The Lady of the Black Rose

5 | πŸ₯€












"..."



A chilling chill pierced the crown prince's eyes. He forcibly turned around to see a woman, seemingly around his age, staring intently into his eyes. The woman paused for a moment, then abruptly removed her grip on the crown prince and spoke to him in a wary tone.



"...Who are you?"

"N, I am the Crown Prince of this country. Can't I become more polite?"



The prince, taken aback by the utterly cold tone, stuttered. After saying that, his ears reddened at the realization that he had been frightened by the woman. The woman, with no intention of letting her guard down, glared at him and retreated. She then moved to a place overgrown with roses and sprinkled water. She seemed to be tending the area. As he quietly watched her work, the woman hummed, as if something was so delightful. Her clear, refreshing humming was soothing to the ear. It was the most beautiful song the prince had ever heard.




As he absentmindedly gazed at the woman, her skirt fluttering as she wandered about, he found himself staring straight into her eyes. They resembled the child's eyes the prince had seen six years ago. Deep, dark black, like black roses. These were the eyes the prince had fallen in love with six years ago. The prince instantly grabbed the woman's wrist. Then he peered even closer into her eyes. She averted her gaze, as if she were someone who couldn't be caught.



"...What are you doing?"

β€œI know you, and you know me. So why are you avoiding me and not meeting my eyes?”

"..."

"Lady, Lady. I clearly remember your name... Is it possible that you don't recognize it?

"I don't know what you're talking about, but you're wrong..."

β€œDidn’t you help the boy who tried to steal rice cakes six years ago?”




For a moment, the woman's eyes fluttered violently. The prince didn't miss this, and questioned her to the end.




"You knew that boy was the crown prince who left the palace, and you also remember that the crown prince proposed to you before leaving the palace... Why don't you open your mouth?"

"I have forgotten the Crown Prince. Please leave this place."

"How could I do that...! After all the suffering I've endured because of you..."

"If Your Highness continues like this, I will be the only one in trouble. Please...get out, Your Highness..."



The moment the heroine finished speaking, tears welled up in her eyes and their color changed. The dark eyes the prince had always loved were now a bright red, captivating color. The prince sensed an unknown energy emanating from her. He instinctively knew he must flee, but he refused. He couldn't leave behind his first love, whom he had met after six years.




But in the end, the prince had no choice but to leave. It wasn't his will. It was only a fleeting moment, but a man led him through the passage at high speed, then disappeared. The passage collapsed in an instant after the prince's exit, and he was never able to return. He lost his first love, whom he had met after six years.