17. November 2025

MAWBF 6

Chapter 6

***

Reina first met Elijah when she turned seventeen and visited the royal capital, Elmaril, for the very first time.

Though she was scolded so badly her tears dried up for sneaking out of her quarters because she was curious about her future husband, the incorrigible young lady didn't exactly become more well-behaved afterward. She still wondered about her future husband and, immersed in chivalric literature, dreamed of a fated love.

Meanwhile, the rumors became reality. Prince Cassian, unable to wait for the still-young Reina, had married a princess from some vassal state.

People whispered that Reina Dazbel would never become queen.

Though the Duke's true feelings remained unknown, Reina herself remained serene. She felt uneasy, yet she implicitly trusted the words of the old woman from Dochioin who had once threatened her.

'Nevertheless, I will become queen, and my husband will love me.'

She forgot all the other unlucky tales. Around that time, she was certain she would be happy forever.

Time passed, and when Reina finally turned seventeen, her father, Leonard, declared:

"Next spring, you shall become the consort of Prince Tiberian."

He was the prince born to the second queen, whom King Bailion favored, and he was a child the king cherished deeply. This was why many lined up behind him, even though Prince Cassian, born to the deceased first queen, was the eldest son.

'So Prince Tiberian is to be the next king, I suppose.'

That was all Reina could grasp at the time, and from then on, her interest was entirely focused on Prince Tiberian.

"Carla. Go fetch me a portrait of Prince Tiberian."

Thus, the prince in the portrait she obtained was far more splendid than she had imagined.

Sun-like platinum hair, transparent blue eyes, and a sculpted, handsome face.

They said only the one among the Wills closest to becoming king was born with hair that shone like a star. Reina was certain Prince Tiberian would become king.

It was an audacious and presumptuous thought, given Prince Cassian's existence, yet most of the House of Dazbel at that time unconsciously believed the prince chosen by the duke, Tiberian, would become king. The Duke's power pierced the heavens, and they lacked even the awareness of their own arrogance.

Reina's expectations and curiosity about Prince Tiberian only grew day by day.

And then, just then, news reached her ears that her father, Leonard, was leaving for the capital, Elmaril.

Seeing it as a chance to meet her future husband, Reina grabbed her father's arm and pleaded.

"Please take me too. I'll be really good, okay?"

At her daughter's earnest plea, Leonard seemed lost in thought for a moment, then surprisingly granted her permission to go to the capital without much hesitation.

"It's probably the right time to show that you are the prince's betrothed."

Having never left the land of Caldillac, let alone stepped beyond the outer gates of the Red Citadel, Reina lay awake every night from that day onward.

What should she say when she first meets the prince?

What should she talk about with him? What does he like?

With a flushed face, she spent the entire day agonizing over it, until finally she went to bother her brother, who seemed busier than anyone in the world.

"Damn it, Reina. You're here to talk about that Prince Tiberian again ?"

"'That guy'?! Diego!"

Her brother, Diego Dazbel, was seven years older than her. Though he'd become an adult overnight and was always too busy to see, in front of her he was still a playful boy.

"I'm busy, so go sit in the corner over there."

"But you're the only one who's ever met Prince Tiberian."

Reina had her reasons for pestering Diego. In his youth, Diego had studied alongside the princes in the capital. Therefore, he was undoubtedly the person who knew Prince Tiberian best within the Red Citadel.

But for some reason, Diego kept quiet, saying he didn't really remember much from when he was young.

How unhelpful could he be? Reina shot her brother a sharp look with her narrowed eyes.

"Anyway, you're such a useless brother."

"What kind of tone is that for a lady who's going to be queen to use with her brother?"

Diego flicked his finger against his younger sister's round forehead and chuckled. A split second later, Reina clutched her forehead and stomped playfully on her brother's foot in retaliation.

They bickered like this for a while.

Diego suddenly asked out of the blue.

"Reina, do you really want to be queen?"

His uncharacteristically serious tone made Reina feel awkward for a moment before she nodded.

She wanted to live up to her father's expectations, and she thought marrying the prince and ascending to the highest position would surely bring happiness.

"Yes..."

