Dahlia parted her lips, then clenched her fists tightly.

“Stop it. Why do you keep dragging other people into our business...!”

“Why are you so flustered? You’ve always said that.”

“What are you talking about...?”

“Whenever I offended you, you’d say, ‘Sister, it’s your fault. Should I ask Grandmother? Or should we go together to Father?’”

“I... I...”

I stepped right up to her.

“You and Father have always been both judge and executioner on my behalf. I was the outsider your family made me.”

“...”

“Dahlia, I still don’t want a real war with Grimie.”

Even someone like Grimie would be in trouble if he lost his Guardians. He has countless weapons besides them. Driving a weapons-master to desperation helps no one.

“So please, don’t let me take your Guardians, Dahlia.”

With that I turned and walked away.

Just as I rounded the corner, I heard Dahlia’s laughter.

“Go ahead—try to take them.”

I stopped and looked back. Dahlia’s face was twisted with fury.

“Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”

“What do you mean?”

“The Chronos Guild!”

“...You.”

“They’re the religion that all the princes, kings, and nobles across the continent united to ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) drive out, right?”

Dahlia snorted and laughed.

“The moment you move on them, I’ll inform His Majesty. We could announce it through that famed Abyssal Gate of yours.”

“...”

“So don’t think you can simply call yourself the Messiah. The moment you do, you’ll become the enemy of the world.”

“If you tell on me, your Guardians will all die. You say they’re so precious to you.”

“If they’re not mine, why would they be precious?”

Dahlia stepped forward lightly and smiled.

“Right. You’re the Messiah.”

“...”

“But you wouldn’t want the entire world hunting you down, would you? So let’s keep things as they are, okay?”

“...”

“I’ll take care of those you don’t need. It benefits us both.”

“Okay.”

“Finally, you make sense. Thank goodness—”

“Why are you so scared to leave?” I interrupted.

“...What?”

I sighed softly and approached her.

“You act so high and mighty, but you’re probably terrified. Terrified that those wonderful people will abandon you.”

“...”

“You hate the world knowing I’m special more than dying, don’t you?”

“...”

“Yes, you’re right. I don’t need Guardians. But...”

I tapped Dahlia lightly on the shoulder.

“If you keep provoking me, I might risk my life to prove it.”

Dahlia flinched and stumbled back. I watched her, grinning.

“Se-eun, understand now? I’m the one who shows mercy, because the key is in my hand.”

“...”

“You still can’t humble yourself and threaten me— you’re even more foolish than I thought.”

“What did you say?!”

“So here’s how to keep your precious Guardians from being taken. I’ll tell you.”

Dahlia stiffened. I plucked a loose thread from her collar and whispered,

“Find out where Grimie’s artificial beast legion is kept.”

“...!”

“They wouldn’t hide them only under the Jurisdiction. Someone who could build such things would have more.”

Dahlia’s mouth hung open.

“Father would never tell you that!”

“So you’ll have to move in secret. If he suspects you covet artificial beasts, Grimie will watch you too.”

“Me, plot against Father?! Why would I do something to harm him...!”

“You must. Only then will your Guardians remain safe.”

I flicked the wrinkles out of her collar.

“Please, Dahlia?”

“...”

“I really don’t want to take your Guardians.”

I smiled and walked off.

You think I’d fall for your threats again? I fell for them enough as Yoo Hye-min. Even now? Keep dreaming.

Dahlia returned home pale as death. The moment she entered her room, her maids rushed to her side, each holding a lavish gown.

“Please look, Miss—Her Majesty the Empress sent these. Which do you prefer?”

“She said to wear this to the No-Moon Rite. Isn’t this blue dress the loveliest?”

Dahlia sat wordlessly on the sofa. The maids exchanged puzzled glances—usually such news would delight her, but today she said nothing.

“Miss? This is by the royal wardrobe designer—”

“Quiet...!”

Dahlia snapped at them. The maids flinched.

“Miss...?”

“I said be quiet! I can’t stand this noise—Get out!”

Embarrassed, the maids set the dresses down and fled. Leticia, Dahlia’s personal maid, watched and then gently asked,

“Miss... may I ask why you’re unhappy?”

Dahlia burst into tears and collapsed into Leticia’s arms.

“You’re on my side, right?”

“Of course. What happened?”

Leticia stroked Dahlia’s hair as she sobbed.

“Will you not tell Father?”

“Never.”

“Erilot... did something cruel to you?”

“You...”

“She said she’ll take something precious from me if I refuse.”

“May I ask what that is?”

Leticia hummed thoughtfully, eyes on the flickering lamp.

“I don’t think there’ll be a problem.”

“Huh?”

“Your Lady’s father loves you dearly. If you blunder and reveal the artificial-beast matter, he’ll forgive a daughter’s mistake.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes! And I have good news.”

“Good news?”

“The Empress has granted you the District One estate.”

“Really?! Oh, I’m so happy! I hated this place!”

Leticia smiled warmly and rose.

“I must prepare for the move, but if you need help with the artificial beasts, just ask!”

Dahlia’s eyes widened.

“You’ll help?”

“Of course.”

“You’re the only one I can trust, Leticia.”

