Prologue
On a night when the stars shone like rippling silver on water, as if to celebrate the child who would become an adult at the stroke of midnight, the stars that had been lingering in the sky turned into a meteor shower and fell.
Clash Staria would, after tonight, finally become the adult she had so long awaited. She thought she would only feel joy, yet she also felt sorrow. This mixture of emotions must have been because the sturdy shelter she had relied on would disappear, and she would have to stand on her own.
Eight long years had passed. Eight years since she had run away and set foot in this place, living under its protection.
Staria looked at that person who had long taken on the role of her guardian.
“Do you think I can do it?”
“If you don’t believe in yourself, you’ll fail.”
How could they be so unwavering? Rather than feeling hurt by the curt tone, she found herself smiling — perhaps because of the overflowing kindness and goodwill she had received from them over the years.
Her gaze swept over the familiar surroundings. Here was where she had laughed and cried, fallen into despair and risen again.
I don’t want to leave…
Honestly, she wanted to stay in the forest forever. The thought of facing what awaited her outside this safe haven felt overwhelming. She had worked so hard for this day, yet still felt uncertain.
Perhaps sensing her wavering heart, that person strode toward her.
“Your hand.”
The moment Staria held it out, just as they asked, the bracelet around her wrist snapped.
“Ah!”
Her disguise was stripped away, revealing her true self. After nearly eight years of wearing it, she must have changed in appearance — and she wondered how. If only there had been a mirror. She wasn’t hoping to see a refined noble lady, but she prayed she hadn’t grown into something plain and disappointing. After all, she didn’t want to let down the person who had been her protector.
Fortunately, her worries seemed unnecessary.
“You’ve grown well.”
“How much?”
“Enough for me to feel it was worth it.”
Just then, a gust of wind swept harshly past her, tossing her neatly kept black hair across her face.
Then, that person reached out, gently brushing her hair aside before speaking.
“You’re more than ready. I stake the title of the Forest’s ruler as my guarantee.”
“…”
As if her timidity had never existed, courage welled up inside her. It felt like she could accomplish anything. Perhaps she had shown her weakness only because, for the last time, she wanted to indulge in the privilege of being a child.
Staria slowly took in the scenery, as if engraving it into her memory before she had to leave. This place, which had taken in an orphan who had lost everything, had become no different from a home. When everything was over, she wanted to return. But for that, she would need the permission of the one who owned it.
“May I come back?”
“If you want to, as much as you wish.”
I’ll be able to return safely, right?
She swallowed the words before they could escape. Somehow, she felt that saying them aloud would bring misfortune. Worries and unease pooled in her mouth like unswallowed saliva, lingering there…
“They say that in the place where you were born and raised, they give a well-worn token to those who are leaving.”
Just as Staria nodded, cool lips brushed the back of her hand and lifted away.
“This will be your token.”
A polite, solemn kiss — like the ceremonial gesture of a knight pledging fealty to a noble lady.
