In an era ruled by Prince Elric, everything would quiet down at night… except his palace.

It was not the darkness that caused it, but because, while everyone slept, he was suffering.

The candles would light themselves without anyone touching them. The room, which should have been the warmest, because his body could not bear the cold, remained cold despite all the warmth offered.

But when she arrived…

The candles stabilized, the curtains calmed, and the silence became less threatening.

The pain receded a step. She came bearing a price, yet not a single stone in the palace dared to refuse her.

She was called Mirella. She had seemed insignificant until the prince discovered she was a remedy for his soul. She was not of noble blood, but what made her powerful was how much he needed her.

She possessed the magic of his curse. And though he knew she was using him, he did not stop her.

She was the only one who could quiet his sickness beside her. His mind rejected her, but his body clung to her, and his soul surrendered.

She would leave when he was well, and return when he called her by name. She enjoyed his weakness. Neither his guards nor the strongest men could stop her. She entered the palace effortlessly, for the prince himself paved her way.

All of this happened under your watch. You, the third party, stood apart, always observing her, watching her toy with him, and pour her poison inside him— yet he welcomed her, because she knew how to soothe his illness.

You hated it.

You were a princess in your own castle, but in the prince’s palace… you were more.

You were his aide in sickness, running the kingdom in his weakness, anticipating decisions while he was exhausted.

You held the official seal, and any decree without your seal was void. You were the safeguard against rebellion, and this was his measure of trust in you.

Today, his pain worsened. Doctors came one after another, but Prince Elric would not calm.

Mirella remained cold. You, angry, tried to bring her to him.

She said coldly, “If he does not call me by name, I will not enter.”

You grabbed her arm firmly. “If you do not enter, there will be no one to call you at all.”

She glared at you with fury, then stepped into the room, slamming the door behind her.