Sylvia was strolling through the gardens for the third time today, and it was developing into a habit. Perhaps her heart was waiting for Jimin to return from Stieffera like he would when he visited the streets of Hiemura, but she knew he wouldn't return that way. Not this time. He would return through the front gates and face their father's wrath.

When she informed her parents of Jimin's whereabouts, their father was infuriated, while their mother was in anguish. Sylvia understood, though. After Lexitem took Tobias ten years ago with the Crimson Death, it wasn't just her firstborn their mother had lost: she also lost a part of Jimin. He was always smiling and bright when Tobias was alive. But now, he was easily vexed and built barriers around himself—barriers so strong no one could break them.

No one except her. Or that was what she assumed before Jimin left for Stieffera without any notice, excluding the note he wrote her. Scrawled on it was a simple, "I apologize, but I have to leave. I will be back in time, so send notice to Father and Mother." Thinking about it still rekindled the flames of fury in her blood because she didn't understand why Jimin wanted to face his problems alone.

In the past, he was so open and gregarious that it was easy to tell if he was upset, but everything changed. It was difficult enough when he had those nefarious Caelics on his tail, but their father took part of his pain, too. That was why Jimin shut himself out. Those absurd lessons meant to mold him into an "acceptable king" were too taxing on his health, especially since all his tutors resented him. Sylvia didn't, but their father, the Caelics, and all the Umbrans blamed Jimin for Tobias's death, claiming he wreaked havoc with his curse.

But her bemoaning Jimin's life would change nothing, and as far as she knew, nothing would unless Lexitem stole Father. She quickly shook those thoughts away. What was she thinking? Instead of scrutinizing Jimin, their father needed to keep an eye on her.

She sighed as she traced her fingers over the vibrant flowers, each one reminding her of the Kartheus Jimin gifted her. A smile curved on her lips as she imagined it resting by the windowsill in her chambers overlooking Hiemura. She had spent hours placing it in the perfect position, where it would get enough light during the day and night. Just yesterday, she had watched as the Kartheus glowed blue under the translucent moonlight. It was beautiful, and she had wished Jimin was there to witness it, too.

She padded across the stone paths meandering through the gardens and was led to a pond at the center. By now, the water would be cold because autumn was nearing, the wind turning brisk and the days short. She would love to appreciate the lily pads and flowers before they freeze and wither. But visiting the Royal Pond only evoked memories of the past when her family had laughed and enjoyed the bond of togetherness.

Tracing her fingers over the wolf head of her wristlet, she closed her eyes to reminisce, only to jolt awake when the sickly sight of scarlet ruined the image. Those times would never return, and the thought prompted her to leave. She was about to exit the gardens and pass through the castle's threshold when a genial voice said, "Princess Sylvia, what a pleasant surprise."

Whirling, she spotted Lord Sanon Ashkiba and his white wolf Vierkan ambling towards her. Lord Ashkiba was an ambassador of Sapientia who was sent during the Crimson Death to aid Umbra. Since the plague ended a decade ago, he stayed for reasons unknown. But many welcomed his presence because he saved hundreds from death.

His sandy hair was ruffled by the breeze that revealed strands of darker hues concealed beneath. A smile graced his thin lips, and his eyes shone like emeralds against his olive skin that was peculiar to the kingdoms north of the Rendryn Mountains. Leaning against a wooden cane engraved with ancient carvings, he petted Vierkan's fluffy fur as the sunlight caught the silver cuffs around his wrists.

As Lord Ashkiba bowed, Vierkan lowered his head, too. "It is always an honor to be blessed with the Princess's presence."

"It is always an honor to be in your presence, as well, Lord Ashkiba," Sylvia replied. It was true. Being around him and listening to his tales of wisdom was healing and brought peace to her rambunctious thoughts. Maybe this was what she needed.

"I was informed the prince had run away to Stieffera without any notice. Was he always so defiant?" Squatting, Lord Ashkiba ran his fingers through Vierkan's fur as he adjusted the cyan collar strapped around his neck.

