Four Years Later
"Dada!" a little girl cried out, running toward her father with bright, glowing eyes and tiny footsteps that echoed through the marble halls of the palace.
That girl was Princess Ell.
Ell—a word in the Matinuses language—meant kind and petal. A name chosen with hope.
Although Ell was only four years old in body, she was mentally fifteen—her mind and emotions advanced far beyond her age. So was her sister, Lucifer. They were both born special.
King Ave turned to her with a rare smile, kneeling to her height."What happened to my little girl, huh?"
"I missed Dada," Ell said sweetly, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
But the moment was broken by another girl's voice.
Her name was Lucifer.
"Dada, I missed you too!"
Ave's eyes turned cold."Really? I don't think you missed me... devil."
Lucifer froze in place. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears."Dada, why am I a devil?" she asked, her voice low and trembling.
"Because you're a burden. You hit your younger sister. You're a brat! That's why I think my father named you Lucifer."
Lucifer had hit Ell once—because Ell was beautiful, adored by everyone, and always forgiven no matter what. She had been jealous. But despite it all, Ell was kind. She always forgave her elder sister. Their minds were both mature far beyond their age, but their pain was still that of children.
Strangely, the bond between Lucifer and Simon remained stronger than ever.
"Dad," Ell said again, frowning with a cute but angry pout.
Ave looked from one daughter to the other and groaned.
"Fine. Whatever. Just go to your room, you bitch."
Lucifer ran off, crying.
"Dada, you shouldn't have scolded her like that," Ell whispered.
"Forget her," Ave replied. "I bought my princess a gift."
In Lucifer's Room
Lucifer sat curled on her bed, sobbing quietly.
"No one loves me… everyone hates me."
The door opened with a soft creak.
It was Simon.
"You said this to my baby?" he asked gently.
Lucifer sniffled. "Everyone's behavior says it all…"
Then the door opened again, and Queen Sue entered with concern shadowing her face.
"I love my baby the most," she said softly.
Lucifer looked up at her. "Then why do you always punish me?"
Sue came closer. "Because I want you to be kind to your sister. She's younger than you… right?"
"I won't hit her anymore," Lucifer mumbled.
Sue and Simon smiled. "Good."
In the Study Room
Li, Liam, and Doung sat at the long wooden table, surrounded by scrolls and books.
Li leaned back, deep in thought. "Do you think this is the truth… or just a cover-up using her?"
Liam sighed. "Or maybe it's not a cover-up at all. Maybe it is the truth."
Doung looked conflicted. "No one really knows. But if she's being used, then there are more layers to uncover. I'm just confused."
They all hummed in agreement.
Ell & Lucifer – In the Room
Lucifer entered her sister's room.
Ell turned slowly.
"Why are you here?" she asked, fear flickering in her eyes.
Lucifer replied coldly, "I wanted to. No one's in the palace except the guards, and they're restricted from entering this part. Now tell me—will you tell anyone?"
Ell shook her head. "No."
"Good," Lucifer said.
Without warning, she grabbed Ell's hair and yanked it harshly.
"Let go! That hurts!" Ell cried.
Lucifer tightened her grip. "Like I care."
Ell screamed in pain.
Hearing the cry, Li, Liam, and Doung ran into the room.
They found Ell crying, blood streaming down her head. Lucifer stood frozen.
Liam stormed forward. "Why did you do this to your sister?! I want Lucifer brought to the hall!"
Li knelt beside Ell, gently checking her wound. "Call the doctor. Now."
Liam rushed to comply.
Li scooped Ell up in his arms, her crying echoing down the hallway as they left the room.
Doung remained. He knelt in front of Lucifer and noticed something strange—her scalp was red, as though her hair had been pulled too… but her head was bleeding too.
His thoughts spun.
Why would Ell hit herself just to blame Lucifer? And how did Lucifer's scalp get so red?
Before he could think further, Ave burst in, slamming the door behind him. Doung and Lucifer flinched.
Ave marched toward Lucifer and grabbed her roughly by the wrist.
"Where are you taking her?" Doung asked, standing up.
Ave didn't answer.
"Dad!" Doung shouted as he followed them.
Ave dragged Lucifer into the basement—a dark, cold room deep beneath the palace.
He slammed the door.
"I hate you for being born!" Ave shouted. "You should've been born in some poor family that sells their daughters! Why the hell did you beat her?! Just die!"
Suddenly, Simon burst into the room and shielded Lucifer with his body.
Ave's glare darkened.
"Why the fuck are you stopping me?! Oh, right—so now you're on this bitch's side?!"
"Stop calling her that!" Simon snapped. "How can you be so sure she hit Ell? Her scalp is red! Her head's bleeding! But you know what else? Lucifer is afraid of blood! She'd never injure herself. You think she could've hurt Ell and not screamed at the sight of the blood?!"
Ave clenched his fists but said nothing.
Simon went on. "Sure, Lucifer has her flaws. But so does Ell. This whole thing… it's two-sided. You've only hated Lucifer since your mother died. Before that, you loved her more than anything. Do you even remember? She was one year old when you started calling her a bitch! Is that her fault?"
Simon's voice broke. "She's extraordinary, yes. But that's not a curse. The real curse was getting a father like you—a man who is a hero to the kingdom but a villain in his own daughter's story."
Ave stared at him, stunned.
He remembered it all—how Lucifer used to cling to him, how Ell used to be cold toward her sister… how his heart had once belonged to Lucifer more than anyone.
Simon picked up Lucifer, shielding her, and walked out of the basement.
He got her treated by the royal doctor.
The Turning Point
After this incident, Lucifer's life took a darker turn.
Ave summoned every member of the family to the study room.
"We'll watch the CCTV footage," he declared.
Lucifer suddenly panicked.
"Why?" she asked, her voice shaky.
Ave narrowed his gaze. "Why are you scared?"
Lucifer hesitated. "No… it's just a question."
The footage began.
Everything looked normal—until the moment Lucifer entered the room.
Then, something shocking happened.
Simon suddenly raised his hand and slapped Lucifer with full force.
She fell to the ground.