TCPFDH 05

Episode 5 – Flames of Hatred and the Shadowed Night Road

Bertina wanted the queen to refuse. She prayed for it.

“…Very well. I will allow it.”

At the queen’s calm words, Bertina’s eyes widened.

Why didn’t she refuse? Why?
A storm of anger raged in her chest. At the same time, she wondered why she had tried so hard to take Hanna’s side in the first place.

…Other people don’t matter. Especially someone she had only met a few hours ago.

The question turned in her mind until she pressed her fingers to her temple.

The answer soon came.
Hanna was like the wise woman who had raised her—a servant from a conquered nation, forced into labor. When Bertina was twelve, she could do nothing as the woman left her. Now, at seventeen, she had gained knowledge and resolve. That must be why she instinctively stepped in. As for the male servant, it was obvious—he had likely been ordered by those above.

Above… meaning the rulers of the kingdom.

At that thought, flames of fury burned inside Bertina.

The queen had said it herself: “The King and Queen did not come.”

Ordinarily, for a daughter’s marriage, both parents should appear. Yet her father and mother had not. Not even a minister had come. Only servants, knights, and mages.

Once again, she was abandoned by her own blood. A “thing to be sealed away”—not just her imagination, but truth.

Bertina pressed a hand to her brow, veins rising with anger.

A nation of fools—always waging wars, seizing land, then losing it again. In the end, it was struck by the revenge of the Shadow Kingdom, and she, the cursed princess, was locked away. They used conquered people as labor, then discarded them. While the royals feasted and idled, they trampled on human lives.

(This country deserves punishment. No—I will deliver it. Just as the fairy who cursed me foretold. That is the reason I was born.)

Her lips curled in a sharp grin.
Yes. She would go to the Shadow Kingdom. She would live well enough there. And one day, she would take revenge on her kingdom’s royals.

I will destroy them. I must. My hatred will be answered.

Even as these dark vows burned in her heart, the queen’s voice called:

“Come. It is decided. Let us go.”

Bertina lifted her face. Her eyes glimmered with deep, cold hatred—but they had always been cold. No one noticed the change.

The steady clip-clop of hooves and rumble of wheels filled the carriage. The beasts pulling it looked like horses, but each bore a single horn.

But Bertina, raised in a garden with little knowledge beyond birds and insects, found nothing strange.

The ride was silent. Outside the window, only darkness stretched. Bored, Bertina sighed.

Suddenly, the queen ordered the driver to halt. The carriage stopped.

What now? Bertina turned her gaze to the queen across from her.

“Well then… the princess’s maid.”

The queen’s calm voice turned toward Hanna, who sat beside Bertina.

Hanna startled, stammering.

“Earlier, I had no choice but to accept. But it is clear—you are being forced into this. Truly, the curse should have been handled when the princess was still a child. I bear some responsibility as well.”

Her gaze softened.

“If you wish to remain in the human world, I will let you step down here.”

Bertina thought the queen was right. If she had been taken as a baby, none of this would have happened.

When Bertina pointed this out, the queen admitted with a faint blush, “I was too busy raising my son.”

Apparently, in the Shadow Kingdom, even queens raised their children without nurses. It was simply their way.

It was curious, but Bertina let the matter rest.

Hanna should accept this chance, Bertina thought. There was no need for her to risk becoming cursed.

But Hanna shook her head.

“Your kindness is appreciated, Your Majesty. But no. I will go with Lady Bertina. I have decided.”

Her voice was firm, clearer than ever.

Bertina glared at her at once.

“You’re truly foolish. This may be your last chance.”

Yet Hanna shook her head again.

“Lady Bertina, I told you—I have nowhere to return to. My homeland was absorbed into Vermeburg only recently. It will take decades before its people are truly accepted. If I fled the castle, I’d be executed. Even if I hid, I could never live freely.”

“Then… could you not flee to another land?”

But Hanna shook her head again.

“Do you know, Lady Bertina? Vermeburg’s territory is vast. Gates are set not only at borders but between cities. To cross the sea requires proof of identity and wealth far beyond my means.”

Bertina pressed her temples again.

What a wretched kingdom. And to think she shared blood with its rulers—it made her sick.

But to drag another into this fate felt foul. She narrowed her eyes and shook her head.

“I was cursed from the start. I always knew my fate was to fall. But you? You have no such burden. You don’t even know what the Shadow Kingdom is like—or what it means to fall into darkness.”

“Yes… it is terrifying to think I may not remain human. But so is your fate, Lady Bertina. Knowing you share the same destiny makes it less frightening. Alone, I would fear it. But together, it’s bearable. And besides…”

Her eyes shone with sincerity.

“…I felt I could trust you. That is why I chose to follow.”

Bertina’s eyes narrowed further.

“Utterly foolish. How can you trust a girl you’ve only just met? It makes no sense.”

She snorted, but Hanna only smiled gently.

“Perhaps. Your words are sharp, Lady Bertina. But I believe your heart is warm. I want to know you more. To serve at your side, rather than remain in Vermeburg, would make me far happier.”

At that, Bertina twisted her lips.

Warm? She was plotting to take revenge on this filthy kingdom. Sympathy was one thing—but kindness? Impossible.

Annoyed, she clicked her tongue. Just then, the queen, who had watched silently, cleared her throat.

Her gaze was not angry, only slightly troubled.

Did she think they were insulting her land? Or perhaps they had talked too long?

Bertina turned away, leaning on the window, chin in her hand.

“My apologies. I meant no insult to the Shadow Kingdom. But the truth is—I fear what it means to fall.”

Hanna bowed in apology as well. But the queen only shook her head.

“Of course you fear. Just as they say demons lose their power and become frail humans in Vermeburg… you fear becoming something else. I do not mind. But the night is short. Have you decided?”

“Yes. I will go.”

Hanna’s voice was bright, her face regaining color and life.

“Good. My castle suffers from too few servants. Beyond serving Lady Bertina, you’ll have plenty of work. But I promise you a stable life.”

Relieved, Hanna bowed deeply, thanking her.

…Bertina, however, wondered. Humans had wronged the Shadow Kingdom again and again. Why was this queen so merciful, so willing to accept them without hatred?

It was strange. But she let the thought go.

Sleep was pulling at her now, heavy and irresistible. Bertina leaned against the window, eyes narrowing at the endless darkness outside.