“How... how could you do something so cruel? To tear us apart like this... We have been together for years, inseparable...”

  The young heiress's voice cracked as tears streamed down her cheeks. She held her lover close. Life as an aristocracy entailed adhering to strict rules.

  “Heh... Cruel? You call this cruel when you took everything from me first?” I said, gripping the sword more tightly. The blade caught the light from the chandelier. “This is justice. The successor to the throne, in a forbidden relationship with a maid. And not just any maid—she's also a Demon who somehow works in our palace!”

  “Don't talk about her like that!” the heiress said in a desperate voice. She pulled the wounded girl closer. The maid's blood soaked through her uniform and stained the heiress's gown red. The maid was small; she had black horns and dark eyes. She winced but remained in the embrace.

  I stepped forward, my boots echoing on the marble floor. “If I kill her now and tell the queen about you, I will claim the throne. You will lose everything—perhaps be banished or even executed.” I smiled and raised the sword towards the maid’s neck. She closed her eyes and tensed in the heiress’s arms.

  “This is the end—kh—” My breath shattered into a gasp as I stumbled. I looked down to see red spreading across my dress from the blade lodged in my chest.

  “I knew I shouldn't have trusted you!” the voice came from my brother.

  My knees gave way. We had stood in these halls, whispering about the succession and what needed to be done. I believed he understood. I thought we had reached an agreement.

  “Why… would you…” The words wouldn’t come. Blood filled my throat, and I choked on it.

  “Look at you,” he said. “Drowning in your own blood, and you still don’t understand. I have morals. I’m still human. I won’t kill for power. What kind of person does that for a throne?”

  “You promised we would do this together,” I managed.

  "Someone like you would betray me in the end. You always have to be the one left standing.” He turned away from me. “You’re worse than the demon you hate. Sis, hurry—guards will be here soon.”

  He dropped to one knee beside the heiress, tearing a strip from his cloak to bind the maid’s wounded shoulder, paying no heed to the small horns on her head.

  Heh… so, in the end, no one claims the throne.

  All of this… for nothing.

  They were right about me: the court, the Queen, the servants—always watching, always wary. Always seeing me as someone clawing for a place that was never meant for me.

  It was never going to be mine.

  “I’m… sorry,” I whispered.

  No one answered. They were already moving. The heiress pulled the maid to her feet. My brother held them steady as they hurried towards the corridor, their voices low and urgent, speaking of windows and escape.

  They did not look back.

  The hall now felt larger, colder, and quieter... how lonely it was.

  My fingers slipped on the blood on the floor as I struggled to breathe.

  I don't want to die.

  “And scene!”

  The theatre lights come on. That’s right, it was merely a theatrical performance.

  The three of them walked over while I was still sprawled on the stage. The boy who played my brother offered a hand. I took it and pulled myself up.

  “My costume's all dirty now... and soaked through as well,” I said, looking at the red stains.

  “Heh, same with most of us,” the girl who played the Demon maid replied with a light laugh, removing the horned headband. “At least it washes out.”

  “Ivanna, you helped the playwright with this part, didn’t you?” the heiress’s actress said. “I didn’t expect it to be this good. You should seriously consider becoming a writer!”

  “Yeah,” the boy added, sliding his prop sword back into its sheath. “No wonder he asked you to help with the script.”

  “Was it really that good?” I asked. “I just did my best.”

  A student climbed onto the stage. It was Yuki, my childhood friend, who had been watching.

  “Ivanna! That was amazing. You’re the best villainess ever.” He went in for a hug.

  I stopped him with a hand on his chest. “Hey, careful—you'll get your uniform soaked in my blood.”

  He paused, then smirked. “What a romantic line to say! Sounds like something straight out of a script.”

  The heiress actress glanced at the maid, lifting her stained skirt slightly. “To be fair, I did end up covered in my best friend’s blood.”

  The maid’s actress rolled her eyes and waved it off. “Don’t get used to it. That was strictly for the act.”

  ”Hey, Ivanna, have you seen the playwright?” the heiress’s actress asked, peering towards the wings.

  “The playwright? No, I haven’t.” He was usually the first to leave after rehearsals, despite having written most of the scripts himself.

  “Why?” Yuki asked. “Do you need him for something?”

  “I wanted to compliment him on the script. Oh—and you too, Ivanna, since you helped with the story.”

  I shook my head. “No need. I really just want to rest right now.”

