The night had draped its heavy veil over the world, shrouding the royal palace in a terrifying stillness, broken only by the breath of wind brushing against the high windows. Three shadows moved silently along the outer wall.
Peter adjusted the black crow mask on his face and whispered,
"Are you sure about this? This is a royal palace, Sera…"
Sera, uncovering her head and pulling a small vial from her pouch, replied confidently,
"I'm not wearing a mask… because I won't need one."
She held up the vial.
"This sleeping potion lasts an entire hour… And even if it doesn't work, I can wipe their memories. No one will remember my face."
Marcus stood by the garden gate, watching the area nervously.
"Wouldn't it be safer if we went in with you?"
Sera smiled, tucking a dagger at her ankle.
"No need. Just keep watch. Only come in if you hear screaming. Otherwise, wait here."
She leapt over the wall in a fluid motion, vanishing into the dark garden like a passing shadow. She had studied every corner of this palace beforehand, and had made preparations—her herbs had been spread subtly throughout the area two days earlier, mingling with the night-blooming flowers.
The guards were asleep… the servants in deep slumber… and the doors left open as if welcoming her.
She reached the heart of the palace, where—on a gilded pedestal under soft torchlight—lay the amulet. A small necklace with a glowing blue gem, radiating a strange energy that made the air around it feel heavier.
She extended her hand… calm, unwavering. She grabbed the amulet and smiled in triumph.
Then she felt something.
A sudden shift in the air.
A strange cold crept over her skin… as if the room had filled with a presence beyond human.
She turned.
And he was there.
He stood against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, his crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dark like dying embers.
Prince Ilarious.
He was watching her with a calm smile—too calm.
He said nothing.
He did not move.
He simply… smiled.
Wearing his sleepwear, his silver-gray hair slightly tousled, his expression fixed and unchanging—like a statue carved in marble.
But his smile… was something else.
Not warm. Not threatening. Just… still.
As if he already knew everything.
Sera froze where she stood, and for the first time… she felt afraid.
Who is this man? Why isn't he afraid? Why does he only smile? Why isn't he attacking?
She tried to read his mind.
She focused.
Nothing.
She crashed into a wall—dark, impenetrable.
No emotions.
No thoughts.
No memories.
Nothing.
The feeling of control slipped from her, and fear crept deeper.
This… this isn't human…
She clenched the amulet, stepped back slowly, her eyes never leaving his face.
But he didn't move.
Only that look.
Only that smile.
Then, she turned and ran.
Down the halls, across the courtyard—over the wall—back to the shadows where Peter and Marcus waited.
"You're late!" Peter said, noticing the amulet in her hand. "Did you get it?"
Sera was breathless, pale, her eyes wide.
She forced a smile—hesitant, nervous—when they asked,
"What happened?"
She shook her head and said softly,
"Nothing… The mission's done… Let's just go…"
The three of them disappeared into the alleyways, melting into the dark streets behind the palace.
But before vanishing completely, Sera turned her head one last time.
She stared at the dark tower high above the palace…
Where he had been standing.
And her heart was still pounding—
harder than ever before.