Inside the jail...
Ai sits silently, her hands resting on her lap, eyes calm but focused. She's ready to listen — ready to understand.
Ai:"There's no need to fear me…"
The girl across from her slowly lifts her head, hesitant, guarded.
Girl:"My name is Serena."
Ai:(suddenly excited)"Ohhh how cuteeee!"
She quickly realizes her interruption and waves it off.
Ai:"Ah! Sorry, sorry... please continue."
Serena takes a slow breath, voice shaking slightly.
Serena:"I'm from the Frederick Kingdom. I was born into a clan known as the Dragon Clan. We carry ancient powers within us... and the dragon's will flows through our blood. It's what we believe in… it's who we are."
She pauses, her voice catching.
Serena: "Things were going... okay. Not peaceful, since our king is cruel... but we survived. Until that day."
Her eyes fill with fear and sorrow. Tears begin to shimmer at the edges.
Serena:"A soldier came and told us we had to serve. They wanted our leader to sign a contract — to use our people as military tools. We refused. War and bloodshed are not our tradition."
She clenches her fists.
Serena:"They came again. We refused again. And then... the next day…"
Her voice turns dark, trembling.
Serena: "Soldiers came. And with them... Prince Oreki."
Ai's eyes widen slightly at the mention. Her body tenses, suddenly more alert.
Serena:"They didn't just kill because we said no. Also They did it because they found out the truth."
Ai:"What truth?"
Serena: "That we stood with King Laurence... during the First War."
Ai: "The war between the two emperor brothers — Laurence and Frederick — the war that split the kingdoms in two…"
Serena:"Yes... and for that, they called us traitors. Every single one of my people... they slaughtered them. I only managed to escape by luck."
Her voice breaks, replaced now with bitterness and fire.
Serena:"But I still remember his face. I won't forgive them. I've already decided — I'll kill King Hanma. And his son, Oreki. I swear it…"
Ai watches her in silence. Her chest tightens, heart echoing Serena's pain.
Ai: "Don't worry. I'll help you. I'll take your revenge."
Serena: "No… this is my fight. Don't meddle."
Ai:(firmly) "It's mine too. I'm not going to forgive that bastard either. Let me fight for you. With you. I promise I'll kill King Hanma and Prince Oreki — for your people, for you... and for me."
She speaks with a resolve that sounds more like a queen than a girl.
Serena is frozen for a moment, unsure how to respond.but she decided to agree because what else she can do
Serena:"Ah… okay. But Princess, it will cause you a lot of trouble…"
Ai isn't even looking away. Her intense gaze demands agreement, not hesitation.
Serena:"…Alright. Let's do this."
Ai:(breaking into a bright smile) "Yay!"
She jumps up and twirls happily.
Ai:"Woohoo! Let's fight together! I made a friend!"
Serena just stares — confused, uncertain — but somewhere deep inside, slightly moved.
The next day — in the throne room...
Ai stands tall beside Serena, addressing her father.
Ai: "Father, Serena is from the Frederick Kingdom. But I've decided to help her."
The King's expression hardens.
King: "She must return to her kingdom."
Ai:"No."
Commander:"Princess… it's the King's order."
Ai:"I understand. But her kingdom no longer claims her. That means she can stay. If they object — I'll deal with them."
King:"We cannot afford to provoke them! Just do as I say!"
But Ai is unmoved. The girl who once trembled before her father is gone. She remembers everything — Oreki's insult, the humiliation, the defeat, how he spared her life not out of mercy, but mockery.Her pride was shattered — and now it's rebuilding, piece by piece .also after listening about their cruelty she is more determined to defeat them
Ai:"As I said. If they come for her, I'll send her back myself. But until then — she stays."
She locks eyes with her father, unflinching.
Ai: "My lord... there is no way I'm sending Serena back to that hell. Never. And I wish to appoint her as my assistant. I'm nineteen. I'm entitled to one."
She says it with both grace and authority.
The King stares at her, silent — perhaps unsure, perhaps ashamed.
King: "…Very well. Stay on your words."
Ai:"I will. I won't make them angry."
She bows and walks away with Serena.
But deep inside, a question itches at her lips — Why does he fear them so much?
She doesn't ask.
Inside the throne room...
The King sits down heavily, hand on his head.
King: "Every day… I make a mistake that pushes her closer to them. Myths… curses… all becoming true. What do I do now?"
The commander stands beside him, silent, sympathetic.
King:"I can't keep her hidden in the castle — she's the heir. But I can't let her roam free either. I'm stuck…"
The room drowns in silence.
Meanwhile, in the palace corridor...
Ai walks beside Serena.
Serena: "You didn't have to fight your father for me…"
Ai:(snapping)"Shut up! I've made up my mind. No one can stop me. I have pride. I'll beat him the same way he beat me — and then I'll kiss him."
Serena: "…Wait — WHAT?!"
Ai pauses, blinking in confusion.
Ai: "What? Did I say something wrong?"
Serena:"Yes! Why kissing him?!"
Ai:"Because he kissed me and then spat at me. So I'll do the same to him!"
She says it earnestly — completely unaware of how it sounds.
Serena stares at her, speechless.
Serena: "You're… weird."
Ai:"What's weird?"
Serena:"What did your parents even teach you all these years?"
Ai: "Well… I barely talk to my mother. Only about business. As for the King — he trained me to fight. To rule. Nothing about friendship. No emotions. I left the kingdom at fifteen for training. I've only just returned."
Serena thinks to herself: No wonder she's like this… raised like a machine. No softness, no warmth…
Ai:"Why're you asking all that?"
Serena: "Ah, nothing. I just thought… we're friends now. We should know each other, right?"
She smiles softly.
Ai's expression lights up. Without thinking, she throws her arms around Serena.
Ai:"Aww! Thank you!"
Serena:(squirming)"Stop it! I don't like hugs!"