Nobles held distinct ranks and family names, bound by strict traditions and customs. Usually, they married within their own circle to preserve lineage, influence, and power, though a few wed commoners—an act often looked down upon by high society.
Nyx, a cat with sleek, dark blue fur, walked arrogantly along the palace corridor. His shimmering coat drew glances from servants, while his long tail swayed deliberately. He had a clear mission: find a suitable partner for Princess Celestia. In his view, a princess should never be with a jester like Charles—no matter how kind or loyal he was, their social standings were simply too far apart.
At that moment, nobles were gathered in the grand council chamber. A long table filled the room, scattered with teacups and documents, as they discussed Wonderveil's state and Princess Celestia's recent decisions.
The door creaked open. Nyx entered fearlessly, walking calmly before leaping onto the table. The click of his paws silenced everyone.
"Is that not Princess Celestia's pet?" asked a lord, adjusting his spectacles.
"So fluffy and cute..." murmured a noblewoman, her eyes sparkling.
"Such a large cat—what breed is it?" wondered another.
Nyx sat upright, chin raised. "Greetings. My name is Nyx."
The room fell dead silent. Several nobles nearly dropped their teacups.
"Did I hear correctly? It spoke in human language," whispered one man.
"An animal that can talk?" gasped a lady beside him.
"I've heard rumors about the enchanted forest here... but I never believed it was true," said another.
"Nyx, you say?"
"Forgive the surprise," Nyx replied coolly. "Yes, I can indeed speak."
Fascinated, nobles leaned in. Some tried to stroke his soft blue fur, but Nyx stepped back immediately.
"Apologies," he said sharply. "I do not enjoy being petted. No one touches me without permission."
"He looks even cuter when he's angry..." one lady giggled quietly.
Nyx sighed. "You wonder why I am here? I have come to find a life partner worthy of Princess Celestia."
They exchanged confused looks.
"A partner? But she is not yet queen," said a lord.
"I know," Nyx answered. "But when she does take the throne, she must stand beside someone of equal status."
"Then perhaps a prince from another kingdom?" suggested an elderly noble.
Nyx shook his head. "I will not risk foreign powers meddling in Wonderveil's affairs."
"That makes sense..."
"I have a son just her age," offered a noblewoman proudly.
Nyx turned to her. "Introduce him to me later."
She laughed softly. "You are quite serious about this."
"Entirely."
"May we touch you?" begged another lady, admiring his beautiful fur.
Nyx narrowed his eyes. "Is that a condition for keeping this conversation from the Princess?"
She blushed. "Oh, no—"
"Tell her or not—it matters little," Nyx said, jumping down from the table. "Only... Princess Celestia has grown rather cold lately."
His words cast a quiet shadow over the room. Everyone knew how much she had changed.
Nyx walked out, tail swaying.
Minutes later, the doors opened again. Princess Celestia entered, accompanied by Alice. All nobles stood respectfully.
"Have you waited long?" Celestia asked, taking her seat.
"Not at all, Your Highness."
Celestia turned to Alice, standing gracefully beside her. "Let us begin. I introduce you to Alice."
Alice smiled sweetly. Her golden-blonde hair fell softly over her shoulders, her expression calm and polite—no one suspected what lay behind that gentle face.
"Alice possesses the skill to slay even dragons," Celestia announced. "From what I know, she is a master fighter, capable of defeating bears, wolves, and tigers."
Whispers spread through the room.
"Most impressive..."
"When shall we march against Princess Elowen?" asked a lord.
"I shall lead the knights myself," Alice answered steadily.
All eyes turned to her. "Are you not afraid?" Celestia asked.
Alice stepped forward. "Princess Celestia, to protect Wonderveil's peace and stability, we must act without delay."
"She speaks the truth," agreed a noblewoman. "Food supplies are dwindling fast."
"Delay too long, and the people will rebel," warned another.
Celestia paused, then sighed. "Very well. Next week, Alice and the knights will march into my sister's territory."
She hesitated. "But I will not join the battle."
"Why not, Your Highness?"
