pulled me against his chest.

My entire body went numb.

Fear drained every ounce of strength from me. I struggled desperately, but his grip only tightened.

"Oh my gosh... how could this stranger pin me against the wall like this? I could feel the hard bulge beneath his clothes pressing against me. I tried to push him away, but he was unbelievably strong. Every desperate attempt to free myself only drained what little strength I had left."

Then...Footsteps.

Voices echoed from the corridor outside.

Maids.

Perhaps guards.

Hope flickered inside me.

I tried to fight harder, but the stranger held me still.For the first time, I caught a glimpse of his face beneath the hood.

A man.

Young.

Dangerously handsome...

...yet terrifyingly calm.

He leaned close enough for me to hear his steady whisper.

"I won't hurt you."

His voice was low and strangely reassuring."Just do exactly as I say... and don't scream."The footsteps drew nearer.

We slowly shifted behind the door, hidden from anyone passing outside.

After what felt like an eternity, the voices faded away.

The stranger released me.

Without another word—

He vanished.

It happened so quickly that my eyes could barely follow him.He slipped through the doorway like a shadow disappearing into the night.

"Help!" I screamed."Someone stop him!"

The palace instantly erupted into chaos.Guards rushed through the corridors while frightened maids scattered in every direction.

Several soldiers chased after the fleeing intruder, but he was unbelievably fast.

Within seconds...

He disappeared into the darkness beyond the palace walls.The entire palace stood frozen in disbelief.

Moments later, my father, King Neol of Aurelia, hurried downstairs, still fastening his royal robe.

"Lisa!" he called anxiously. "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head, struggling to catch my breath."No... but someone broke into the palace. He searched through your confidential files. I don't know how he got inside... or how he unlocked the room.

Father's expression darkened.

Without saying another word, he rushed into the storage room and examined every file himself.

When he emerged, his face had turned pale.

Something was missing.Something important.

He slowly turned toward the captain of the royal guards.

"Wake everyone."

His voice was calm...

Too calm.

"I don't care if they're asleep."

The captain straightened immediately."Your Majesty?"

My father's eyes narrowed as he stared into the storm outside.

"Gather every guard... every servant... every member of the royal family."He paused.

Then spoke the words that sent a chill through everyone present.

"Someone inside this palace helped that man get in."Silence swallowed the room.

No one dared to breathe.

Because if the King was right...

The real enemy wasn't outside the palace.

They were already living inside it.

"Everyone, listen carefully."

My father's commanding voice echoed through the grand hall, silencing every whisper.

"Last night, an intruder broke into the royal palace and entered my private archive. This was no ordinary thief. Whoever that man was, he knew exactly where to go and what he was searching for. That alone tells me he did not act without knowledge."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in as his sharp gaze swept across the faces before him.

"From this moment onward, no one is permitted to leave the palace without my direct permission. Every servant, maid, guard, and royal official will be questioned at first light. Until the traitor is found, no one is above suspicion."

A wave of uneasiness spread through the hall.

Without another word, Father climbed the staircase.

As I turned, I saw my mother, Queen Elena, hurrying downstairs. She met Father halfway, and together they returned to their chambers. It was obvious he intended to tell her everything.

I quietly returned to my own room.

Sleep refused to come.

The stranger's every movement replayed endlessly in my mind. He had planned every step with remarkable precision. He knew exactly where to enter, where to search, and how to escape.

Who was he?

Slowly, I walked toward the window and stared into the storm outside. A cold breeze slipped through the opening, sending chills across my skin.

Without hesitation, I shut the window firmly and locked it before climbing into bed.

---

At sunrise, the palace came alive once again.

Everyone had been ordered to gather in the Great Hall for questioning. From my chamber, I could already hear anxious whispers echoing through the corridors.

After getting dressed, I made my way to the Royal Assembly Hall.

One by one, the servants, guards, and maids stepped forward to answer Father's questions.