  I turned to Yuki. “What time is it?”

  He checked his watch. “About 4:20.”

  “That late?” I sighed. “I’m heading home. Come on.” We lived in the same neighbourhood, so walking back together had become routine.

  As we step off the stage, Yuki dug into his pocket and held something out to me.

  “Ah—one more thing, Ivanna, here.”

  It was a small hand puppet, stitched from mismatched scraps, with button eyes and a crooked smile.

  “Her name’s Marina,” he said. “I ran into the playwright earlier. He was leaving as the show started, asked me to give this to you as a thank-you gift, and said to take good care of it.”

  Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  I remember the playwright having a puppet similar to this one; he named her Maria.

  “Marina, huh.” I slipped my hand inside and wiggled it a little. “Ivanna says she'll take care of Marina!” The puppet's mouth moved as I made the voice.

  After saying goodbye to the cast, I headed to the backstage changing room to remove the stained costume, hanging it on a hanger by the door to be washed later.

  I changed into my male student uniform: a button-up shirt, slacks, and a tie. It didn’t feel quite right, but it was what the school required for the time being.

  Yuki waited outside, checking his phone. We walked towards the school gate, chatting as we went.

  “Sometimes when I watch your performances, I forget that you used to be a...”

  I glared at him. “I'm a girl now. The school simply won't allow me to wear the female uniform. But just one more year until graduation, and I'll be free from school.”

  “You only socially transitioned recently, right? I can't believe it all started because the theatre club made you cross-dress when you joined years ago. Well, I'll support you no matter what!”

  “You're far too kind, honestly.”

  “Ever since you joined the theatre club years ago, you have only played the villainess roles, haven’t you? Aren’t you tired of always being the villain?”

  “Being the villainess is what I’m good at,” I shrugged.

  Back then, the club had been tiny, with just a few of us putting on clumsy skits in the gym. Now, it had its own room—a large one.

  “Is it, really?” Yuki asked. “Wouldn’t it be easier to play the good guys for once?”

  “Maybe. The haughty villainess just comes naturally to me. They always said I was a natural at… acting like a brat, I suppose.” I gave a small laugh. “It sounds insulting, but it isn’t. I didn’t even know I had that in me. I’m just glad they saw it and liked me for it.”

  “Huh, fair enough,” he said, letting it drop.

  We were almost at the gate when I spoke again. “Hey, Yuki… have you ever thought about joining the theatre club? You’d fit right in.”

  He slowed down, his gaze fixed on the pavement.

  “…No, I’m not really into theatre.”

  “But you performed with us sometimes back then. You were a good actor, almost as good as I am!”

  He did not answer.

  “Wait!”

  A sharp, breathless voice called out from behind us.

  A voice shouted from behind, sharp and breathless. We both turned around. It was Astrée, the student council president of FlwrPetals High School.

  “I thought you had already headed home,” Yuki asked, tilting his head.

  Astrée caught up, still breathing heavily. She was also my childhood friend, but she was closer to Yuki than to me. The dark birthmark near her left eye stood out against the black sailor uniform that denoted her status.

  “I've been really busy today... the teachers gave me a lot of work... would you mind helping me out?” Astrée asks Yuki, clinging to him like a lover, as if trying to gain his favour.

  “Sure, I don’t see why not. What do you need help with?” he replied without hesitation.

  “You're far too kind, Yuki,” I said. “I bet you'd help complete strangers if they asked.”

  He laughed, embarrassed. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”

  “Here, Yuki,” she said, pulling a note and a folded bill of about 5,000 yen from her pocket. “Use this to buy the items on the list. If there’s any change left, keep it for yourself. I’ll swing by your house in the morning to collect it.”

  “Okay! You can always count on me,” Yuki said, pocketing the money and the list with a proud nod.

  “Of course... Now go on, it's getting late. And, uhm... don't forget about this Sunday... at the mall.” She glanced away, her cheeks flushing pink as she fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, twisting the fabric between her fingers.

  “I... I'll head back! I’ve got more work to finish,” she added quickly, turning on her heel and hurrying back towards the school building.

  I watched her leave, then turned to Yuki with a teasing smirk. “She's really into you, huh? Why don't you join the student council? She'd be happy.”

  “Student council... N-no way. I'm happy to help her out, but those members are just... strange.”

  ...

  “I wonder what’s down there,” Yuki said, peering over the roadside cliff edge.