Thumbing her wristlet, Sylvia frowned at the mention of Jimin's name, which only stirred her worries further. "I honestly don't understand him anymore. All I know is that his mood has been a little sour lately."

Lord Ashkiba tensed as he stood upright, his stern eyes setting on Sylvia's. "He has been acting quite strange, has he not? Ever since the passing of the late crown prince, I fear darkness has rooted itself in the prince's heart. The issue has been on my mind for quite a while. So when His and Her Majesty dismissed my request to meet them, I came to you, Your Highness."

The ghost of the lost ring squeezed Sylvia's middle finger as the blood drained from her face. Lord Ashkiba's brows creased. "The crown prince has been leaving the castle frequently and has isolated himself. These are only a few of the changes that occurred after the Crimson Death."

Sylvia rolled her wrists, the loose chains of her wristlet tapping the back of her hand. "Many things have changed since Prince Tobias died, so what are you insinuating?"

Lord Ashkiba clenched his jaw. "I believe the possibility Prince Tobias had—"

Loud footsteps crescendoed from the castle as a familiar guard dashed towards them, crying, "Princess Sylvia, His Majesty has summoned you to the throne room."

The young guard was panting as he bowed low, the strands of his snowy hair falling over his forehead. He wore full armor without the helmet, so Sylvia looked at his face and recognized him as the sentinel guarding Jimin's room the night he departed for Stieffera.

Lord Ashkiba was silent. She wanted to hear what he had to say about Jimin, but one look into the guard's copper eyes told her that something was wrong. "What is the matter?"

The guard straightened his posture. "Mother Erna has brought grave news."

Sylvia's heart stopped. Mother Erna rarely visited, but when she did, she relayed information that shook the entire kingdom. Her last visit was ten years ago when the plague had ended—when Tobias had died. Sylvia bit her lips, the battle in her heart swaying from leaving to staying and listening to Lord Ashkiba, but she knew her duties outweighed speculation. Without sparing Lord Ashkiba a glance, she passed the guard, who started and quickly caught up to escort her to the throne room.

Their fast footfalls echoed down the halls as they passed open windows that allowed in sunlight that speckled over their clothes. The guard was jittery, beads of sweat dripping down his temples, his limbs trembling even though he wore armor. Sylvia was also anxious, but she didn't show it.

When they arrived at the cerulean doors of the throne room, a sentinel patrolling the area barked, "Antaro! What took you so long?"

The guard who escorted Syliva released a whimper but didn't respond. Ignoring the reproach, Sylvia continued to stride towards the throne room. The guards opened the doors when they noticed her presence. Marching across the gray carpet stretching to the glass-like throne atop the checkered dais, Sylvia saw Mother Erna leaning against her warped staff. Her distressed father paced before the throne, her mother motionless beside him.

At Sylvia's arrival, they turned their attention to her. Mother Erna bowed as Sylvia passed and situated herself beside the queen, who squeezed her hand and locked her fear-ridden eyes with hers.

"What you claim is impossible. History was carved in stone, and the demons were sealed in their graves. To suggest otherwise is to question our ancestors—the founders of our world," her father said.

Mother Erna was silent as her frown deepened. "King Leonis, I understand your uncertainty, but the Legends of Kartas were not infallible. Oracle Elkii had foretold the upcoming Demon Days, and as the king of Umbra, you must take action to prevent it. The Great Prophecy will be fulfilled, but together with the other kingdoms, we can thwart the demons' plans."

"You have nothing to confirm your suspicion, and my trust has grown wary with you." The king halted his pacing and squinted his aging eyes at Mother Erna. "A decade ago, you waltzed into this very castle and said to me before my ailing son that he would persevere—that he would ward Lexitem away. But your solace was misguided. Time has rendered you senile, decrepit, so abandon this madness before I must resort to force."

Biting her tongue, Sylvia suppressed the urge to defend Mother Erna. This was a dispute between people who held more power than her, so she had no right to intervene.

