Kafel Vale was her master, and he regarded her for a moment longer, then spoke again, tone softening slightly.
"Since the injury you so recklessly inflicted upon yourself has clearly disrupted your memories, allow me to clarify your situation, Alya."
Alya bobbed her head, extremely curious to know what kind of world she landed in.
Kafel continued without pause.
"You are Alya Valehart, Princess of Star Haven, one of the seven realms that form the hierarchical structure of power within the Divine Empyrean Palace. For four consecutive years, we held a stable position as the fourth-ranked upper realm. But after our defeat in the Empyrean Dominion Trial, the hierarchy shifted. We have been demoted to the fifth-lowest position. The former lowest realm, Skylit, rose dramatically and claimed our former spot, rebranding itself as the Supreme Domain and securing fourth place among the upper realms. You have been my disciple since you successfully survived the Martial & Spiritual Trial as a child."
Even with Kafel's patient explanations, Alya felt more lost than ever.
'What's with all these complications in a world like this?' she thought, worried. 'What the hell is someone like me doing in a place like this? What's going on?'
Kafel studied the bewildered expression on Alya's face and offered a small, knowing smile. "You've forgotten this part as well?"
Alya nodded quickly, like a student caught daydreaming in class.
He exhaled slowly, the sound heavy with concern. "This is more serious than I hoped. Your Spirit Haven has taken severe damage, which means your cultivation has suffered as well. Does Lord Silas know about this?"
Alya shook her head, a pout on her face. "They're making me marry someone named Alistair. I don't even know if I want to."
Kafel let out a soft chuckle. "If your memories were intact, you'd be counting the hours until the ceremony."
"But they're not," she said quietly, sadness creeping into her voice as she looked up at him, hoping against hope that he might have some solution.
Kafel sighed and folded his hands behind his back in deep thought. "The situation is precarious, but there is nothing I can do to halt this marriage. Your father has already given his consent. Alistair Rehn himself has agreed. The arrangement is public knowledge across every realm. Star Haven is no longer an upper realm, so we cannot afford recklessness or defiance."
"I don't care!" Alya burst out, voice sharp with frustration. "This is wrong. All of it is seriously wrong."
For a split second Kafel looked genuinely startled.
Then he chuckled again, low and wry. "There is truly nothing 'wrong' about marrying Alistair Rehn. Do you have any idea how many women want this opportunity you're getting on a silver platter? Even the princess of Golden Peak wants this. You should consider yourself fortunate."
Alya stared at him, brow furrowed, clearly unamused.
She briefly debated whether to mention Prince Halwin's whispered instructions about the Primordial Advancement Core.
However, something told her that secret was hers to keep, at least for now..
"Well, I don't want to be one of those women," she said flatly. "You're my master, right? That means Lord… my daddy trusts you. Can't you talk to him? Please. I don't want to marry anyone. You literally just said a bunch of women would murder each other for him."
Kafel's eyes widened in alarm. He leaned forward slightly. "M-murder? Did I say that?"
Alya exhaled heavily. "In plain terms, I'm more than happy to let someone else have him. I don't care."
Kafel drew a long, conflicted breath and glanced away for a moment before meeting her eyes again. "I'm not sure you've been truly listening, Alya. Star Haven is now a lower realm. Your marriage to Alistair has become a matter of public record and political necessity. We cannot reverse course without inviting disaster. We would be fools to even consider it."
Alya held his gaze, expression still sour as he pressed on.
"…Moreover," he added quietly, "the decision is final. It cannot be undone."
She turned away from him, pacing a few steps before leaning heavily against a smooth wooden pillar.
"What even is this place?" she muttered, glancing back at him. "Even in a fantasy world, parents still force their kids into whatever's 'best' for the family…" Her voice dropped to a near-whisper. "All I want is to be a useless, pretty face who doesn't have to carry the weight of anything. I'm so tired of shouldering everything."
Her shoulders slumped and she stared at the floor, eyes glistening as though tears were dangerously close.
Kafel approached quietly and placed a comforting hand on her arm.
Alya kept talking, voice small and defeated.
"Besides… I literally know nothing about any of this." She sank into a crouch, hugging her knees. "What if I mess up and offend this Alistair guy? If he gets mad, I'm not equipped to deal with whatever cosmic punishment comes next."
Kafel crouched slightly to meet her level, offering a gentle smile. "Do not fear the consequences. Alistair Rehn may be an enigma, but I do not believe he is cruel. You loved him once, you simply cannot remember it now."
Alya's teeth gritted in annoyance. 'Sucking up to this guy isn't helping. Everyone wants me to get married here. Fine! What the hell?'
She shot to her feet so suddenly that Kafel blinked in surprise.
'Whoever this Alistair Rehn is,' she thought fiercely, I'm not going to make any of this easy for him. Let's see if he has the mind to mess with a princess of whatever realm. I'm a princess now, damn it.'
She straightened her spine, chin lifting just a fraction.
'Bring it on.'