Gentle sunlight filtered through the luxurious silk curtains, glimmering like melted gold as it fell upon the smooth black hair splayed across the pillow. Lilia stirred slightly, her eyelashes fluttering before she slowly opened her eyes. It was a quiet morning… almost too quiet. There was no familiar knocking from Fortuna, no gentle scent of floral tea wafting through the room. She sat up, brushed back her long hair, straightened her pristine white nightgown, and stepped out of bed.
Outside, the castle remained unchanged from any other day, yet something in the air felt… different. As Lilia descended the grand staircase, Lilith was already standing there, hand on her hip, wearing a mischievous grin that suggested she had been waiting for this moment.
"Good morning, Lady Lilia," the red-haired maid said, her fiery gaze as intense as ever. "Today's a special day."
"…Special?" Lilia tilted her head, puzzled.
"Hot springs. Hidden behind the rear gardens. Only open on noble holidays. But since our family rarely attends banquets or parties… today's our self-declared celebration!"
Before Lilia could protest, Lilith grabbed her hand and whisked her away like a whirlwind. On the way, Fortuna joined them—graceful and composed as always, yet Lilia had the feeling she was in on this from the beginning. "A little relaxation is good for the soul," Fortuna said, carrying a tray of tea with her usual airy steps.
When the trio arrived at the hot springs—a secret garden nestled behind a grove of large maple trees—the sight left Lilia speechless. The warm water steamed gently, surrounded by natural stone. Sunlight filtered through the leaves above, casting a dreamlike shimmer over the scene. Thin white curtains were draped tastefully, offering just enough privacy while enhancing the mysterious atmosphere.
Though she tried to remain composed, Lilia blushed slightly upon realizing how sheer her bathing outfit was. Lilith, on the other hand, was completely unbothered—her voluptuous figure practically challenging the fabric to contain it. Fortuna was the complete opposite: modest and reserved, yet her elegant silhouette somehow made Lilia feel… slightly inferior.
As they soaked in the warm water, casual conversations blossomed. Lilith laughed heartily recounting how she accidentally kicked the head butler's broom across the hall. Fortuna spoke of a new tea blend imported from the southern borders. Lilia, though mostly quiet, found herself oddly at peace in the warmth of their presence.
"What kind of guy is Lady Lilia into?" Lilith suddenly asked, a teasing sparkle in her eyes.
Lilia coughed, averting her gaze. "I… haven't thought about it."
"Then why were you staring at my chest?" Lilith grinned wickedly.
"I was merely assessing whether you needed tighter clothing," Lilia replied coolly, her cheeks faintly pink.
"Oh~? Is that so?" Lilith teased further, while Fortuna simply smiled serenely, as if quietly enjoying their playful exchange.
After their bath, the three changed into fresh clothes. Lilia returned to her room and sat before her desk, flipping open a tome on dark magic. Beneath that layer of relaxation, countless thoughts and calculations still turned quietly in her mind.
But as the night began to fall, a shadow appeared by her window.
Lilia rose, asking softly, "You're earlier than I expected."
The figure did not answer, but in the glint of violet light flickering beneath their hood, a message was silently conveyed.
And thus, the other side of this peaceful day — had begun.
————
"Oh my~! My little princess is awake~!"
Before Lilia could react, she was suddenly swept up into the air by Lilith—a swirl of vibrant red hair and overwhelming energy. The older maid spun her around in wild circles as if Lilia were just a plush toy. Lilia let out a quiet squeal, her cheeks flushing as her black hair fluttered, her light dress slightly lifting with the motion. After a few dizzying spins, Lilith stopped and pulled her into a warm, squishy embrace, gently burying Lilia's face into the space between her neck and shoulder.
And that's when Lilia noticed… the scent.
It was soft and sweet—lavender, freshly cleaned fabric, and the gentle warmth of a body wrapped in comfort. It was the kind of scent that could lull anyone into a peaceful slumber. She tried to wriggle free, but Lilith held her tighter, her bright eyes teasing. "What's wrong, princess? Falling in love with my scent~?"
"I-I… It's just… this is too close," Lilia stammered, her cheeks burning like she'd been caught in a sauna.
The morning light filtered gently into the grand sitting room of the estate. It was lively and bright, filled with the quiet bustle of maids going about their day. A few familiar faces were present: Mira—the orange-haired maid with a ponytail, always scolding Lilith for breaking routines. Elly—the freckled brunette who was peeling an apple like she was solving a complex riddle. And the twins, Lysa and Lyla, who never seemed to be apart, moving in perfect synchrony.
