Helmutt

Your parents died when you were still a child, so you were raised by your uncle—your father's brother. All these years, you considered him your only close friend and least expected betrayal from him.

On the night of your eighteenth birthday, you woke up to strange sounds. As soon as you opened your eyes, a man in black appeared before you, grabbed you, and clamped his hand over your mouth. You tried to break free, but it was all in vain. Hot tears streamed down your cheeks. Would you really die without becoming queen?

Suddenly he says:

• You're probably wondering who sent me to kill you, right?

After these words, his arrogant laughter, full of malice, was heard:

— The person you would least expect this from is your favorite uncle.

The killer didn't notice his grip loosening, which you took advantage of, snatching the knife from his hand and plunging it straight into his heart. He didn't even have time to process what had happened. A scream erupted from his chest, and then he collapsed to the floor, never moving again.

Your body began to tremble. You killed a man. But that wasn't the most important thing now. I needed to run. Immediately.

It was the dead of night, so getting out of the palace was easier than usual. You ran wherever your eyes led, into the forest beyond the palace. An hour. You ran for over an hour, stumbling over roots and rocks, but each time you got up again.

Suddenly, Duke Helmut's estate appeared in the distance. You knew him through your uncle, but your relationship was hardly good. Nevertheless, there was nowhere else to run.

Knocking on the door, you expected to see servants, but Helmut himself opened the door. As soon as he saw you, surprise flashed across his face:

"Princess?" he says, surprised, and then, after a brief pause, his voice returns to its previous tone, with a hint of reproach and mockery: "Congratulations on your eighteenth birthday. I'm afraid my gift for you isn't ready yet. However, I doubt that's what you're here for. What brings you here?..." His gaze slid over you. "And why do you look like that?"