Chapter 1: The Little Girl And The Big Party

“I don’t want to be engaged.” A little girl said quietly

Her voice was gloomy, her aura was as cold as ice

“Well, sweetie, it’s a natural part of being a noble. I think if you had permission from both sides, we could annul it, but this was decided before you were born. I know, it’s not something I want, either. But it’s the royal family. The prince, of all people. I don’t think such an engagement is easy to break.” A warm voice called

“Mom, do I have to go? Can’t we just head back? I want to go back to bed.” The girl said

“Yes, and I completely understand how you feel. This ball is something that the royal family mandated, unfortunately. It’s to introduce you to your future partner.” Mom said

“I don’t like men…. if it’s required, I have no choice though, huh?” The little girl sighed, a heavy sigh for such a young age. It carried a feeling of hopelessness with it.

“You were supposed to have met with him already, we put it off for as long as we could. But it’s time to go in.” Mom said, hopping out of the carriage they had been riding in

“Yes….” the girl said

“Serena, sweetie, it’s not a big deal.” Mom said

“There’s others. I have to talk. I just want to go home!” Serena said, shaking her head

“Sweetie…. come on, it’s time to go in. I wish we could have refused, too.” Mom said, smiling sadly

They walked up to a large gate that had a massive castle behind it.

They showed a guard at the door their invitation, and the two headed through the gate towards the castle

“Here, take it back with you. And I’ve been told that the young lass should head down towards the garden. The one inside I think? I’m not too sure. You nobles are always the slightest bit hard to understand. I apologize for troubling you with that. I think you can disregard it considering who made the request.” A guard said, sighing

“Who made the request?” Mom asked, stopping for a second

“Oh. It was one of the servants from the lower royal palace. Considering your rank, you can just brush it off I assume. I’m not sure how that stuff works, but it was pretty rude and straightforward. It was something along the lines of asking me to shout at you to go to something or another. Sorry missy, my memory is failing with old age. I think I repeated myself, didn’t I? Take care, then, you too young miss.” The kind guard said

They walked towards the castle, and towards the hall.

“See, not every man is evil.” Mom said

“I….yes, mother.” Serena said, frowning

“Nonono. I didn’t mean to try to force you. Sorry.” Mom said, worrying.

“It’s fine, mom. I just want to leave.” Serena said, brushing her off

They walked into the hall, and it was full of people.

It was bright, and very much louder than Serena had expected.

“I have to go over there, sweetie, you can go and mingle.” Mom said

Serena headed to a deserted corner and sat down, trying to avoid everyone.

She forgot one thing.

Some people misunderstand the way she acts.

They think she’s left out by others instead of choosing to be left out herself.

One of those people showed up a few minutes later

“Hello? Hi! Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be over with everyone else? Are you nervous? I can introduce you to them, it’s easy. Come on.” A boy said, heading back towards the crowd

Serena didn’t move

The boy realized she wasn’t there and turned around

“I said I could help you, do you need anything?” The boy asked, grinning

He flashed a handsome smile, one that fit him perfectly. Despite his young age, it would have melted many a woman's heart.

“I’m fine. Leave me alone, please.” Serena said

“Huh? This is a party! Aren’t we supposed to have fun? Leave the dusty corner! Let’s go over there!” The boy said, enthusiastically smiling

She didn’t react

Usually his smile worked wonders, and cheered anyone up, especially girls. He was baffled.

“I’ll leave the corner, sure.” Serena said, getting up

“Really? Sweet! Let’s go! Oh! I forgot to introduce myself! I’m Leon, it’s nice to meet you!” The boy said, happy she finally started to listen

“I never said I was going to join you. I’m leaving the ball room.” Serena said, heading outside and into the garden

“Huh? Are, are you okay? I’ve never seen anyone act this way before. Who are you?” Leon said

“Probably because people like me don’t leave their rooms or house often. Of course you haven't. By the way, If you’re really asking, no, I’m not okay. So just leave me alone. And, if it will get you to leave, my name is serana.” Serena said, walking away

Leon followed her, asking questions, relentlessly trying his hardest to make her at least smile. He had never been unable to help someone who was sad. He felt something unlike anything he had before. He wanted to see her smile happily, regardless of what he had to do.

He said stupid jokes, made impressions, told stories. Nothing worked.

She just kept asking to be left alone.

She sat on a swing in the garden, as she liked to go on the swings often, it felt peaceful to her.

This time there was a blonde haired blue eyed little boy who reminded her of a dog, if she really didn’t like dogs, who kept following her, disrupting that peace.

He stayed for over an hour, trying his best.

“Hey! Leon! Are you over here?” A voice called

A boy a little older than Leon walked into view, he had black hair and blue eyes, and was tall for his age.

“Oh! Bro! Can you help me out? I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. No matter what I do, she won’t even smile.” Leon said, running to his brother and pointing

“A girl? You took interest in a girl? And what do you mean by she won’t even smile. Oh. That’s a pretty depressing aura.” The boy said

“That’s what everyone says. You can leave. I would rather be alone.” Serena said

“That… I have to agree with my brother for once, are you sure we can’t do anything to help?” The boy asked, genuinely concerned

“You could leave. I don’t like men.” Serana said

“Oh. Is that why you’re like that? Was my brother bugging you all day? I’m sorry.” The boy said, apologizing

“No. I’m usually like this. But he has been bugging me. I….appreciate you trying to help...but… please, just let me be alone.” Serena said, struggling to have had to converse with others for so long. She became even more tired.

