Duyen stared at Shana in sheer shock.
The person standing before her had Shana's face, unmistakably so—yet she was dressed in an exquisitely formal furisode. The natural auburn curls Duyen knew so well were gone, replaced by hair as black as ink. And the sapphire-blue eyes that had once been so bright and beautiful were now brown—soft, youthful, and strangely unfamiliar.
Shana!
Duyen wanted to cry out her name, but for some inexplicable reason, her voice seemed trapped in her throat.
Shana noticed Duyen sitting on the grass. She smiled—a radiant, elegant smile—and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Kaya, you're here at last. I've been searching for you everywhere."
The hug felt both intimate and alien at the same time. Why was she calling her Kaya?
Duyen tried to speak, but no words would come. Shana released her slightly, her eyes briefly shadowed with sorrow.
"You know… I don't understand why the lord suddenly decided to postpone the wedding. We've spent an entire year preparing for it."
Postpone the wedding? Why was Shana talking about this so suddenly?
"But at least…" Shana continued, her smile returning, "it means I get more time to stay by your side, doesn't it?"
The moment she finished speaking, her jet-black hair faded back into auburn, and those familiar sapphire-blue eyes reappeared. She lunged forward again, burying her head into Duyen's arms as if returning to where she truly belonged.
Duyen didn't understand what was happening—why Shana was behaving so strangely—but her arms instinctively wrapped around her anyway.
Shana…
She whispered the name silently, her eyes burning. It felt as though she were a soul trapped inside someone else's body—yet this body resonated with her in an uncanny way.
She couldn't understand why the gaze she lifted toward Shana felt so unbearably sorrowful. So choked with longing and helplessness. As if this body desperately wanted to love Shana with everything it had—yet was forbidden to do so.
Shana lifted her head, looking at Kaya with a mischievous glint. She whispered teasingly,
"If only Kaya were a man… then we could get married, couldn't we?"
Huh—?
Duyen flushed instantly, but Shana pressed a finger to her lips.
"This is our little secret, okay? Don't tell the housekeeper."
Before Kaya could react, Shana claimed her lips. The kiss was fierce, hungry, filled with restrained passion. Shana's tongue slipped boldly past Duyen's lips, while her wandering hands slid beneath the layers of Duyen's kimono, eager to tear it away.
Duyen was swept under by the sensation, her own hands clutching Shana just as fiercely.
They tangled together wildly by the stream, as if pouring out every ounce of desire they had suppressed for so long…
Some time later, Duyen and Shana lay naked in each other's arms beneath the water, sprawled atop their tangled kimonos. Completely sated.
Duyen didn't know whether this Shana was truly the Shana she knew. And even though Shana had called her by an unfamiliar name, she didn't care. Even this borrowed body clearly burned with intense feelings for Shana.
As Shana buried her face in the hollow of Duyen's neck, a sharp, elderly voice suddenly cut through the air.
"Miss Shigonami? Miss Shigonami?!"
Shana jolted upright in panic. Duyen was startled as well.
"Damn it—it's the housekeeper!" Shana hissed, hurriedly grabbing their clothes and tossing Duyen's kimono at her. "Quick, get dressed!"
Duyen scrambled just as frantically. The two of them ducked into a nearby bamboo grove, hastily helping each other dress.
An elderly woman soon appeared—her stern expression and plain kimono making it obvious she was a servant.
Shana quietly instructed Duyen to stay hidden, then stepped out to face her. She adopted a demure, composed posture—standing straight, walking with delicate steps.
The housekeeper raised an eyebrow, her tone probing despite her status.
"Miss Shigonami, why are you here alone instead of staying in your room?"
Her gaze swept the surroundings, clearly searching for something—or someone.
Shana responded calmly,
"The room felt suffocating, so I came out for some fresh air. Is that such a crime?"
The housekeeper's eyes sharpened as they lingered on Shana's furisode, noticing the slight disorder.
"Of course… Miss Shigonami," she muttered, before continuing coldly.
