Episode 1
It was a cool autumn day. A day when everything visible stood out vividly and sharply, like a scene from a painting. It was the day Eva’s father, Count Macy’s, was leaving on his second great voyage.
Now twelve years old, Eva walked through the Moonlight Garden holding her father’s hand. This was her favorite place. During the day, flowers of each season spread their fragrance, and at night, a fountain infused with moonlight danced.
*‘I’m sad.’*
She had always been happy walking here with her father—but not today. Knowing it was a farewell, Eva held back the tears threatening to fall. Her father was leaving to accomplish something great for the Empire. If she cried, his steps as he departed would only grow heavier.
“Daddy will definitely succeed and come back. So don’t cry, my little one.”
Hearing her sniffles, Count Macy’s stopped and held her shoulders.
When she looked up at him with trembling lips, his deep blue eyes wavered as they gazed at her. Even though he was an adult, he seemed just as sad as she was—perhaps even more.
“How long will I have to wait this time, Father? Two years like last time? Or one year like before that?”
“I can’t promise that exactly. But I will do my best to return as soon as possible. I want to be there to see you become the Crown Princess.”
Count Macy’s gently stroked her hair, reassuring her.
Everyone in the Empire knew that she was the Crown Prince’s fiancée. The Emperor and Count Macy’s had been close since childhood and had promised to marry their children. Even before Eva was born, she had been destined to become Crown Princess.
“So don’t neglect your studies, and always be mindful of your words and actions. You will become the most radiant woman in this Empire.”
There was a strong firmness in Count Macy’s voice. It sounded less like certainty and more like a vow to push himself forward—almost as if he were trying to overcome his own anxiety.
Eva knew why. Her father, who had received the royal family’s support, had failed his previous two voyages. He had let down the Emperor and the people who trusted him.
Accused of wasting the national treasury, he had become a traitor to the Empire. The royal family and nobles were pressuring the Emperor to break the engagement. He had failed to live up to his lord’s trust, failed to uphold his friendship, and now even his daughter’s future was in jeopardy.
Eva knew how much her father had suffered. In the end, he had mortgaged all his assets, borrowed money from relatives, and was setting out again at his own expense.
This was his last chance—to reclaim everything he had lost.
“Yes, Father. I’ll always be careful.”
Whether she became Crown Princess or not, Eva did not want to be someone who brought shame to her father or those around her.
“I’m proud of you, Eva. Now, give your father some luck.”
Kneeling on one knee, the count looked up at her. Hiding her sorrow, Eva smiled brightly and kissed the top of his head, wishing him a journey filled with good fortune.
And so, Count Macy’s left the castle.
Standing at the gate of Veil Castle, holding her nanny’s hand, Eva remained there until the carriage disappeared beyond the garden and out of sight.
“Sniff… Nanny…”
The moment the carriage vanished, Eva clung to Cecil and burst into tears.
“Don’t worry, Miss. The Count is the Empire’s greatest explorer. He’ll return with a ship full of treasure—so let’s wait for him.”
With tearful eyes, Cecil embraced and comforted her. The head butler Lawrence, the gardener Matthew, the coachman Paul, and all the servants gathered around Eva, soothing her.
Time passed.
One year went by, then another. When a full three years had passed and Eva turned fifteen, news arrived that Count Macy’s ship had been wrecked and that he and all his crew had died.
But that was only the beginning of her misfortune.
The castle and lands he had mortgaged were taken by others. The family fell completely into ruin, and Eva had nowhere to go. Before her tears could even dry, the royal family informed her that her engagement to the Crown Prince had been broken.
—
*****
“Nanny… I… don’t want to go.”
Sitting on the bed, watching Cecil pack her belongings, Eva spoke blankly. It didn’t feel real that she had to leave her beloved Veil Castle and go to Baron Viti’s home. Nor did it feel real how she had fallen so low overnight.
No one would take her in. Relatives who had suffered losses from lending money to her father all turned their backs on her. Her uncle, who had never been on good terms with her father, even renounced the count’s title to avoid inheriting the debt.
In the end, the only one who offered to take her in was Baron Viti—a land manager of the Macy’s family and a distant relative of her mother. Why he had suddenly changed his mind after treating her like a burden was unclear. Lawrence said there was a reason, but that Eva didn’t need to know it yet.
“Miss, even if you’re sad, you must endure. Only then will the Count rest easy in heaven.”
“But…”
You won’t be by my side. Father can’t hold me when I’m sad anymore. What’s the point of watching from heaven?
Tears welled up in Eva’s green eyes. She wanted to cry and cling to someone, but she forced herself to endure. It would go against the dignity of a noble. And Cecil, who had cried secretly while watching her sleep, would only be hurt more.
“Now, Miss, look at me. After difficult times pass, good days will come again. If you endure just a little, we will meet again.”
“…Okay.”
With tears filling her eyes, Eva nodded weakly.
“You are a noble of a prestigious family. Never forget that, and always carry yourself with grace. Do you understand?”
“…Yes…”
Holding back her sobs, Eva answered once more.
“My good, brave girl. Don’t forget that I will always pray for you.”
Cecil’s usually calm face twisted with a forced smile and deep sorrow.
After making the sign of the cross, she held Eva’s hands tightly and prayed to God—for the courage to overcome this trial, and for them to meet again someday with smiles.
Her prayer was earnest.
But Eva could only resent God.
—
Outside the castle gates, Baron Viti’s carriage and a luggage wagon were waiting side by side. Lawrence, Matthew, Paul, and Father John from Crox Field Church stood there to see Eva off.
Most servants had already left after going unpaid. Only these few remained—and they too would leave after Eva’s departure. Only Paul, two years younger than Eva, would go with her, likely because he was cheap labor to be trained as a coachman.
“What’s taking so long? Do you think I have all day?”
Baron Viti, short and round-faced, snapped irritably.
“I apologize, Baron.”
“Hmph. Haven’t been paid for months, and now I’ve got another burden to carry.”
Despite Cecil’s apology, the baron grumbled loudly. Everyone was appalled by his vulgar behavior. When the count was alive, he had been nothing but submissive—now he had changed completely.
“Do you know how much it costs to feed and clothe someone? If you had any conscience—”
“That’s enough, Baron. Must I really speak further in this situation?”
Lawrence stood straight, his sharp gaze bearing down on the shorter man. Though not a noble, his presence carried far more dignity.
“I—I didn’t mean it like that…”
The baron stepped back nervously.
Turning away, Lawrence softened his expression toward Eva.
“May God’s blessing be with you, Miss. Someday, we will surely meet again—”
He couldn’t finish. Eva had thrown her arms around him.
“Take care, Lawrence. When your journey ends, you must come see me.”
“Of course, Miss… I will.”
With moist eyes, Lawrence patted her back.
One by one, Eva said her goodbyes—to Matthew, who had created the Moonlight Garden, and to Father John, who blessed them all with a final prayer.
“Hurry and get in. We’ve wasted enough time.”
Baron Viti shouted from the carriage.
Realizing she could delay no longer, Eva walked toward it, trembling—turning back again and again, her steps faltering with tears.
Those watching could only weep silently.
Just as she placed one foot into the carriage, Eva suddenly turned and ran back. She clung to Cecil, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Nanny, I don’t want to leave you. I don’t want to go with Baron Viti—I want to go with you. Please, take me with you…”
With tears and mucus streaming down her face, Eva clung desperately to her nanny.
