This story was originally written in Indonesian. I used AI to help translate it into English, so I apologize in advance for any translation errors or awkward phrasing that may appear.
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The next morning, Pandora lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Her mind was still haunted by the terrifying events of yesterday.
"What really happened yesterday...? Can I truly open the Queen's heart... when she didn't even hesitate to kill like that?" she whispered to herself, confusion lacing her voice.
Suddenly, a knock echoed from her bedroom door.
Knock knock knock!
"Hiiieek! Who's there?!" she gasped, jolting upright in bed.
"My name is Rezafh, a royal guard under Her Majesty the Queen. I've been ordered to escort you," came a calm male voice from behind the door.
Pandora let out a sigh of relief. "Oh… He was one of the demons standing next to Mother yesterday," she thought as she tried to calm her nerves.
She asked Rezafh to wait and quickly got herself ready.
---
Meanwhile, in the main council chamber of the Candra Kingdom—one of the six great nations of the Ijdornia continent—high-ranking officials from various lands had gathered. They were there to discuss one critical issue: the loss of contact with demon spies embedded within the Demon Queen's palace.
None of them knew that those spies had already been slaughtered—by the Queen herself.
The council room grew tense with conflicting opinions, until a sharp female voice cut through the noise.
"You're all so noisy. For now, why don't we report this to the main command on the front lines?" she said haughtily.
A subordinate quickly responded, "As you command, Lady Paimon."
Yes, that woman was Paimon—the third daughter of the Demon Queen, and the head of the intelligence division currently stationed in Candra.
---
The message from the meeting eventually reached the war command center in the nation of Yudia through a magic transmitter. It was night, and although the troops were resting, security remained tight.
Inside the war room, commanders from various battalions had already gathered, discussing the grim report. Tension hung in the air.
Soon, a tall, composed demon man stood before them all. He was Agramon, the Queen's firstborn son and the commander of the First Battalion—a war veteran with over 600 years of experience.
Beside him stood Rusalka, his twin sister and the deputy commander of the same battalion.
"We don't know exactly why communication was lost. But let's review the last message we received before the line went dead," Agramon said calmly.
Rusalka added, "The last report said that all our spies were summoned directly by the Demon Queen."
"Then… does that mean the Queen found out everything?" asked Prince Agul, heir to the Yudia throne.
"Possibly… Worst-case scenario, they've been eliminated. But for now, let's assume they're merely detained," Agramon replied.
"How about we send an elite team to infiltrate the palace?" proposed the commander of the Third Battalion.
"That's too risky. We can't afford to lose another elite unit," argued the Fourth Battalion commander.
"Not to mention the magical barrier surrounding the palace," added the Fifth Battalion commander.
"Our magic investigation unit did find a way through the barrier," said the Third Battalion commander. "But… Princess Alfina, who led that unit, disappeared during the attempt."
Agramon clenched his jaw, then spoke with firm resolve. "Very well. I'll personally lead a team to investigate."
Rusalka's eyes widened. "Brother—I mean, Commander! That's too dangerous!"
He simply placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "There's no other choice. You'll take command in my absence."
"I won't let you go alone! I'm coming with you!" Rusalka insisted firmly.
Prince Agul watched the two silently. "You're both certain about this?"
The twins nodded without hesitation.
---
Meanwhile, back with Pandora...
Pandora was walking through the palace corridors, escorted by Rezafh. For some reason, her heart was pounding.
"Why am I so nervous all of a sudden…?" she wondered.
She glanced at the young man walking beside her.
He looks so young… But he's already a royal guard? Must be talented. Still, his face kinda looks like an NPC from an anime.
She shook her head, brushing aside the silly thought. Then, curiosity got the better of her.
"By the way, why did Her Majesty return to the palace after five years?" she asked.
Rezafh seemed a bit surprised by the question, but answered politely, "Her Majesty returned to monitor your progress, Princess."
Pandora fell silent. It was hard to believe the mother who had never visited her for five years was still keeping tabs on her life.
Rezafh continued, "Even if she never met you directly, Her Majesty received regular reports about your growth."
Then… she knew how I was being treated? That I was never treated like a real princess? Pandora thought bitterly.
Along the way, she also asked Rezafh about his age, and was shocked to learn he was only 120 years old—a remarkably young age for a demon.
Not long after, they arrived at the throne room.
"I, Rezafh, royal guard of Her Majesty, request permission to enter with Princess Pandora," he announced respectfully.
"Enter," came a powerful voice from within—deep, commanding, and heavy with authority.
The massive doors slowly opened, and Pandora stepped inside. But the moment she entered, she froze in her tracks.
Her eyes widened in horror.
Lying across the throne room floor were the lifeless bodies of her maids and magic tutors—their corpses mangled and soaked in blood.
W-What… What is the Queen planning to do to me? Pandora thought, terror gripping her heart.