- One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four. One, two. One, two. One, two, three, four.
In the resonant hall, filled with distinguished guests, a single voice rose above all others. Miss Lasswyn, tall and slender, was draped in blue-green fabrics, coarse yet commanding, which fanned gracefully across the floor, measuring a full meter around her feet. Her voice was directed to the little princess, who performed a flawless enchanting dance with a fan. Long red hair flew with each turn, and tired, deep-green eyes traced the perfect arcs of her arms through the rough air. Not a word, not a sound, not even a single breath escaped her, shattering not the slightest hint of enchantment. The hall drank in her immaculate performance, unaware of the sharp ache hidden behind every gesture.
- Very well. Let us take a brief pause, my lady.
The woman turned her attention to the audience, whose murmurs sliced through the silent hall. Meanwhile, the poor child sank into a distant corner, sipping her tea without spilling a drop on her dark red dress. Yet again, not a word, not a sound, not even a single breath escaped her. Her outwardly careful and precise movements collided with the painful screams trapped inside her. There she remained for only a few fleeting minutes, before her aching hands and sore arms were called into action once more, every motion immaculate, performed solely for the sake of others.
Six years later... Present
- Who is there? Is it you, gentlemen?
Please, let me go. I beg you—please!
Untie me.
Is this because I called your footwear... delicate little boots? I never imagined anyone could wear such small shoes!
I beg your pardon—please.
Valerie struggles to free the rope from her ankle. Suddenly, a heavier noise echoes through the forest. Valerie holds her breath as best she can from her upside-down position, unsure of who or what might step into view. She fled from home, stumbled upon tiny little men wearing tiny little boots, and—startled by their size—exclaimed in surprise. The little men, angered by her innocent remark, gave chase. After several minutes of running, they began to fall behind, and Valerie, unaware, triped into an old trap long hidden among the trees, leaving her unnoticed by the pursuing dwarfs. Now, dangling from a tree, her face toward the ground and her feet high above, out of reach of her hands, she feels the faintest twinge of regret for her careless approach.
- Jaiden! Look at this... Seems I've found a little butterfly caught in a spider web. Quite the rare catch, isn't it?
Valerie squirms against the rope, one hand clutching desperately at the heavy folds of her dark red dress to keep it from falling over her face. The fabric still brushes against her eyes, veiling most of her sight and leaving her with little dignity to spare. "Not like this. Please not like this."
- Hah. A butterfly? What I see is merely a foolish girl who thought the forest was a ballroom. That frilled dress of hers makes it almost believable she's some kind of poorly crafted doll.
One after the other, two figures emerge from the shadow: a man and a woman in their twenties. The woman's lips curve into a teasing grin at the sight, while the man, handsome as he is, doesn't even bother to step closer. Straining to lift her head from her awkward position, Valerie can't help noticing the unusual green hair they both share, and the way their honey-colored eyes gleam vividly against the cold winter gloom. Resting on the woman's shoulder is a wooden crossbow, its frame etched with delicate silver details. The man leans casually against a tree, an axe gripped firmly in his strong hand, making him look, at first glance, like nothing more than a common woodcutter.
- Marion, just let her loose and let's go.
- Oh, please. If you could...
Valerie's eyes dart, confused and hesitant, toward the woman.
- Of course, we'll get to that soon, Jaiden. But everything has a price, little butterfly. How many silver do you keep hidden beneath those heavy wings?
Jaiden's gaze drifts to the stranger's red dress. Her hands barely able to keep it out of her eyes... her delicate fingers, grasping at a garment of finely wrought fabric, the kind only nobles can afford. "The dwarfs are hoarding every animal within a hundred-meter radius for themselves. Food is scarce... and we're heading to town with no money..." A faint smile tugs at the corner of his lips. His sister is right... if they are going to do some good, they might as well get something in return. Jaiden's smile fades out and he presses his lips into a thin line. He can see the girl's panic, and while he has no intention of comforting her, keeping her from thrashing blindly seems prudent. Jaiden steps slightly forward, his voice calm, low, and deliberate.
- Calm down, Marion. Do you really think she'd hand over silver to strangers? Let's at least introduce ourselves.
I am... Jaiden.
Marion lets out a light, teasing laugh, eyes sparkling with amusement at her brother's rare change of behavior.
- And I'm Marion. Don't worry, little butterfly, these brothers are not here to bite... much.
She glances at the siblings attentively. Smiles adorn their faces in teasing ways, and that much Valerie can tell... However, they are her only hope of a straight comeback to the world.
- As of now, I possess fourteen silver coins.
- Not bad for a shabby little doll.
- Quite the catch! Fourteen silver coins for your beautiful wings, I'd say.
Marion rises her crossbow and aims at the rope. The shot makes Valerie fall abruptly, resulting in a few wrinkles on her forehead. Blood begins to seep from old wounds. At this point, she is just glad they always make her wear a red dress. Valerie stands, carefully arranging her hair and smoothing her dress, before speaking with measured politeness.
- You have my sincere gratitude.
As soon as her face is clearly visible, Marion's jaw drops.
- Beautiful indeed!
What should we call you, gorgeous butterfly?
- My name is Valerie Aurum K—kind sirs.
Valerie feels her composure waver, realizing her identity has nearly been exposed.
- Here is the silver.
I shall take my leave now.
It has been... a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
Valerie runs off the moment the bag of coins touches Marion's hands.
- Acqua—what?? And did she really just call us 'sirs'?
Marion peers into the bag and freezes... there it is, fourteen silver coins, but what makes Marion gasp even more is that...
- Fourteen—BIG SILVER COINS???
Jaiden's brows lift. Fourteen big silver coins are far more valuable than fourteen small ones... the sort of coins usually held by the wealthiest commoners.
- Let's follow her.
- Why?? No way we are giving this back! I doubt we'll meet a butterfly this naive again anytime soon.
- She is going in the dwarfs direction again.
Jaiden takes the lead, pushing through the overgrown path. Meanwhile, Valerie struggles to move through the forest in her long, frilly dress. The two siblings watch with amusement as she stumbles over fleshy roots and thorny weeds.
After some distance, Valerie trips on the frills of her dress and falls. At that exact moment, the dwarfs restrain her with thick, rough rope, expertly crafted by their small but strong hands. Everything happens so quickly that Valerie doesn't even have time to react. Then, overwhelmed, she passes out.
(...)
- Let me go, you short idiots!
No!! Not my money. Come on... I just got paid...
A familiar voice screeches as Valerie awakes from the shock.
- Shut her up.