Chapter One:
I never imagined that I would be the villain in this tale.
Not a fleeting evil that could be forgiven with a slip of the tongue or a foolish decision, but an evil as heavy as iron, leaving its mark on every corner of my life, and even on the lives of the people around me. I tortured my family and enslaved them, humiliated my fiancé before everyone, and repeatedly sought to kill the Crown Prince to seize his position. I did not stop there I killed many innocent souls without hesitation. And yet, you let me live.
"Why did you do this, Navarin?" I asked her, my voice trembling between anger and exhaustion.
She stood before me, her body weighed down by wounds, her white dress stained with blood. Her red eyes glistened with tears, yet she struggled to remain steady. She said in a broken voice, "Iris… I know everything. I know how much you were wrong, and how much you hurt me. But it's alright we can fix everything now. It's not too late."
I laughed. A loud laugh echoed back from the stone walls of the hall… I covered my face with my hands and felt the coldness of my fingers despite the warmth of the tears that began to pour down.
"Fix what, Navarin? I destroyed everything. Even myself."
I could not control my crying. The pain I felt was extremely cruel, because its source was not an enemy, but myself. To be both villainous and kind at the same time is an unbearable curse.
Navarin screamed, trying to approach despite the pain. "Iris, please, don't do it come back!"
But time had run out. If I was the evil, then I had to disappear so that the world could remain safe.
I put on the four gemstones, each one glowing with a different color around my body. I stepped toward the massive golden gate at the center of the hall, its ancient engravings blazing with terrifying energy. I extended my hand into the rising light and felt a force pulling me in.
I turned to Navarin, who was screaming my name, and smiled at her.
"Thank you, my sister… for everything."
---
It all began a year ago, when I was just a naïve girl who knew nothing about her true self or who she really was.
On that day, the entire city was preparing for the celebration of my nineteenth birthday. My grandfather the wealthy man with vast influence decided to make the occasion the talk of everyone. He invited celebrities, businessmen, and nobles from everywhere. I was his only heir, his granddaughter to whom he had never denied anything.
From the early morning, the large house was bustling with activity. Maids ran through the corridors, flowers were arranged in vases, and chandeliers were polished until they clearly reflected faces. In my room, I sat in front of the mirror while the hairstylist arranged my long purple hair into soft waves. My blue eyes sparkled with excitement, and a confident smile was drawn on my lips.
The red dress was tight, clinging precisely to my body and boldly highlighting my features. I saw nothing in myself but the princess of the night.
Then my grandfather entered my room, striking the floor with his golden cane in slow steps. He paused at the door for a moment, his eyes filled with pride.
"You look like a princess today, Iris."
I smiled and ran to hug him. "And you look like a knight protecting her from villains."
He laughed lightly, then offered me his arm. "Come, let's show them who the heiress of this city is."
We entered the hall together. It was vast, crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and refined music playing. Whispers rose the moment we stepped in, and eyes turned toward me. Guests came forward to congratulate me, smiling as they tried to win my favor with any words they could.
But I saw no one except my beloved, Mark Loyd.
He stood at a distance, his black hair carefully styled and his dark suit accentuating his sharp features. His black eyes were fixed on me, as if I were the only one in the hall.
I left everyone behind and walked toward him with confident steps.
He said, running his hand through his hair, "Iris, I don't know what to say… you look extremely attractive tonight."
I smiled and leaned in to lightly kiss his cheek. "And you look handsome, as always."
Suddenly, he grabbed my waist and pulled me closer. Our bodies pressed together, and I felt the warmth of his breath.
"Are you trying to seduce me tonight, or what?"
My face reddened, and my heartbeat quickened. We began dancing in the middle of the hall, eyes following us with interest. He led me with confidence, his hands steady, his gaze never leaving mine.
When the music ended, he took my hand and kissed it gently, then looked at me in a way that made me flustered as I glanced at his lips, trying to kiss him.
At that moment, Maysan appeared.
"Did you forget I was here, guys?" she said with a light smile.
I smiled at her and hugged her. She whispered in my ear, "Congratulations on turning nineteen."
I laughed and said, "Of course. Nineteen years of chaos."
Then she moved closer to Mark and lightly punched him in the stomach, and they started exchanging jokes. As I kept watching them, a trace of jealousy crept into my chest. Maysan is my childhood friend, and we have been together since we were young. I know I shouldn't say this, but I don't like her being around my beloved Mark, because her looks are different and her movements are strange.
One of the waiters brought us glasses of wine. We raised them together to celebrate.
After that, I don't remember when the laughter began to grow too loud, or when the music became faster, or how I started dancing with unusual freedom. I felt a strange lightness, as if the ground no longer touched my feet.
The last thing I remember is my loud laughter, the lights spinning around me, and Mark's face drawing closer…
---
I woke up the next morning with a sharp headache. I opened my eyes slowly to find myself in my room. My head felt heavy, and my memories were confused.
I sat on the bed, trying to recall what had happened.
Then the maid entered, her face pale.
"My lady… good morning."
I asked her about what had happened last night after I drank, and she told me:
"You danced in a way that… attracted attention. You said strange things. You embarrassed yourself in front of everyone… and you tried to hit Maysan because she held Mark's hand."
I froze. I don't remember doing that… I felt embarrassed about what I had done last night.
I picked up my phone to see the time, and that was my shock. It was already eleven in the morning, and I was late for my lecture.