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CHAPTER 6 — "The Weight of a Purpose"
The main garden of the prince's palace didn't feel real.
Not because of excessive luxury—though it certainly had it—but because of the almost impossible harmony between nature and architecture. White marble paths intertwined with ancient roots; crystal-clear fountains floated in midair, sustained by permanent enchantments; trees with golden leaves filtered the sunlight as if the day itself had been designed to shine there.
Ana walked in silence.
Her dress—elegant yet comfortable—moved with her effortlessly. She still wasn't used to the sensation of such exotic fabrics, nor to the symbolic weight of what they represented. Her dark curls fell freely down her back, a sharp contrast to the polished, controlled aesthetic of the place.
She didn't belong.
And she knew it.
Leo was waiting for her beside the central fountain.
Even at rest, his presence was impossible to ignore. Pale skin, almost luminous beneath the sun. Straight black hair falling naturally over his forehead. Lycantrope ears. And when he lifted his gaze—
Golden eyes.
They didn't shine with arrogance. They shone with curiosity.
"Ana," he said with a calm smile. "Thank you for coming."
She inclined her head out of habit.
"Your Highness."
Yeana and Nella automatically positioned themselves at either side of him, as if the space itself had summoned them.
Yeana looked immaculate in her royal maid uniform: dark fabric, restrained details, gray hair perfectly tied back, highlighting her lycantrope ears. Her pale skin contrasted sharply with her completely white eyes—alert, cold, analytical.
Nella, on the other hand, wore a more practical version of the uniform. Flexible clothing, sturdy boots, no unnecessary adornments. Her warm-toned skin seemed to absorb the light, and her red eyes scanned everything with constant vigilance. Her reddish-brown hair was tied simply, ears upright, ready to move at a moment's notice.
Three presences. Three different forces.
And Ana, standing between them, with her brown skin, dark eyes, and a body that clearly did not belong to this world.
Leo took a deep breath.
"Ana… you are here for a purpose."
She met his gaze, serious.
"I know."
"And once we resolve this situation," he continued, "I will personally make sure you return to your world."
A small knot tightened in Ana's chest.
"Thank you."
Leo hesitated for barely a second.
"But there's a small problem. And you know what it is, don't you?"
Ana lowered her gaze.
"Yes… your magic is damaged."
Silence fell like a stone.
Yeana turned her head sharply.
"Your what?"
Nella frowned.
"Wait—since when?"
She stepped forward, clearly unsettled.
"How did this happen?" she demanded. "I never left him alone. In fact… now that I think about it, I don't even remember when he brought Ana here. He just summoned us and told us to protect her."
Yeana narrowed her eyes.
"Do you see what you've caused?" she said coldly. "You're supposed to be his royal guard. And you didn't even notice?"
Nella spun toward her, irritated.
"And you?" she shot back. "You're his right hand. With how perceptive you claim to be, you didn't suspect anything either?"
The tension rose instantly.
Ana swallowed hard.
She had never witnessed an argument between people so… dangerous.
Gathering her courage, she spoke.
"Y-Young… Leo."
He blinked, surprised.
"Yes?"
"Don't you think you should… stop them?"
Leo stared at her for a moment. Then he smiled.
"Wow. What a polite way to address me."
He stepped forward.
"And of course I will."
His voice changed.
"Silence. Both of you."
The air vibrated.
"Or would you like to experience the punishment from fifteen years ago?" he continued, dangerously calm. "I wouldn't hesitate to do it again."
Yeana and Nella stiffened instantly.
"Your Majesty, no—please," they said in unison.
Leo nodded, satisfied.
"That's what I wanted to hear."
Then he explained.
Simply. Directly.
His magic was damaged. Not destroyed—but unstable.
"As long as it remains this way," he said, "I won't be able to teach Ana much. So it will be up to you to instruct her in magic."
Ana's eyes widened.
"Me… learning magic?"
"And I'll recover my power in about… six months," Leo continued casually.
Yeana crossed her arms.
"And how do you plan to hide that from the emperors?" she asked. "Or rather… from your parents."
Nella nodded.
"Yes, Your Highness. What exactly is your plan? You should take advantage of the fact that the Empress is a powerful healer and ask her to cure you. She is your mother. I'm sure she'd do it for free… probably."
Leo shook his head.
"Absolutely not."
Both of them stared at him, incredulous.
"I'll handle it," he continued. "And if my magic remains damaged forever, that's not a problem."
Yeana frowned deeply.
"Leopold… are you serious?"
Nella stepped forward.
"Leopold, what are you thinking?"
Ana raised her hand nervously.
"Um… excuse me. Sorry to interrupt."
Everyone turned to look at her.
"So… if everything important depends on me…"
There was a brief silence.
Then, in unison—
"Yes, Ana!"
She froze.
"Then… if that's the case," she continued carefully, "you can't keep me hidden for long. How do you plan to introduce me to society?"
Leo opened his mouth.
"Oh…"
He blinked.
"That…"
"I hadn't thought of that," he admitted.
Yeana sighed.
"I have a proposal," she said. "We'll say she's a magical creature you created."
Leo looked at her.
"Go on…"
"That justifies her presence," Yeana continued. "It explains your loss of power. And it keeps the discovery of other dimensions—and the possibility of traveling between them using your energy—a secret."
Nella nodded.
"I agree. It's reasonable."
Ana hesitated.
"It… makes sense."
Leo broke into a wide smile.
"Yes. It's perfect. I'll take your suggestion."
He turned to Yeana.
"As clever as ever."
Yeana lifted her chin arrogantly.
"Obviously."
Nella rolled her eyes.
"And there it goes—to her head already."
Ana watched the scene in silence.
They were strange. Dangerous. Invincible.
And yet…
They worked together.
There was no point in resisting.
Not when, compared to her, they were forces from another world.
And without realizing it…
Ana had just accepted the weight of a purpose that could change everything.
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