"Do not forget your status as the future wife of the lord. Your body and soul belong to him. It is improper for a well-bred woman to wander alone."
Shana's gaze hardened. She smiled on the surface, but inwardly she cursed.
Yes, I know… Tazu.
The housekeeper let out a scoff and turned to the maid behind her.
"Escort Miss Shigonami back to her room. Bathe her and prepare her properly. The lord is entertaining an important guest."
Hidden in the bamboo, Duyen watched helplessly as Shana was led away. Before disappearing, Shana cast her a quick glance—a silent signal not to step out.
Shana…
Duyen could only whisper her name inwardly, anxiety and dread flooding her mind.
Somehow, she knew—from this moment on, something terrible was about to happen. Something that would change both of their fates forever.
In the reception hall of the lord's residence, a man who appeared to be in his forties sat calmly as a servant poured tea for him. Kneeling before the lord was a monk, dressed far more plainly, his posture humble and restrained.
The lord narrowed his eyes at the monk.
"Why did you suddenly interrupt my wedding ceremony?"
The monk kept his head bowed in silence. After a moment, he slowly raised his face.
"This is a matter of great urgency, my lord. Within your estate, there exists a dangerous seed."
"A dangerous seed?"
The lord raised an eyebrow.
"You mean a spy from the Okada clan?"
The monk lifted his head fully now, his expression grave and solemn.
"No. This time, it is far more serious than that. Have you ever heard of the Fox Spirits?"
A flicker of strange recognition passed through the lord's eyes, but he quickly feigned ignorance and asked in return,
"Fox spirits? What do you mean?"
"Fox spirits are fox demons that have cultivated for hundreds of years," the monk explained calmly.
"They can disguise themselves as humans, and they delight in eating human flesh. They often lure their prey by masquerading as people, only to devour them once trust is gained."
"Hm."
The lord nodded thoughtfully, though the terrifying tale seemed to inspire little fear in him.
"And why are you telling me this now?"
"This humble monk merely wonders…" The monk hesitated. "Could it be that your future young bride—"
"You mean to say my fiancée is a fox spirit?"
The moment the words left his mouth, the lord burst into laughter. The monk stared at him in stunned confusion, unable to comprehend such blatant contempt.
"How daring of you to commit such treasonous slander," the lord sneered. "It is already mercy enough that I have not punished you. And yet you dare spread vile rumors about my future wife? You are truly bold."
Yet the monk showed no fear. Instead, he reached into his travel pack and took out a small bronze hand mirror.
The instant the lord saw it, the confidence on his face vanished. His brow furrowed.
"That mirror…? How did you come to possess it?"
The monk met the lord's gaze directly, his eyes cold and detached.
"As a servant of the Goddess, my lord should remember well—one must never act against her will."
With that single sentence, the atmosphere in the room shifted completely. The lord looked at the monk with an entirely different expression now.
"Then… what do you want me to do?"
The monk raised the mirror, his eyes blazing.
"This mirror speaks only the truth. Any form taken by demons or spirits will be revealed within it. If your beloved lady appears as a fox spirit—do not hesitate. You must kill her immediately."
Those words struck straight at the lord's heart. The so-called wandering high monk placed the mirror on the table and departed, leaving the lord alone in the room.
Moments later, the elderly housekeeper cautiously entered.
"My lord, Lady Shigonami has returned to her chambers."
"Oh?"
The lord's expression shifted into one of gentle calculation. He smiled kindly.
"How is her mood? I worry that postponing the wedding may have upset her."
The housekeeper bowed respectfully.
"Her spirits have improved, my lord. However… there is something else I must report."
After the monk's ominous warning, the lord had grown alert. Any behavior of Shana's now seemed potentially significant. The housekeeper leaned in and whispered something into his ear.
Suddenly, the lord's expression changed. A flash of cold cruelty passed through his eyes.