Diego ruffled Reina's hair with a somewhat complicated smile.

Reina blinked her large eyes at him, looking puzzled, then suddenly realized Carla's carefully braided hair was now a mess and clenched her fist.

"Diego!"

"Haha!"

Then, she completely forgot about her brother's peculiar reaction.

When that sweltering summer finally ended and the sky grew high, Reina arrived in Elmaril with a heart full of anticipation.

Though the red castle where she was born and raised was counted among the wealthiest in the Kingdom of Eldamar, the streets of Elmaril, bustling with festivals, were filled with sights she had never seen before, impossible to tear her eyes away from.

Songs from minstrels, dances from jesters, thunderous laughter, and waves of fireworks.

As she rode through the crowded streets in her carriage, Reina stared out the window, completely absorbed.

Elmaril was even more exciting than she had imagined. She grew increasingly hopeful about her future here. At the same time, a strange tension washed over her, and she asked Carla repeatedly.

"How do I look? I don't look like a country bumpkin, do I?"

"What are you saying, Miss? You look perfect."

Even after hearing the answer she wanted, Reina couldn't calm down easily. She was tense all day, her forehead burning hot with fever.

But that day, she couldn't meet Prince Tiberian.

Not the next day, nor the day after.

Preparations for the jousting tournament at the royal castle were in full swing to celebrate the festival. Perhaps because of that, the prince seemed extremely busy. While nodding that it was understandable, Reina found it hard to comprehend his behavior.

‘No matter how busy he is, doesn’t he wonder about me? If it were me, I’d be so curious about my future wife I wouldn’t be able to resist peeking in right away…’

She stayed awake all night, eyes wide open, wondering if perhaps, like in some chivalric romance, the prince might sneak into her room. But the hoped-for event never happened.

Every night, banquets lasted until morning in the palace, but the young lady was never invited.

Her father and brother seemed too preoccupied to comfort her disappointment. Even when she managed to catch hold of her more approachable brother, only disappointing answers came back.

"Diego, take me to the banquet too."

"How could an unmarried lady possibly go? Stop thinking about causing trouble and stay quietly in your room."

Completely neglected, Reina's only task was to rest her chin on the windowsill and watch the bustling servants move about aimlessly. Contrary to her imagination, these were unbearably boring hours.

"...Hey, you there."

"Yes? Me? You mean me?"

"Yes, you. Take off that dress."

“…Huh?”

So, when Reina called out to a passing maid, snatched her clothes, and slipped out of the room, it was perhaps inevitable.

Following the sounds of instruments and laughter echoing through the cool night sky, Reina fearlessly pushed through the dark thickets, avoiding people’s eyes.

But far ahead, the banquet hall, glowing with bright light, was guarded by the king's knights, making it impossible to approach as easily as she'd hoped.

Reina stood on her tiptoes. Prince Tiberian was surely inside, but from this distance, she couldn't see much of the interior.

She refused to give up, scanning her surroundings. A garden connected to the opposite side of the banquet hall caught her eye. It was pitch-black, seemingly deserted.

Just as she was about to step forward, Reina hesitated for a moment.

That garden belonged to the king. She knew full well that anyone not of royal blood who entered without permission would face severe punishment.

But at this hour, no one would be strolling there, and she was the daughter of Duke Dazbel. So, telling herself a brief moment would be fine, Reina dared to step into the king's garden in the dead of night.

As expected, the garden was utterly empty. Not a single lantern was lit, but the night sky was so densely studded with stars it seemed they might spill down, making her progress easy.

The voices of people chattering grew clearer, and the surroundings gradually brightened.

A midnight banquet was just ahead.

Shadows of people rippled like waves alongside the orange glow spilling through the windows. Just a little closer, just a tiny bit nearer, and she might see inside.

It was the moment Reina, spellbound, tilted her head and took another step forward.

Rustle.

She sensed movement right behind her.

Reina's eyes widened as she spun around abruptly.

"......"

A man stood frozen between the trees, staring at her with startled eyes. Judging by his attire, he was neither a servant nor a knight.

His platinum hair shimmered in the starlight. Even in the dim surroundings, his eyes held a vivid blue glow.