"Are you the new employee?"
I froze in place. "Uhh… what?"
At first, I didn't understand. What did this man I bumped into have to do with my new job?
But he quickly gestured behind him—to the door of the shop he'd just exited. It was the same place Apalion had told me about: a store selling remedies derived from nature.
I bowed slightly and whispered,
"Ah… yes. I'm Mensis. Nice to meet you."
I stood with a slight bow, head lowered, waiting for a reply.
But… nothing.
When I lost hope of hearing a response, I lifted my head—only to find he was gone!
Yes, he'd already entered the shop and left me standing there like a fool, waiting for a polite reply.
Maybe commoners don't care much for formality… or maybe, just maybe… he doesn't see anything in me worth replying to.
I slowly approached the door he'd left open. Perhaps his dry tone and brief words were his only flaws. His handsome face and perfect body might just excuse a little arrogance.
"Damn it… who does he think he is?"
I stepped inside the shop.
It felt like a whole other world.
The scent of herbs filled the air, and the unique decorations lit up every corner.
There was even a small flower nursery bursting with life amidst the calm.
In front of me sat the same man—Carlos—behind a small desk.
Behind him, several doors stood, as if hiding ancient secrets.
While I was still taking in the scene, his voice cut through my thoughts:
"I'm Carlos, by the way. You can speak freely with me. No need for formality here in Apalion."
"Oh, okay. I'm Mensis… you can just call me Mensis."
He gave a faint smile. "Alright, Mensis. I believe you already know what I need."
"Not entirely, but from what I heard, you want someone to run the shop in the first half of the week, and the rest are off days."
"That's right. So, you can start tomorrow."
"Thank you, then… see you tomorrow."
I turned toward the door. But just as I placed my hand on the handle, his hand brushed against mine, and I froze.
The warmth of his hand, the sudden touch… made my cheeks flush.
He whispered in a low voice,
"I think it's dangerous for a young lady to walk home alone this late… Allow me to escort you, Miss Mensis."
My breath mixed with the pounding of my heart.
"What? That's not necessary. I can manage… sir."
He looked at me intensely, then turned me gently to face him.
"I believe I said you don't need to be formal with me."
"Ah, right… I'm sorry, Ca… Carlos."
Then he suddenly said, "Close your eyes, Mensis."
What is he talking about? Why now?
But… I closed them. Without even asking.
When I opened them… I was standing in front of my house.
Carlos was gone.
No one was around.
"What the hell?"
Was that… magic?
But in the Empire of Valia… no one uses magic. It's said to have vanished centuries ago
"Who the hell are you, Carlos?"
I entered the house slowly, almost crawling, until I reached my room.
"My lady! You're here! Did you find the place? Was it good?"
I answered while trying to collect my thoughts.
"Yes… it was fine. I got accepted for the job. I start tomorrow."
Then I asked her suspiciously:
"But… do you know the store manager? His name is Carlos."
"Carlos? No… I only know a girl who works nearby. She saw the job posting and told me about it."
So… even Ann knows nothing about him.
---
Early morning
"My lady… a letter arrived for you this morning."
I looked up at Ann, who entered the room cautiously. In her hand, she held an ivory envelope, sealed with elegant golden wax bearing a complex symbol: a blooming rose inside an upside-down goblet, surrounded by carvings of grape leaves and phoenix wings.
I froze.
"A letter?" I murmured in astonishment, staring at the majestic seal as if seeing it for the first time.
I took the envelope with trembling hands and stared at it in silence. Me… a landless noblewoman with no real title… receiving an invitation?
I whispered to myself:
"Strange… I've never been invited to any noble gathering. Most nobles deliberately ignored me… some even denied my existence. And now? A letter?"
I opened the letter, heart pounding with an unfamiliar rhythm, and read the elegant cursive words, drenched in the scent of perfume and power:
> To Miss Mensis Karl,
We are honored to invite you to the grand opening of Baroness Elizabeth Arcanthe's salon, at eight o'clock tomorrow evening, at the Eastern Palace of Firenze.
It will be our pleasure to have the noble Miss Mensis grace our celebration with her presence.
Awaiting your radiant arrival,
Baroness Elizabeth Arcanthe
My breath quickened. Elizabeth Arcanthe… A baroness of the Valia Empire.