Mother Erna smacked the end of her wooden staff against the gray carpet, ripples of the sound resonating through the room and bringing along an uncomfortable silence. The king glared at Mother Erna from his place atop the dais, and even though she was five steps below, Mother Erna matched it.

"As the Legends were not flawless, so am I. The misery you accuse me of was brought upon by your own choices. Yet, you refute the blatant truth with unsound objections, painting yourself as a jester playing royalty. Wake up from your self-inflicted deceptions and act like a king."

"How dare you challenge me!" the king bellowed, frost coating the glass throne and snowflakes manifesting in the air. "Your pride and arrogance cannot supplant the confirmation of proof. How am I to trust the Oracle's prophecy when there is a prospect it could be false?"

"Elkii is the last time elemental master to draw breath in Kartas. Her visions are exact unless we bring about change, and since you so wish for the evidence, there it is!" Mother Erna thrust the tip of her staff at the cerulean doors of the throne room. Apprehension permeated the atmosphere and crawled over Sylvia's skin as the doors creaked open, and in came Jimin marching through, holding something wrapped in cloth.

His silk vest was tattered and stained with dark pigment, and the threads of his silver hair were matted. Golden buttons on his cuffs were missing, and a deep gash extended from the left corner of his mouth to his ear. Burns coiled around his visible ankles and wrists, and his right arm hung limply at his side. Seeing his state, Sylvia gasped and attempted to run towards him, but the queen held her in place and shook her head.

Jimin didn't acknowledge Sylvia. Even though she bored holes into his skull, he didn't spare her a single glance. Instead, he threw the object hidden in cloth to the edge of the dais and retrieved a fragmented emerald stone from his pocket.

"Stieffera is no more," Jimin said, expressionless. "The Oracle has fallen, and all that remains of her is her shattered time elemental stone."

He passed the green shards to Mother Erna, whose eyes widened as she clutched her heart. Stumbling, the king inhaled a sharp breath, and the queen's grip around Sylvia's wrist constricted. When Jimin kneeled, Sylvia went speechless, and her knees buckled.

"Your Majesty—Father—I beg you to listen. A demon decimated Stieffera single-handedly, and I barely escaped with my life. Its decapitated head is wrapped in that cloth, and my scars and bruises should be enough to prove what occurred. We need to request aid from the other kingdoms because I heard urgent news from another demon posing as a thief in the markets. It claimed the Demon Days were approaching once more, and for us to prevent it, we need assistance."

No one uttered a word. After the truth left Jimin's lips, darkness swept through the room, imbuing the tense ambiance with the same dread encompassing the bundled head. Hesitating, the king descended the steps, each footstep heavier and more perturbing. Sitting on his haunches, he unfolded the cloth and peered at what lay beneath it before letting the fabric fall. As he stood, dried, black blood crumbled from the tips of his fingers.

"Does this suffice, King Leonis?" Mother Erna asked, holding Elkii's elemental stone close to her heart. "A town of Umbrans was destroyed, the greatest advantage Kartas possessed against the demons is now dead, and your last son almost fell with her."

The king didn't respond. He only plumped himself down on his throne and buried his face in his hands. A whiff of despair filled the air, and silence reigned. Sylvia shifted her gaze to Jimin, and for the first time since his arrival, he acknowledged her. Tears glimmered in his red eyes as his face contorted with pain, and Sylvia released a shuddering breath, her fingers grazing her wristlet.

She had questioned whether she knew who Jimin was after his little stunt. But one second of staring into his eyes told her that she was mistaken for doubting him. Even though he built barriers around himself, even though he isolated himself, even though his actions were furtive, his true intentions shone in his blue eyes. And they said he cared for her as much as she cared for him.

"King Leonis, what do you wish to do?" Mother Erna asked.

The king didn't move from his position for a long while, but when he finally sat upright and raised his head, anticipation raced through Syliva's blood. "Send word to the other kingdoms," he said. "The Demon Days are approaching."