Venetus traversed through the wilderness of Northern Mistwood. The sky above him darkened as the mist thickened and blocked the sunlight from reaching the ground. Despite the somewhat sparse spacing, he couldn't see upfront and could only carefully eye the surrounding.

He stood before a wall of mist in front of him. If he walked forwards any further, it would envelop his vision. The eerie sense of the unknown lurked around him, blowing a wisp of cold wind at him.

"Come out. I know you're listening," Venetus said.

He removed his hood and held a badge in his hand. Faint sunlight reflected on it and refracted into bright sparks akin to a new dawn. It dispelled the mist and cleared the surrounding. The scenery around him regained its green shade.

"The Great Protector of Northern Mistwood, I, Venetus Lapisa, request your presence."

"It's been a long time since someone called for me," a deep, gloomy voice echoed.

An eclipse blocked the sun, turning the atmosphere dark. Venetus looked up, his gaze meeting a mountainous entity. Its shadow extended groundwards and covered Northern Mistwood. It descended. Its wings created a strong wind which pushed Venetus back.

"I remember your scent. You're one of hers."

"You've already seen me when she came to challenge you. I got to see the match." Venetus stared at the dragon. It stared back.

"You're that brat," it said, its voice changing from the deep tone into a more humane and careless one. "We the Dragon Clan have never overstepped into the Human Empire or helped the Arachna."

"Explain why the Arachna invades Sector D."

"We're a neutral force, not your spy."

"Is the treaty voided?"

"They break the rules, not us."

"The treaty forces us to enforce the agreement. You must give a satisfactory answer."

"The Great Races also broke the Midland Treaty. What is stopping you from breaking it again?"

"Its condition is outrageous."

"That reasoning is weak."

Venetus showed the badge to the dragon, his eyes determined. "How about this badge of honour?"

"It would be enough," it said, "if only she were still alive."

"She must be."

"We have eyes and ears around the world. She fell in the Field of Desolation."

"Her vessel was never found."

"It's assumed that the Divine Tribulation annihilated her."

The dragon's thought was logical, but Venetus couldn't accept it.

"Isn't it her honour to die for The Empire? Her selfless sacrifice saves millions and kills billions," it said. "The world has immortalized her, the Princess of Resolution."

"Bullshit, they forced her to die. They have no right to immortalize her."

"She died too young." It reminisced the past. "Gone was she who could have been an Authority."

"There might be hope, but my intellect couldn't match her."

"Neither could I."

"You could compete against her." He needed an answer. "Please help me."

The dragon sighed and nodded. "How are the others?"

Venetus smiled and threw a bag at it. "Most have given up. She has already become a figure of the past."

"What about the treaty?"

"It's nothing, as long as you don't get involved."

"We never break our promise. If the power exceeds the limitation, we'll immediately come to your aid."

"Then, take the badge."

"No need to waste it. I'm sure you won't play with her reputation."

"I'm merely one of her pupils, just a little smarter and calmer than others."

"If you were just a little smart, then the entire Human Empire would be full of fools."

"If only they stopped and thought for a moment, she would still be here."

"Sadly, even Gods can't rewind time and change history."

"The past is the past. It should stay as it is."

"In three days, you'll have my answer."

"There is still hope, is what I tell myself every day."

"High hope brings upon deadly disappointment."

"That's my greatest weakness." Despite what she said, he knew better. "See you in three days."

"Before you go, I've got a piece of news."

"What is it?"

"The Spirits have been making moves lately."

"I'll look into it." Venetus nodded before retreating to the city.

"Goodbye, and good luck," the dragon said, its body submerging into the mist.

"They said she is the harbinger of the end, though it's her humanity that brought an end to her." Its voice reached no one.

...

Without any perception of time, Princess continued to walk alone in the darkness. She had lost count of her footstep, but she still couldn't see the end of the staircase.

The darkness caged her vision, leaving only a small gap open. As she descended, an icy wind seeped through the enclosing walls to nibble her skin. Despite the lack of memory, her body moved as if she had been here before.

With every step she took, the surrounding brightened. She watched the mist dissipated, the darkness scattered, and the metallic design softened. The weathered wooden stair beneath her feet creaked. It was old, yet it was her favourite place to relax.