"I have no skill with a sword."
Alice smiled instantly. "Do not worry, Princess. I shall handle everything."
Celestia nodded slowly.
With that decision made, knights began training harder than ever. The sound of clashing blades echoed across the training grounds daily. They understood: their enemy was not just human—there was a dragon to face as well.
News of the coming war spread quickly across Wonderveil. In markets and towns, people talked of nothing else.
"Will this hurt our economy?"
"I think not—fighting will be only in the northern lands."
"If Elowen falls, we'll get our farmlands back."
"I heard Alice herself will lead the army."
"Then perhaps we truly have hope."
The people began calling Alice their savior—exactly what she wanted.
Far from the royal palace, in a quiet, ancient castle, Elowen sat reading documents at a wooden table. She sighed heavily upon hearing the news.
Ashveil stood near the window, watching her anxiously. "Elowen... will you call upon your dragon when the war begins?"
Elowen set the papers down. "Ashveil," she said calmly. "I am strong enough. I can defeat them all alone."
"I will fight beside you."
Elowen looked at him and smiled faintly. "Of course. I only hope you won't get hurt."
Ashveil blinked, surprised. "I didn't think you cared so much."
"Of course I care," Elowen replied, leaning back in her chair. "You yourself admitted you love me. Why would I let someone who holds me in their heart get injured?"
Ashveil's face turned bright red. He quickly looked away, embarrassed. "Elowen..."
"What is it?" she teased gently.
"Do you... do you accept my love?"
Silence filled the room. Elowen looked out the window, then smiled softly. "Yes."
Ashveil's eyes lit up.
"But now is not the time for love," Elowen added quietly. "Can you wait for me?"
Without hesitation, Ashveil nodded. "Forever, if need be."
Elowen smiled again, gazing at the sky outside. But deep in her mind, she knew something far greater and more dangerous was waiting for them all.
....
A dark grey wolf named Qas rested under a wooden shelter near the grounds of Wonderveil Palace. A fine rain fell, soaking the earth and filling the night air with the rich scent of wet soil. The soft patter of raindrops made a soothing rhythm.
Qas lay stretched out on a plush sofa specially arranged for him. Nearby stood bowls filled with fresh water and food. Even though a small house had been built for his use, Qas preferred staying outdoors; he loved the sound of rain drumming gently above him.
His eyes were half-closed, his tail swaying lazily. Suddenly, his ears pricked up—he heard the soft patter of tiny footsteps approaching.
"Hello, Qas."
Qas opened his eyes slowly. A very small creature stood not far away, tiny compared to his massive frame. He looked at the creature sharply.
"Aren't you afraid I might lunge at you and eat you?" Qas's voice was deep and low, rumbling like distant thunder.
The small creature giggled nervously, though clearly uneasy. "Of course I'm afraid. To you, I am nothing but prey."
Qas stood up from the sofa. His large, powerful presence made the air feel heavy and tight. He walked slowly toward the small being until his shadow completely covered its tiny body.
"What do you want?" Qas demanded.
The creature quickly pulled out a letter tied with a thin red string. "Could you do me a favor? These orders come directly from Princess Celestia herself."
Qas looked at the letter, picked it up carefully in his mouth, and dropped it onto the sofa. He studied the royal wax seal stamped onto the envelope.
"Who is this for?"
"You must deliver it to the castle in the northern territory. And you are to deliver one there every single day."
Qas frowned slightly. "Every day?"
"Yes."
"What for?"
"I don't know. I was only told to pass on the command."
Qas fell silent. He was not the type to ask unnecessary questions. Besides, ever since he had been brought to the palace grounds, he had been given small tasks—deliveries mostly—because he was strong, fast, and reliable.
"Very well," Qas answered finally. He picked up the letter again.
The small creature let out a sigh of relief and turned to leave—suddenly Qas moved with lightning speed. His huge body lunged forward, knocking the little creature backward onto the wet ground.
"Hey! Hey! Are you going to eat me after all?" the creature panicked.
Qas held himself perfectly still, his face only inches away from the small being's. His warm breath washed over it.
