Episode 11: The Roar of Darkness Echoes Through the Garden
Work had started just before sunset, and several hours had already passed.
By now, night had fallen completely. Yet the garden was not dark—bright orbs of light clung to the nearby trees, glowing clearly enough that their work continued without trouble.
The first time Bertina saw them, she thought candlesticks had been fixed to the trees. But they were actually glowing spheres, born from the magic in the earth. In the Shadow Kingdom, such lights were everywhere, gently illuminating the world of darkness.
One might think daytime would be easier, but this land loved night and shadow. Bertina came to realize that, in a way, the people almost worshipped the night.
—“The blessing star, the mother moon, the merciful darkness that embraces all.” She had heard such words many times. But there was no god here, and no churches.
Even so, as Bertina grew accustomed to the nocturnal life, she began to understand why night was so cherished—because this country’s night truly was beautiful.
When she looked up, the sky was filled with stars. The glowing lights only made the darkness shine more deeply. No matter how many times she saw it, the night sky here always took her breath away.
Wiping the sweat from her brow, Bertina gazed up at the lights in the trees.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I always thought the Shadow Kingdom was gloomy and frightening, but I was completely wrong,” Hanna said quietly beside her.
“Yes… I thought so too. A world of demons, with no information reaching us. But now, I think it’s a very beautiful place.”
Bertina answered calmly, glancing at Hanna. Hanna smiled in return.
“…By the way, you’re stronger than I expected.”
Bertina’s gaze turned toward the newly made flowerbeds. Thanks to the maids—especially Hanna—the soil had been tilled, and the planting finished.
But the twin maids were gone. Bertina glanced around.
“They just left a moment ago, to prepare hot water for the bath and some tea,” Hanna explained.
Bertina hadn’t even noticed them leave. When she turned back, Hanna gave her a shy smile.
“I’m really glad I came here with you, Lady Bertina.”
“What are you saying so suddenly? Helping with farm work is hardly a maid’s duty.”
Bertina’s firm reply only made Hanna laugh.
“That’s true, but it doesn’t bother me at all. Honestly, it’s much more fun than serving at the royal castle. I love moving my body.”
“…You really are strange.”
Bertina sighed, narrowing her eyes, but Hanna only chuckled and looked back up at the glowing trees.
“Strange? Isn’t Lady Bertina the same? ‘The Poison Flower Princess Belladonna’—that’s what they called you. When I first met you, I thought you were truly frightening.”
Bertina frowned.
“Belladonna? What do you mean by that?”
She had never heard such a thing before. Tilting her head, she stared at Hanna, who panicked and waved her hands.
“Oh, I… I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry!”
“It’s fine. But I want to hear more. Tell me.”
Pressed by Bertina’s firm tone, Hanna sighed, then quietly explained:
—The cursed princess, who never knew the warmth of love, was sharp-tongued to everyone, even her servants. She was feared, but also pitied. Her beauty was compared not to roses or thorns, but to poison. And since her name resembled the poisonous flower belladonna, people began to whisper of her as “the beautiful Poison Flower Princess.”
When Hanna finished, she apologized again in a faint voice.
But Bertina shook her head. “There’s no need to apologize. I’m honored. Belladonna is one of my favorite flowers.”
Beautiful flowers always have thorns or poison. To be compared to one she loved—Bertina admitted honestly, and Hanna’s face softened with relief.
“Poison and medicine are said to be two sides of the same thing. When I first met you, you did seem intimidating… but now I think you’re simply wise, noble, and beautiful. Your words may be sharp, but your heart is warm.”
—To serve someone like you is truly my happiness.
The words left Hanna’s lips with a smile.
And in the very next moment, Hanna’s eyes went wide. She collapsed to her knees, screaming in agony.
“…Hanna?”
Bertina gasped, unable to understand what was happening. Hanna’s face was not pale, she had seemed perfectly fine only moments ago—yet now she writhed in pain.
“Hanna! Stay with me—what’s wrong!?”
Bertina tried to reach her.
“Aaaah! It’s hot! It hurts! Lady… Bertina, help…!”
Hanna reached for her desperately—then her skin burst into gray fur.
“…What?”
Bertina froze in shock as Hanna’s shadow swelled, changing shape into something massive. Hanna’s cries warped into the rough roar of a beast.
“Hanna…?”
Trembling, Bertina’s legs gave out. Before her stood a wild creature, fangs bared, roaring madly.
The beast’s fur was the same gray-gold as Hanna’s hair. Its ears stood tall, its tail was thick, and its mouth was filled with sharp teeth—it looked like the wolves Bertina had only seen in books.
Hanna had fallen into darkness. But there had been no warning at all.
(What fulfilled her curse…?)
Then Bertina remembered Hanna’s words: “To serve you is truly my happiness.”
It must have been that—the happiness of purpose. That was the trigger.
“Hanna… Hanna, please… stay with me…”
At her voice, the beast turned its glowing eyes on Bertina and growled. Its roar might have held meaning, but to Bertina it was nothing but terrifying noise.
“What’s happening—!”
A girl’s voice cut through the night. Bertina turned to see Rine, the red-haired girl, and Milan.
“Lady Bertina, are you hurt!?”
“Rine…?”
Rine rushed forward and helped Bertina to her feet, while Milan stepped in front of the beast.
“So it’s true. She’s just fallen into darkness.”
“Yes…” Bertina whispered, trembling.
“…She’s already lost reason. I’ll hold her back. Rine, take Bertina to the castle.”
He didn’t look back as he spoke, but his voice carried authority and strength, nothing like his usual flat tone. Still, Bertina caught the words “lost reason” and “hold her back,” and her heart clenched.
“What will you do to Hanna!?” she cried to his back.
Milan gave no answer.
“There’s no time to explain,” Rine said firmly. “We have to go. It’s too dangerous here.”
She gripped Bertina’s arm and pulled her away.
