Shakky looked at the large gate made of dark rock. Above it was the carved figure of a wolf, shaped in such a way that it seemed to be staring directly at whoever approached. She watched it through the carriage window without any particular expression, as if she had already expected something like this.
The carriage entered the castle grounds. The courtyard was not very large. People were busy with their work all around. The smell of burning wood still lingered in the air. Servants were clearing space and moving supplies. When the carriage finally stopped, Ameria opened the door and stepped out. Her feet touched the solid rock, and the cold wind immediately brushed against her skin, sending a light shiver through her body. She turned and held out her hand.
Shakky took it and stepped down. She noticed the faint smell of burning wood around her — the kind of scent that told her many people lived and worked here. Looking ahead, she saw a group of five people standing with several knights. It was the Lancer family.
Lord Keld stood at the front. He was a decent-looking man wearing a simple black outfit and a sweater. On the back of the sweater was the mark of a wolf. Beside him stood his wife, a woman with orange hair, along with two older boys who were a little taller than Shakky, a young girl smaller than her, and a few knights.
Shakky's eyes moved across the castle itself. It was built from large black stones. Narrow windows had been cut into the thick walls to let air pass through. A small balcony made of the same rock sat higher up. Stone stairs led upward into the keep.
She stepped forward.
Lord Keld came to meet her and bowed.
"Welcome, Princess. I hope the journey did not cause you any trouble."
Shakky gave a small smile.
"Not at all, Lord Keld. The journey was quite pleasant. We had no problems coming here."
Keld looked pleased.
"I'm glad to hear that. You already know who I am."
"A princess should naturally know the lords of her kingdom," Shakky replied.
Keld smiled at her words.
"That is very mature of you. Allow me to introduce my family." He gestured to the woman beside him. "This is my wife, Lady Simiya."
Lady Simiya held the edge of her dress and offered a polite welcome.
"And these two young men are my sons — Nill and Will. The little girl is my youngest daughter, Kimiya."
Kimiya half-hid behind her mother while peeking at Shakky.
Shakky looked at them and smiled.
"You have a fine family, Lord Keld."
Lady Simiya turned to her husband with a lightly scolding tone.
"Lord Keld, are you going to keep the princess standing outside? Please invite her in."
Keld glanced at his wife, then back at Shakky, scratching his head.
"Ah, forgive me. You've been standing outside after such a long journey. You must be tired. Please come inside and rest. Evening will be here soon."
Shakky nodded.
"Of course."
Keld led the way. Shakky and Ameria followed him up the stone stairs into the castle.
They were brought to a small room. It had one window, a bed, and little else. Shakky looked around.
"It's not bad. It's fine."
Ameria placed Shakky's bag on the bed and helped her remove her sweater.
"It's not exactly the kind of room your father would choose for you."
Shakky glanced at her.
"I know. But after sitting in that carriage all day, this is much better." She walked over and sat on the bed. "Besides, we're in someone else's home. We can't expect them to live the same way we do."
They were still talking when a knock sounded on the door.
Ameria looked toward it.
"Who is it?"
No answer came. Shakky frowned slightly. Ameria glanced at her, then sighed and went to open the door.
"Princess," she said after a moment, "Lord Keld's youngest daughter, Kimiya, is here."
Shakky looked over and smiled.
Ameria turned to the little girl.
"Miss Kimiya, what brings you here?"
Kimiya kept her eyes down and tightly clenched her fists.
"Mother… called for you."
Ameria looked at Shakky for permission. Shakky simply nodded. Ameria bowed and left. Kimiya watched her go, then slowly turned back when Shakky called her.
"Stop! And come here.."
The girl looked up. Shakky patted the space on the bed beside her.
"Come sit."
Kimiya hesitated, clearly nervous, but she couldn't refuse a princess's request. She walked over. Shakky could tell right away how shy she was.
When Kimiya stopped in front of her and lowered her eyes again, Shakky asked gently,
"What was your name again? Lord Keld told me, but I forgot."
"My name… is Kimiya," she answered in a small voice, then immediately looked down again.
Shakky laughed softly.
"You're really strange… but I like it. You're very cute."
She patted the bed once more. Kimiya carefully sat down.
Outside the door, two people were secretly listening — Nill and his maid.
The maid whispered,
"Lord Nill, you need to win the princess's heart. If you marry her, your life will completely change."
Nill looked embarrassed.
"I can't do something like that."
The maid pressed him.
"You have to. This is now a matter of the Lancer family's honor."
They spoke quietly, unaware that Shakky could hear them clearly even from inside, and could sense their presence.
A faint smile appeared on her face as she looked toward the door.
"Lord Nill, Miss Maid… if you're going to talk, why not come inside so I can understand you better?"
Both of them froze. They quickly stepped into the room and began apologizing. The maid took full responsibility, speaking in a flustered rush.
"Please forgive me, Princess! This was entirely my fault. I was the one forcing Lord Nill. I didn't know you could hear from so far away."