I turned to Ann, who looked at me wide-eyed, glowing with excitement.
"My lady… they're finally acknowledging you! You're officially being welcomed into noble society! Is this… a dream?"
I held the letter gently, fearing it might dissolve in my grasp.
"It's a beginning… no matter what intentions lie behind it."
---
The next day – before sunset
Standing in front of the tall mirror, I was dressed in a gown that had long been a postponed dream. A deep lilac-purple dress, with golden threads tracing the waist and collar — a masterpiece from the famous "Valiera" fashion house, known for their modern luxury designs.
It wasn't just a dress… it was a promise.
A promise from my father, who saved his salary month by month without complaint. And from my mother, who made sure every embroidered stitch was perfect — as if she were sewing my future into the threads.
My parents entered the room at that moment, their lips trembling with small, proud smiles.
They approached me slowly, as if they couldn't believe what they were seeing.
My father kissed my forehead, stepping back carefully so as not to ruin my hairstyle. My mother adjusted the hem of my gown and whispered:
"You've always been beautiful… but tonight, you are something else, my little girl."
I couldn't stop the tears from falling, despite trying to stay composed. I hugged them both tightly.
"I won't let you down."
They whispered in my ears together, like one heart speaking:
"Let them see you… as we always have."
As I stepped outside, the air was cool and gentle. My soft pink hair danced behind me, and my blue eyes shimmered beneath the streetlights.
I wasn't the most beautiful at the event…
But I would be the one they'd whisper about:
"Who is she?"
"Why now?"
Yet before I could enjoy even a single moment of this strange aristocratic dream…
I found myself trapped.
Not in a ballroom…
But in a locked room, alone, with a man I never expected to meet face to face.
The tenth prince of the empire.
The one whispered about in shadows… nicknamed "The Trash Prince." A nobody in the palace, overshadowed by his brothers in every way: courage, status, reputation. It's said he spends his time in brothels and shady taverns. No one cares about his existence.
And yet… here he was. Right in front of me.
"Your Highness… what are you doing?" I stammered, trembling.
He stepped toward me slowly, a cold smile on his lips.
"Mensis… marry me."
I froze.
"I've always thought a girl like you didn't deserve to be buried in misery. You deserve to… shine, Mensis."
I tried to stay sane, grasping for logic:
"But Your Highness… you've only just met me! Are you insane? What are you even saying?"
The prince shook his head, eyes narrowing.
"I think we're past the point of talking, Mensis."
Suddenly, his soldiers surrounded me. They grabbed my arms and shackled me tightly. I screamed. I resisted. But it was useless.
The prince looked at me, then pulled a small box from his jacket. He opened it slowly, his smile widening — like a child playing with a twisted toy.
What made my heart stop… was seeing her.
Miss Elizabeth.
She stood at the doorway, body trembling, tears falling. She whispered, barely audible:
"I'm sorry… I had no choice…"
Then she shut the door behind her and ran.
I was left alone — surrounded by fear, betrayal, and the madness of a man who had lost his mind.
The prince approached and raised a small, wriggling creature between his fingers. A dark insect — centipede-like, but far larger, as if a nightmare had crawled out of a lab.
"Do you know, Mensis? This… is my baby. I raised her since she hatched. My first success… a parasite that controls the body."
I swallowed hard, trembling.
"What are you talking about, you lunatic?! Are you insane?!"
He ignored me. He grabbed my jaw with a cold, strong hand and forced my mouth open.
"You're wrong, Mensis… You're useful. In many ways. But most of all… you're my perfect type."
And then… he shoved the insect into my mouth.
I screamed. I fought. I choked, tears pouring down, saliva dripping in terror. But the creature slipped inside…
And something foreign took residence in my body.
The prince laughed — a quiet, insane laugh.
"Perfect… you're mine now, Mensis."
Then added with cold detachment:
"If you try to escape or disobey me, your body will suffer. Slowly. Painfully. But don't worry… I have a drug. One pill a day will delay the pain. So long as you obey me completely."
And just like that…
I went from a girl dreaming of joining the noble elite —
To a tainted puppet.
A filthy tool in the hands of the Trash Prince.
On the day I thought I'd be honored…
I was led into a hell with no name.