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.

After finishing our wine, Victoria smiled and stretched her arms.

"It's such a beautiful day," she said. "Why don't we take a walk outside?"

"I'd love that," I replied with a smile.

Together, we left the palace and wandered through the royal gardens before making our way into the lively streets of Aurelia. Merchants called out to customers, children laughed as they played, and the pleasant aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air.

For a brief moment, I forgot about the terrifying events of two nights ago.

"I didn't even tell Dad I was leaving," I said with a soft laugh.

Victoria looked at me and chuckled.

"You still tell your father before going anywhere?"

"Of course," I answered. "Dad worries about me."

"You're lucky."

The smile on her face slowly disappeared.

"My Papa doesn't even care whether I leave the palace or not. Sometimes, I don't think he even notices I'm gone."

I looked at her with concern.

"What do you mean?"

She lowered her gaze as we continued walking.

"He always makes me feel like I'm not good enough... as though I'm unworthy of becoming the heir, even though I'm his only child."

I gently took her hand.

"Don't say that, Victoria. You're smart, kind, and stronger than you think."

She gave me a faint smile.

"I wish Papa believed that."

After a few moments of silence, she spoke again, her voice trembling.

"It's been so long since I last saw my mother. Papa took her away from me, and no one will tell me where she is. Sometimes... I wonder if she's even alive."

My heart ached for her.

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and gave her a gentle hug.

"You'll see her again someday," I said softly. "And until then, you'll never have to face everything alone. You'll always have me."

Victoria looked at me with grateful eyes.

"Thank you, Lisa."

We continued walking through the streets, smiling at the people who greeted us with cheerful bows.

Everything felt peaceful.

Too peaceful.

Suddenly, a terrified scream shattered the silence.

"Help!"

"Oh, heavens! Someone, please come quickly!"

The entire street fell silent before everyone rushed toward the source of the cry.

Victoria and I exchanged worried glances and hurried after the crowd.

When we arrived, dozens of villagers had already gathered in a circle.

No one dared move any closer.

The frightened crowd slowly stepped aside, allowing us to see what lay on the ground.

A White goat.

It was dead.

Its body was covered with deep cuts, and fresh blood stained the road beneath it.

Several women gasped in horror, while others quickly covered their children's eyes.

"This... this is horrible," Victoria whispered.

Just then, one of the royal guards stepped forward.

Using the tip of his sword, he carefully turned the goat over.

A loud gasp escaped from everyone present.

Written across the goat's body in blood were four terrifying words.

"We are coming."

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

Victoria grabbed my arm tightly.

"Lisa..."

Her voice shook with fear.

I couldn't take my eyes off the message.

"This isn't a joke," I whispered.

"No," Victoria replied quietly.

"It's a warning."

Without wasting another second, we turned and ran back toward the palace as fast as we could.

The guards followed closely behind while the horrified townspeople remained frozen where they stood.

By the time we reached the palace, we were both out of breath.

We rushed into the throne room, where Dad was discussing the recent attack with his advisers.

The moment he saw the frightened expressions on our faces, he immediately stood up.

"Lisa," he said firmly, "what happened?"

I struggled to catch my breath before finally finding my voice.

"Dad..."

I swallowed hard.

"They've sent us a message."

After hearing everything we had witnessed, Dad immediately left the throne room with several of his advisers and guards.

When he returned, the expression on his face told me all I needed to know.

Whatever he had seen had not pleased him.

Just then, another familiar figure entered the throne room.

It was King Roland of Veloria.His face was unusually serious.

He exchanged a brief greeting with Dad before the two kings stepped aside to speak in hushed voices. Neither Victoria nor I could hear what they were discussing, but judging by their expressions, it wasn't good news.

A moment later, King Roland turned toward us.

"Victoria," he called. "We must leave at once."

Victoria looked confused.

"So soon, Papa?"

"Yes. There's no time to waste. Prepare yourself. We're returning to Veloria immediately."

She glanced at me apologetically before giving me a quick hug.

"I'll visit again soon."

"I'll be waiting," I replied with a smile.

