This was an island that became completely submerged when the tide came in. When it went out, however, a path opened up, enabling people to cross over. However, one wrong step would leave you trapped. For this reason, the island had long been used as a prison. Over time, however, it was converted into a monastery.

The small fortress built on this remote island was expected to remain a monastery forever. Had it not bordered Thalia, it likely would have remained so.

“How much oats are left, I wonder.”

Selina blew into her frozen hands as she moved her legs to keep warm.

Once, this place had been filled with countless prisoners and monks, but now she was the only one who remained. Because the Empire and Thalia had been at war for so long, everyone near the border had already evacuated to safer ground.

“Thank goodness, there’s still quite a bit. This should last me three days at least.”

Looking at the oats—less than two cups’ worth—Selina smiled with satisfaction. To some, it might not even count as a single meal, but to her, it felt like more than enough to live on.

“At this hour… it should be fine, right?”

Having spent so long alone, Selina had grown used to speaking to herself as she began preparing her meal. Eating only once a day had become her routine, and she already knew the timing that left her with the least hunger to bear.

She had just scooped half a cup of oats into a pot to make porridge when—

Tap, tap.

Something clear and translucent like water brushed against her arm.

The small bird-like creature had appeared one day and had taken to fluttering around her.

“What’s the matter, Ari?”

She had named it Ari, calling out to it that way whenever she needed.

Ari fluttered lightly, like a butterfly in dance, pointing its tiny wing toward the window. Absentmindedly, Selina turned her gaze in that direction—and froze.

‘People…?’

Two figures were walking along the path revealed by the receding tide, their identities hidden beneath heavy robes.

‘Is today the day for a supply delivery?’

Selina quickly did the maths in her head. Supplies were delivered every fifteen days, so today would be the day if all had gone according to plan.

But that was only if things went according to plan. The man who delivered the provisions always found an excuse to arrive four or five days late. By now, his lateness had become so routine that it was almost expected.

‘But what if they aren’t here to deliver food?’

The thought that it could be an intruder with dangerous intent made her chest pound with anxious dread.

This place was on the border, yes, but not once had it ever been breached. That was why, for Selina, this was the first time facing such a moment—and fear gripped her all at once. Panicked, she pulled her robe over her head.

‘Should I run?’

But even if she fled, there was only one way out. The chance of running straight into them was high.

Caught between danger and indecision, she hesitated, torn and trembling.

Crash!

The fortress gates burst open. She had thought it would take them longer to reach the entrance, yet they were here already.

Her heart sank as she turned toward the door.

“Have you been well, Selina?”

The voice was achingly familiar.

“…Elder?”

“Elder? You are my own blood, my daughter. Do you not know that?”

At the sudden appearance of someone she had never expected, Selina froze.

In that instant, last night’s dream came rushing back to her. She couldn’t remember what it had been about, only that it had left her with a strange, uneasy feeling—ominous, yet so desperate she hadn’t wanted to wake from it.

“W-what brings you here…?”

She tried to sound calm, but her voice trembled on its own. Every time she faced his overbearing presence, the fear carved into her body made her stammer without realizing it.

The marquis, unable to bear the pitiful sight, pulled back his hood.

“You still struggle with your speech. When do you plan to cure yourself of that awful habit?”

Silver hair slipped free from the shadows of his hood—the very same moonlight hue Selina herself bore. His eyes, too, mirrored hers, a mystical shade of violet.

However, unlike hers, his eyes had grown dim and clouded. They had lost their former brilliance and seemed almost ominous.

“I-I… I…”

“Enough. There’s no time to scold you. Start packing your things at once.”

“M-my things?”

The marquis ignored her trembling question and instead gave an order to the attendant who had come with him.

“Erase every trace that anyone lived here. Clothes, food—nothing is to remain. Burn what you can, and throw the rest into the sea.”

“Yes, understood.”

Even as the attendant moved swiftly to carry out the command, Selina remained frozen in place, unable to move.

