I sighed all through the long night, convinced it wouldn't end until dawn crept into the spacious room—with its lavish furniture, perfect order, and beauty, just like me.
I lay in bed, only the soft blanket covering me from the cool morning air and the sun's beautiful rise over the distant black hills.
I could see My Lady standing by the window. Her long, wavy hair—black as midnight—kissed me with the breeze as she watched the massive forest, the palace's back garden, with mature, beautiful eyes. She wore her red nightgown, its tie wrapped around her slim, lovely waist.
After last night's desires—wild, almost mad—I saw her approach the window, gaze deepening outside, then speak: "Nirael." My name.
I rose, shaking off sleep, reminding myself of my place in My Lady's palace. I am her maid and beautiful companion, and I am beautiful—as she always calls me "the Beauty." So my actions must match my grace before my revered Lady.
My Lady: "Unwelcome guests in my garden, darling. Now they play with my wolves, Nirael."
I listened silently, bowing low despite my nakedness.
My Lady: "I'll leave this to you, dear. While I dress, I'll join you downstairs… If you arrive early and the pups haven't killed them yet, wait for me. I have… suspicions."
She closed the room's red, rippling curtains.
Me: "Yes, at once, My Lady."
My preparations were routine: black-and-white traditional maid's attire. I looked beautiful in it. All that remained was to enter the vast, gorgeous forest within My Lady "Lydie's" great garden. She'd often compare me to this garden in our private moments—how I loved that! I'd let no one taint her world… or mine.
When I arrived, I wished My Lady's giant, tamed wolves had finished the guests—leaving me only to clean up. But I found three or four… Wait. Her massive black wolves: four dead bodies, while the remaining three stood guard.
I knew them: "Vitor" and his brothers, though some were gone.
The scene choked me. Furious, I began cursing. Then I saw the culprit: a lone knight, seeming frail, blood dripping through his armor.
He didn't flinch—Vitor's claws and fangs had been brutal. He deserved it.
I noticed another: a golden-haired girl beside him, weak-looking, supporting the knight with some magic.
Time to intervene with beauty, I thought.
As my foot touched the ground, the wolves calmed, recognizing me. The knight locked eyes with me, tense, and stammered: "Runa, fall back!"
Be a man, for once! I mused.
But the girl cut in arrogantly: "Alruna isn't Runa!" (Childish boasting!) Then she yelled at me: "Clumsy knight!"
How original, I thought.
I stepped forward, introducing myself like a saint in a maid's graceful form:
Me: "Let me enlighten you: You trespass on My Lady Lydie's domain! Her land, her garden, her world! Guests could always be treated kindly… but you invaded her sacred garden uninvited! And killed her holy crescent wolves too—how rude! I truly despise rude people!"
My tone grew sharper, a beautiful threat.
The little witch only mumbled excuses—they didn't know, it's her land—pitifully stammering about "accidentally" killing wolves that "attacked first."
Me: "What?!" I screamed, two steps from her now. "Silence!"
I nearly sliced her head off with my slender, sword-like copper dagger.
Fate made the knight shield his beloved—playing fool again: "Alruna!" (Still wrong name!)
He pushed her back, blocking my strike. My blade pierced his shoulder armor, leaving its mark.
I saw him draw his long sword, bracing himself as I elegantly poised for the attack. The giant wolves tensed, syncing with my movements.
The knight blocked skillfully despite his trembling voice and visible tension. His counters were sharp—like an elite hunter or seasoned warrior. Not my type. I dislike men like him... and girls like her.
His endurance shocked me. Even after I stabbed his shoulder and right leg, even after Vitor slammed him so hard he shattered two trees—he didn't retreat! Instead, he chanted a spell, catching his breath. That "Alruna" girl must've cast it.
Still, I laughed freely. Honestly? I wanted him dead now. This knight was grating on my nerves.
I lunged with my dagger while the wolves harried the girl—she barely dodged, frantic.
My focus stayed on the knight. My beautiful face met his damned visor, hiding his features. Furious, we traded blows.
He actually tried to negotiate mid-fight! Apologizing, begging to talk—after all this?!
But me? Nirael the Beauty doesn't accept cheap apologies! He'd think twice after I killed him—maybe in his next life—before violating My Lady's land again!
The gap was obvious. I'd show him. Though not a hunter, I'd endured the "Awakening" ordeal and earned my "C+++" rank. This had to end cleanly—him subdued beneath my heel after tiring him out. After a few rounds of crushing him...
I saw him stagger, exhausted. I smiled. Yet he wouldn't fall! He kept attacking despite my hits, barely deflecting.
Even after he'd beaten the other wolves, our duel felt... sacred. I gave him a respectful smile. He didn't return it. Just kept clashing, his sword aching to touch my beautiful body—repeatedly.
Sweat soaked me. My stamina faltered. I lacked his unnatural endurance! This knight didn't tire—no, he did, but fought on bleeding and broken!
"DAMN IIIIT!" I screamed as that little witch blasted me with a fire spell! Hot. Ugly. Utterly rude!
But I couldn't even curse! The knight pressed his advantage, trapping me. Considering retreat? Shameful! A terrifying thought struck: Could I lose?! Possible—I was alone, exhausted; he was battered... yet standing.
"HOW?!" I raged, spitting insults. "Someone as beautiful and exalted as me CAN'T lose to rusty scrap and a plain, frail girl!" Those words drained my last strength. I couldn't go on...
I braced for his final strike—the sword cleaving my skull. But he froze beneath the trees, bleeding freely. Then "Alruna" cast a mid-tier healing spell. Golden light enveloped him.
Meanwhile, I teetered on collapse—exhausted, humiliated. Better to die than let My Lady see me like this!
I thought it was over. My legs gave out...
...Until arms caught me.
I knew her scent instantly: My Lady "Lydie"! She stood like a shadow—dark aura swirling around her black gown.
She gazed down, cold pity in her smile as she saw my tears.
My Lady Lydie: "Seems I'm late, little Nirael. My apologies... and apologies again for burdening you with my past oversight." Her eyes locked onto the desperate knight. I hated that! Also... does he even have a name? If so, "knight" feels too crude for him now."
My Lady Lydie: "You... from the Far North. I confess, seeing you again was unforeseen. Frankly—and personally—despite the tales spun about you and deeds done in ages past... In the end, you and I are ancient relics of a bygone era.
What does it feel like... vanishing for so long?"
She spoke solely to the knight, her focus absolute.
From my view, he seemed utterly lost.
"He'll understand soon," I whispered—though admitting my ignorance in this exchange stung.
Only when I saw Alruna's equally bewildered gaze did I realize: We're both adrift here.
My Lady's displeasure hung thick—over her slain wolves, over my wounds.
And I knew: My Lady, this thousand-year-old spirit, remained as terrifyingly beautiful, mighty, and merciless as ever.
She then cast supreme-tier healing magic on the knight.
Healed, he rose—dazed, awestruck—staring long before murmuring a deep, stammered thanks.
Why? What game is she playing?
But she gathered me gently into her arms, and I melted against her.
With a teleportation spell, just before we vanished to the palace, she locked eyes with him:
"We will meet again. Fate has another reckoning for us, knight...
Someday."
Then we were gone—vanished with the three surviving wolves.
I cursed silently.
She let them go. Unpunished.
Regret hollowed my chest—a truth I'd never dare confess to her.
"For the first time... I felt my beauty wasn't enough."
"My Lady... why did you look at him like that?"