Ena sat in her room, staring out the window at the moon. Its soft glow pulled at her memories, and for a moment, she smiled, remembering the nights she and Raiden had spent together when they were still married. Back then, happiness had felt simple, effortless.
But then another memory surfaced, unbidden and violent—the one where she had seen him—Raiden—with her elder brother.
Disgust churned in her stomach. The warmth of her earlier recollection shattered, replaced by revulsion. How could he have done that to her? She had been loyal to the end, never wavering, never seeing anyone but him. And yet Raiden, in his jealousy and insecurity, had let suspicion consume him. He hated seeing her with anyone but himself, especially with Ren.
Ren—the one he doubted the most. The one he watched with suspicion, knowing how effortlessly he moved through the world, how women seemed to gravitate toward him. Even as Ren had been his best friend, Raiden's resentment simmered beneath the surface. And in his quiet torment, he sought out countless others behind Ena's back, trying to drown whatever it was that gnawed at him.
She closed her eyes, inhaling sharply, as if trying to steady herself. The moon remained unchanged, but now it felt cold, its light indifferent to the memories unravelling inside her.
Shattered Bonds: The Last Straw
Ena had always known about the affairs, buried deep beneath layers of denial. She desperately tried to ignore them, pretending they were nothing more than passing shadows. But when it was her brother, that was the final straw.
She couldn't cope. The betrayal burned deeper than she had thought possible. How could two people she had adored, respected, and loved do that to her? It wasn't just the act itself; it was everything that followed. The worst part was that they married shortly after, cementing the betrayal into something permanent.
She had never been the same since, restrained and distant. The walls had gone up, and she had never let them down again.
And then there was Ren.
His words lingered, settling into the cracks she had tried so hard to seal. She wished they didn't affect her, wished she could dismiss them as easily as she had once ignored the truth. But something about them unsettled her, gnawed at the edges of her restraint.
Ren had changed—so suddenly, so completely. Or maybe… this was who he had always been. And she had just never seen it before.
She couldn't believe how close she had come to slipping. Letting herself believe—just for a moment—that she could give her heart to someone again. With only a few words, Ren had almost undone everything she had sworn to protect.
She nearly let him lean closer.
A sharp breath. Her pulse had faltered. And then, reason had torn through the haze.
She shook her head, furious. Ridiculous.
The frustration clawed at her, too sharp, too consuming to ignore. She needed to do something, to strip herself of this absurd weakness before it took root.
Without another thought, she stepped outside, into the palace gardens—but not just any garden. This was hers, untouched by anyone unless she willed it—a sanctuary, shaped entirely by her own hands, where only she decided who could enter.
Summoning her power, she called forth new life, weaving fresh plants into the earth's tapestry. Rich greens unfurled beneath her fingertips, vines curled, blossoms stretched toward the sky. With a flick of her wrist, clouds thickened overhead, and the heavens answered her call.
Rain poured down, feeding the vast flora she had cultivated over the years—a storm of her own making.
She was the Goddess of Nature, after all. And in this moment, at least, she could shape something with certainty.
The Unpredictable Prince
"Yes? What is it? I'm a bit busy right now."
The attendant hesitated before speaking, his voice cautious. "Your Eternal Royal Highness, I saw Guinevere and Ren walking together. She seemed to have appeared out of nowhere."
Ena's gaze sharpened. "I see… Ren must have pulled her into his domain. Did you notice anything different about her?"
The attendant shifted uneasily. "Yes. She gave me the same feeling you do. Her aura has changed."
Ena exhaled slowly, considering the implications. "I see… So, she is an immortal now."
Her fingers curled slightly. Ren—what was he doing? She didn't understand.
But in the end, it was none of her business.
"I expect he'll be coming here soon, though," she continued, her voice measured. "Since he never moves without knowing exactly who sees him. You should show your best respect to Prince Ren, just in case. He's not usually the type to demand it, but lately... I don't know. He's been unpredictable."
Unseen Forces
Not long after, Ren arrived with Guinevere at his side.
"Ena, might I ask why you have someone watching what I'm doing?" His voice was steady, but beneath the calm tone lay something sharper—something calculated. "You know I never miss what's happening around me. Why be so reckless? Don't tell me you wanted to see me that badly."
Ena remained composed, but his words landed heavier than she expected.
"Are you regretting something?"
The voice was different this time. It wasn't Ren.
Guinevere stiffened beside him, her gaze flickering with recognition. She had heard this voice before—felt its presence in the depths of Ren's domain.
It was the Emperor's Shadow speaking through him.
Ena, however, remained unaware.