1: A Coming-of-Age Ceremony Dyed in Blood

Aella Blueanz.

She was the only healer in the Albazar Empire, possessing such extraordinary healing abilities that even the imperial family paid her deep respect. With just her touch, someone on the brink of death could regain their vitality. Even lifelong scars would vanish in an instant under her hand, and for this, she was already revered as a saint throughout the empire.

“Our lady! You are the most beautiful today!”

“Stop it, Kina.”

“Oh, you’re embarrassed~”

Facing herself in the mirror, Aella examined herself slowly. Today, she had to pay more attention than ever before.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime coming-of-age ceremony. Today, at the age of twenty, she would finally become an adult.

Invited by the Emperor, Aella’s heart pounded as she prepared to visit the imperial palace for the first time in a while.

“Of course, the one escorting you today will be the young Duke Hormons!”

“Yeah, I suppose so.”

“You two are officially betrothed, after all!”

“Oh, come on. Kael and I are just childhood friends.”

“Oh, my lady! You can’t hide things from me! It’s just the two of us in this room anyway.”

Aella looked at Kina, who was smiling brightly, then lowered her gaze with a bittersweet smile.

‘What’s the use of liking him alone? To Kael, I’m just…’

Their mothers had been close friends since before they were born, and Aella and Kael had spent twenty years as childhood friends.

After so many years together—close enough to be considered family—Aella had, at some point, begun to harbor feelings for Kael, who kept her at his side as a friend.

Though her heart ached the more she thought about it, Aella wanted to maintain her current relationship with Kael, even if only as childhood friends. She grasped Kina’s hand as she finished fixing her hair.

“Please be careful around Kael. I’m asking you, Kina.”

“Oh, my lady! That hurts my feelings!”

“Haha, alright.”

Aella’s gaze fell on a framed photograph on her dressing table. In it, her mother Maria was beaming as she lovingly held a newborn baby in her arms.

‘Mother…’

Just four days after giving birth to her, her mother had passed away. Every time Aella looked at her mother’s photo, she felt a longing—and a sense of guilt just for being alive. Still, she lived on, carrying the family’s legacy as a healer.

Girls born into the Blueanz family possessed magical power. With her divine ability to heal illness and wounds, Aella was worshipped almost as a goddess by the people of the empire.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

When Laura entered and bowed, announcing that Kael had arrived, Aella stood up, sprayed on her favorite perfume, and left the room.

‘Kael.’

Just saying his name made her heart race. She didn’t even hear Kina’s voice behind her, telling her to slow down.

“Kael!”

“Hey, Ella.”

Kael, who had been standing idly, turned and waved, greeting her with his usual, unwavering smile. Aella’s cheeks turned a soft pink.

“You look even prettier today.”

“Right? My lady is the most beautiful—not just in the empire, but on the entire continent!”

“Stop it, Kina.”

“Look how embarrassed she is.”

“Hahaha! You two are always so close, like real sisters. It’s nice to see.”

At Kael’s hearty remark, Kina jumped in protest.

“A mere commoner like me, close with a count’s daughter? How could that be!”

“Kina, you’re like a friend and an older sister to me.”

“Oh, my lady~”

“Just don’t get snot on my dress.”

“You’re so mean~”

As Aella gently wiped Kina’s tear-streaked cheek with a smile, Kael watched them with a fond grin, then bowed to Count Blueanz, who welcomed him warmly.

“Hello, Count.”

“Young Duke Hormons, welcome.”

“Please, just call me comfortably.”

“Hahaha! Shall I? My future son-in-law.”

“F-Father?! What are you saying!”

“What do you mean? Once you two are married, you’ll be my son-in-law, won’t you? Isn’t that right, son-in-law?”

Aella slowly turned her head toward Kael, who said nothing in response to her father’s hearty laughter.

‘Ah, Kael…’

Just seeing his smiling face made her heart flutter, and Aella lowered her head.

“See, my lady? The young duke likes you too…”

“Kina, please.”

She pleaded quietly to Kina, who whispered in her ear, then faced Count Blueanz, who was asking what was wrong.

“It’s nothing, Father.”

“Haha. She’s so lovely and beautiful. Today, no one is more beautiful than my daughter, Aella. Isn’t that right, son-in-law?”

“Of course, today Aella is the star. There’s no woman more beautiful than her.”

As Kael approached and gently brushed her light brown hair, pressing a kiss to it, Aella thought her heart might burst.

“Aella, go on ahead to the palace. I’ll be right behind you.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Son-in-law, please take good care of my daughter.”

“Father, please stop.”

“Don’t be upset, Ella. Here.”

Standing beside Kael, who offered his arm, Aella carefully held onto him, apologizing for the gesture.

“My lady! Have a safe trip!”

“Yes…”

With each step forward, Aella felt as though her heart might burst.

‘Stay calm. Aella, stay calm.’

Trying hard to keep herself composed, Aella climbed into the carriage as Kael helped her and sat across from him.

“We’re departing now.”

“Alright.”

As the carriage began to move, Aella glanced at Kael, who sat with his long legs crossed, and cautiously spoke.

“Kael…”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Suddenly?”

Kael chuckled softly, and Aella, unable to meet his gaze, lowered her head.

“I was worried that my father’s unnecessary comments might have made you uncomfortable.”

“Not at all. I’m fine, Ella.”

“….”

When she slowly raised her head, she found Kael looking at her with his usual warm and gentle gaze, his dark brown eyes meeting hers.

