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.

Oh my goodness...

The devil himself is standing right in front of me. The thought echoed through my mind as terror gripped my heart.

So the rumors were true.Damon was real.And he was standing only a few steps away from me. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his eyes.

"Have you come to destroy our kingdom?" I asked, my voice trembling despite my attempt to sound brave.

For a brief moment, Damon remained silent.Then he slowly shook his head.

"No."

His expression darkened.

"But if anyone stands in my way..." he said coldly, "...I won't hesitate to kill them."

A chill ran down my spine.

He took another slow step toward me.

"Three high priests from this kingdom took part in the murder of my parents."

His voice was calm, but the hatred behind his words was unmistakable.

"I've come to claim the justice they stole from me."

I stared at him, unable to speak.

For the first time, I didn't see a monster.

I saw a man carrying years of pain.

Still...

That didn't excuse the fear he spread across every kingdom.

My heart pounded painfully inside my chest.

"Is..." I hesitated.

"Is my father involved?"

The question escaped before I could stop myself.

Damon held my gaze for several seconds. "I don't know." His answer surprised me.

"I came here searching for evidence."

He folded his arms across his chest. "Tell me..."His dark eyes searched mine,"Will you help me find the truth?"

I stared at him in disbelief.

What does this monster take me for?

Does he truly expect me to betray my own father?

Never.

No matter what happened...

I would never betray Dad.

Before I could even speak, Damon let out a quiet laugh.

"I already know your answer."

A faint smile crossed his lips.

"You'll protect your father."

Silence filled the room.

Then he turned toward the window.

"I should leave."

Before I realized what was happening, he suddenly stepped forward.

His arm slipped gently around my waist, pulling me closer.

My heart nearly stopped.

I could feel the warmth of his body.

His face was only inches from mine.

My breathing became uneven.

"Tell me something, Princess."

His deep voice was almost a whisper.

"Will you tell your parents..."

He leaned even closer.

"...or anyone else..."

His eyes locked onto mine.

"...about our little secret?"

I blinked in confusion.

"We don't have any secret."

A faint smile curved across his lips.

"Oh..."

He raised one finger and gently pressed it against my lips."But we do."

I froze.

"This meeting..."

His voice became quieter.

"...belongs only to us."

The warmth in his eyes disappeared, replaced by an icy stare.

"Don't tell anyone I was here."

He paused.

"Unless..."

His voice turned dangerously calm.

"...you want to watch your father's kingdom tremble."

Every word sent another wave of fear through me.

Without another glance, Damon stepped onto the windowsill.

With a single effortless leap...

He disappeared into the darkness.

His black cloak fluttered behind him before vanishing completely into the night.

For several seconds...

I couldn't move.

I couldn't breathe.

The room felt strangely empty.

"What..."

I whispered.

"...just happened?"

Only after he was gone did my legs finally give way.

I collapsed onto the edge of my bed, trembling uncontrollably.

All the courage I had forced myself to show disappeared.

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to steady my breathing.

The palace was silent once again.

Yet his presence still lingered in my room.

I lay down and closed my eyes, hoping sleep would erase everything that had happened.

It didn't.

Every time I drifted off...

I saw his face.

His scar.

His piercing eyes.

His calm voice.

And the warning he left behind.

By the time dawn finally arrived, I had barely slept.

Sunlight streamed through my window, and I released a long breath.

At least the night was over.

I quickly freshened up before staring at my reflection in the mirror.

I looked exhausted.

I have to tell Dad and Mother.They deserve to know Damon was here.I took one step toward the door...

Then stopped.His warning echoed inside my mind.

"Unless... you want to watch your father's kingdom tremble."

My hands slowly curled into fists.

What if he meant it?

What if telling Dad placed everyone in danger?

I closed my eyes.

For the first time in my life...

I chose silence.

After a few moments, I opened my chamber door.

The two royal guards were still standing outside exactly where Dad had ordered them to remain.

The sight of them made my heart ache.

If Damon had wanted to kill them last night...

He could have.

"Good morning, Your Highness," they greeted respectfully, bowing their heads.

"Good morning," I replied softly.

After making sure I was safe, the guards left.

I remained standing in the corridor, lost in thought.

Then I heard a familiar voice.

"Lisa!"I turned immediately.

Mother hurried toward me with worry written all over her face.

Without saying another word, she gently took both of my hands.

"How did you sleep?" she asked anxiously.

"Everything was alright, wasn't it?"She carefully brushed my hair away from my face before examining me from head to toe.

"Nothing happened to you... did it?"

Seeing the fear in her eyes almost broke my heart.I forced myself to smile.

"Of course, Mother."

I squeezed her hands reassuringly.

"I'm perfectly fine."

The smile on my face felt painfully heavy.

For the sake of my family...

For the safety of our kingdom...

I lied.