Naira's room was spacious, yet cozy. At first glance, it appeared to be a strict, Spartan setting befitting a warrior—thick wooden beams, a massive table covered with rough maps and guild notes, a shelf filled with heavy books, and a set of weapons hanging on the wall. But if you looked more closely, there was a distinct presence of another side to Naira—neatly folded fabrics, a few decorative trinkets tucked in a corner, a soft rug muffling the sound of heavy footsteps, and most importantly, a huge custom-made bed, large enough to accommodate even a giant like her. It stood firm, like a throne.
Sitting on that bed, wrapped in a blanket, was the girl. Her eyes, still filled with confusion, held a storm of emotions within them. Her hands trembled slightly, and her gaze wandered around the room, as though seeking some kind of anchor in this unfamiliar place.
Lenor stood by the door, his figure seemed like a shadow stretching from the glow of the magical crystal on the table. He remained still, observing, assessing like a seasoned player before a crucial move.
The girl finally looked at him.
—"You...?" Her voice sounded faint, but already there was something more than fear growing within it.
Lenor slowly approached the table, pushed back a chair, and sat down. His gaze was cold, analytical.
—"I need to ask you something." His voice was deep, each word weighed carefully. "You lost consciousness upon hearing of the king's death. That's no mere coincidence."
The girl lowered her head, her lips pressing tightly together. Lenor leaned back in the chair, running his fingers over the table.
—"The world doesn't tolerate weakness. And right now, you seem weak. The king is dead, and his place has been taken by another. This is only the beginning of a grand game. If you don't want to become just another piece to be removed from the board, you better explain to me who you are and what you need."
The girl flinched, her fingers gripping the blanket, as if she feared letting it go.
—"I was called..." She fell silent, suddenly. Her name no longer mattered. She took a deep breath. "Now, I am no one."
Lenor raised an eyebrow.
—"That's something. Go on."
She clenched her fists but forced herself to speak.
—"My father... he was a king. He couldn't just die. I know that. He was strong, healthy. But suddenly..." Her voice broke off, and she tried to pull herself together. "I didn't get to say goodbye... I just ran away. Because... I didn't know what else to do."
Lenor's expression didn't change.
—"And now your uncle sits on the throne. Do you want to return?"
—"I must! I have to find out the truth! He couldn't have just died!" For the first time, there was not just pain in her voice, but also fury.
Lenor shook his head coldly.
—"If you return, you'll die. They won't even let you near the royal court. If your uncle is truly involved in your father's death, he will wipe you off the face of the earth before you even manage to speak his name."
Her eyes filled with tears, but she quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand. She had no right to be weak.
—"Then... what should I do?" Her voice trembled, but there was something new in it—defiance.
Lenor leaned forward, his eyes glinting with sharp determination.
—"Survive."
The girl gasped.
—"From now on, you are a newcomer in the guild. You are nobody. No title, no past." His voice was like a blade cutting through the truth. "You have a chance to start over. But if you make even one foolish move, your life will end faster than you think."
She inhaled deeply, not looking away.
—"And if I want to know the truth? If I want revenge?"
Lenor was silent. Then, slowly, almost reluctantly, he smiled.
—"Then learn to play this game. You are no longer a princess. You are just a girl who has to survive. Start with that."
He stood up, and his shadow once again consumed the room.
—"Think about it. If you accept the rules, come to my office. If not..." He opened the door, glancing at her one last time. "Then I'll have to forget you exist."
She nodded silently.
Lenor left, leaving her alone in the vast room that had become her temporary refuge. But in her eyes, there was no longer just fear. Something else was beginning to grow there.
Something stronger.
Naira's room remained silent after Lenor departed, leaving the princess alone. Only the soft light of the magical crystal flickered on the table, casting ethereal shadows on the walls. The girl, who had been listening to Lenor just moments ago, now lay on the massive bed, staring at the ceiling. Her thoughts swirled, her heart racing.
Lenor had just left, but his voice still echoed in the room.
"Survive. You have no past. If you want the truth, learn to be a shadow."
Her fingers clenched into a fist. She was no shadow. She was the daughter of a king. She was part of this world.
Her gaze slid across the dark beams of the ceiling. She remembered her last conversation with her father.
"Be vigilant, my daughter. People do not change—they only take off their masks."
Back then, she hadn't understood his words. Now, everything was clear.
Her uncle.
He had been there all her life. He had been the loyal advisor. He had never sought power… or had she simply not noticed that? Her father had died in his prime, and her uncle had taken his place without any resistance. Could she have missed the obvious?
Her throat tightened. She was weak. She had run away when she should have stayed. She had to...
Suddenly, darkness engulfed her.
She stood amid the ashes.
The air was hot, filled with the scent of burning wood, blood, and smoke. Before her, as far as the eye could see, three great kingdoms known throughout the human world were consumed by flames. The streets of the cities were empty, windows shattered, and black shadows swirled in the sky.
She wanted to scream, but her voice couldn't reach her ears. She took a step forward… and then heard dull thuds.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
She turned her head. In the midst of the ruins, on her knees, was a woman in a luxurious but soiled gown. She held herself up by the ground, not lifting her gaze. Her long blonde hair was tangled, and her crown, askew, was stained with blood.
The queen of the neighboring kingdom...
Around her, muffled sounds of battle echoed. Male voices—cries, orders, the sighs of those falling dead.
And then she heard laughter.
Deep. Hollow. Cold.
Again, thud... thud...
The sounds grew louder. She raised her head… and saw him.
A shadowy figure stood in the darkness, just beyond where the smoke blended with the night. His armor was red, as though stained with fire or blood. But most striking were his hands. He held them raised, and in them...
The whole world.
It seemed as if she could see the continents and seas reflected in his palms, as if he held reality itself in his hands. And that world… tilted sideways, as though waiting for him to drop it.
He tilted his head, as if listening to her thoughts.
— "Who are you?" Her voice finally broke through, but it seemed too soft compared to the roaring wind and flames.
The figure took a step forward. But instead of an answer… she saw kingdoms crumbling, as fragile as dust.
— "You are not ready."
Her chest tightened with cold. Who was he? Why did his voice sound as if he were giving orders to the world itself?
She felt the ground beneath her begin to crack, and suddenly everything around her spun, as if someone had grabbed her and thrown her into an abyss. She wanted to hold on, but the darkness consumed her.
She woke with a sharp breath. Her forehead was damp with sweat, her heart pounding so fiercely it felt like it might explode.
She glanced around. Naira's vast room was as silent as before. The magical crystal flickered softly, its calm light unchanged.
What was that...?
Her hands still trembled, and her ears seemed to echo with the remnants of that voice. The voice of the one who held the world in his hands. The one who decided whether it would live or fall into oblivion.
Footsteps sounded outside the door. Someone stopped.
— "How is she?" Naira's voice, cold and precise.
— "If she survives, she'll become something dangerous," Lenor answered quietly.
A brief silence. Then, a barely audible chuckle.
— "Do you think she's worth the risk?" Naira spoke emotionlessly, but her voice held a depth, full of hidden meaning.
Lenor shrugged.
— "Soon we'll find out."
Their footsteps faded. Silence once again filled the room.
The girl took a deep breath. She wasn't anyone's plaything. She wasn't weak.
Her past had died with her father. But she still had a future.
Rising from the bed, she donned her cloak and, taking another deep breath, walked toward the door.
She was going to see Lenor.