It felt like the end of a long story.

Blood flowed from my body, and my limbs had gone limp, leaving me with no strength to do anything else.

If I could, I would collapse into her arms and drift into a deep sleep.

But behind me, a new story was already beginning.

“Alpheus... Why...”

“...”

“Why... why... why...”

“...”

“I love you so much more, so why...!”

Her emotions erupted, like a volcano lying dormant for far too long.

The unspoken tension she had carried within her now surged with scalding intensity.

And with it, an ominous black energy began spreading across the ground.

Alarmed soldiers cautiously approached, trying to calm her.

“P-Princess , please calm down and come this way—”

“I told you not to come near me.”

Her voice was chillingly cold, her snowy white hair cascading down her shoulders.

The icy tone in her words mirrored a side of Mirian .

The thorny vines writhing around her made the soldiers hesitate, their spears lowered as they watched the scene unfold in silent dread.

“Alpheus, I... I truly love you, so why? Why are you doing this to me? You love me too, don’t you? Then why... why...”

“Princess.”

“Your feelings for the queen... they’re all just the witch’s sorcery. Some strange magic or curse twisted your heart. I refuse to accept it.”

“I...”

“I will never accept it.”

Her voice grew harder with each word. Her once-glistening eyes, filled with sorrow, now reflected only emptiness, as if her heart had frozen over entirely.

Slowly, she began walking toward me.

But then Mirian’s voice cut through the tension.

“Stop.”

“...”

“I will not allow you to come any closer.”

Mirian’s tone was as firm and resolute as ever, making the princess flinch and halt her steps. Straightening her back, Mirian spoke calmly but decisively.

“The duel is over. Both sides are severely injured, and regardless of the outcome, treating the wounded comes first. Alpheus is in critical condition and needs urgent care.”

“Is that so.”

“And you must answer for your actions. However, we’ll postpone addressing your misconduct for now, given the circumstances. Step back and follow the soldiers’ instructions.”

“Ha.”

“There’s no time to waste. Please—”

“How hypocritical of you, Queen Mirian.”

“What?”

For the first time, a mocking smile crept onto the princess’s lips.

Her expression was filled with resentment and disdain, with none of her usual warmth remaining.

“This was all part of your plan, wasn’t it? Seducing Alpheus to turn him against Father, orchestrating a situation where they’d fight. Alpheus’s only way to claim you was through a duel, and you knew Father would never refuse such a battle.”

“That’s a highly insulting accusation.”

“Is it insulting to point out the truth? I’d call it an exposé.”

“An exposé without evidence is just baseless slander.”

“Oh, but I do have evidence. You’re a witch, aren’t you? Witches always resort to such vile schemes.”

The princess spat the word “witch” like a curse, her face contorting with disgust. She took another step closer, her movements deliberate.

“You’ve always wished for Father’s death, haven’t you? Because he wiped out your wretched kin and restored justice. You’ve forgotten the mercy he showed you, sparing your life, and instead plotted against him.”

“Watch your words.”

“Have you ever fulfilled your duties as a queen? I doubt it. You spent all your time locked away in that tiny room, scheming suspicious plans.”

“Princess.”

“Did you even try to be a proper mother to me?”

Her last question carried a trace of sorrow. But that sadness quickly dissolved into cold bitterness, swallowed by the weight of time.

What remained in the princess’s heart was pure, unbridled anger.

“You have no right to demand anything of me. Now, you’re trying to take what little I have left.”

“It was never yours to begin with.”

“No, it was mine. To be precise, it was the only thing I could have. As a cursed child of a witch, I had nothing—except for him. He was my one and only gift.”

“...You claim to be cursed?”

“And so are you. But that doesn’t justify stealing what’s mine.”

The princess stepped forward once more, her movements resolute. Mirian, tense, instinctively took a step back, her hand reaching out to grasp my shoulder.

Seeing this, the princess’s brow furrowed. She advanced yet again, only to be halted by the king’s strained voice.

“My child, stop. Don’t bring further disgrace upon your father.”

“It’s already over.”

“What’s over is the duel. Please, I’m begging you, let it end here.”

“I have no intention of stopping.”

“Child...”

“I’m sorry, Father.”

With a sorrowful voice, the princess extended her hand behind her.

A surge of black waves erupted, casting the king far away.

“Child...!”

“Your Majesty!!!”

The king’s anguished cry was swallowed by the air as inky fog began to blanket the surroundings. The oppressive storm of living curses twisted and surged, merging with thorny vines to form an impenetrable wall.

Within the eye of this storm, a hauntingly calm voice echoed.

“You wanted revenge, didn’t you, Queen Mirian? Congratulations. You got what you wanted.

Father has been humiliated, defeated before everyone, and this kingdom built atop the corpses of witches is now in chaos.”

“Stop this now.”

“Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. I don’t know how to stop it. You, my only mentor, never taught me anything during all those years.”

“But—”

“So now, I’ll let my emotions guide me. Honestly, it’s been exhausting to hold it all in.”

Amid the howling storm of curses, the princess wore a strangely serene expression.

“Here’s your last chance.”

Her voice turned sharp.

“Give me Alpheus, and leave this kingdom. I won’t pursue you if you do.”

“What?”

“Your goal was to destroy Father, wasn’t it? You’ve done enough. Leave Alpheus with me and disappear.”

“Even if I leave, his feelings won’t change.”

“That’s because of your curse. I’ll work to break it over time. That’s none of your concern.”

“I...”

“Of course, if you delay, it will become your concern.”

The princess swung her hand, sending a massive thorny vine slashing through the blackened sky.

Mirian flinched at the sheer force. Even she couldn’t easily counter such an attack.

“Princess.”

I finally found the strength to speak.

“It’s okay, Alpheus.”

“Princess, please...”

“I’ll fix this.”

My weak voice barely reached her. Instead, the princess responded with a pitying look.

“Come to me. Now.”

“Princess...”

“Give him to me.”

Her voice turned soft, almost pleading, as she stretched out her hand, her fingers trembling with urgency.

Mirian bit her lip, visibly pained. Finally, she whispered:

“I can’t.”

And in that moment, fate was decided.