"How is it?" the maid asked.

"It's growing fast. I think it'll bloom in a few days." She showed a pot of flower to the maid. Though it looked weak, its soft colour pleased her eyes.

"As expected of your highness. I'm sure you'll grow into a wonderful lady like a flower you grow."

"Can I be like you, one day?" She would love to have a garden.

"You'll be greater than me. You'll be a beauty, marry a great man, and live a happy life."

"But I want to be a gardener."

"Your Highness, let me take care of the flower for you. If you go back late, you'll worry the Crown Prince. Her majesty is watching from over there." The maid pointed at the sky.

"Please watch over it for me." She handed the flower to the maid before running out of the tower and towards a carriage.

She glanced back at the tower, her eyes sweeping across its design and locking at the highest window.

The view of the sunset was the best from there. She would observe the orange dusk tainting the sky and flooding the city. Compared to nature, the black skyscrapers were mere dots of black spoiling the painting.

"Your Highness, please enter the carriage. We'll be heading back soon," a royal guard said.

"Yes, I'm hungry as well. Let's go back to eat and play."

She climbed up the carriage and slid the curtain close. Her eyes closed as she leant against a mattress. It was a fun day, like any other days in her life.

The horses' cloppings lulled her to sleep. The wheels which knocked against the rocks swayed the carriage. She fell into her dream. The birds chirped into her ears. Flowers sent aroma to her nose.

The carriage stopped, its force pulling her awake. She opened her eyes and looked around. The sound of a commotion echoed outside, so she adjusted her dress and combed her hair before resuming her noble presence.

As the Second Princess of the Human Empire, she had to keep her public appearance as an elegant, generous royalty. She shifted the curtain open.

"What happened?"

"Your highness, a child beggar trips in front of your carriage."

"Is she hurt?"

The Second Princess alighted the carriage. Despite her young age, she was no longer the innocent, silly girl she once was. The education, etiquette, linguistic, and tea-brewing had prepared her for the future.

"Miss, I'm sorry," the girl said, her voice cracked.

The Second Princess looked at her, her clothing half-torn, her nails broken. Her scent reeked of dirt and sweats. Her skin was crude, filled with scars and bruises.

The Second Princess swept her gaze. The crowds retreated. No one was willing to step up to defend a little girl. If she wished so, she could have her guards cut the child's head and moved on. Despite the overwhelming authority, she smiled, knelt, and patted the girl. She could hear her stomach growling.

"Girl, what's your name?" The Second Princess said.

"I have no name." The girl struggled to pronoun her speech.

"Do you have any parent?"

"No," she said before snapping back from her trance. "I mean, yes."

"It's okay. You can come with me."

The Second Princess reached out to the girl. She accepted it. Her hand was soft and dirty. It knew hardship, poverty, and discrimination.

"I'll give you a job. You'll take care of me." The Second Princess smiled. "Are you willing?"

"Will there be food?"

"You'll have three meal a day and a personal bedroom."

"Please let me work." Her head perked up, her eyes glittering. "I'll do it."

"Get up and come with me."

"But Your Highness, she's merely a beggar—" a royal guard whispered.

"You'll prepare a job for her, as my maid," the Second Princess said. "Do you understand?"

"Miss, I'm sorry." The girl lowered her head, ashamed of her appearance.

"She'll sit with me," the Second Princess said.

"I can walk. They don't want me to sit with you."

"You'll sit with me." The Second Princess stepped into the carriage. She glanced at the girl and helped her climb up.

"Your magnanimity knows no bound, your highness," the crowds cheered. They rained praises and celebrated her choices.

The Second Princess closed the curtains and sighed. Her face shifted from a natural smile into a tired one. All the acts were getting to her. She felt sleepy.

"Tell me about how life is outside of the castle," she said.

"The castle?" The girl tilted her head. "Wait, are you a princess?"

"Of course." How cute. "You didn't hear what they talk?"

The two remained chatting, with the Second Princess asking about the mundane life—as if it was a fantasy tale for her—and her friend answering. She was stiff the entire time.

Once again, drowsiness enveloped the Second Princess. She would only occasionally utter her questions and listened to the detail.

Before long, she entered her slumber.