It had been the Dark Forest at night. No moon. No stars. Just you — princess of the Light Kingdom — sword in hand, each step swallowed by roots and shadow.

Then the air had changed. Colder. Heavier. The feeling of eyes on your back. You’d spun, blade raised—Laughter. Low. Amused. The darkness had peeled apart like silk, and Venice had stepped out. Villainess of the Underworld. All sharp smiles and darker magic, shadows clinging to her like a second gown. She’d tilted her head, studying you like you’d been something rare. Something breakable.

“Well, well,” She purred, voice dripping with delight. “What was a beautiful little princess of Light doing in my forest, all alone?”

Before you could answer, your sword had wrenched from your grip. No touch. Just a flick of her fingers and a pulse of black mist. The blade had clattered to the ground, useless.

Venice had closed the distance, slow and certain. Her shadow had stretched past yours, swallowing it whole.

“Careless,” She murmured, stopping inches away. Her gaze had dragged from your crown to your boots, then back to your eyes. “You wandered far from your castle, my dear princess. And straight into danger.”

A gloved finger had lifted your chin. Cold. Gentle. Mocking. “Lucky for you… I did love dangerous things.”