The room was compact, yet furnished with understated luxury.
At its center stood a large, elegantly crafted bed. The mattress and bedding were exceptionally soft, almost cloud-like in comfort. Around the room, expensive furnishings were arranged with careful precision, each piece befitting a princess. A small table near the window held several books, while gold-and-white curtains hung above it, gently swaying whenever the breeze entered through the open window.
A large mirror stood a short distance away.
On the table beneath it, various cosmetics were neatly organized in their designated places. Beside them rested a golden glass filled with warm turmeric milk.
A chair was positioned directly in front of the mirror.
Someone was seated upon it.
Behind the chair stood a woman, carefully arranging the girl's hair.
The person seated there was none other than Princess Shakky.
She simply stared at her reflection.
Her long blond hair framed her pale face, while her green eyes appeared dull and fatigued. Dark circles had formed beneath them, suggesting several nights without proper rest. Her expression carried a visible weariness, as though she had lost all desire to engage with the world around her.
Shakky lowered her gaze slightly, observing her own body in the mirror.
She looked weak.
Far too weak.
Behind her stood her personal maid, Ameria.
She wore a blue dress, with a hairpin securing part of her hair. Her purple eyes, pink lips, and soft complexion gave her a gentle appearance. With steady hands, she carefully continued arranging Shakky's hair.
Ameria's gaze eventually fell upon the glass of milk on the table.
"Princess, you should drink that milk. It is beneficial for your health."
Shakky glanced at the glass.
Then she ignored it.
Ameria finished arranging her hair.
At that moment, the door to the room opened.
Ameria turned toward it.
A man entered, dressed in golden attire. Golden bracelets adorned his wrists, while a golden stole draped around his neck and extended over both shoulders. He had a well-built physique, a neatly trimmed beard, and stood slightly above average height.
It was King Aureline.
Ameria immediately lowered her head.
"Your Majesty."
Aureline walked into the room without a word and quietly sat on the bed.
A faint look of concern rested on his face.
He turned toward Shakky and spoke gently.
"Shakky… may I call you by your name?"
Shakky did not respond.
Instead, she picked up the glass of milk and began drinking.
Aureline lowered his gaze slightly.
Receiving no reply, he appeared somewhat disheartened.
"Very well. I will continue calling you Shakky. I need to speak with you."
Sensing the tension in the room, Ameria began to withdraw.
However, Aureline noticed and raised a hand.
Ameria stopped.
"Ameria, it would be better if you stayed. You may remain here."
Ameria nodded and moved to stand near the door.
Aureline slowly rose from the bed and walked toward the chair where Shakky was seated.
He placed one hand on the back of the chair and looked at her reflection in the mirror.
His voice was quiet.
"I understand, my child. You are going through a very difficult time… but please be patient. Perhaps things will improve."
Shakky gave a faint smile.
"Improve?"
She looked at her reflection.
"What exactly will improve, Father…?"
Her smile faded.
"Can you tell me how many days I have left? If not days, then months? Or perhaps years?"
King Aureline said nothing.
There was nothing he could say.
Shakky stood from the chair.
"I am going to the library to study."
She walked out of the room.
Ameria followed her.
Aureline remained where he stood, watching her disappear through the doorway, sorrow evident in his eyes.
---
Shakky was seated at a table in the library, reading a book.
The title was Why We Need Monsters.
Ameria sat quietly across from her, observing her in silence.
After a while, she spoke softly.
"Princess, you should speak with your father."
Shakky turned a page.
"What should I say? You tell me."
Ameria hesitated.
"Things… that a daughter would normally discuss with her father."
Shakky gave a faint smile.
She looked up at Ameria.
"Aunt Ameria… you have known me since childhood. You were there even before I truly knew my mother. How could I possibly hide anything from you?"
Her smile slowly faded.
Her voice lowered.
"I do not want my father to become attached to me."
Ameria expression shifted.
Shakky continued.
"My brother already despises me. And when I die, I do not want Father standing before my portrait, grieving."
She lowered her gaze.
"I truly do not want that."
Ameria slowly reached out toward her.
"Princess… please do not think like that. You should have faith in God."