Shakky raised a hand to stop her.
"It's fine. I forgive you."
The maid looked relieved.
"Truly? Thank you so much!"
Shakky's eyes moved to Nill. She could tell he was interested in her. Amused, she spoke.
"Lord Nill, I'm glad to know you have an interest in me. But I should tell you… you can find someone better than me. There's not even much meat on my bones."
Nill took a quiet breath and answered calmly.
"Forgive me, Princess, but to me the beauty of the heart matters more than outward appearance. I look at feelings, not faces."
Kimiya gently took Shakky's hand.
"My brother is truly a good person."
Shakky smiled at her and lightly stroked her hair.
"You're a good girl too."
She then looked back at Nill and glanced around the room.
"It seems we should continue this conversation outside."
Nill looked at his maid. She gave him a bright smile, a blink, and a thumbs-up. He nodded. Shakky stood up from the bed and walked out of the room. Nill followed. Kimiya and the maid watched them leave.
They stepped out onto a balcony-like area that overlooked the main gate and the open training ground below. A few knights were still practicing swordplay. Evening was approaching, and the cold was growing stronger.
Nill looked at Shakky with mild surprise when he noticed she wasn't wearing a sweater, and spoke in a gentle tone.
"Princess, you shouldn't come outside like this. The cold gets worse in the evening."
Shakky glanced at him.
"My body adjusts to the weather after a while. You don't need to worry about it."
She looked at him directly.
"I'm honestly glad you think of me that way… but I don't think this conversation can go any further."
Nill stepped a little closer, his tone becoming more formal.
"What are you saying, Princess? You may not know me very well yet, but I know you. If you see some shortcoming in me, or if you simply don't like me, you can tell me directly."
Shakky paused for a moment and looked ahead. Then she spoke quietly.
"It's not like that, Lord Nill. You can find someone better than me… but I cannot. I'll explain."
She took a deep breath and told him about her curse.
"I don't want to stay with anyone while carrying this curse. So please forgive me."
Nill looked slightly hurt and opened his mouth to say something, but Shakky spoke before he could.
"No matter how much you try to convince me, you won't get me to say yes. Please forget about me. I can never be yours. I don't want to talk about this anymore."
Nill fell silent after her firm rejection. He didn't argue further, but the quiet between them felt heavy.
Shakky kept her eyes on the training ground below for a few moments. The sound of clashing swords drifted up with the cold wind. She watched the knights for a while, as if using the sight to steady herself, then spoke in a calmer voice.
"…You have quite a few skilled fighters here, Lord Nill."
Nill looked at her. He understood that she was deliberately changing the subject, and after a short pause, he allowed it. A small, slightly forced smile appeared on his face.
"You're right, Princess. In the North, we always have to stay ready for whatever danger comes."
The moment the word left his mouth, Shakky turned her head toward him. A clear spark of curiosity appeared in her eyes.
"Danger?" she asked. "Have you seen something strange?"
Nill looked slightly surprised by her sudden interest
.
"Strange? What do you mean?"
"Something unusual," Shakky said calmly.
"Something that made you stop and think."
Nill thought for a moment before answering.
"There is one thing… the change in the monsters."
Shakky's eyes sharpened with curiosity.
"What kind of change have you noticed?"
"It's not that important to most people, but…" Nill continued, "When we go out hunting, we used to pass by many monsters that would hide as soon as they sensed us. Now they charge at us like they've gone mad. It doesn't matter how many soldiers we have. It's as if their minds are no longer their own."
Shakky looked out over the courtyard, quietly processing his words.
"Thank you for telling me this, Lord Nill. Is there anything else?"
He shook his head.
"No, Princess."
A voice suddenly called from behind them.
"Princess! How many times have I told you not to go outside without me?"
Nill turned. Ameria was standing there. He looked back at Shakky. He had hoped to say something more personal and perhaps convince her, but he never got the chance.
"I'll take my leave then, Princess. We can speak another time."
"Alright, Lord Nill. We'll talk later."
Nill walked away. The moment he left, Ameria spoke in a trembling voice, clearly freezing.
"You… should… be in… your room…"
Shakky turned and saw that Ameria was shivering hard. She hadn't put on a sweater.
Shakky's eyes widened in anger.
"You idiot! Why did you come out without a sweater? Look how cold it is!"
She grabbed Ameria's hand and quickly pulled her back inside. Once they returned to the room, Ameria finally seemed to relax. Shakky sat on the bed.
"So… why did they call you?"
"They only called me to ask what you wanted to eat," Ameria replied.
Shakky glanced toward the door.
"I see. I thought it might be something else." She paused. "I need to meet Lord Keld."
Ameria stepped closer.
"Lord Keld has gone out. You won't be able to meet him right now."
Suddenly Shakky pressed a hand to her head.
"My head… feels strange…"
Before Ameria could react, Shakky collapsed onto the bed.
"Princess! Princess!"