Chapter 33
Chapter 33
When I suddenly opened my eyes, I was standing in a dark place.
In front of me hung cold black iron bars, and the floor was covered in blood.
‘What is this…? A dream?’
The familiar scent of blood.
The dark, heavy air.
It felt like the moment I had been dragged into the underground prison.
Why did I have to dream such a violent dream?
I quietly waited, hoping it would end quickly.
But something was off.
I wasn’t the only one in the prison.
Actually, I wasn’t even standing inside it.
I was in the corridor outside.
And the blood on the floor wasn’t mine.
‘…What?’
Through the bars, I saw other figures.
Bodies covered in blood.
Limp and lifeless…
‘Carlos? Damian?’
My heart sank.
Why?
Why were they there?
I couldn’t hide my panic and looked down.
Then I realized I was holding a bloodied sword in my hands.
‘…….’
No.
I didn’t do this.
I would never do such a thing.
Then it happened.
A hoarse voice came from behind me.
“Look, Lorea. See how you’ve finished off your father and brother.”
The Emperor’s thick hand gripped my shoulder tightly.
It was strange.
Even though it was a dream, I felt a tingle, almost as if my shoulder were actually pressed.
I shivered and shook my head.
‘No, I didn’t do this.’
I really didn’t know. I never intended to…
“Hah!”
I gasped and woke up.
Thankfully, it wasn’t the prison this time.
I was in the Grand Duchy guest room.
The familiar ceiling came into view.
‘…It was a dream.’
I took a deep breath and pressed my small hand to my chest.
My heart was still pounding.
“What kind of dream was that…”
Of all dreams, it had to be this nightmare.
My throat felt dry as if on fire.
Sitting awkwardly, neither fully upright nor lying down, I steadied my arms and got out of bed to put on slippers.
I planned to go to the kitchen to shake off the nightmare.
A glass of water would probably help.
Just as I was about to leave, there was a knock at the window leading to the garden.
Startled, I turned quickly.
A strange figure dangled outside the window.
‘…What?’
The face was hidden under a dark robe.
My heart sank.
‘Could it be an assassin?’
No matter how crazy the Emperor was, he wouldn’t send an assassin to the Grand Duchy. Surely not.
I stepped back cautiously, scanning the room.
Nothing could be used as a weapon… at most, a vase by the window.
‘They can’t do anything with that.’
Then a red smile appeared under the robe.
They were laughing.
But something felt odd.
This person wasn’t hiding; they were making their presence obvious.
And assassins don’t knock, do they?
Suddenly, the figure shook something outside the window.
In the moonlight, I saw…
“…Ah.”
The symbol of the Moonlight Exchange.
Two hands clasped under a crescent moon.
The delivery Hella mentioned.
I hadn’t expected it to arrive so fast.
I quickly opened the window.
The figure climbed inside, light as a cat.
“Open a bit earlier. My arms almost fell off.”
The voice was sharp, young, and male—not Hella’s relaxed tone.
“What’s with that expression?”
He chuckled.
“Ah, disappointed it’s not the Master?”
He pulled back his hood, revealing pink hair and mischievous teal eyes.
He looked at me wide-eyed.
“Wow, you’re really the princess. I’ve never seen a princess before.”
He stared me up and down like a strange animal.
Then he added, smiling:
“Smaller than I expected?”
“…What?”
“Oh, you’re thirteen. Just a little kid, huh.”
He had no hesitation insulting the princess.
I was too shocked to speak, glaring at him.
“What’s with that scary look? So serious.”
He laughed loudly, not intimidated at all.
“Just kidding, just kidding. Princess, you’re pretty, right? Happy now?”
“…Enough. Just get to the point. Delivery, right?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Grumbling, he handed me a long box.
“Here. From the Master. The sacred sword of Pracacia.”
My heart pounded.
The box had a card with elegant writing:
“Little miss, hope this pleases you.”
No signature, but I knew it was from Hella.
“…That was fast.”
“The Master wanted it urgent. Must have been an important delivery.”
He shrugged.
“Normally it takes a week. This, only two days. By the way, is this your first time meeting the Master?”
“Yes.”
“Really? Strange. The Master isn’t usually this friendly.”
He smiled again.
“It’s amazing. A princess asking us for a trade… and a sacred sword? What’s it for?”
“Do people normally ask this at the Moonlight Exchange?”
“No, but it’s curious! And our little princess is so picky.”
“Could you keep it down?”
I ignored him and opened the box.
Inside lay a silver sword, emanating soft holy power.
‘It’s real.’
The sacred sword of Pracacia. I had seen Damian use it before.
The legendary sword of the first Sword Master, a divine weapon bonded with a soul.
If I gave this to Damian…
“Wait, one more favor.”
I closed the box and called him back.
“I want you to deliver this sword to someone else, not me.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“To someone else? Not the princess?”
I held back my comment about how small my arms were for this.
“Yes. Give it to the boy in this mansion, Damian Carter. If possible, do it secretly. Don’t reveal the source.”
“…Think that’s possible?”
“It’s the Moonlight Exchange. Of course it is.”
He thought for a moment, then smiled.
“Might need to ask the Master. Extra fee may apply.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
He nodded and climbed back out the window.
“By the way, we’ll probably see each other often. See you next time, Princess.”
He tossed me a small card with the Moonlight Exchange symbol.
“Contact me anytime if needed.”
He winked and jumped into the darkness.
‘…Fast.’
I watched the spot where he vanished, then closed the window slowly.
‘Damian, this time you won’t lose your chance.’
I was ready to make him a Sword Master.