Shakky gave a faint, almost dismissive smile.
"God?"
She looked at Ameria.
"Which God? The one who fought evil thousands of years ago and became divine?"
Her expression turned skeptical.
"Should we truly believe in them?"
She shook her head slightly.
"I do not."
Ameria clasped her hands together.
"No, Princess. You must not speak like that. We must have faith. They would never wish to see their children suffer."
As Ameria continued speaking, Shakky's vision suddenly blurred.
The library around her began to fade in and out of focus.
She drew a sharp breath.
Ameria immediately stood and rushed toward her.
"Princess? Princess!"
Shakky covered her mouth and began coughing violently.
Ameria quickly retrieved a handkerchief and handed it to her.
Shakky pressed it against her lips as she continued coughing.
After several moments, the coughing subsided.
She slowly lowered the handkerchief.
Her eyes fell upon the blood staining the fabric.
She stared at it in silence.
Then her vision went dark.
Shakky collapsed.
---
When Shakky opened her eyes again, she was lying in her bed.
She slowly looked forward.
Ameria was seated beside her.
After a few blinks, Shakky asked,
"How long was I unconscious?"
Ameria looked at her.
"It is already afternoon."
Shakky immediately sat up.
"Afternoon?"
She turned toward the window.
"Sir Jomes' class… it is already time."
Then she looked back at Ameria.
"By the way… you did not inform Father, did you?"
Ameria slowly shook her head.
Shakky relaxed slightly.
"Good."
She lowered her gaze.
"This happens almost every day now. I do not want him to be troubled because of me."
Ameria looked down sadly.
"Princess, you should not push yourself so hard."
Shakky smiled faintly.
"Then what should I do?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Stay in bed all day?"
Ameria quickly shook her head.
"No, that is not what I meant."
Shakky stepped down from the bed.
"Come. Sir Jomes is likely already waiting at the training grounds."
---
Shakky stood on the palace training grounds, facing Sir Jomes.
The area was surrounded by tall trees, their branches casting soft shadows across the open space.
Sir Jomes wore a simple white outfit. His black hair fell to his shoulders, and a small mustache rested above his upper lip.
He held a sword that resembled a wooden practice blade.
With it, he blocked Shakky's strike.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Princess, you have improved significantly. Instead of relying on the Snake Style, your movements now resemble those of a proper knight."
Shakky immediately countered.
However, Jomes responded with a swift strike.
The impact knocked the sword from Shakky's hand, sending it to the ground.
Jomes lowered his weapon.
"That is enough for today. You have improved considerably."
Shakky picked up her sword and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Sir Jomes. Your technique is truly remarkable. I have learned much from you."
She straightened.
"I would like to request permission to leave."
Jomes nodded.
"Of course, Princess."
Shakky left the training grounds with Ameria.
Sir Jomes watched her depart.
---
Shakky was walking through one of the palace corridors with Ameria when she noticed someone approaching from the opposite direction.
It was her brother, Aerstrone.
He wore an elegant golden outfit, with a sword hanging at his waist.
He walked directly toward her.
Seeing him, Shakky offered a small smile.
"Brother… ah—"
Aerstrone passed by without acknowledging her.
Shakky's smile faded.
A hint of irritation crossed her expression.
Noticing this, Ameria quickly spoke.
"Princess, please do not take it personally. Perhaps he has just returned from important duties and is fatigued. That may be why he did not notice you."
Shakky said nothing.
She continued walking toward her room.
---
After returning, Shakky bathed, changed, and sat once more in front of the mirror.
Eventually, she moved to sit on her bed.
"Ameria, could you bring me the books I left on the table in the library?"
Ameria nodded.
"Of course, Princess."
She left the room.
Some time later, she returned carrying four books.
Shakky began reading them one after another.
Time passed slowly.
Before she realized it, evening had arrived.
Shakky lay comfortably on her bed, still reading.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
A voice came from beyond the door.
"Princess, are you inside?"
Shakky's eyes widened immediately.
She recognized the voice.
For the first time that day, genuine happiness appeared on her face.
"Oh, Sir Derland. The door is open. You may come in."