The bright, loveable girl who always watched him intently – he wanted nothing more than to warn her about the future events. But it was impossible. This was only a memory of the past, he could only speak the words of that time.

“A person you like? You’re sure you haven’t got that wrong, it’s not a misunderstanding? A girl of your age happens to be in love?” He asked, a slight tease in his tone.

“It’s not a mistake! My heart is pounding and I can’t sleep! It’s a matter of: I want to be by his side forever.” Mileia responded indignantly.

Luciano shook his head. “Marriage in our royal family comes at a price. Love has no future. It’s only barren.”

‘Lifelong love? You are only twelve-years-old, aren’t you? Life is only beginning,’ Luciano thought gazing at her violet eyes. But soon his thoughts spun. A surge of panic within arose.

‘This is not the time to be talking about this story. Run and escape. The devil’s hand that brings despair is near.’

“It doesn’t matter. I kissed you know. Made an eternal oath.” Mileia replied shyly.

“What? Really? Not bad, it’s a curse that will last forever, not a life.”

“It’s not a curse. This is love. I kissed because it would never bind.” Mileia’s voice became higher in pitch as she defended her new found love.

‘You want to be captivated forever? Stop it, Mileia. The other party is a devil.’ Even if he wished to raise his complaints, it didn’t get through. Only certain words spilled out of Luciano’s mouth.

“Eternal vows cannot be realised without mutual agreement. Where is your conscience? Were you sleeping?” Luciano scoffed. He patted his sister’s head then flicked her forward.

“That’s not it. I’m aware, and not asleep. See, we’re making eye contact.” Mileia glared back at him, her eyes squinted slightly as if she was trying to pierce him with her eyesight.

“Ahh, this is the worst. It was bad for mother and father to kiss in front of you every day.”

Luciano held his head in his hand and sighed. The girl in front of him was still young and oblivious to the dangers that were ‘men’, how could it be possible otherwise for her to find ‘love’?

“Hey, big brother. You know, he’s a really nice person. I want to introduce him to you, big brother. Is now alright? Will you come with me?” Mileia tugged on his sleeves. Her dimples lifted up as she gave him a sweet smile, trying to soften his tough exterior.

Luciano desperately wanted to make himself stop speaking. So much, to the point of death, but his efforts were futile. “I can’t go now, I have an errand. Wait an hour in the library because I’ll be free after an hour.” He sighed in reply.

“Tell him to be prepared. He’s ridiculous thinking he can seduce my younger sister.” Luciano huffed.

“Stop it~ I was the one who seduced you know. He’s from Armenia so don’t be rude.” Mileia cheerily skipped away, turning back to wave a last goodbye at him.

Inside his shaken mind, conflict ensued. Even if he told himself to not leave his little sister, his legs turned in the opposite direction. If he was by her side, he should have protected her. From this moment on, the remorse would haunt him for the rest of his life.

‘F*ck… Mileia, don’t go alone. The Armenians in the library. After this, they will kill you. On the walls of Serrat, between mother and father, you will be hung. Don’t go Mileia. Please. Don’t go.’