When I turned around, I quickly noticed a maid entering the room.
But she wasn't just any maid…
She was my mother's personal attendant.
Her name was Laura, a young woman with short blonde hair that reached her shoulders and icy blue eyes. I couldn't help but feel a certain level of respect toward her, knowing that she was an Ascended.
According to Seishan, she was one of the youngest Ascended in history.
I had only met her once before, when she came to inform me that my mother would meet me once she found the time.
That was three weeks ago.
Had the time finally come for me to meet my mother?
The answer came quickly.
Laura stepped closer and bowed slightly.
"Princesses… Prince. It is a pleasure to see you again."
My sisters nodded to her while Revel reached over and turned off the television.
"Welcome, Lady Laura," Seishan replied in her usual calm tone, nodding politely before continuing,
"Has something important happened?"
Laura nodded.
"Yes, Princess. Her Majesty asked me to inform you that she wishes for you to come to the Raven Heart."
Good heavens…
So the time had come.
I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement… and perhaps a little nervousness.
From the side, Selene spoke while adjusting her sitting position.
"Did Mother tell you when we should come? I don't think I can meet her in my current state."
When I glanced around the room again, I realized what she meant.
We were all… wearing pajamas.
Tsk.
And why exactly was my pajama the only pink one?
Damn you… I have a very good idea who is responsible for this.
Laura answered calmly.
"Her Majesty said she would like to have dinner with you. You have until the evening to prepare. I have already informed the other princesses."
I heard several sighs of relief beside me before Seishan stood up and said,
"That is more than enough time. Please inform Mother that we will be there tonight."
Laura bowed again.
"As you wish, Princess. I will be waiting for you by the gate. Now, if you will excuse me."
She then turned around and quietly left the room.
The gate?
Did she mean the Dream Realm gate of the Song Domain?
Oh… finally, I would get to see something truly magical.
As soon as Laura closed the door behind her, my sisters collectively let out a breath and began adjusting their posture again.
Looking at them curiously, I couldn't help but ask,
"Is Mother really that scary?"
The expressions on their faces were honestly quite amusing.
Hmm… maybe I was starting to understand why Selene enjoyed taking pictures so much.
No, no… this was different.
I was certain that her questionable motivations for photography were very different from my noble ones.
Seishan smiled faintly before answering.
"No, not at all. But you can't help feeling a little nervous when standing before a Sovereign even if she is your mother."
I nodded slowly.
Before I could say anything else, Eunbin added from the side,
"That's right. Mother might be a ruthless queen to the world, and a strict ruler to her people… but she is the best mother anyone could ever have."
Hmm.
Who would have imagined someone like Eunbin saying something like that?
Maybe she wasn't as bad as I thought—
"How about you wear a dress for tonight's dinner? I'm sure Mother would love that surprise."
…Forget what I just said.
That cursed witch deserved death.
Seishan clapped her hands lightly.
"Alright, that's enough. We should start getting ready. You don't want to keep Mother waiting, do you?"
Soon enough, we were all on our feet.
Revel grabbed my hand and led me to another maid who would help me prepare, while the rest of my sisters went off to get ready for our trip to the Raven Heart.
---
Evening eventually arrived.
I was now sitting inside a strangely spacious modern car that was just as comfortable as it was luxurious.
The black leather seats alone were enough to justify its full price.
Not that I actually knew how much it cost… but I was certain it was far from ordinary.
I sat between Seishan and Revel, while Selene and Eunbin sat across from us.
At that moment… all of my sisters looked beautiful.
As usual, Seishan wore a long velvet dress the color of dark wine. The heavy fabric flowed smoothly along her figure, reflecting the light with a faint, elegant shimmer whenever she moved. The deep shade perfectly matched her crimson lipstick and nail polish, giving her a refined and dignified presence worthy of a queen's daughter.
Revel, on the other hand, wore a black dress darker than a moonless night. The design was simple but incredibly elegant, wrapping around her figure before falling gracefully downward. She had added subtle touches of red—a delicate necklace and soft crimson lipstick—that broke the deep darkness of the dress with a striking contrast.
Selene wore a shimmering silver dress that caught the light with every movement. Thin blue lines decorated the shoulders and extended slightly across the chest, giving the outfit a bright and graceful appearance without looking excessive.
As for Eunbin… well.
That witch was as beautiful as ever.
She wore a dark-colored dress that accentuated her figure with smooth elegance, its design simple yet clearly crafted with careful attention to detail. It was obvious she had spent quite some time in front of the mirror to achieve such a perfect look.
I couldn't help but remember the protagonist's words.
"Beautiful monsters."
Hahaha…
I could finally understand what he meant.
Yes… my sisters were truly beautiful monsters.
Hmm…
Maybe I would become one of them soon.
After all, there was a good chance I would inherit the Beast god bloodline tonight.
In fact, although it might sound a bit arrogant…
I was quite handsome myself.
After a month of proper meals, nutrients, and endless hours of suffering at the hands of maids taking care of my hair and skin…
Well, I suppose enduring that hell had been worth it.
When I looked at my reflection before we left earlier, I couldn't help but feel a little shocked.
My skin was clear, and the soft fullness of childhood had begun returning to my face.
My hair fell over my shoulders like strands of golden silk.
Even so…
It was my eyes that captured most of the attention.
In fact, it was difficult to focus on my face without being drawn to those shining violet gems.
My eyes were…
Something special.
That was all I could say.
I didn't think I would choose another body even if I had the option.
"We're here."
A voice interrupted my thoughts.
The car stopped, and the doors opened.
Revel helped me out as I looked around.
From what I understood, we were still inside the Song Clan compound, but we had now arrived at a far more fortified area.
This place served as the clan's administrative center in the Waking World.
And of course… it also contained the most important thing of all for the Song Domain.
The Queen's Gate.
We began walking, and soon reached the outer gate where a guard bowed and opened the way for us.
My sisters nodded to him as we continued forward, with me holding Seishan's hand, until we arrived at the reception area.
A staff member was waiting for us there.
"Princesses, Prince… good evening."
She bowed slightly before continuing.
"The other princesses have already arrived. If you allow me, please let me guide you."
Seishan nodded as she began walking.
"Thank you. We will be in your care."
The staff member led us deeper and deeper into the administrative fortress.
Naturally, I couldn't help noticing the curious looks directed at me from all sides.
We passed through several gates, two verification checkpoints, and multiple security devices…
Until we finally reached an elevator located in the deepest part of the building.
We stepped inside, and the elevator began descending underground.
Despite having a rough idea already, I couldn't help asking,
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
Seishan replied calmly, while Eunbin gave a playful wink.
Half a minute later, the elevator doors opened.
And what I saw…
Was astonishing.
Inside the chamber was something that could only be described as a tear in reality itself.
It looked similar to the Nightmare Gates people showed on the internet.
But there was none of the corruption or dark pull people often described when talking about those gates.
Instead of oppressive darkness…
A faint crimson glow emanated from the opening.
And through it, I could finally see what my mother had promised me.
A magnificent palace towering over a world of snow and ash.
It stood upon the slope of a frozen mountain…
Perched at the edge of a bottomless abyss.
Raven heart