TAKS CH 01

Chapter 1

Prologue. An Old Story

Let me tell you a story.

A long, long time ago, there were no kings, no laws, no nations, and no people divided by race. Everyone lived freely but dangerously.

Back then, humans didn’t even know how to make fire. At night, they hid in caves out of fear of the dark, and in winter, many froze to death.

One day, a brave hero stepped forward. For the sake of his fellow humans, he snuck into the palace of the gods in the heavens and stole a fragment of fire.

To carry the fire without being discovered, he swallowed the sacred flame from the altar.

Because of that, his once white hair turned black like charcoal, and his pale blue eyes deepened to the dark blue of a winter lake.

The hero returned and shared the fire with his people. Humanity finally knew light and warmth, and they praised his name.

But his life was short. He had taken on the wrath of the gods for his people, and the price was heavy.

Perhaps it was the unhealed burn inside his body, but he grew weaker and weaker until, at last, he died.

The people mourned him and carved his name forever into history.

His wise and kind lover carried on his will and guided humanity. In time, she became the first queen.

That is our story. A myth of humankind, a legend of the continent. Now, at best, it’s treated like an old fairy tale.

And it should have remained nothing more than that.

Part 1. The Country Girl and the Nameless Man

Noxia Deccan grew up in an orphanage. No one knew who her parents were.

The head of the orphanage had found her as a baby abandoned at the door one night. He gave her a name, his own surname, and raised her as one of the children.

Though her start in life was unfortunate, Noxia didn’t lack much as she grew up.

She had no blood relatives, but she had kind friends and teachers at the orphanage, and she was clever enough to be loved at the village school.

Most importantly, she had a special friend. Noxia first met her when she was ten.

The village where Noxia lived was part of a baron’s estate. The baron had a son and daughter about the same age as Noxia.

For the sake of “social education,” the baron would regularly invite the brightest and most well-behaved children from the orphanage to the mansion. Officially, they were companions for his children.

But the baron’s proud children looked down on the orphans. Noxia never grew attached to them.

One day, a distant relative of the baron came to stay at the mansion—not for play, but for rest.

Her name was Karnen Holby, the daughter of a marquis in the capital. She had been frail since childhood, so her parents had sent her to the countryside for fresh air and recovery.

The greedy, shallow baron was thrilled to host such an important guest. He made sure that Karnen lived in perfect comfort, hoping to gain useful connections.

He even told his children to be close with her.

But Karnen wasn’t interested in them. Instead, she took a liking to the orphanage children chosen as companions—especially to Noxia.

The baron’s children, jealous of being ignored, grew nastier, but the more they tried, the closer Karnen and Noxia became.

Noxia showed Karnen the countryside and taught her games she had learned at the orphanage.

“When I’m with you, time just flies, Noxia. You’re nothing like those arrogant kids.”
“Hey, it’s not good to badmouth people, my lady. If you want to say that, say it to their faces. Otherwise, it’s gossip.”
“You’re so honest, even now. Fine, next time I’ll tell them not to act so arrogant.”
“…Actually, on second thought, maybe it’s better not to. Let’s just talk about it when we’re alone.”
“See? Sometimes it’s better to say things behind their backs. In life, a little pretense and lies are necessary.”
“Pfft.”
“Why are you laughing?”
“You sound like someone much older, my lady. Like a teacher.”

Ten-year-old Noxia grinned, and her friend laughed softly back, her eyes glimmering strangely as she looked at Noxia.

“Well, I am mature for my age, don’t you think?”
“Of course, my lady.”

The moment passed with shared laughter.

“By the way, Noxia… you don’t have to call me ‘my lady.’ Just call me by my name. And no formal speech, okay?”
“What? But… you’re the daughter of a marquis.”
“Oh, come on. Times are changing. Even commoners sit in the Assembly now. We’re the same age—you can speak comfortably with me.”
“…Still…”
“If it makes you uncomfortable, I won’t force you. But I’d really like it. At least when we’re alone, can you call me Karnen?”

Noxia hesitated. In her world, nobles were always treated with respect, and peers from noble families looked down on commoners. That was the only reality she knew.

But Karnen’s request opened her eyes to another possibility. Encouraged by their growing friendship, Noxia took a timid step.

“…Alright. When it’s just the two of us, I’ll call you Karnen.”

Karnen’s face lit up, and she nodded eagerly.

“Thank you. That makes me really happy, Noxia.”

And so, the brown-haired, green-eyed orphan girl and the blonde, light-green-eyed noble girl became friends.

Noxia had another special friend too—this one was different. Unlike Karnen, no one else knew about him. He wasn’t her age, and he wasn’t even a child.

One day, adventurous Noxia climbed the peach tree in the orphanage yard to pick ripe fruit.

She reached far for a peach, smiling proudly as she grabbed it.

“Got it!”

But suddenly, the branch beneath her feet snapped.

Her body tilted forward. Her eyes went wide.

No scream, no time to think. She was about to die, she thought. But instead of pain, she felt something firm yet gentle catch her.

When she opened her eyes, she was in the arms of a strange man.

“Hello, child. Are you alright?”

His voice was soft, warm, and strangely familiar. Her heart ached with an odd longing, as if she had been waiting for this person forever.

But the feeling vanished as quickly as it came. She had never seen him before, and there was no such man in her village.

“Thank you for saving me. But… who are you?”

Cautious but polite, she gave thanks while keeping her guard up.

“Me? Just a passing friend.”

His sweet voice made her suspicious.

“A friend? I don’t have any friends your age, mister.”
“Haha, mister, you say?”

He laughed softly, a sound like falling silk. Again, she felt that inexplicable longing.

“I’ll put you down now. Don’t climb trees again. Humans belong with their feet on the ground.”
“…Yes, I understand.”

He set her down gently.

“Here. This is what you were after, right?”

He handed her the peach, flawless and ripe.

“Yes! Thank you!”

This time, she accepted it cheerfully.

“Eat well. And next time, just ask an adult for fruit, instead of risking your life.”

He laid a hand on her forehead. She froze.

“And… it would be better if you forget today ever happened.”

His kind, sorrowful voice made her heart ache again.

“Let’s meet again someday—if fate allows it.”

When she opened her eyes again, he was gone, leaving her alone with the peach in her hand.