◇Four years earlier◇
«Big sis, can we play with your plushies together? They’re so pretty, and I always have so much fun when we play with them! Please, please, pleeease!» Levreshka cries, who is nine years old at the ti, pleading with puppy-dog eyes to her older sister, Karol Valakys — nineteen years old — who is focused on writing sothing in her diary with serious concentration.
Karol is a girl with long sapphire-colored hair tied into two side ponytails and a distinctly petite figure — lacking the almost exaggerated curves that define her sisters — with a small chest and narrow hips.
She and Levreshka are now in Karol’s bedroom, which isn’t particularly big and is furnished in a rather bare way — you wouldn’t guess it’s a princess’s room. However, there’s a massive corner bookshelf stretching across two of the four walls, almost reaching the ceiling and packed with books of all kinds, from fantasy tales to history volus to ancient spellbooks.
Among them, one visibly older to stands out — with a violet cover and black tallic trim, yet no title or markings. It’s the mysterious Rithzargul, an ancient book of which only a few copies remain, holding knowledge from the dawn of the universe — the dark era when space is cloaked in shadows under the rule of the Primordial Shadow, Nyratalir, who is defeated and exiled by the God of Light, along with the cult that follows him. The Rithzargul also contains forbidden magics and a section devoted to the mythological creatures that roam both Earth and N’raeth in tis even older than those of humans and vampires.
«Yes, little sis, I’d really love to play with you,» Karol replies, giving Levreshka a smile that seems cheerful but hides a veil of lancholy — one that goes completely unnoticed by the innocent eyes of a nine-year-old girl.
It’s not unusual for Levreshka to visit Karol’s room to play — she’s the only sister who gives her attention and spends ti with her — and Karol has prepared accordingly, setting up a special corner just for them. There’s a small tea table with three chairs around it: one for Karol, one for Levreshka, and one for a little plush bear Karol has had since she was a child — Mr. Fluffridge.
«Mr. Fluffridge, would you like so tea? Here you go,» Levreshka asks the plush bear in a cheerful voice, pouring tea from a tiny teapot into his cup. A genuinely amused and happy smile lights up her face.
«Mr. Fluffridge, would you also like so cookies with your tea?» Karol adds, offering him a tiny plate with a small chocolate cookie. No matter how hard she tries to keep up a cheerful act, it’s clear that her smile hides a deep uneasiness — like she’s worried about sothing serious and about to happen.
«Big sis, why are you sad? Don’t you want to play with us?» Levreshka asks, beginning to notice Karol’s growing uneasiness, which is becoming more and more obvious by the minute.
Karol forces a smile, then gently places her hand on Levreshka’s head and starts stroking her hair. «No, little sister, I’ll never get tired of playing with you and Mr. Fluffridge. I’m just a little lost in thought, that’s all...»
«What are you thinking about, big sis?» Levreshka asks, her eyes filled with curiosity.
«I was thinking...» Karol pauses for a mont before continuing. «...I was thinking that Mr. Fluffridge needs a lot more friends, don’t you think? And a house too. He’s growing up now, so it’s only right that he has his own space, instead of being stuck sharing a room with . First, we’ll have to build a big palace in the garden, just for him. He’ll sit on a golden throne, surrounded by lots of loyal servants. And then, we’ll be the ones going to his house for tea whenever he invites us. Wouldn’t that be amazing?»
Levreshka jumps out of her chair and starts bouncing around the room like a crazy spring. «Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! That would be amazing! Big sis, let’s start right away! We have to build it as soon as possible — I can’t wait to have tea inside Mr. Fluffridge’s palace!»
«Be patient, little sis. Building a big palace takes ti — it’s not sothing you can finish in just one day.»
Levreshka’s excitent instantly fades at Karol’s words. «Ugh... but you can use magic, right? You know so many spells! I’m sure you could make Mr. Fluffridge’s house appear out of nowhere in an instant! Please, pleeease!»
But Karol shakes her head. «Only commoners live in houses built with magic, and we definitely can’t let a king live in a palace made for commoners! Besides, building it with your own hands will make you feel so much prouder once it’s done — I’m sure of it.»
«Build it... with my own hands?» Levreshka repeats, her expression suddenly turning sad. «So that ans... you won’t help ?» she asks, sounding dejected.
Karol lets out a sigh, then turns her gaze toward the window — the MinusMoon is rising, and its pale light briefly reflects a shimr in her scarlet eyes, as if they’re faintly veiled with tears. «It’s getting late now, little sis. I’ll take you back to your room.»
«No, no! I want to stay here and play with you! Just a little longer!» Levreshka whimpers.
«Mom told not to bring you back too late, and I really don’t want to make her mad. She’s super scary when she’s angry, you know? Almost scarier than Clotilde!»
«Okay...» Levreshka murmurs with a sigh. «But promise that tomorrow morning we’ll start building Mr. Fluffridge’s palace right away! I’ll co wake you up at dawn, so make sure you get so rest too!»
Finally, Karol leans down and hugs little Levreshka tighter than she ever has before — her eyes now unable to hold back the tears. «I love you, little sis... goodnight...»
■□■□■□
The next morning, as soon as she wakes up, little Levreshka rushes to Karol’s room — but she isn’t there. «My big sis must’ve already gotten up to start building Mr. Fluffridge’s palace. She must be just as excited as I am!»
«Big sis? Big sis? Where are you?!» Levreshka calls out, cheerfully hopping around without direction in the imnse royal garden.
But soon after...
«B-Big sis...»
Tears well up in Levreshka’s eyes as her body freezes in terror and despair. Her legs give out, and she drops to her knees. A heart-wrenching scream bursts from her mouth. Then, she blacks out, fainting beside Karol’s corpse — completely torn apart and almost unrecognizable.
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