“I… bro, silus, what am I supposed to do? I can’t stand this. I want her to be happy, is there seriously nothing we can do?” Leon asked

“You can leave.” Serena said

“Leon, we can just ask mom what to do. She should know.” Silus said

“But… fine. That sounds like a better idea to me. I’m not going to give up.” Leon said

“You, the boy with the raven hair. Please tell him to leave me alone. I’m not interested in him. I’m not interested in men at all…...Other than that, farewell.” Serena said, looking away, the swing squeaking and the wind blowing. Everything looked dead, and the dried orange leaves of the autumn trees didn’t help much.

Chapter 2: The Broken Mind / The Shattered Spirit / The Crushed Heart

The prince had never waited for anything before, and was unused to it.

“This feeling. I’m annoyed, right? This feels odd.” The prince said

“It has been over three hours. Being a little annoyed would be completely understandable.” A man said, standing beside him

“The food has gone cold as well. I feel bad for Pedro. His skill is excellent, and he put in effort, but it sat here, wasted. Are you sure she got notified to come over?” The prince asked

“Yes, she was told at the gate. The guard said two locations due to his memory, but neither of them have been visited by her.” The man said

“Who is she? I don’t know anything about her.” The prince asked

“That… is a long story, especially for someone so young such as her. It is not my story to tell, and has been silenced by your father. So even if I wanted to, I am not allowed to tell you. Apologies.” the man said

“This is unacceptable. I didn’t want to do this, but I guess I have to. Everyone, go and find her. Bring her back when you do.” The prince said

“Your highness…” the man said

“Yes… it isn’t the best first impression, but I’m slightly annoyed. All of you took quite a while to prepare this place for me to meet her. It’s gone mostly to waste. It’s still beautiful, but it isn’t as perfect as you made it. I’m also wondering, Bernard, why do you know her story?” The prince asked

“I’d say almost everyone who worked in the palace three years ago knows her story.” Bernard said

“Really? Then why have I never heard of it?” The prince asked

“Even if they were allowed to, nobody likes talking about that. Of course they would leave it.” Bernard said, his face had a look of disgust and anger

“I found the young lady!” A voice called, lugging in what appeared to be a small boulder

“A boulder? No, wait. That’s a person? Are you sure this is my future wife?” The prince asked

“Not that we recommend the marriage.” Bernard said

“Huh? Why? Is she… bad?” The prince asked

“She’s right here. Talk to her and you will see.” Bernard said

“Um. Hello, I’m Sorcier, it’s nice to meet you.” The prince said, extending his hand

Serana looked at it, disgusted

“Apologies... prince? Yes. I would appreciate it if you could annul our engagement.” She said, rocking back and forth, holding her knees in her arms, and biting her thumb. She looked annoyed

“What? Bernard, did I hear her right? Wouldn’t it usually be the opposite way around?” The prince asked

“That’s why I asked you to annul it. Otherwise me and my mother would have done it ourselves already.” Serena said

“What? What? Bernard, I’m smart, right? That’s what they say? That I’m a genius?” The prince asked

“That’s an understatement.” Bernard replied

“Then tell me. Exactly why do I have no clue what’s happening? This marriage is beneficial for both of us! I’m also not the worst person to have as a husband, if I might say! Why would you just throw it away?” The prince asked, confused

“I….don’t like men. I have to repeat that every time I meet someone new, don’t I. I really shouldn’t have opened my door. Can I just leave? Marry me for all I care, just don’t come near me.” Serena said, giving up

“This….this makes no sense.” The price said

“No….sorcier… this is completely understandable. If anything, I’m surprised she isn’t trying to take a knife to cut you.” Bernard said, relieved

“I’m…..not that bad anymore. I just want to be left alone. Forever. If I could have died, I would have. Unlike you, I don’t have that luxury.” Serena said spitefully

“What? Bernard, we aren’t that old, yet, are we?” The prince asked

“I believe she will be 11 soon, if you are currently 12.” Bernard said

The prince froze

“Did she just say that she would die if she could die? Does…. Does that mean you can’t die?” The prince asked

“.....”

“.....”

Serana grabbed a knife off the table and drove it towards her heart.

It broke in two, the broken piece went flying off cutting the princes ear. It only bled, a small injury.

Serana was unharmed.

“I don’t think I can, no. For the times in which there is something strong enough to hurt me, I heal. Again. And again. And again. No matter what you do to me. At all. Nothing will let me die.” Serana said, bitterly

The prince thought for a moment

“That means something that did more damage than being stabbed has happened to you?” The prince asked

Serana stared at him

Her eyes suddenly widened

She starting laughing

It devolved into sobbing after a few seconds.

After around 10 minutes she stopped.

She got up, and the prince saw a maniacal smile beneath a face of tears.

Her hands and nails clawed at her face, shaving off flesh, which healed as soon as it was injured.

She picked up the knife, trying in vain to somehow pierce her body with the already broken blade

Her fingers were caked in blood, ripped flesh wedged under her nails.

Her teeth had been covered in blood from biting her tongue off, her teeth cracked, healing each time she shattered them.

This lasted for a few minutes.

She came to, looking at her hands, horrified.

She tried to scream.

She tasted the blood in her mouth, and puked.

She couldn’t utter a sound, other than laughing and crying.

The memories that flashed in her mind vividly caused her to shudder and shake violently.

She was smiling, and crying, her face and behavior changing from one to another rapidly.

When she left, he heard her laughing.

There was nothing funny about this situation.

Yet still, she continued, despite having already turned into a mess on the ground.

She was taken home be her mother, who arrived moments later.

The girl laughing, the mother crying, they left.

The laughing and crying slowly faded, being replaced with a silence that seemed to make daytime as dark as night.