Episode 4 – The Midnight Visitor with Blue Butterflies
At exactly 11:45, a knock echoed through the room. The waiting servants rushed in.
“Lady Bertina, please move to the salon. The guest will arrive shortly.”
A male servant bowed low. Without answering, Bertina rose to her feet.
Out in the hall, two old women in hooded robes were waiting—mages. Beside them stood knights with swords at their sides, clearly there as guards. The heavy preparations made it feel as though something grave was about to happen.
Bertina was led to the salon.
The moment she stepped inside, the glass windows rattled though no wind blew.
“She has arrived…”
One of the mage women whispered in her hoarse voice.
Soon after, a door opened in the distance. The candle flames in the salon flickered, then were snuffed out.
Footsteps clicked across the marble floor, drawing closer.
The servants kept their heads bowed. The knights clutched their swords, ready to draw. The mages gripped their staffs.
The footsteps stopped. From the crack of the door, a pale blue glow seeped in like smoke.
“Hmm… As expected, the King and Queen did not come. No matter.”
The voice was that of a woman—refined and calm.
Bertina turned to see.
Without the door opening, the owner of the voice drifted into the room like smoke.
Her appearance stunned Bertina.
—Snow-pale skin. Eyes as blue as the sky. Sleek, dark hair like raven feathers. From her temples grew curling black horns, and scales like tiny obsidian gems shimmered around her eyes and hands.
She wore a black gown that spread into deep blue at the hem, glittering with jewels.
She looked to be a woman of middle years, yet graceful, noble, and beautiful. Far from the savage figure Bertina had imagined.
And though the salon was dark, Bertina could see her clearly. The woman shone with a pale, ghostly light. Around her fluttered glowing blue butterflies, scattering dust like stardust.
The first demon Bertina had ever seen… And she was breathtakingly beautiful.
Even the men following her were striking—servants, perhaps. Though their ears resembled fins or wings, their faces were sharp and handsome. They looked nothing like monsters.
“…Now then. Let us speak of peace. I have come only to receive the princess. Be at ease.”
The woman snapped her fingers. The light and butterflies vanished. The candles flared to life again.
The knights and mages relaxed, stepping back from readiness.
(…This is the Queen of Shadows?)
Bertina blinked several times, staring.
The queen noticed her gaze, smiled with full lips, and slowly walked closer.
“Oh? So you are the princess?”
“Yes. I am.”
Her voice was firm, steady.
The queen widened her eyes in surprise.
“Something wrong?”
“No… You are very bold.”
“Am I?”
Bertina’s voice was calm, almost flat, as usual.
The queen studied her, then suddenly laughed aloud. Bertina frowned. What was so amusing?
“Oh, what an amusing girl. I like you. What is your name?”
“Is it not rude to ask without giving your own first? Especially for one who rules a country. Do you lack such common sense?”
Her words were sharp and cold.
The queen blinked, then laughed even louder.
“Ha! Forgive me. I am Vanessa, Queen of the Shadow Kingdom.”
“Very well, Queen Vanessa. I am Bertina.”
“I see. One more thing…”
Vanessa smiled brilliantly, eyes fixed on Bertina.
“Happy seventeenth birthday.”
Bertina’s eyes widened. She was speechless.
When had she last been wished happy birthday? She had never been truly celebrated—certainly not so directly.
She could not find any reply. But Vanessa did not mind.
“Well then. My purpose here is only to take the princess. I have no other business. Let us go.”
She turned gracefully, her black dress swirling.
Then—
“E-excuse me, Your Majesty,”
A faint voice spoke. It was Hanna.
“As Lady Bertina’s maid, I beg to accompany her to your kingdom. Will you grant me permission?”
She bowed deeply.
Vanessa turned, humming softly, her hand to her chin.
“…Is there a problem?”
Hanna’s voice trembled as she asked. The queen sighed, then stepped closer to her with a gentle face.
“I already have maids prepared. But you are right—the life of humans and demons is very different. It may indeed be wise for her to have a human maid.”
She paused, troubled.
“Is there a problem, then?”
Bertina cut in at once.
The queen pressed her fingers to her brow, sighing.
“…Our land is forbidden to humans. To them, it is a cursed place. Anyone who enters is cursed, as the princess is, and will one day fall into shadow—becoming one of us. Each curse awakens under different conditions. But when something ‘missing’ within them is finally filled, the change begins. Once fallen, they can never return to being human…”
The words were unbelievable.
Even Bertina’s mask slipped. She turned at once to Hanna.
Hanna’s face looked like one already condemned. Her features drained, hollow, hopeless. She swayed as if about to faint, and Bertina caught her.
“You—!”
Hanna’s back shook. Her breathing was shallow. Her eyes stared at nothing, unblinking.
“You don’t need—” Bertina began, ready to refuse for her.
“…It is fine. Allow her to come.”
The words came from the male servant nearby.
Why would he say that? He had heard the explanation.
Bertina’s icy-blue eyes flashed as she glared at him. She opened her mouth to object—
“…Please. Allow me to go.”
Hanna whispered, her voice fragile.
Bertina grimaced, pulling her close, but Hanna slipped from her grasp.
She bowed to the queen, though her legs trembled. It was plain she was forcing herself, clinging to what little strength she had.
Vanessa’s face softened. She had clearly noticed too—the girl’s heavy, sinking despair.