  “Forest,” I replied. “What else could it be?” I grabbed his collar and pulled him back. “Careful, you’ll fall.”

  He stumbled into me as I steadied him. “Thanks…” he muttered. Is he blushing?

  We continued along the cliffside road. The walk was peaceful. The sun was setting, bathing everything in orange, while the shadows lengthened. The town was not far now.

  We continue our walk along the cliffside road. It is a peaceful stroll; the sun is setting, but it is growing dark now, and we have almost reached the town.

  “We’re almost there, Yuki… Yuki?”

  I realised I could no longer hear his footsteps.

  When I turned, he was already halfway across the road, without a word.

  “Yuki?!”

  On the opposite side, a young couple in lab coats were crossing carelessly, walking close together and not paying attention.

  At the same time, headlights appeared around the bend, moving far too fast for the narrow road. The couple, the car, and Yuki were running straight towards them.

  “Yuki, stop—!”

  He reached them first and shoved both aside with all his strength.

  The car never slowed down.

  The sound of the impact cracked through the quiet evening. Yuki’s body was thrown violently onto the asphalt and slid across the road before coming to a halt a short distance away.

  My breath caught in my throat.

  The couple had fallen to the ground from the shove, trembling as they pushed themselves up. However, they were not looking at him. Instead, they were staring past him towards the roadside, their faces drained of colour as if they were seeing something I could not.

  “Y–Yuki!” I screamed, but they didn’t react to me at all.

  Before I could run to him, hands seized my shoulders from behind and shoved me to the side, almost pushing me down the cliff.

  Falling, I could only see the silhouette of the person who pushed me, their red eyes shining in the darkness into which I was falling. In their left hand, there was what looked like a puppet, seemingly talking to them.

  My vision began to fade into darkness, and I felt myself rolling down the cliff, hitting rocks and cutting myself on sharp branches before coming to a halt, striking something hard at the back of my neck.

  And I found that I could no longer move; my body ached, and I was all alone. Ah... I never thought my story would end so quickly...

  It hurts... I don't want to die here.

  ...

  “Hmm? Is the ritual working?” I hear a voice muttering as my ear rings.

  I found myself lying on the wooden floor, upon which a pentagram had been drawn in chalk, slowly becoming stained with my own blood. I could see my bruised and wounded hand.

  But it would not move at my command.

  As the mist clears, the source of the voice becomes visible: a young woman dressed in a black dress reminiscent of the attire worn by high-status nobles at parties. She wears a pointed black hat and holds a metal staff in her left hand.

  Then she realises the state I am in.

  “Are you okay? M-Maid!” she called to someone outside.

  The room I am in is old and elegant, reminiscent of the interior of a Victorian manor. It is filled with dusty trinkets, and on the wall, I can even see the taxidermied head of what appears to be a stag, although it is definitely not one—rather, a different species.

  God... have I been reincarnated into another world? If so... please let me be born as a girl...

  The rustic door of the room opened as people wearing maid outfits entered, rushing to my side. Their skin was green, with stitches all over them and patches of varying shades of green skin sewn on. On their heads, they each had a pair of black horns.

  “Actually, wait, why did I even call the maids? I can just heal him myself,” she said, kicking the peculiar-looking maids away with her foot. They only let out a confused groan.

  Kneeling down in front of me, she rested the top of her staff just above me, from which a lantern was suspended by a small rope. She began muttering something under her breath.

  “By the grace of the light that binds all life,

  Restore what is broken; mend both flesh and spirit alike.

  Flow through these hands, pure and bright.

  As I will, so it shall be.”

  The hanging lantern begins to glow with a bright yellow light before dimming once more.

  “Hmm, I see... Are you awake? Can you move?” she asks.

  I shake my head gently.

  Looking at my hand, I can see that the bruises have gone now. It doesn't hurt anymore, but I still cannot move my body.

  I read your memories—quite the predicament you are in. However, I certainly saved you from rotting away alone in that dark forest. It is quite a predicament I find myself in as well... For now, I shall let you rest."

  “I... what's happening? I need to save Yuki...” I beg her.

  “Sorry, but you'll be staying here from now on, Ivanna, as my new apprentice, said, placing her staff above me once again.”

  How did she know my name?

  “Gentle shadows cradle the weary mind,

  Whisper the lullaby of endless rest.

  Till the dawn awakens them anew.”

  “Rest well. You're going to need it.”

  ???