The sound of steel cutting through air echoed endlessly within the dorm room.

  Shing—shing—shing.

  Kaoru’s breath was steady, her stance firm as she swung her sword again and again. Sweat ran down her neck, soaking into the collar of her training uniform. The narrow room of the Fiester Academy dormitory barely had space for her movements, but she adjusted instinctively—pivoting, stepping, striking.

  “Again,” she muttered to herself.

  Her blade flashed.

  A downward cut.

  A thrust.

  A spinning slash.

  She didn’t stop.

  Her arms burned, but she welcomed the pain. It kept her thoughts from drifting—kept him from filling her mind.

  Akitsu Shouga.

  You idiot… where did you go?

  A knock echoed against the wooden door.

  Kaoru froze mid-swing, sword halting inches from the wall.

  “…Who is it?” she asked, slightly breathless.

  “It’s me,” came a calm, familiar voice. “Mizuki.”

  Kaoru’s eyes widened. She sheathed her sword quickly and crossed the room, opening the door.

  Standing there was Mizuki Ashen, the second princess of the kingdom—her dark hair neatly tied, eyes sharp yet warm, dressed far more casually than court would ever allow.

  Kaoru straightened instantly. “Your Highness—”

  Mizuki sighed. “Kaoru. Don’t be so formal. We’ve been friends for years.”

  “…Right,” Kaoru said, embarrassed. “Sorry.”

  Mizuki smiled. “May I come in?”

  “Yes—of course,” Kaoru said quickly, stepping aside. “Please.”

  Mizuki entered, glancing around the room. “Still training even at this hour?”

  Kaoru nodded. “I needed to clear my head.”

  Mizuki turned to her, expression softening. “I came to ask you something.”

  “…About Akitsu?” Kaoru asked quietly.

  Mizuki’s brows lifted. “So you guessed.”

  Kaoru looked down. “I don’t know anything. Only that… he escaped.”

  Mizuki crossed her arms. “Escaping the royal prison isn’t easy. Even if someone managed it, they’d be severely injured.”

  She paused.

  “But since it’s Akitsu Shouga…” a faint smile appeared, “…I doubt he’d leave without a scratch.”

  Kaoru clenched her fists. “Have you heard anything? Any rumors?”

  Mizuki shook her head. “Nothing. Father hasn’t found a single lead. Either they escaped to a nearby kingdom—which would take at least a month—or they’re hiding somewhere within our borders.”

  Kaoru swallowed. “If… if they’re caught…”

  She hesitated. “Is there any way out?”

  Mizuki’s gaze hardened. “If they’re captured, they’ll be executed on the spot. Betrayal of the kingdom is inexcusable.”

  Kaoru’s breath hitched.

  “But,” Mizuki added quickly, “don’t panic. I’ll speak with my father. I’ll try to lessen the punishment. If I can bring them back alive… I will.”

  Kaoru felt her knees weaken slightly. “…Thank you.”

  She bowed her head. “It means a lot knowing someone’s on my side.”

  Mizuki watched her for a moment, then smiled faintly. “By the way…”

  She tilted her head. “You’re Akitsu Shouga’s fiancée, aren’t you?”

  Kaoru blinked. “…No. Not anymore.”

  Mizuki raised an eyebrow.

  “But,” Kaoru continued quickly, cheeks flushing, “I still consider him my fiancé.”

  Mizuki hummed thoughtfully.

  “Well then,” she said lightly, “if he isn’t taken… I suppose I might take him for myself the next time I see him.”

  Kaoru stared at her. “…What?”

  Mizuki leaned closer, eyes glinting with mischief—and something sharper. “I’ve taken an interest in Akitsu Shouga.”

  Kaoru’s heart pounded.

  “I’ll marry him instead of you,” Mizuki continued calmly. “If you’d like.”

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Kaoru’s voice shook. “That’s not funny.”

  “Oh?” Mizuki smiled wider. “Then I’ll force him.”

  The words hit like a blade.

  Kaoru snapped, “No! He’s mine!”

  Mizuki straightened, amused. “Alright.”

  She turned toward the door. “That is… if you can get to him first.”

  The door closed behind her.

  Kaoru stood frozen.

  Then her hands trembled.

  “…That bitch,” she whispered, anger and jealousy burning in her chest.

  Night fell over the Canopy Village.

  Lanterns glowed between the trees, bridges alive with movement as villagers gathered toward the guild hall. Music echoed faintly, drums and wooden flutes blending with the sound of rain.

  Akitsu Shouga walked beside Kael Ardent, eyes scanning the shadows.

  “…Do you feel that?” Akitsu murmured.

  Kael nodded. “Yeah. Someone’s watching us.”

  Akitsu slowed slightly. “We shouldn’t lead them to the others.”

  Kael exhaled. “Split up?”

  “Meet at the banquet hall,” Akitsu said. “Don’t get caught.”

  Kael nodded once. “Be careful.”

  They separated.

  Akitsu took the right path, footsteps slow and deliberate. His hand rested near the katana he had taken from the old man.

  Too quiet.

  A sudden crack sounded above him.

  Akitsu’s instincts flared.

  He jumped back just as a clay pot smashed where his head had been, shattering into shards.

  “Tch—!”

  Before he could turn—

  Something slammed into his back.

  A cold blade pressed against his throat.

  “No—!”

  The knife sliced.

  The pain was instant and unbearable.

  Akitsu gasped as his throat was torn open, blood spraying violently across the wooden planks. His hands clawed at the wound, fingers slick with warmth.

  He collapsed, choking.

  His vision blurred as blood pooled beneath him, soaking into the wood. His breath came in wet, gurgling sounds, each one weaker than the last.

  So… this is how…

  His body trembled violently, nerves screaming as the world dimmed. The pain didn’t fade—it intensified, every second stretching endlessly.

  His heartbeat slowed.

  Darkness swallowed everything.

  Silence.

  Then—

  Akitsu opened his eyes.

  The ethereal void greeted him once more.

  He stood atop a small red island floating in endless black water. At its center bloomed a cherry blossom tree, its crimson petals glowing faintly.

  Exactly twenty-one petals drifted around the island.

  Floating on the dark water were countless red doors.

  To the right stood the humanoid devil, grinning widely.

  “…You,” Akitsu said coldly. “Why are you still here? I thought you disappeared.”

  The devil chuckled. “Disappear? I’m immortal.”

  Akitsu narrowed his eyes. “What’s your purpose?”

  The devil shrugged. “To guide you. Not to the correct path. Not to the incorrect one.”

  “…That makes no sense.”

  “It’s not my job to explain everything,” the devil said cheerfully.

  Akitsu scoffed. “Useless.”

  He stepped into the black water, moving toward one of the red doors.

  “Oi,” the devil called. “Where are you going? The correct door is that way.”

  Akitsu turned.

  The devil pointed—to a single blue door.

  “I declined your offer before,” Akitsu said. “So why help me now?”

  The devil laughed softly. “Who knows? Maybe I’m generous. Or maybe I’m leading you to your downfall.”

  He grinned wider. “The world is a mystery.”

  Akitsu turned away.

  He reached the red door.

  “Good luck,” the devil said.

  Akitsu opened it.

  The world fell into silence.