Within minutes, Victoria and King Roland departed with their royal guards.

Watching them leave, I couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible had happened in their kingdom as well.

---

Back in my chamber, I spent the rest of the afternoon quietly stitching a corset I had been working on for several days.

Before I realized it, evening arrived.

Then night fell.

The palace became silent once again.

Suddenly...My hands froze.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a dark shadow gliding past my window.

My heart skipped a beat.

That's impossible...

My room was on the upper floor.

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

Perhaps it was only my imagination.

Trying to calm myself, I placed the corset aside and walked toward the mirror to untie my hair.

Then...

That unsettling feeling returned.

It was the exact same feeling I had experienced on the night the palace was infiltrated.

Someone was watching me.

"Who's there?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Silence.

Then a deep masculine voice echoed through the room.

"Princess..."My breathing stopped.

I slowly looked around, but no one was there.

Could it be...

Damon?Panic overwhelmed me.

I stumbled backward until my legs touched the edge of my bed, wrapping my arms around myself as fear consumed every part of me.

"Don't be afraid, Princess Lisa," the voice said calmly.Terrified, I turned toward the door, ready to run.

"Don't even think about it," the mysterious man warned.

I froze instantly."This is the end," I thought."My life is over."

Gathering every ounce of courage I had left, I slowly lifted my head.

Standing only a few steps away was a tall man with broad shoulders and an imposing figure.

His raven-black hair framed a strikingly handsome face. A faint scar traced one side of his features, making him appear even more dangerous.

He was dressed entirely in black. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing part of his muscular chest.

Everything about him radiated confidence...

Power...

And danger.

Unable to meet his eyes, I lowered my gaze and instinctively stepped farther back.

"Stand up," he ordered. My body trembled as I obeyed. I had no choice. He folded his arms across his chest.

"And don't even think about opening that door."

His voice remained calm, yet every word carried authority.

"If you do..."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"...I'll kill the guards outside before they have a chance to protect you."

A chill ran through my entire body.He glanced toward the door and chuckled softly.

"Your parents stationed two guards outside your chamber..."

He shook his head."...yet they never considered placing one inside."His dark eyes returned to mine."If the door isn't locked..."

He paused.

"...go and lock it."

My heartbeat pounded painfully against my chest.

This was my chance to escape.

I could scream.

I could run.

But my legs refused to move.

Fear had stolen every bit of courage I possessed.

Slowly, I walked toward the door...

...and locked it.

When I turned back, he was still standing exactly where I had left him.

Questions flooded my mind.

Is he going to kill me?

Is he here to kidnap me?

Before I could think any further, darkness swallowed me.

---

Something gently tapped my cheek.

"Princess..."

My eyelids fluttered open.

The mysterious man was kneeling beside the bed, watching me.

For the briefest moment...

I thought I saw concern in his eyes.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked quietly."I didn't come here to hurt you."

Slowly, I sat upright.There was no point fainting again.

I had to face him."Then... why are you here?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"Please..."I swallowed nervously.

"Don't hurt me.

He raised an eyebrow before letting out a soft laugh.

"What?""Do I really look like a monster?"

Before I could answer, he stepped closer until only a few inches separated us.

"A beautiful princess," he murmured with an amused smile.

"So innocent."

Unable to bear his piercing gaze, I turned my face away.

"Are... are you King Damon?" I asked quietly.His smile deepened.

"And where did you hear that name?"

His voice brushed against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

Everything seemed like a game to him.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to look directly into his eyes.

Now that he stood so close, I noticed every detail.

His scar.

His raven-black hair.

His sharp jawline.

His broad shoulders.

His powerful chest beneath the half-open black shirt.

He was undeniably handsome...

Yet terrifying.

My gaze lingered for a second too long before I quickly looked away.

He noticed.

A faint smirk appeared on his lips.

Of course...

He's Damon.

Or perhaps...

Was he the same man I caught searching through Dad's private files that night?

As if reading my thoughts, he smiled.

"I'm Damon."

Those two simple words echoed endlessly inside my mind.