The night felt unusually long.
Moonlight flowed gently across the roof of the carriage carrying Prince Auleus and Luna toward the Torres family estate. Outside, the mounted royal guards escorted them, the rhythmic steps of the horses echoing along the stone-paved road.
Inside the carriage, Luna sat stiffly, her hands unconsciously squeezing the hem of her dress.
"What's wrong, Luna?" Prince Auleus asked softly, looking at her with gentle eyes.
Luna jolted a little. "N–nothing… nothing at all…" she whispered, lowering her head even further.
The prince gave a small smile. "You must be nervous about the party, right? Don't worry. The Torres family is very kind, and their home isn't far from here."
Luna nodded weakly, forcing a smile.
But inside, she was screaming.
"This is bad—really bad! What if Rey sees me coming with the prince!? He'll totally misunderstand! I'm done for…"
She could only try her best to keep her face from turning even paler.
The carriage finally stopped in front of the imposing Torres residence. Crystal lamps hanging on the terrace cast warm golden light, while rows of noble guests waited at the entrance in their finest clothing.
Two royal guards dismounted first. One stepped forward and announced loudly, his voice echoing among the gathered nobles:
"His Highness, Prince Auleus Adnan! And Lady Luna Altheria Meyer! Arriving as invited!"
The carriage door opened slowly. The prince stepped out first, then offered his hand to help Luna descend. The moment Luna's feet touched the ground, both guards saluted. Whispering erupted immediately from the crowd of nobles watching them walk side by side.
"Look… isn't she the prince's rumored partner?"
"She is… goodness, she's beautiful."
"Her hair… those eyes… just like the girl from the old legends."
The murmurs of admiration followed their steps.
But to Luna, they sounded more like judgmental whispers.
She lowered her head even further, her cheeks burning, her heartbeat thundering.
"T-this is so embarrassing… They're probably actually mocking me! How can the prince walk so calmly next to someone like me!?"
The carriage rolled away as a male servant bent forward to open the large hall door. He smiled politely—then hesitated in confusion.
"Please come in, Your Highness, and… um… and… who might this be?"
Without hesitation, the prince replied, "She is Luna Altheria Meyer."
The servant bowed deeply at once.
"Ah! Forgive my rudeness. Please come in, Lady Meyer."
As they stepped inside, new whispers rippled behind them—softer, filled with curiosity.
"Meyer. Did you hear that? He said Meyer…"
"The Meyer family… aren't most of them writers?"
"Yes… and didn't one of their books once challenged the decree of the First King, King Albert Adnan?"
"Oh, right… and didn't that rumor almost cause the Meyer family—"
The rest was swallowed by the sound of the orchestra.
But Luna had already heard enough.
She swallowed hard, feeling her chest tighten.
The night had just begun…
and the weight of her family's history was already pressing down on her first steps.
Her eyes wandered left and right. The ballroom glowed with warm golden light from a massive chandelier. Soft music filled the air. Young nobles stood in groups, laughing and chatting, while several couples danced elegantly with their parents joining the floor.
"Luna, let's go there," Prince Auleus said, gently pulling her toward the dance floor.
But Luna, overwhelmed and flustered, moved in the opposite direction. She just wanted to sit at one of the tables in the corner—somewhere quiet. Her small hand stiffened, pulling back against the prince's grasp.
"Ah—w-wait, Your Highness!" she blurted out.
The prince immediately released her hand. "Sorry, Luna! Are you hurt?"
Luna shook her head softly, holding her shoulder.
"N-no… I'm really fine…" she whispered timidly.
He glanced at the table she'd been heading toward. "Oh… you wanted to sit there?"
Luna nodded, face still red.
"All right," Auleus said with a gentle smile. "Let me take you."
He helped her stand straight and then guided her toward the table, making sure each of her steps was steady and comfortable.
Once they sat down, Prince Auleus adjusted the cutlery in front of them, making sure everything looked neat.
"Do you want something to eat?" he asked. "I can call a Torres servant for you."
Luna shook her head quickly. "N-no… I just want to sit here… enjoy the party quietly."
"Is that so?" The prince chuckled. "That's a shame. If we don't eat, we'll be going home with empty stomachs, you know?"
Before Luna could respond, a Torres servant approached—tall, broad-shouldered, with a stern face like a battle-worn soldier. He carried a menu and stopped right in front of them.
"What would you like to order?" His voice was deep and heavy.
Luna froze instantly. Her legs stiffened, her face went pale. When she opened her mouth—only nonsense came out.
"Lu–lu–lun—"
She stopped, trembling.
The servant leaned a bit closer. "Is something wrong, milady?"
"M–my name is Luna!" she suddenly shouted, bowing her head deeply.
Prince Auleus held back a laugh, a smile tugging his lips at Luna's innocent panic. He stepped in to answer.
"Fried sticks with sambal, roasted meat, and two orange juices," the prince said casually.
The servant nodded respectfully. "Understood, Your Highness."
Then he walked away.
The moment he was gone, Luna released the longest sigh of her life.
"Haah… thank goodness…"
The prince chuckled softly. "You know he wasn't asking for your name, right?"
Luna lowered her head again. "Sorry…"
Meanwhile, the atmosphere began to shift. The moon that had been shining brightly was slowly swallowed by dark clouds. An uneasy weight settled over the air.
"Looks like rain," a guest outside the Torres residence commented.
"Yes, we should head inside."
More guests outside hurried into the mansion. Their sudden movement caught Luna's and Auleus's attention; they glanced briefly before returning to their table.
Far away, beyond the hills surrounding the Kingdom of Farmedas, something terrifying stirred.
A silhouette stood tall atop a ridge—an unmistakable figure of a demon, its body cloaked in shadow blending with the clouds.
Its eyes glowed crimson with malicious intent as it watched the kingdom.
"Heh… what a perfect night," the demon hissed, its voice echoing with the night wind.