The entire Elegant and Pure Chamber trembled in panic. Lady Wosina had been in labour for three days, her strength fading with every passing hour, yet there was no sign of birth. Maids rushed in and out, each carrying bowls—some filled with clean water, others already stained with blood.
"Hmm… ahh… ahh…" she groaned, her cries breaking as tears slipped from the corners of her eyes.
"Your Ladyship, gather your strength," the midwife urged gently.
A maid knelt beside her, carefully dabbing the sweat from Lady Wosina's pale face.
Outside the chamber, the air was heavy and still. The night was cold yet strangely bright. Above the palace, the full moon hung high, casting its dim light across the sky.
The King paced endlessly before the chamber doors. He had refused food and sleep while his beloved concubine struggled inside. Every scream shattered his heart, yet he could not enter. It was forbidden—taboo for a king to witness a woman in labour.
Then, after what felt like eternity, a sound finally came. Not from the lady, but from a newborn.
The midwife rushed out, a tiny baby wrapped in thick royal brocade in her arms.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty. It is a princess," she muttered with trembling breath.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty," the Queen, the harem, maids, and officials chorused in unison, bowing deeply.
Suddenly, a wail tore through the celebration.
"Your Ladyship!" a maid screamed.
The Imperial Physician rushed out, his face pale.
"Your Majesty… Her Ladyship has passed away."
The King tried to rush inside but was held back by the Queen and the concubines.
"You cannot go in yet, Your Majesty," the Queen said.
"Get your hands off me!" the King roared, yanking free and storming in.
"Wosina! Wosina!" he cried. "You are not allowed to die."
He held her cold hand against his chest.
As if to announce its presence, the pale moon wept crimson light into the chamber. The sudden shift stirred whispers among the maids, who glanced at one another with knowing eyes.
It was no coincidence, they believed. The moon was tied to the child's birth and the mother's death. The child is demonic, they thought, but none dared speak. Not while the royal family still lingered, their presence choking the room—no one wished to risk having their tongue cut.
Not only the palace, but the entire kingdom fell into disarray. Every tongue whispered of bad omens. Rumors swept through the land like wildfire.
Outside, the Queen smiled. Lady Wosina was dead—now the King would belong to her alone.
With a scheming expression, she summoned the Royal Astronomer and forced out sobs.
"Your Majesty, disaster sings upon the palace roof, and sorrow shall soon rain upon the kingdom. The mother's death, the crimson moon, the child's birth—these are signs. The child is ominous. Please order her execution."
With rage and tears clouding their eyes, Lady Gigie and Wosina's maid begged for the baby's life.
"Your Majesty, bestow mercy. She is but a baby. How could she be deprived of life? The child has nothing to do with the heavens. Please, look into it."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Lady Gigie is right. Have mercy on the little princess," the maid added.
"Th-this is fate, Your Majesty," the Astronomer insisted. "The heavens speak of danger. It is bound to the child. Do not listen to their gibberish."
The King stormed out, fury blazing in his eyes. He pointed at them in warning and left without a word.
"When has it become your turn to speak when I do?" Queen Sarah snapped at the maid.
"Guards! Drag this mad woman away and whip her. Do not stop until she confesses her sins and admits her wrongs."
She turned and walked away.
Lady Gigie, once Lady Wosina's dowry maid, took the baby from the midwife and hurried after the King so he could name the child, as custom demanded.
But he shouted, "Take that child away! I do not wish to see her."
"If you know what's good for you, throw that thing into the forest to feed the wolves," the Queen added coldly.
Left with no choice, Lady Gigie glanced at the crimson moon, shook her head, and whispered,
"You poor thing… you shall be called Lumiler."
From that moment, Lumiler became a child without a mother.
She lost her father's love,
and gained only mockery, pity and hatred in what was supposed to be a warm home.