"Your Majesty," one frightened maid said, trembling as she bowed, "I was in my quarters preparing to sleep when the incident happened. I neither saw nor heard anyone suspicious. I beg you to believe me."

After she finished, another person stepped forward.

Then another.

And another.

Hours passed.

More than fifty people had already been questioned, yet no one claimed to have seen the intruder.

Exhaustion settled over the room.

Even if the traitor were standing before us, would they truly confess?I doubted it.

Just as I was about to excuse myself for a walk through the palace gardens, Father slowly rose from his throne.The hall fell silent.

"There is something every one of you must understand," he began.

"The man who entered this palace last night was no common criminal. He was highly trained, disciplined, and skilled beyond that of an ordinary soldier. Such a man does not act on impulse, nor does he risk his life without purpose."

He paused, his expression hardening.

Father continued,

He looked directly at every guard in the room.

"From this day forward, strengthen the palace's defenses. Double the guards at every gate. Search every corridor, every chamber, and every hidden passage. No stranger is to enter these grounds unnoticed."

Then his voice grew colder.

Father slowly rose from his throne, and the hall immediately fell silent.

Just then, one of the royal guards hurried forward and whispered something into Father's ear.

His expression darkened for a brief moment before he nodded.

"Very well," he said.

He turned his attention back to everyone gathered in the hall.

"You are all dismissed. Return to your respective duties and quarters, but remain vigilant. If you see or hear anything unusual, report it immediately."

Everyone bowed respectfully before quietly dispersing, each person carrying a different expression—fear, confusion, or suspicion.

As everyone began returning to their respective duties, I quietly made my way back to my chamber.

I had barely settled down when I heard a familiar voice call from outside my door.

"Princess Lisa."

I turned immediately.

It was my mother, Queen Elena.

The moment I saw her face, I knew something was wrong. She looked unusually pale, and fear lingered in her eyes—a look I had never seen on her before.

She walked over to me and gently held my hands.

"Lisa," she said softly, "I need you to promise me something."

I nodded.

"There is a dangerous man moving from kingdom to kingdom. Last night, he came to ours. I don't know what he is truly after, but I need you to promise me that, no matter what happens, you will keep yourself safe."

For a moment, I simply stared at her. I had never seen my mother so frightened.

"I promise, Mother," I replied, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

A faint smile appeared on her face before she gently embraced me.

"We should head to the dining room," she said. "Your father is waiting."

Together, we made our way to the royal dining hall.

As always, only the royal family dined there.

My father, King Neol, sat at the head of the long table, while my little brother, Ethan, was already waiting impatiently for the meal to begin.

Mother and I took our seats, and before long, dinner was served.

The long dining table was already prepared. A delicious feast of roasted meats, warm pastries, colorful vegetables, fresh fruits, and sparkling glasses of wine filled the table. The rich aroma drifted through the room, but despite the inviting meal, my heart still felt too heavy to enjoy any of it.

The dining hall was unusually quiet.

I slowly lifted my eyes and glanced at my younger brother, Ethan.

My twelve-year-old brother sat innocently in his chair, happily cutting pieces of meat onto his plate, completely unaware of the storm gathering over the kingdom. His bright smile made my heart ache. He was still just a child. How could someone so young possibly understand the terrifying truth that threatened to destroy everything we loved?We didn't say anything to Ethan.

The following morning, I sat quietly before my vanity while Hannah carefully brushed my long hair.

Hannah was far more than a maid to me.

She was like the sister I had never had, someone close to my own age whom I had grown up with. Years ago, her parents had died in a tragic accident, leaving her with no family to care for her. With nowhere else to go, she was forced to beg on the streets.

By fate, my mother, Queen Elena, happened to see the young girl one afternoon. Unable to leave an innocent child to suffer, she brought Hannah to the palace, where she was raised alongside the royal servants.

