CHAPTER 1 — "THE PRINCESS NO ONE WAS ALLOWED TO SEE... UNTIL HER WEDDING DAY SHOCKED AN ENTIRE KINGDOM!"
No one in the kingdom had ever seen Princess Elina's real face.
Not as a child.
Not as she grew into adulthood.
Not even the servants who dressed her every morning.
For sixteen long years, an enormous iron-and-oak helmet remained locked over her head, secured by a black padlock whose only key hung from King Aldren's neck.
People whispered that she wasn't human.
Some claimed she had been cursed by an ancient witch.
Others swore that anyone who looked into her eyes would die before sunrise.
The rumors became darker every year.
Children ran away whenever they saw her walking through the palace gardens.
Pregnant women crossed themselves for protection.
Even battle-hardened knights lowered their heads rather than look directly at the mysterious princess.
Yet those who secretly watched her noticed something strange.
Every evening, after midnight, soft piano music drifted through the empty halls.
The melody was heartbreakingly beautiful.
It wasn't the music of a monster.
It was the music of someone desperately lonely.
Only one person still treated Elina like an ordinary girl—an elderly maid named Miriam.
She brought books, flowers, and warm tea to the princess every day.
Although Elina's face remained hidden, Miriam often heard her laughing quietly while reading stories.
"You've never been afraid of me," Elina once whispered through the narrow mouth opening.
Miriam smiled.
"I've never believed monsters cry themselves to sleep."
That same night, Miriam accidentally caught a glimpse beneath the edge of the helmet while helping Elina change into her nightgown.
She froze.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"My sweet child..."
Before she could say another word, the king burst into the room.
His expression turned pale with terror.
The next morning...
Miriam was gone.
No goodbye.
No belongings.
No explanation.
Only an empty room.
The palace claimed she had "retired."
But no one ever saw her again.
After that, Princess Elina never smiled.
She stopped playing the piano.
She stopped speaking almost entirely.
Years passed in complete silence.
Until one announcement changed everything.
The king declared:
"The princess will marry before winter."
The entire kingdom exploded with disbelief.
No prince accepted.
No duke dared volunteer.
Every invitation returned unanswered.
Until one afternoon...
A young prince from a poor neighboring kingdom rode through the palace gates alone.
His name was Richard.
He looked at the king and calmly said,
"I don't need to see her face."
"I'll marry her."
The entire royal court thought he had lost his mind.
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But Richard wasn't chasing love...
He was chasing something far more dangerous.
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