“I’ll bring you your favorite iced tea—don’t be so upset, all right?”

“Yes!”

Leticia left. The corridor lamps flickered, and the other maids grumbled,

“There goes that lamp again. No point changing it.”

“I should tell the Steward... Oh, it’s Leticia.”

They bowed as Leticia passed.

“Miss was in a frenzy?”

“It seems something upset her outside.”

“You do so much for her... one misstep and it’s on us.”

Leticia smiled faintly as they patted her shoulder.

“If you ever struggle, tell me. We’re not just master and maid.”

“I know—I’m honored to be her personal maid.”

“You two are alike—so diligent.”

As they left, Leticia eyed the flickering lamp.

‘The lamp flickers as a sign to deliver news.’

That night Leticia crept outside the estate, removed a brick in the wall, and pulled out a letter:

To Sister Belma,

Don’t worry—I’ve convinced the fool to obey. I wonder if my brothers have reached the safe house. They say if our entire family vanished, it would raise suspicion, but the plan’s moving so slowly...

The fool grows more irritable each day... I pray it’s soon my turn to head to safety.

How are our eldest and youngest? I hear they can finally walk—such good news.

I still remember when we all despaired at being deemed failures in Grimie Jurisdiction’s experiments... The Wildland Wizard’s care accelerated our recovery.

If he hadn’t taken you under his wing, we’d still be suffering. One must seize opportunity... (omitted)...

I’ll write again soon.

Leticia slid the letter back into the wall and replaced the brick.

Leticia Nez—sister of Belma Nez, the maid in Grimie Jurisdiction whom Erilot had taken as her spy.

The day of the No-Moon Rite arrived. The sun was setting. I donned my robe embroidered with the imperial sun and looked at Jeanne.

“You heard from Belma?”

“Yes. Dahlia is doing as you asked.”

“Really? I thought she’d refuse and cause a scene.”

Jeanne chuckled as she smoothed my robe’s folds.

“She cares deeply for her Guardians.”

“Right. ‘Yoo Se-eun’ always dreamed of having handsome men cherish her more than life itself.”

“She’d never let them be taken.”

I revealed my true identity to Jeanne so she could act accordingly. She looked at me and said,

“You are magnificent, Miss.”

“Thank you.”

“Remember always: you are my joy, my happiness, and my pride.”

I hugged Jeanne.

“Why do I love you so much?”

“I’ve always wondered why you are so precious.”

At that moment—

Knock, knock, knock.

Balzac stood in the doorway, leaning on the frame.

“It’s time to depart. Shall we stop clinging to each other?”

We pulled apart, giggling. It was time to go to the palace.

At the palace, the altar area buzzed with activity. Dahlia froze and looked back as I greeted nobles and walked toward the altar. She gripped her collar anxiously, then heard a gentle voice next to her.

“You must manage your expression—too many eyes are watching.”

“Father....”

“Smile. A smile makes it look as if you willingly yielded your spot, not that you lost it.”

“But I’m so anxious.”

Dahlia’s brows furrowed as she clutched Grimie’s sleeve and whispered,

“Erilot is the real Messiah, isn’t she? I know now.”

“Dahlia.”

“During the Rite, if Duke Jermo realizes she’s the Messiah—”

The No-Moon Rite is broadcast across the empire. All Guardians will see; if a Guardian descends...

“Enough.”

Dahlia start­led at her father’s cold voice—nothing like his usual gentle tone.

“F-Father....”

“This No-Moon will not be long. No Guardian will manifest.”

Dahlia released Grimie’s sleeve, eyes wide with dread. Grimie smiled at his pale daughter.

“You need not worry. I have prepared everything.”

“...Prepared?”

Grimie raised an eyebrow.

“Today will be remembered as the most dreadful No-Moon in history.”

“If Erilot is the officiant... then...”

“People will doubt the sanctity, and you will never become Crown Princess.”

At last, Dahlia’s face lit up.

Just then, I reached the spot beside my father and sister.

“Good evening, Uncle?”

“Indeed. Magnificent, Erilot.”

“Thanks to you.”

“I pray it ends safely.”

His eyes said he intended anything but a safe conclusion. I laughed nervously.

“Yes, Grandfather watches over us, so I will do my best.”

“He will be proud.”

“Uncle, will you tell me Grandfather’s expression from afar?”

The name and station of Duke Astra lay distant from Grimie and his daughter. Grimie remained an invited guest, not blood kin. My question reminded him of his place. Dahlia frowned.

“What do you mean, Sis...!”

Grimie blocked her with one arm and met my gaze.

“If it ends safely.”

My eyes locked with Grimie’s in a sharp silent challenge.

Before ascending the altar, Joshua leaned in and said,

“I feel Grimie is plotting something.”

“Yes, it seems so. But don’t worry.”

We were not idle either. I waved to Father and my brothers, then mounted the dais.

The eclipse began.

Clang— Clang— Clang—!

The bells rang to mark the Rite’s start, and I opened the cage on the platform. The peacock inside spread its wings and soared skyward, its radiance cascading around the altar.

“Waaaaah—!”

Thus began the No-Moon Rite.