The young woman, with her beauty and graceful movements, was trying to charm Snehwal — to make him her obedient pet.
For a few moments, she stood there silently — and Snehwal realized this was not a moment of sympathy, but another well-practiced act.
He smiled slightly and said,
"I can see… you seem deeply troubled. If there's anything within my power, command me — I'll solve it."
The woman slowly lifted her eyelashes — and it felt as if the air in the room came alive. Then, walking closer to him, she said,
"My name is Luna."
A hint of suspicion appeared in Snehwal's eyes. There was something cold and dark hidden in Luna's charm; it felt as though Snehwal was just a piece of food — and Luna, starved for days, was standing before her meal.
The next moment, Luna began touching his feet softly with hers. Her body was full of restless energy — her passion seemed out of control. She whispered,
"You can do something for me."
Snehwal stood like a statue and replied,
"Just say it — I'll serve you without question, without hesitation."
Luna took a deep breath. She ran her fingers lightly across Snehwal's face and said,
"You can… cut off the prince's head for me."
Snehwal remained calm. Luna leaned forward, trying to draw him closer, but he stepped back.
Stretching lazily, Luna said,
"Tell me, what do you want? I can give you anything you desire… just make this prince's bright and beautiful night turn dark."
Snehwal replied in a cold, steady tone,
"Alright, my lady. I'll do the job first — then we'll see what you can do for me. But for every task I do for you, you'll owe me one in return."
Luna smiled confidently and said,
"Those two — the prince and his father — are no less than demons. They've enslaved everyone in this city of Kankal. No one can leave without their permission."
Snehwal frowned and asked,
"How is that possible?"
Luna lifted her dress slightly to show her thigh. There, a small engraved mark — a seal — was carved into her skin. She said,
"This is used to cause pain… or to control people. Anyone marked by this seal is forced to serve them, suffering day and night."
Silence and fear filled the room. Snehwal asked firmly,
"Who controls it?"
Luna answered softly,
"Some seals are controlled by the palace commanders, and some by the city lord himself. But the one who did this to me — is that very prince. He fooled me with love and turned my life into a nightmare. Now, he uses me like a pawn… and I've begun to hate my own existence."
In that moment, sadness and tears shimmered in Luna's eyes.
Snehwal asked urgently,
"What will happen if you disobey him tonight?"
Luna locked her gaze into Snehwal's and whispered, trembling,
"You'll see… how terrifying it can be."
The air in the room grew heavy and still — and inside Snehwal, a firm decision began to take shape.
After taking Luna to the other room, the day passed. Night was near, and Snehwal was pacing around the same room, lost in thoughts. Then Luna came slowly toward him. As soon as Snehwal looked at her, he reached for a chair and said, "Please sit."
But Luna suddenly let out a cry and fell to the floor. Snehwal ran to her — blood was flowing from Luna's thigh and the red streak showed clearly on the floor. That mark — the red line — was slowly cutting through her flesh, destroying spiritual energy as it went. Luna groaned in pain, her teeth clenched.
Snehwal immediately lifted her into his arms. In that moment Luna trusted him — a plea and hope shone in her eyes. He laid Luna on the bed, then sent a soft green spiritual energy from his hands and formed a protective seal with it. That seal struck the red mark and broke its effect — and Luna felt relief at once. Gradually she sank into unconsciousness.
Snehwal stood up, breathing heavily; anger burned on his face. In a trembling voice he said, "You bastard — I'm coming. Today your death is decided — and whoever stands between us will die too."
Snehwal covered his face with a green mask — one that looked almost playful, like something children might wear.
He glanced once at Luna and said quietly,
"In this world, the powerful honor injustice. But not everyone is like that. If it were someone else in my place, they might have taken advantage of you… but that would be wrong."
Saying this, Snehwal left the room silently and slipped into a wide corridor.