The night before the grand banquet that would introduce her as Valenor's next heir, Eden stood alone on her terrace, her eyes fixed on the moon.
In the past few days, this had become her quiet ritual—watching the stars until her thoughts grew still. Whenever she gazed at the vast night sky, she could almost forget the heavy weight of the crown waiting for her.
She still couldn't fully understand what it meant to be a royal heir. Most of the time, she simply followed her grandmother's wishes, letting herself be swept along by duty. Deep inside, she wasn't sure she wanted this life at all. But every time she read her father's letters, she felt his love for Valenor through every word. He had given everything for his kingdom, and she—his last surviving child—didn't want to disappoint him.
Still… how could she be the kind of queen he would be proud of? Would the people even accept someone like her?
Whatever happens, happens, she thought with a sigh, surrendering to the uncertainty that clouded her heart. No amount of thinking could solve what she didn't yet understand.
Then—something broke the silence.
A thud.
Eden blinked and leaned over the terrace railing. One of the guards had collapsed on the lawn below.
"What's going on?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Another guard fell near the docks. Her pulse quickened. One by one, the royal guards dropped to the ground as dark figures emerged from the water—men in black, moving swiftly and soundlessly across the sand.
Her breath caught. She stumbled back into her room, pressing herself flat against the terrace door. She wanted to run to the main door and lock it—but her legs were shaking too hard to move.
Her grandmother had left the island the night before for Valenor, taking Donna and most of the staff with her. Only a few guards remained.
She'd been told the island was the safest place in the world—no one outside their circle even knew it existed.
A deafening explosion shattered the silence. Eden screamed, covering her ears as glass trembled in the windowpanes. Another blast followed—closer this time, shaking the floor beneath her feet.
Her heartbeat thundered in her chest. She couldn't just stay there.
Terrified but determined, Eden forced herself to stand and stumbled toward the door. Whatever was happening outside, she had to move—she had to survive.
Eden was just a few steps from the door when a sudden knock froze her in place.
Outside, she could hear gunfire — short, rapid bursts that echoed through the hall — then another knock, louder this time. Panic rose in her chest. She stumbled back, her mind blank, unsure where to run or hide.
A faint thud came from behind her. She spun around—just in time to see two men in black climbing over the terrace rail. Her breath caught. They were the same kind of men she'd seen ambushing the guards outside.
She backed away as they advanced toward her, one of them raising his gun. Her heart pounded in her ears. Move, she told herself. Fight. She knew self-defense, a bit of martial arts—but her legs wouldn't obey. Her body had gone rigid with fear.
Two sharp gunshots cracked through the air. Eden screamed and instinctively covered her head.
But no pain came.
When she dared to open her eyes, both men were on the floor, motionless. The smell of gunpowder filled the room.
"Princess!"
That voice—she knew it. She turned toward the door and saw Davin, dressed in full Navy combat gear, stepping into the room. Relief flooded her.
"Are you hurt?" he asked urgently, scanning her from head to toe.
"I—I'm okay," she managed to say. "I just tripped."
He exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Good. Can you stand?"
He offered his hand, helping her up gently.
Once she was steady, he crouched beside the fallen attackers, checking their pulses. Then he pulled off their masks, his expression darkening.
"We have to move," he said firmly, looking back at her.
"What's happening? Why are you here?" she asked, confusion flickering across her face.
"I'll explain later. For now, we have to get you out."
He took her by the arm and guided her toward the door—but before they could step through, an explosion rocked the corridor. Flames burst from the hallway, thick smoke billowing inside. Davin slammed the door shut.
"We can't go that way," he muttered, eyes darting around. Then his gaze shifted toward the terrace.
"Come on." He led her back outside. From the terrace, they could see parts of the mansion already ablaze, firelight reflecting off the waves below. The only exit now was down—but the shadows moving near the docks told him enemies were waiting.
He tightened his grip on his weapon, glanced once at Eden, and said in a low, steady voice:
"Stay close to me. Whatever happens—don't let go."
"No!" Eden yanked her arm away the moment she realized what Davin intended.
"Are you out of your mind? That's a two-story drop! I'm not jumping!"
"Then do you have another idea?" he shot back, pointing toward the door where black smoke was already seeping through the cracks. "Unless you'd rather stay here and burn."
Eden turned and saw the flames licking under the doorframe. Her throat tightened. There really was no other choice.
"Fine," she muttered, frustration and fear twisting in her voice.
But instead of following Davin to the terrace, she darted toward her dresser.
"Hey!" Davin barked, alarmed.
Eden pulled open a drawer and retrieved a small wooden box, holding it close as she hurried back.
"I can't leave this behind," she said softly.
He stared at her for a beat, then sighed. "I'll keep it safe."
He took the box from her, tucking it securely under his vest before turning toward the terrace.
"Ready?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder.
"I don't really have a choice, do I?" she said nervously.
"You don't." His tone softened slightly. "I'll go first. When it's clear, jump. Don't worry—I'll catch you."
Eden blinked at him. "Would you really?"
He gave a faint smirk. "I'm trained for this. Why else would I be here if I couldn't protect you?"
Before she could reply, he vaulted over the railing and disappeared from sight. She gasped as she watched him roll and land perfectly on the grass below, immediately taking cover behind a low wall. Gunfire rang out, sharp and echoing against the stone. Davin fired back twice—two clean shots—and the silence that followed told her he'd hit his mark.
He looked up at her and waved. "It's safe now. Jump!"