TCPFDH 07

Episode 7 – The Bedroom at Dawn and the Fiancé with Horns

When Bertina first saw the Queen, she already wondered: what creature is she, really? The scales looked reptilian, but the horns didn’t fit. She couldn’t place it at all.

“What do you want?”

Her voice was calm and flat, without a trace of emotion. She wanted to know how he even got in here.

“I heard you were coming today. Thought I’d check if you were still awake. I just got back too…”

His voice was low and rough, but strangely flat, almost without feeling. That surprised Bertina. His sharp features and tall frame made him look dangerous. With the fur-lined coat, she had expected a rough or wild man. But his manner was calm.

And this was her bedroom. She had feared a brute might try something shameless, but from his tone, it didn’t seem like that at all.

“In a lady’s room, before she sleeps? How did you even get in here?”

Or rather—who are you?

He stepped closer and pointed to the back of the room.

“This is the couple’s chamber. Through there, it connects to my room. Well… I’m your fiancé.”

Bertina followed his hand with her eyes. At the far end hung a heavy veil of black and purple fabric. She hadn’t noticed before, since she’d bathed right after arriving. So that led to his room…

“I see. I am Bertina. And you are?”

Her voice stayed cold and steady.

“Milan.”

That was all he said before falling quiet.

What an elusive man, she thought. Not easy to talk to at all. She went back to sipping her tea.

“…Hey.”

Milan spoke again, still not looking at her. A faint smile touched his lips.

“Can I call you ‘Bell’? And… do you remember me?”

“…What?”

Bertina lowered her cup, her brow furrowing.

“I don’t recall ever knowing a creature like you. You must be mistaken. Humans and your kind don’t mix. As for the name, call me as you like. Though I may not react—I’ve never had a nickname.”

She spoke firmly. But Milan gave no answer. His face showed little emotion, almost like looking in a mirror of herself. He barely even looked at her, which made her uneasy. She cleared her throat.

“Is that all?”

He nodded silently, turned to leave—then paused. Looking back at her, he said:

“Rest well. Tomorrow I have the day free. I can show you around.”

With that, he lifted the veil and disappeared into his own room.

Bertina sighed. His face was handsome despite the horns, scales, and tail. But he seemed hard to grasp—quiet, not wild, not loud. At least he wasn’t the brutish type.

For my revenge on Velmeburg, I must survive here. I must learn to play this game.

She drained her chamomile tea. But his words lingered: “Do you remember me?”

She had no idea what he meant. Sleepiness dulled her thoughts. Soon, she slid into bed and closed her eyes.

When she rolled over and opened her eyes again, an unfamiliar ceiling met her. Then she remembered—she was in the Shadow Country.

She pushed herself up. Pale threads of light slipped through the canopy curtains. The clock in the corner showed almost noon.

I overslept.

But no—she recalled the Queen’s words. This land lived opposite to the human world. Here, noon was like midnight.

Bertina lay back down. In the human realm, she always woke at dawn to tend herbs. She lived a strict early-rising life. Here, she would need to reverse everything. The thought made her sigh.

She tried to sleep again, but couldn’t.

I may as well get up…

As she sat up, the door creaked open.

“…Ah!”

A startled, girlish voice. Bertina turned—and saw her.

Blue hair like the night sky, silver eyes like starlight, pointed cat ears, and a fluffy tail. One of her assigned maids.

Last night, both girls had worn matching dresses and twin braids. Now this one’s hair was loose, and she wore a deep-blue nightgown.

Iris… or Lotos? Bertina squinted, trying to tell them apart.

“I—I’m sorry! I only came to take the cup since I was awake for the washroom. Did I wake you?”

Bertina shook her head.

Relieved, the girl’s ears drooped, and her shoulders relaxed. Her ears twitched, her tail swayed. Such a strange, adorable creature. Bertina couldn’t help staring.

Feeling the gaze, the girl fidgeted.

“Um… is something wrong with Lotos?”

So it was the younger twin.

“No, not at all. I just think your ears and tail are very charming. That’s why I keep looking.”

She held back the urge to say she wanted to touch them.

The girl’s cheeks flushed red, eyes widening in surprise.

“…But weren’t you here to collect the cup?”

Snapping out of it, Lotos carefully lifted the teacup.

“Bertina-sama, can’t you sleep?”
“No. In the human world, this is daytime. Naturally, I’m awake.”
“Wow… being awake at noon is amazing.”

Bertina almost laughed. For her, it was normal. For these night-dwellers, it must seem strange.

“Yes, I suppose to you humans seem odd. Curse or not, I’m still human. But it is troublesome. When do you usually wake?”
“We always rise before sunset, around four in the afternoon. But Bertina-sama, please rest as much as you can. Without sleep, the night will be hard.”

Chided by such a small, fluffy creature, Bertina scowled faintly. Oddly, she didn’t feel like snapping back.

But Lotos was right. To survive here, she had to adjust quickly. Her revenge would take planning—and she couldn’t fall ill.

Bertina bit her nail, deep in thought. Lotos tilted her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing… I’ll try to sleep.”
“Then let me make you another drink. We have so many lovely teas! Lavender, marigold, not only chamomile. Which would you like?”

Bertina didn’t dislike any of them. “As you wish,” she said. Lotos bowed and left.

Soon she returned with a steaming cup filled almost to the brim. The sweet apple-like scent of chamomile mixed with milk and honey drifted up.

Perfect for her parched throat. Bertina took a sip.

“How is it? Does it smell nice? Tasty?”

The girl leaned in close, eyes sparkling. Bertina nearly jumped at the sudden closeness, pulling back slightly.