"No," Qas said calmly and deeply. "I just wanted to remind you that I am far stronger than you. I am the predator... and you are the prey."
The creature laughed nervously, still trembling slightly. "I know that perfectly well. Be careful on your journey."
Qas stepped back and returned to his sofa. The small creature hurried away, vanishing quickly before the wolf might truly change his mind.
Qas looked down at the letter resting before him. The rain continued to fall softly. He did not understand why a letter needed to be sent every single day to the northern castle. But he did not dwell on it. To him, a task was simply a task to be done.
Minutes later, the rain began to fade and stop. Qas stood up, took the letter firmly in his jaws, and walked out of the palace grounds. His large form slowly disappeared into the misty night.
Unseen by Qas, a pair of eyes watched him from a distance. And in the darkness, those eyes curved into a small, knowing smile.
Qas moved steadily along the muddy path toward the north. The night air had turned colder since the rain stopped, and the chirping of crickets echoed from the thick undergrowth.
He carried the letter clamped firmly between his jaws. His large steps were slow but sure; he thought of nothing except completing the task assigned to him.
Unbeknownst to him, a small hedgehog trailed far behind, hiding behind bushes and rocks the whole way. Ever since seeing Qas speaking with a mysterious creature near the palace, the hedgehog had felt uneasy. He hadn't been able to see clearly who the other creature was, but his instincts told him something was wrong.
Qas kept walking until he reached the boundary of Elowen's territory. The faint glowing green line stretched across the ground like an invisible barrier — yet Qas stepped right through it without the slightest resistance.
The hedgehog's eyes widened in shock.
"How… how can he just walk in?" he whispered to himself.
Qas headed straight for the main entrance of Elowen's old castle, placed the letter carefully before the doors, and turned away to leave.
Panic rose in the hedgehog's chest.
"This can't be right…" he trembled. "I must tell Princess Celestia immediately."
He spun around and ran as fast as he could back through the bushes.
But moments later, heavy footsteps thundered behind him.
The hedgehog's heart raced. He glanced back.
Qas was sprinting straight toward him.
"Aaah!"
Before the hedgehog could escape, a large paw pressed his tiny body firmly into the mud.
Qas glared down at him, eyes sharp and intense.
"Why are you following me?" His voice was low and deep.
The hedgehog swallowed hard.
"Are… are you betraying Princess Celestia?"
Qas frowned.
"No."
"Then why go to Elowen's land in the middle of the night?"
"I am only following orders."
"Orders from who?"
"Some creature told me to deliver this letter."
The hedgehog remained frightened and unconvinced.
"I… I don't trust you."
Qas huffed softly.
"That is your right."
He lifted his paw off the hedgehog and stepped back a few paces.
"I have no interest in human wars or politics."
The hedgehog slowly picked himself up.
"I'm sorry if I misunderstood…"
Qas said nothing. He simply turned and walked away, his large form fading slowly into the night mist.
The hedgehog watched him go, feeling confused and uneasy.
For some reason… he still felt certain something was very wrong.
That same night, as silence fell over Wonderveil Palace…
Someone appeared inside Elowen's territory.
A figure dressed in dark clothing moved swiftly through the shadows of the trees. Strangely, the green barrier — which was supposed to keep everyone out — did not react at all to this person's presence. It was as if the land itself accepted them.
The figure reached the old castle gates, picked up the letter Qas had left, and quickly slipped away before anyone could notice.
Deep inside the dark forest…
they opened the letter slowly.
Their eyes widened in horror.
"This… this is impossible…"
At first, the paper had appeared blank.
But slowly, dark symbols began to appear across the surface — like living ink creeping across the page.
The symbols pulsed faintly with a strange, unnatural energy.
The air around turned freezing cold.
And at the very bottom of the page…
a single name was written clearly.
Celestia
The figure trembled.
"Why… why does this mark of dark magic appear beside Princess Celestia's name…?"
A strong wind blew through the trees.
And far away, deep within the darkness of the forest…
the soft, quiet laughter of a woman echoed through the night.