With slightly dark brown hair and sharp features softened by his warm black eyes, Kael’s kind expression made Aella feel as though her heart might leap out of her chest.

“There’s no need to apologize. I’m truly fine.”

“…Alright.”

“The weather is lovely, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

Continuing the conversation without awkwardness, Aella turned her gaze to the window.

Kael, meanwhile, kept his eyes on Aella. Her fair and lovely face, still flushed, brought a faint smile to his lips.

—

“Entering now are Young Duke Kael Hormons and Lady Aella Blueanz!”

All eyes turned to the pair as they entered, the attention was intense.

Kael Hormons was the youngest captain of the imperial guard, renowned for his ability to wield a magical sword and summon spirits. He was also the sole heir of the empire’s only ducal family. Beside him walked Aella Blueanz, the empire’s only healer and the only daughter of the Count Blueanz family.

“They look so perfect together every time I see them.”

“Indeed~”

“A knight and a saintess—they’re truly dazzling!”

“With today’s coming-of-age ceremony, they’ll likely be married soon!”

“Of course! There’s no couple more suited to each other than those two!”

Aella couldn’t help but notice the whispers around her, making her more conscious of Kael walking beside her.

‘Focus. Stay calm!’

“Welcome.”

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor, the eternal sun of the empire, and Her Majesty the Empress, the beautiful moon of the empire.”

Following Kael’s lead, Aella hurriedly bowed her head in greeting. The Emperor of Albazar approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Lady Blueanz, I am well aware of your remarkable contributions.”

“I am honored, Your Majesty.”

“If you continue to work tirelessly for the people of the empire as you have, I will grant you anything you desire.”

“No, Your Majesty. I do this because I wish to, not because I expect anything in return.”

“Haha, still, if there’s ever something you want, feel free to ask me anytime.”

“I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty.”

As Aella bowed repeatedly, the Emperor turned his gaze to Kael, who stood tall beside her, and placed his hand on Kael’s shoulder.

“Young Duke Hormons, I shall address you as such for now.”

“Call me whatever is comfortable for you, Your Majesty.”

“Haha, alright. Now that you’ve come of age, it seems fitting for the two of you to be joined in marriage. I would be honored to host the ceremony here in the imperial palace.”

Aella’s eyes widened in shock. Not only her but also the surrounding guests began murmuring among themselves.

“Y-Your Majesty, how could you say such a thing…”

“Does Lady Blueanz disapprove?”

“No, that’s not what I meant!”

“Your Majesty, perhaps it’s best to stop teasing her.”

The Empress, noticing Aella on the verge of tears, spoke in a stern voice, prompting the Emperor to laugh heartily.

“My apologies. Lady Blueanz is so endearing that I couldn’t help myself. Forgive me.”

“N-No, Your Majesty.”

Aella lowered her head.

‘What if Kael misunderstands?’

Tears welled up in her eyes from worry, but she suddenly felt a large, warm hand on her back. When she looked up, she met Kael’s gentle gaze and warm smile.

‘Kael…’

Just seeing him smile at her made Aella feel like the happiest person in the world.

—

“I sincerely congratulate you both on reaching adulthood in the proud Albazar Empire—Young Duke Hormons and Lady Blueanz.”

“We greet His Highness the Crown Prince, the small sun of the empire.”

The room brightened as Crown Prince Julius Albazar entered, his platinum hair and golden eyes dazzling. Beside him was his fiancée, Princess Elena of the Kingdom of Roden, who offered a faint smile.

“Now, let us all raise our glasses for a toast.”

“We are honored, Your Highness.”

As everyone lifted their glasses filled with red wine, Kael and Aella followed suit.

“I, Julius Albazar, on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, sincerely celebrate the coming-of-age of all the young gentlemen and ladies here. May your futures be as bright as the great Albazar Empire. To the Albazar Empire!”

“To the Albazar Empire!”

Having never tasted alcohol before, Aella only took a sip to wet her lips, but even that made her frown slightly.

“Ella, you don’t have to force yourself to drink.”

“It’s fine, Kael. Just one glass.”

“Your face is already red. Don’t make yourself sick later—here, let me take it.”

“Oh…”

Kael took her glass and downed its contents in one gulp. Watching him, Aella’s face turned crimson.

‘H-He drank from the same spot I did!’

Her eyes widened, and the alcohol began to make her feel dizzy.

“Ah!”

“Are you alright, my lady?”

The Crown Prince, noticing her stumble, gently caught her. Aella quickly straightened up and bowed her head.

“I apologize for causing trouble, Your Highness.”

“No trouble at all. Oh, your hair seems to be caught on my brooch.”

As the Crown Prince carefully untangled her hair from the brooch on his chest, Kael’s expression darkened as he watched.

Bang!

“Was that a gunshot just now?”

“Everyone, stay calm! Guards, go outside and investigate the situation!”

“Yes, sir!”

Startled by the gunshot, Aella began to hiccup. Kael gently rubbed her back, asking if she was alright.

‘Kael…’

“It’s alright, Ella. It’s probably nothing. Lean on me if you need to.”

“Thank you, Kael.”

Whether it was the alcohol or her emotions, Aella felt lightheaded and buried her face in Kael’s chest.

‘He’s warm… Kael’s scent… I love it so much. I wish I could fall asleep in his arms like this.’

Just as Aella’s eyes began to close, a frantic voice echoed through the banquet hall.

“Y-Your Majesty! The Duke of Hormons has been shot by an assailant… He appears to have died instantly.”

Aella’s peaceful life began to unravel from the blood-soaked coming-of-age ceremony.

—