Queen Constance's life had been defined by tragedy. Her daughter-in-law died giving birth to her granddaughter, Marise. A few years later, her son died during a rescue mission after bandits kidnapped the young girl. Then her husband, the king, was poisoned. He and Marise drank poisoned tea and fell deathly ill. The healers could only make one antidote, so the king ordered them to give it to Marise.

As the only family Constance had left, Marise became the center of her world. She was fiercely protective of her and did everything she could to make her happy. The two grew incredibly close.

Despite this, Marise developed severe survivor's guilt. Being involved in every family tragedy made her believe she was cursed, that every death was somehow her fault. As she grew older, she became quiet, lonely, and consumed by self-hatred. Constance was the only person she felt close to, her only source of comfort. Marise believed she deserved punishment, not love, and every act of kindness from her grandmother only made her feel more guilty.

When Marise turned eighteen, talks of marriage began. Constance was eighty-six. Recently, Marise had noticed her grandmother coughing more often. It was only a cold, but it forced her to confront the reality of Constance's age. She was old, frail, and constantly suffering from aches and pains. The thought of losing her terrified Marise. Desperate to repay the debt she imagined she owed, she came up with a plan.

One day, Marise invited Constance to her room. There she held a small magical orb and asked her grandmother to hold it with her. Confused, Constance agreed.

Marise told her she loved her more than anything and wished she could take away all her burdens, pains, and troubles. Then she asked if Constance would take hers in return. Thinking this was simply an emotional request for support, Constance answered that it was all she wanted.

The orb interpreted this as consent from both of them and activated. Their souls swapped bodies.

Constance regained her senses inside Marise's eighteen-year-old body. Looking down at her smooth skin and youthful hands, she gasped.

Constance: "What is this?! I feel so light!"

Across from her, Marise coughed inside Constance's elderly body. Her back ached, her knees hurt, and every movement felt heavy. Yet she smiled. Her grandmother no longer had to suffer these pains. At last, Marise felt she was receiving the punishment she deserved.

Marise: "Oh, Grandma, I'm so glad it worked... now my debt is paid. You can live in my young, healthy body... I'm sorry for making Mom, Dad, and Grandpa die..."

Constance: "Marise, what are you talking about?! This is madness! Let's swap back! Don't tell me you want to die of old age in my body?!"

Marise looked away. The truth was that she did. Before Constance could stop her, she grabbed the orb and threw it through the window. It fell into the river below and was carried away.

Constance stared in horror, terrified for her granddaughter's future. Marise only smiled sadly.

Marise: "This is what I want... let me be the grandma from now on... I... I want to compensate you... I destroyed your family."