Everyone paused, watching the chaos that was Lilith and Lilia in full display. No one said a word… until Irene—Lilia's mother—stepped into the room.
With long snowy-white hair and deep blue eyes, Irene radiated elegance despite being in a simple morning dress. She placed her teacup on the table, blinked once at the scene, and sighed softly.
"Lilith… she's not a plush toy for you to smother every morning."
"But she's so soft, Lady Irene~ I can't help it!" Lilith stuck out her tongue and hugged Lilia tighter, causing the girl to let out a muffled gasp.
Irene placed a graceful hand on her forehead and turned toward Fortuna, who had just arrived carrying a tray of sweets. "In any case… I was thinking. Lilia is already six. Should we consider sending her to a magic academy? Most noble children begin schooling at this age."
Fortuna gently set down the tray, her expression calm and confident. "With the potential I've observed in her… there's no need to rush. Give her another year, and she'll easily surpass standard curriculums."
Lilia was about to respond in a mature, thoughtful tone—until Lilith's fingers sneakily slipped to her waist and tickled her.
"Don't take it all so seriously, princess~ A cheerful heart is important too~!"
"L-Li… Lith! D-Don't—!" Lilia twisted in her arms, laughter spilling from her lips in helpless bursts, her face flushed in embarrassment. The giggles filled the room, light and infectious.
The maids around them laughed softly. The atmosphere was warm, cozy, like a family brunch rather than a noble's household. And in that moment, everyone felt something undeniable: their young lady—despite her immense magical lineage—was still a cheerful, sweet, and incredibly endearing little girl.
And perhaps… if one day she were to become the "Shadow Empress," she'd be one with a smile so charming the world itself would bow before it.
That night, Lilia relaxed in her private room, basking in the soft, dim glow of a floating mana lamp overhead. The room wasn't too large, but it was tastefully arranged, radiating her unique charm. A spacious bed with jet-black sheets sat near a stained-glass arched window where moonlight poured in, scattering violet and silver patterns across the wooden floor. A small bookshelf stood beside it, stacked with tomes both ancient and new. Near a tea table was a long, cushioned sofa—with a few stuffed animals awkwardly placed on it, slightly out of place amid the room's elegant ambiance, yet adding a strange touch of cuteness.
Lilia leaned against the sofa's armrest, a steaming cup of herbal tea—courtesy of Fortuna—held delicately in her small hands. Her crimson eyes half-closed, not out of drowsiness, but deep thought.
"I'll need a name… for the organization," she murmured softly, her lips curling into a contemplative smile. "Something unforgettable… Something that captures the allure of darkness, but doesn't inspire fear… something that whispers mystery."
She closed her eyes, playing a quiet game of names in her mind. "Shadow Garden? Too old. Black Lily? Not bad, but… it lacks impact…"
A gentle breeze slipped through the slightly open window, lifting a black paper flower from the table and making it dance before falling lightly onto her lap.
"…Black Bloom."
Lilia opened her eyes. In the moonlight, her crimson irises gleamed like rubies submerged in night. A satisfied smile curved her lips.
"Black Bloom… the place where darkness will bloom into beauty."
…
Meanwhile, in the southern slums of the capital, the three girls—once mere bandits—now walked through the crowded streets dressed like ordinary townsfolk. Simple skirts, short cloaks, and soft hoods concealed their features. They blended seamlessly into the crowd, unnoticed.
"This feels… strange," one whispered, her gaze sharp and watchful.
"It's like something… is flowing inside me," another murmured, clenching her hand as if feeling the mana pulsing beneath her skin.
The girl in the center—the one Lilia had touched so gently on the cheek—remained the calmest. She said nothing, but her eyes sparkled in the dark like a predator roused from slumber.
As they passed a narrow alleyway, a drunken man staggered nearby, reeking of ale. No one noticed. No one cared.
Their shadows stretched like grasping tendrils.
In the blink of an eye, the man vanished into the alley, collapsing silently, no scream, no trace.
"He's not dead," the third girl said, eyes scanning the surroundings. "Just… unconscious. But it felt strange. Like I melted into the night."
"That's shadow magic… the one Lilia-sama infused into us," the center girl finally said, her voice calm, her lips curling into a faint, mysterious smile.
They hadn't killed. Not yet. But they were experimenting. Testing the power. Tasting the freedom.
And so, under the full moon that loomed high above, in a city that slept unaware, black flowers began to bloom—silently, elegantly, and beautifully.