POV: Karina
It had been quite an exhausting day for Karina — she had spent the entire day receiving lessons from Tania.
There was still so much she had to learn to become the perfect maid for Zeref.
As she walked toward her room, fragments of her past began to surface in her mind.
Karina was the daughter of a low-ranking noble family. Although they held noble status, their life was modest. Her family governed a small region in the western part of the Helios Kingdom — a domain consisting of only three poor, humble villages.
Despite being a noble lady, Karina rarely visited the capital. But the very first time she did, a disaster struck her life.
A Margrave who ruled over the western territories of Helios asked for her hand — to become one of his concubines.
This was a common occurrence among nobles, where men and women with vast age differences often formed political unions.
However, this particular Margrave had a terrible reputation, and rumors said he was involved in human trafficking — an act forbidden by the Helios Kingdom.
This left Karina's family in a difficult dilemma. Refusing the Margrave's request could earn his wrath — something they could not afford. As low-ranking nobles, opposing a powerful lord was unthinkable.
But accepting his demand was also impossible, for Karina was already engaged to the son of a baron.
Their wedding was scheduled for when she turned sixteen.
Not wanting to offend either side, Karina's family made a choice: they sold her into the black market to erase her existence altogether.
I had been living a simple life… until my family decided to sell me to slave traders. My life changed drastically overnight. Even though I had never lived in luxury, at least the food at home had some taste.
Now, I was reduced to eating hard, stale bread and sleeping in filthy, stinking quarters.
I might have taken my own life if things had continued like that — but then, a miracle appeared before me.
My prince came and saved me. To me, he was like a star shining in the night sky.
Even though my prince lived in luxury, he still treated me with kindness and gentleness.
He even encouraged me while I was struggling to awaken my bloodline. Thanks to him, I succeeded.
I swore I would protect my prince no matter what — even if the entire world turned against him.
There was a time when I was furious with myself for being unable to do anything when my prince was in danger.
I swore I would kill every single member of that dark organization if I ever encountered them.
How dare those lowly people kidnap my prince.
When Karina finally reached her room and stepped inside, a wave of peace washed over her.
Yes, even though she always appeared shy and reserved in front of Zeref, Karina's obsession with him was no less extreme than anyone else's.
Her room was filled with pictures and statues of Zeref. Karina often stole his clothes — sometimes even ones he was still using.
"Ahh… my prince, I miss you so much…" Karina whispered as she hugged Zeref's shirt tightly, sometimes inhaling its scent.
POV: Kagura and Kaguya
Kagura and Kaguya were in the training area inside the mansion. Kaguya was honing her close-combat skills, while Kagura practiced her water magic.
Both of them trained with utmost seriousness. The incident involving Zeref had motivated them to push themselves even harder. After their training session, the twins sat down to rest.
"Kagura, I miss Zeref so much~~"
Kaguya complained as she held Kagura's hand. Of the two twins, Kagura was the more mature and serious one. She smiled softly and replied:
"We just have to wait until Zeref returns. Besides, we already promised him that we'd surprise him when he comes back." (Kagura)
"I know… but we were just starting to get closer to him. With a little more push, we might've had him." (Kaguya)
Kaguya pouted adorably. She desperately wanted Zeref to accept them both as his lovers. She and her sister had even devised a small plan to seduce him.
"I know it's frustrating… but we still need to understand his true feelings for us. Otherwise, Lilia or Karina might win his heart before we do." (Kagura)
"You're right." (Kaguya)
Kaguya fell silent for a moment. Then she asked quietly:
"Kagura… do you think our future will end badly?"
"What do you mean?"
Kagura looked puzzled by her sister's sudden question.
"I mean… I'm happy sharing Zeref with you, because you and he are the two things I love most in this world. But I don't want to share Zeref with anyone else." (Kaguya)
"We have to make sure Zeref stays with only the two of us."
Kagura smiled and replied:
"And haven't you noticed how hard he's been trying not to touch our ears and tails? When he returns, we just need to use that to our advantage."
Hearing Kagura's words, a sly smile crept across Kaguya's lips. The twins had already decided — Zeref would belong to them alone.
As they spoke, memories of their past surfaced in both their minds.
They were born into a warrior family of the wolf tribe. Their parents had been warriors too.
When they discovered that they couldn't awaken their bloodlines, they were devastated. Even so, their parents never complained. They continued to care for the twins with love.
Even when their peers mocked them, they supported each other. But disaster after disaster struck.
One day, their parents left on an errand and never returned. The twins were quickly placed under the care of their uncle — who treated them terribly.
They fell into depression, humiliation, and grief. Until one day, their uncle sold them both in exchange for someone's favor.
And there, they were abused.
Yet even then, they continued to support each other — until their despair was finally shattered by the arrival of a black-haired boy who appeared when they were at the lowest point of their lives.
That boy accepted them and gave them love and care. At first, Kagura was suspicious, thinking he might have ulterior motives. But eventually, she realized he treated them sincerely.
He even assigned them as his personal guards to show his support. For the first time, someone valued them. For the first time, they felt seen.
Even when they had given up on themselves, the boy never gave up on them. He was always there to support them. Slowly but surely, their lives began to revolve around him.
Before they even realized it, both of them had fallen in love with that boy.
Kaguya and Kagura initially struggled with their feelings, but in the end, they decided to share him between them — and vowed to always support him together.