‘Is he trying to erase all traces of me…?’

She had long known that her father did not love her. She knew, too, that he had sent her to this fortress on the border in the chaos of war, hoping she would simply die there. There had even been nights when she dreamed he might someday kill her with his own hands.

But now…

“E-Elder.”

Summoning the last of her courage, Selina turned to him and asked,

“A-are you… planning to kill me?”

Three years ago, she might have thought that dying quickly was better than wasting away in isolation. But now, it was different. Now, there was someone she had to wait for.

“If that is your wish, then I will continue to live as though I were already dead, just as I always have. I can live without even breathing.”

She poured out her thoughts before him, expending all her strength, only to regret them the moment the words left her lips.

‘Father only lends a hand when it can benefit him. I should have remembered that before speaking…’

Yet almost at once, another thought followed. Even if she had remembered, would it have made any difference?

How could an illegitimate child, whom he wanted erased without a trace, possibly help a man who had everything he could ever want? Her life depended on nothing more than a change in his mood, then as now. One change of heart and her life could be forfeit.

Clenching her hands tightly, Selina braced herself for her father’s judgment. She tried to hide the way they trembled with fear, but then, quite suddenly, the marquis let out a laugh.

“When did I ever say I meant to kill you?”

“…What?”

“It is because an unexpected fortune has come our way that I am taking you with me. Now, make yourself ready.”

At last, his eyes swept over her clothes, and he spoke again.

“Nothing to bring? Are you saying you’ll leave with only the clothes on your back?”

“P-please, just wait a moment…!”

He wasn’t going to kill her…?

Snapping back to her senses, Selina rushed upstairs. Her room held little more than a straw-stuffed bed and her few belongings. There wasn’t much to take, but there were things she had to bring.

She grabbed a travel bag tucked away in the corner. She had brought it with her when she first came here, never believing she would ever need it—never imagining it would actually be used.

Tap, tap.

Something brushed against her in the middle of her frantic packing. Ari. The little creature had been nowhere to be seen when she faced the marquis, but now, as the moment of departure came, it had returned to her side.

“We’re leaving now.”

She began gathering what little she had, a glass jar filled with carefully dried flower petals, folded paper blossoms, and other small keepsakes.

Her hand stopped at a cherished storybook she kept by her bedside. Clutching it tightly, she held on to the book she had read hundreds of times since childhood—the tale of a knight who rescued a princess stolen away by a dragon.

“When everything is settled, I’ll come for you.”

The boy’s last words suddenly echoed in her mind.

She had believed there would never be a chance to leave this fortress, so as long as he came, she would surely see him again.

‘At the very least, I should have asked when.’

Why had she only nodded like a fool back then?

The thought of never seeing him again made her feet feel as though they were chained to the floor.

“Selina! Are you still not ready? I told you, we must hurry!”

At the sound of the marquis raising his voice and calling her name, fear swallowed her whole, and she hastily hurried down the stairs.

The marquis looked her over from head to toe, then muttered as though already weary of the sight.

“We’ll have to buy you new clothes along the way. You can’t walk into the Axell estate dressed in such rags.”

“Th-the Axell estate…?”

Selina stiffened, as if struck by lightning.

Now that she thought of it, his behavior had been strange. When she was a child, she had once accidentally called him Father—and had been struck across the face for it. Yet today, he himself had called her his daughter. Why such a sudden change?

“Of course.”

Stepping closer, the marquis laid a hand on her shoulder. Then, with a smile of such warmth she had never once seen before, he said,

“You are my daughter, Selina Ilios Axell.”

‘Ilios Axell.’

Never once had she been acknowledged as his blood. To hear that name spoken from his lips now—it felt so unfamiliar, as though it didn’t belong to her at all.

For the first time, the man who had only ever raised a hand against her gently rested his palm on her small head, stroking her hair.

“And the future Grand Duchess of Thalia.”