The next morning at the Royal Academy felt a little strange, as if something was about to happen. Evelyn and Maria were standing near the academy gate, waiting. Students were walking past them, laughing and talking, but both of them were focused on the road. "Where is Katherine?" Maria asked, looking around. "I don't know… she's late," Evelyn replied quietly. Just then, they heard the sound of a carriage coming closer. Both of them turned to look. A carriage was arriving, but something about it felt different. It was red. A deep red color that looked unusual. Noble families always had special carriage colors. The royal family used gold, and other nobles had their own colors. But no one used red. The carriage slowly stopped in front of the gate. Evelyn and Maria looked at each other, both feeling something was not right.
The door opened, and a young man stepped out. He had red hair and a handsome face, but there was something dangerous about him. He looked calm, almost like he didn't care about anything. Then he turned and offered his hand. Katherine stepped out of the carriage, holding his hand like it was normal. Maria's eyes widened. "Who is that?" she whispered. Evelyn stared at him for a moment before answering, "That's Kael… Maekal's brother." Maria was shocked. They both kept watching. Katherine and Kael were standing very close, closer than normal. It looked like they were a couple. Then Kael slowly looked at Evelyn. He smiled slightly, like he knew something. Without looking away, he lifted Katherine's hand and kissed it softly. "I'll pick you up later," he said calmly. His voice sounded smooth, but something about it felt wrong. Then he got back into the carriage and left. The red carriage disappeared, but the strange feeling stayed.
Katherine walked toward them like nothing happened. "What are you two doing here? You'll be late," she said. "We were waiting for you," Maria replied. "Oh… sorry," Katherine said casually. As they walked toward the class, Evelyn noticed something. Katherine's neck was covered with a scarf. "I've never seen you wear a scarf like that," Evelyn said. Katherine paused for a second, then smiled. "Oh… I'm hiding a hickey." Evelyn and Maria both froze, their faces turning red. "W-What?!" Maria said loudly. Evelyn was also shocked. "…How do you know Kael?" she asked slowly. "Do you know he's Maekal's brother?" Katherine looked confused. "…Is he?" she said. Evelyn stopped walking. "Then how did you meet him?" Katherine turned away. "I don't remember… come on, we're late," she said and kept walking. Her answer didn't feel right. It felt like she was hiding something. Maria leaned closer to Evelyn and whispered, "She's definitely hiding something. If she had a boyfriend, she would have told us many times." Evelyn nodded. "Yeah… let's give her some time."
When they entered the classroom, Evelyn immediately saw Maekal. She walked to him and sat beside him. "Hi," she said softly. "You're late," Maekal said. "Yeah… we were waiting for Katherine," she replied. "Oh." There was a small silence. Evelyn felt a little nervous but still asked, "…Do you know your brother is dating Katherine?" Maekal's expression changed. "…What?" he said. "I saw him drop her in a red carriage," Evelyn explained. "I always thought the Blackthorne house used black. I didn't know it was red."." Maekal didn't reply. He looked at Katherine and noticed the scarf on her neck. His face became serious. "…Since when?" he asked quietly. "I don't know," Evelyn said. "She said she doesn't remember." Maekal stayed silent. "Maekal?" Evelyn called. He didn't respond. She gently touched him. "Maekal?" "Yes," he said, coming back to his senses. Evelyn hesitated, then said, "Tonight… we have my grandfather's death anniversary at the palace. Will you come?" Maekal looked at her. "I'm free." Evelyn smiled softly. "Then come. I'll be waiting." "…Okay," he said.
After classes ended, they walked outside together. Kael was already there, standing near his red carriage. "Okay guys, my boyfriend is here. I'm going," Katherine said happily. "See you in the evening," she told Evelyn. "Don't be late," Evelyn replied. Katherine went to Kael. Maekal watched them quietly. Kael looked at Maekal for a second and smiled again before leaving with Katherine. "…I'll go too," Maekal said. "See you in the evening," Evelyn said, and he nodded and left.
"Evelyn," Maria said, "come to my house." Evelyn looked at her, confused. "Why?" "…Just come." Something in her tone felt serious, so Evelyn agreed. Maria's house was small but warm. "Wait here," she said, walking toward a feather pillow. Suddenly, she tore it open. Feathers scattered everywhere. "Maria, what are you doing?" Evelyn asked. "Shh." Maria closed her eyes and began whispering softly. The air changed. The feathers on the ground slowly began to rise into the air. Evelyn's eyes widened. "…What…" Then she noticed a small line of blood coming from Maria's nose. "Maria! Are you okay?!" She quickly wiped it away. "I'm fine." The feathers slowly fell back down.
What was that?" Evelyn asked, her voice low. "…Magic." Evelyn froze. "…Magic?" "I'm a witch." The words didn't feel real. Magic was supposed to be a myth. "…How?" "My ancestors were witches. I found an old book in my grandmother's safe… it had spells and our history." "Maria Winchester…" Evelyn whispered. A small nod followed. "The nosebleed happens if I use too much magic." Evelyn looked worried. "Don't hurt yourself." "I won't." A small smile appeared before the mood suddenly shifted. "So… what about you and Maekal?" Evelyn's face turned red instantly. "W-What are you talking about?!" A quiet laugh escaped. "You like him." Evelyn sat down slowly. "…I don't know," she admitted. "But talking to him feels natural… like I've known him for a long time. He's kind… protective. He saved me, stopped my brother's fight… and he doesn't treat me like a princess." Her voice softened. "People only come close to me because of my title. But you and Katherine… you never did." A warm smile followed. "Because you're our friend." Evelyn smiled back. "Thank you…" Then a light nudge. "Now go. It's getting late. Many guests will come… especially Maekal." Evelyn's face turned red again. "Stop teasing me," she said, but as she walked away, her heart was beating fast—not just because of Maekal, but because something strange and dangerous had already begun, and she was already part of it.