Later that night, he stood before Shana's chamber, its lanterns still glowing. He did not enter. Instead, he peered through the narrow crack of the door, utterly silent—so silent it was unsettling.
Inside, his future bride sat gracefully, flawless and ethereal, like a celestial maiden descended to the mortal realm. Her eyes were lowered, gazing into the candlelight.
But his gaze held no affection. No warmth. Only quiet scrutiny.
Slowly, he took out the Mirror of Truth and angled it toward Shana.
What appeared in the bronze surface horrified him so deeply that he nearly dropped the mirror.
That night, the lord never once visited Shana. He sat alone in the library tower, staring at a single candle flame, lost in thought.
Then he laughed softly, murmuring to himself.
"Unbelievable… That skin… those eyes… even that scent…"
So this is your true form, Shana…
He turned the mirror upon himself. Only his own reflection stared back. Then the monk had not lied.
Kill her… must I truly kill her?
The image reflected from Shana had been too shocking, too monstrous. And yet—if that power could help him crush the Okawa clan beneath his feet…
Suddenly, he remembered what the housekeeper had whispered to him earlier.
In the dead of night, while Duyen slept deeply in the small servant's hut, the door was violently kicked open.
She jolted awake in terror as three unfamiliar men stormed inside. The lord followed them, studying her closely.
Who are these people?
Before she could comprehend anything, two soldiers seized her arms and slammed her down onto the floor.
The lord examined her carefully and realized—this girl was undeniably beautiful. She possessed an innocent, pure air rarely seen, with porcelain-white skin that only daughters of noble houses usually had. She looked nothing like a servant.
"Well done," the lord said coldly. "I hear you are very close to Shigonami."
He handed his lantern to a servant beside him, watching as the two soldiers violated the girl without mercy.
"I'm told you're a slave. Your tongue was cut, so you cannot speak?" He smiled faintly.
"How convenient."
Pain and humiliation overwhelmed Duyen. She struggled with all her strength beneath the weight of two men, but it was useless. Eventually, she nearly gave up, her body going limp as they continued their disgusting behavior.
Tears streamed endlessly down her hollow, lifeless face. Muffled cries of agony escaped her throat, unable to form words.
Shana…
Where is Shana?
Shana…?
At that moment, the lord declared coldly,
"The wedding will proceed as planned."
The next morning, the entire city rejoiced. The wedding of the lord and his beautiful young bride was celebrated with unmatched extravagance. A grand procession paraded through the streets so the people could behold the bride known as a heavenly maiden descended to earth—a peerless beauty the lord had supposedly encountered in the forest.
Yet inside the bridal palanquin, the lord and Shana sat in eerie silence. Shana glanced at the man who would soon become her husband. Though he did not look at her, she still sensed a faint trace of affection… and excitement.
He was the first man she had ever loved. To marry the lord of an entire city—was that not the dream of countless women?
Then why did regret stir faintly in her heart.
Kaya…
I haven't seen her all morning. Where could she be?
Seated upon the highest dais as the future lady of the city, Shana maintained perfect composure, despite the feast of rare delicacies before her and the thousands cheering below.
The lord raised his hand to greet his people and proclaimed loudly,
"Today, as we share in my joy, I also wish to announce something to the High Gods—and to all of you—as a gift to my beloved bride…"
Shana smiled shyly.
"…Today, I declare—I have captured the Fox Spirit! Let it be offered to the Great Goddess!"
Shana's eyes widened in horror. The crowd below erupted into confused murmurs.
Fox spirit?
What does he mean?
From afar, soldiers approached, carrying a bound figure tied upright to a wooden pillar.
The sight was chilling.
A naked woman—her body covered in blood, bruises, and savage wounds—hung limply against the post. Blood dripped onto the ground beneath her feet.
Her head was covered by the flayed skin of a fox, concealing her face completely.
Motionless. As if dead.
The people recoiled in terror, scrambling aside. And Shana…
Went completely numb.
Her lips trembled as she whispered,
"…Kaya?"