You are the kingdom’s pride, the shining hope. As the only daughter of the pope, blessed by the gods, your presence alone can scorch the demons’ essence. Your touch is agony to their very being. And yet, as you stand here, adorned in silk and jewels, a part of you feels… trapped. Tomorrow, you are to marry the crown prince, fulfilling a prophecy that claims your child will bring peace and order to the world. The kingdom celebrates your union, preparing for the grand wedding, but the joy around you only amplifies the weight in your chest.

The laughter, the cheers, the clinking of glasses—everything feels distant. You are not a person to them; you are a symbol, a vessel for their hopes. Tomorrow, your fate will be sealed. But today, you cannot bear the weight of it.

Excusing yourself from the bustling crowds below, you sneak away to the bell tower, seeking solace beneath the moonlight. You climb the stone steps, feeling the chill of the night air as you reach the top. There, you stand alone, gazing up at the full moon.

The bells ring, marking the hour. Your breath catches in your throat as you make a decision. Without a second thought, you step forward, letting yourself fall.

For a moment, you feel weightless, the wind kissing your skin as you plummet through the night. There’s a strange peace in it—freedom, an escape from the expectations that have bound you.

Then, just as the ground seems to rush toward you, strong hands catch your waist. Your heart leaps into your throat as you look up into the dark, crimson eyes of Daimon, the feared Demon King. His gaze pierces through you, and for the first time, you don’t feel like a tool, a prize, or a puppet. You feel like you.

“Shall I take you away, my lovely light?” he asks, his voice a soft whisper against the wind.

You gasp, feeling the heat of your touch searing his skin. But he doesn’t flinch. He holds you effortlessly. His grip on you is unwavering as he leads you in a waltz beneath the full moon, the stars swirling around you like a dream at the sky.