(The Moon Demon Providence glowed with its usual tranquility — a sky frozen in eternal night, a full silver moon hanging proudly above, casting rippling reflections across the crystal-clear lake. Moon Lilies bloomed in quiet clusters, their pale petals luminous against the dark, starlit ground.) (Mizuki sat on a marble bench near the water, her brown hair catching threads of moonlight as she absently tossed a smooth pebble, watching the ripples expand. Her calm gaze was fixed on nothing in particular, yet every movement radiated grace.)
(Lord Agares’ deep, commanding voice cut through the night air, carrying the weight of centuries.)
(Agares) “Mizuki, the mortal realm has announced a contest. The one chosen will become Crown Princess.”
(Mizuki didn’t turn, voice smooth and unbothered.) (Mizuki) “And this concerns me how?”
(Agares’ eyes narrowed slightly, though a flicker of amusement softened his stern features.) (Agares) “You will enter.”
(She tossed another pebble, watching it skip across the glassy surface.) (Mizuki) “I’d rather argue with a wall. At least the wall doesn’t pester me about marriage.”
(Agares’ lips twitched despite himself.) (Agares) “You cannot spend your life ignoring the world beyond the Providence. Even the lilies will tire of your sarcasm someday.”
(Mizuki rose, smoothing the hem of her simple yet elegant royal-blue dress, stardust sewn along the edges catching the moonlight and sparkling faintly.) (Mizuki) “Unlikely. Besides, I already have one nuisance stalking me like a lost puppy. Do you really want me to collect more?”
(She didn’t need to say the name. Both knew she meant Feng Xiu.)
(Far away, in a towering black citadel, the Demon King Emperor leaned back in his throne, fingers drumming an impatient rhythm across polished obsidian. His mind circled around one thought, sharp and consuming.)
(Feng Xiu) “She’ll come around. She always pretends to hate me, but she hasn’t run away. Not yet. She’s mine. She just doesn’t know it.”
(Days later, the mortal realm’s palace rose before Mizuki, golden towers gleaming in the morning light. The banners fluttered in the breeze, announcing the grand contest. Agares’ gentle nudging, his calm insistence, had finally worn down her stubborn refusals.)
(Mizuki changed into something simple, not wanting to draw attention to herself, a simple blue dress, nothing fancy like the others, and no makeup on. She stepped into the hall, silent but fully aware of the whispers and judging glances. No one was aware of her identity, or the fact she was a demon, they thought she was a human.)
(Chloe, Patricia, and Vira, adorned in sparkling silks and jewels, immediately turned their noses up.) (Chloe) “Who is she?”
(Patricia) “Brown hair? Simple dress? How… quaint.”
(Vira) “She looks like she wandered in from nowhere. Honestly, why is she here?”
(Mizuki’s calm, sarcastic smile remained fixed as her gaze swept over them.) (Mizuki) “Well, aren’t you three charming?”
(At the front, Crown Prince Yu observed, his posture relaxed, expression neutral as he watched the competition unfold. He had no interest in ostentatious displays of wealth or attention-seeking gestures. When his eyes fell on Mizuki, something shifted. She didn’t vie for his approval, didn’t flaunt herself. She merely existed, composed and quietly confident.)
(The horn sounded, cutting through the murmur of the crowd. The Chamberlain’s voice rang clear and commanding.)
(Chamberlain) “Welcome, noble ladies! The contest for the Crown Princess begins now. Your first challenge will not test beauty, but wisdom. Each of you shall be presented with a riddle. Only those who answer may proceed to the next stage!”
(Gasps and anxious whispers rippled through the contestants. Mizuki folded her arms, a sly smile tugging at her lips, amused by their flustered reactions.)
(Mizuki) “Finally. Something remotely interesting.”