Although Mother never treated her as a servant, Hannah insisted on helping the palace maids out of gratitude for the kindness she had received. Her loyalty and gentle heart earned the respect of everyone in the palace.

Just then, a gentle knock sounded at my door.

"May I come in, Princess Lisa?"

A smile immediately spread across my face.

"I know that voice! Come in."

The door opened, revealing Princess Victoria of the Kingdom of Veloria.

"Victoria!" I exclaimed happily as I hurried over to embrace her. "What a wonderful surprise! I wasn't expecting you."

She laughed warmly as we hugged.

"It's good to see you too, Lisa."

"How have you been?" I asked.

"I've been well. And you?"

"I've missed you," I admitted.

Victoria smiled.

"Life is full of surprises, isn't it? You never know what tomorrow will bring."

I nodded in agreement before turning toward Hannah.

"Hannah, would you please bring us a bottle of wine?"

"At once, Your Highness," she replied with a respectful bow.

Before Hannah could leave, Victoria stood up.

"I'll go with her. We'll be back in a moment."

The two of them left together, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I hoped they would become friends one day.

Whenever I asked Hannah whether Victoria had been kind to her, Hannah would sometimes admit that Victoria had spoken harshly to her. Other times, she simply smiled and refused to answer.

"I don't want to cause problems between two princesses," she would always say.

I knew Victoria had a kind heart, but she often failed to realize that servants deserved the same respect as everyone else. More than once, I had reminded her that kindness was a true mark of royalty.

A few moments later, the door opened again.

Victoria returned carrying the wine while Hannah followed behind with two crystal goblets.

As Hannah placed everything neatly on the table, Victoria sighed.

"You've spoiled her too much, Lisa. She's so slow."

I smiled gently.

"No, Victoria. Hannah is hardworking and loyal. Everyone has slow days. She's only human."

Victoria shrugged.

"If you say so."

She poured wine into both goblets before suddenly holding out her hands.

"Look at my nails! Aren't they beautiful?"

I examined them carefully before smiling.

"They're lovely."

A sudden thought crossed my mind.

"Victoria... did anything unusual happen in Veloria two nights ago?"

Her cheerful expression disappeared instantly.

"There was a terrible storm," she answered quietly. "The winds were so violent that everyone thought Damon had finally come."

I frowned.

"Damon? Who is Damon?"

Victoria stared at me in surprise.

"You mean you've never heard of him?"

I slowly shook my head.

She leaned closer and lowered her voice.

"Damon is feared throughout the neighboring kingdoms. People say he is the greatest threat our lands have ever known. Many believe our kingdoms are his next targets."

A chill crept down my spine.

"My family was attacked two nights ago," I confessed. "Someone broke into the palace and searched my father's private archive. We tried to stop him, but he escaped before anyone could catch him."

Victoria's eyes widened.

"Then it may have been Damon..."

She paused.

"Or someone working under his command."

Curiosity quickly replaced my fear.

"What do people know about him?"

"Very little," Victoria replied. "Even if Damon walked through a crowded marketplace, most people wouldn't recognize him. His true appearance is known only to a handful of people."

She hesitated before continuing.

"They say he has dark hair and always wears black. A long scar runs across one side of his face. Strangely enough, despite the scar, people still call him incredibly handsome."

She shook her head.

"But don't let that fool you. He's ruthless... merciless... and completely heartless."

My heartbeat quickened."Why does everyone fear him so much?"

Victoria lowered her eyes.

"They say he's hunting every king, priest, and noble who took part in the murder of his parents."

I stared at her in disbelief.

"Murder?"

Victoria nodded sadly.

"His parents possessed extraordinary Alpha powers. The other kings and high priests became consumed by greed. They performed a forbidden ritual to steal those powers for themselves."

Her voice softened.

"The ritual claimed the lives of both the Alpha King and Queen."

Silence filled the room.

"How tragic..." I whispered.

Suddenly, everything made a little more sense.

No wonder Damon was consumed by anger.