“…Like I said before, I don’t remember you.”

Her voice was barely audible, her tone hollow. Most of her childhood memories were a blur. Every time she tried to recall them, it felt as though a thick frost obscured her mind.

“I hardly remember anything from before my training.”

After the Empress, the only person who had protected her, passed away, the Raven lost her status as a princess. The Emperor, wasting no time after the mourning period, had tried to have her killed.

“The princess has talent. With proper training, she could become a swordmaster.”

Had it not been for the commander’s intervention, recognizing her potential, she would have perished.

“If you want to live, prove your worth.”

The Emperor, always seeking power to solidify his rule, handed her over to the shadows, hoping she could become a valuable pawn. Swordmasters were as rare as high-circle mages, and having one under his command would be a significant asset.

“From now on, you are no longer a princess. You are the Raven.”

Thus, the abandoned princess became the Raven, the dark assassin with black hair and eyes.

Starting at the age of ten, she endured brutal training. Each day was a battle to master assassination techniques, build resistance to poison, and withstand torture. Her young body was too fragile for the grueling regimen, and she often teetered on the brink of death. Her fragmented memories began to fade during those years.

The relentless training drained her spirit, leaving her numb. As her emotions withered, so did the vibrant memories of her past. One by one, the precious fragments of her childhood slipped away, lost in the shadows.

“I’ve forgotten everything from the past.”

“That’s all right. I remember.”

Eustace spoke casually, as though it was no big deal. But the Raven, ever perceptive, caught the slight drop in his tone, hinting at a disappointment he couldn’t quite hide.

“Another lie.”

“Ah, you caught me?”

He chuckled sheepishly, as though she had hit the nail on the head.

“If what you say is true…”

‘If it were true, I must have cherished you deeply.’ The Raven swallowed the words that rose to her throat. Every memory she had lost was one of joy and happiness. If Eustace’s words were entirely truthful, she must have cared for him a great deal in her childhood. But she couldn’t voice something she wasn’t certain of.

The Raven knew better than anyone how painful it was when fragile hopes were shattered and desperate expectations turned into bitter disappointment.

“To be honest, I was a bit hurt,” Eustace admitted with a playful shrug. “I thought you’d recognize me right away when we met again. My face isn’t exactly one you’d forget easily, after all.”

“…Sorry.”

“Oh, no need to apologize.”

Her apology, spoken in a subdued tone, caught him off guard. He had tried to lighten the mood but now found himself slightly flustered. Clearing his throat, Eustace looked up at her, his expression suddenly serious.

“Anyway, this is why I want you—no, Lady Lila—to stay by my side. That’s all I wish for.”

Lila.

How long had it been since someone called her by name? The Raven clenched her teeth to fight back the sudden urge to cry. It was just a name, but hearing it from him sent ripples through her heart.

Stay by his side? The Raven found it hard to believe. She would have trusted him more if he’d asked her to use her skills to pressure the Emperor or eliminate his enemies. But his earnest request left her skeptical.

“You keep forgetting—I came here to kill you.”

“But you’re not here to kill me now, are you?”

“If you’re thinking of using me to pressure the Emperor and the Crown Prince…”

She trailed off, trying to find a more plausible explanation. Her existence was a stain on the Emperor’s honor. While the Crown Prince had garnered some support, he couldn’t match Eustace’s popularity. If it became known that the Emperor had discarded his daughter and turned her into a human weapon, the nobles would turn against him.

The Raven could be a powerful weapon in Eustace’s hands. Yet, he frowned as though her suggestion was absurd.

“But that would put you in danger.”

“What?”

“I don’t want to use you. The only reason I’ve left the Emperor alone so far is because of you.”

He spoke of treason with unsettling ease. The Raven understood his confidence but couldn’t help worrying. The Emperor, though often underestimated by the nobility, was a shrewd and formidable politician.

The Raven stared at Eustace’s face. His clear, gentle expression showed no hint of suspicion toward her.

Why?

She impulsively parted her lips, only to close them again. She couldn’t fathom why he trusted her.

What if I attacked him now?

Her eyes drifted to the bracelet on her wrist, glinting faintly. Though it suppressed her energy, she was confident she could subdue him with pure physical skill at this distance.

Eustace was undoubtedly powerful. Their encounter the previous night had proven she couldn’t defeat him head-on. But she also knew how easily life could be snuffed out. It only took a moment of vulnerability to kill even the strongest. And right now, Eustace was completely defenseless.

After a long pause, the Raven sighed deeply.

“The Emperor won’t tolerate either of us.”

She spoke with a somber expression. The Emperor had already decided to eliminate Eustace. Just because she had failed didn’t mean he would give up. He was likely already devising his next move, believing she had died in the attempt.

Staying close to Eustace would only hasten their discovery. The moment the Emperor learned she was alive and with Eustace, he would stop at nothing.

“Being with me will put you in danger.”

“Then you can protect me, can’t you?”

Unlike the Raven’s grim tone, Eustace remained nonchalant, frustratingly so. Her thoughts drifted to her mother, who had been stripped of her status and dignity simply for giving birth to her. She also recalled the faces of those who had died by her blade, victims of her role as an assassin.

“I’m not good at protecting people.”

Her voice was filled with quiet resignation. Her life had always been about sacrifice, not protection.

“That’s fine. I don’t need you to protect me.”

Startled, the Raven flinched as Eustace’s large, warm hand gently enveloped her thin, bony wrist.

“I became the youngest sixth-circle mage because of you.”

“…What?”

“Ever since I first met you in that cold, crumbling palace, I’ve wanted to free you from that cage. But back then, I had no power.”

Eustace wore an expression so wistful it seemed to ache, as though he were recalling a cherished memory.

“For a very long time, I knew you were suffering, but I couldn’t do anything to help. That’s why I wanted to become stronger. Strong enough to save you.”

With a soft click, the shackles on her wrist unlatched, the sound echoing faintly. The Raven felt a sudden lightness as the bracelet fell away.

“I’m still far from perfect, but…”

Eustace gently stroked her wrist, as if handling a precious jewel, before letting go. Moments later, the restraints on her ankles also clattered to the ground.

“At least now, I have enough strength to let the Raven fly freely from her cage.”

Despite knowing the risks, he had undone all her bonds. Lowering his head, Eustace pressed his forehead against the back of her hand. Golden threads shimmered softly, slipping between her fingers and caressing them like a gentle breeze.

“So, please allow me to stay by your side, Lady Raven.”

Was this a trap? Or genuine sincerity? The Raven inhaled deeply, unsure of what to believe. She knew she shouldn’t trust him, but something within her—a foolish, hopeful part—longed to. It felt like being enchanted.

“…My name.”

“Pardon?”

“Call me by my name, not ‘Raven.’”

After a brief silence, she made her choice. Even if this was a fleeting illusion, a fragile peace destined to shatter, she wanted to hold onto it. For now, just this once, she would cling to the lifeline before her.

“Gladly.”

For a moment, Eustace’s face went blank with surprise, but then he smiled—bright and warm, like a field of blooming evening primroses.

“Lila.”

“…Yes.”

“Lila.”

“Yes.”

They repeated the exchange for a while: him calling her name, and her responding. The Raven closed her eyes, letting the sound of her name, spoken in his smooth, clear voice, wash over her.

Long ago, a girl had been stripped of her name, erased, and forgotten by everyone, all by her father’s decree. And now, standing before her, was the one boy who had never forgotten.

The boy, now a renowned mage admired by all, had returned her name to the discarded princess who had become the lowly Raven. It felt like a magical moment from a fairy tale.

On that day, the Raven became Lila Brender Esteban once more.