Lady Virelle was from a fallen noble family near the southern border, where the war had raged for years. When Selene ended the conflict with the birth of her daughter Aria, Virelle had already lost everything—her lands, her title, her husband, and her one and only child. Grief turned to bitterness, and in her despair, she longed to take something just as precious from Selene.
The idea to kidnap Aria came from a mercenary gang that roamed the borderlands. Virelle didn't know who had truly orchestrated the plan, but she agreed, hoping for a fleeting sense of justice or peace. But when she finally saw Aria—her innocence, her kindness—something in Virelle shifted. And she accepted the price. She knew Selene would find her, and she knew it would end with her death.
Back at the abandoned mansion...
"Aria, are you okay?" Selene's voice trembled as she sprinted toward her daughter, dropping to her knees and examining her for injuries. Until this moment, she hadn't even realized she had been holding her breath. Every second Aria had been missing had carved new terror into her soul.
Her eyes flicked to Virelle and darkened with fury. Without hesitation, Selene unsheathed her sword and, in one swift motion, cut down the carriage driver. Blood stained the dusty ground.
The maid who had betrayed them was already dead—slain by Kaelen.
"Mumma, don't hurt her," Aria said, her small voice soft yet unwavering. She stood in front of Lady Virelle, eyes wide and serious.
"Aria, this is something I should have done long ago," Selene said, her tone shaking with anger and pain. "I won't let anyone threaten you again."
"I'll keep her with me, Mumma," Aria said quietly, her gaze calm but resolute. "Trust me. I'll be fine."
Selene stared at her daughter. Aria spoke with the clarity and gravity of someone far older than five. She had always known Aria wasn't like other children—the way she spoke, the way she sometimes stared into space, how she clung to innocence while carrying wisdom far beyond her years. Selene didn't understand it all, but it didn't matter. Aria was her child.
"NO! Aria, you don't understand! I don't want to risk your life! Why won't you listen to your mother?!" Selene's voice cracked as she finally lost her composure. Everyone around them froze in shock. It was the first time anyone had seen the fierce Duchess raise her voice at Aria.
"Then at least let her go," Aria replied stubbornly, brows furrowed. "She doesn't deserve this. Shouldn't you ask who made her do it? She couldn't have done it alone."
Selene exhaled sharply, trying to reign in her temper. She studied her daughter's furrowed brows and crossed arms, the sheer stubbornness so much like her own.
"Fine. I'll launch a formal investigation," Selene said at last, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'll decide what to do with her after that. But young lady, don't you ever raise your voice at your mother again. Do you want to be punished?" she added, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Aria pouted in silence, clearly not ready to back down—but the moment softened the tension. The air, once thick with dread, now shimmered with warmth. The palace guards, Kaelen, and even the maids exchanged relieved glances.
"Let's go then." Selene scooped Aria into her arms, and the child gave one last, gentle smile to Lady Virelle.
Lady Virelle stood still, unable to speak. Why had that child defended her? Why had Selene—the warrior known for her wrath—chosen to spare her life? Virelle had expected to die. She welcomed it. But that little smile from Aria... it turned her world upside down. For the first time in years, she wanted to live. Perhaps meeting Aria was not a curse, but a fated chance at redemption.
Meanwhile, in the realm of the gods...
Another deity joined the watching circle. "Virelle was supposed to die today," he said with narrowed eyes. "And that little girl changed it again. This isn't going to end well."
"That's because you still don't understand who Aria really is," another god replied. "She was never meant to exist in this world."
"Someone's already tampered with the weave of fate," murmured the third god.
All three turned to look at the fourth, who stood apart, watching Aria from the clouds above with a smile.
"Maybe fate needs a little chaos," he whispered.