When King Kairen reached out to take Nikita's hand with complete certainty, Nikita suddenly withdrew it. Her bright sky-blue eyes filled with a sudden melancholy. She gazed toward the open window of the throne room, where the sky seemed to be growing hazy.
As Nikita slowly stepped toward the door, the king exclaimed in alarm, "Nikita! Why are you leaving like this? You won't abandon me amidst this conspiracy! I will not let you go!"
Nikita stopped at the doorway. She looked back and gave a strange, enchanting smile. Her sky-blue hair fluttered in the breeze. In a voice full of sorrow, she said, "Your Majesty, I cannot stay even if I wished to. My time has come to an end."
Nikita's Departure: She extended her hand forward. Slowly, it began merging with the air, as if she were a character in a dream. With a soft, fading voice, she said, "I am not of this time. The magic that brought me here has now expired. I must return to my own world."
The King's Desperation: King Kairen ran forward, attempting to embrace her, but his hands passed through her body! Tears streamed from the king's cat-like eyes as he cried, "No! This cannot happen! I will not let any magic take you from me!"
Crying, Nikita whispered, "Your Majesty, perhaps the mark of that love bite you left on me will travel with me to the other world. Let it be your last memory."
Her blue serpent transformed into a misty blue aura, surrounding Nikita, while the white cat let out a mournful, long meow.
Suddenly, a blinding light filled the entire throne room. King Kairen shielded his eyes. When the light faded, there was no one in front of him. The room was empty—except for a single strand of Nikita's sky-blue hair lying on the floor.
Kairen picked up the ribbon and sank onto the throne. His scarred face turned blue from grief. Time seemed to freeze after Nikita's departure, but eternity does not stop. Six hundred years passed. King Kairen gained immortality through his mysterious cat-like eyes, but his heart had turned to stone the day Nikita vanished.
Six Centuries Passed:
Father's Death: The aged former king had long since passed, leaving the kingdom to Kairen.
Sister's Marriage: Kairen had married his obstinate sister to a prince of another powerful kingdom, overseeing the union himself. His scarred smile no longer held joy, only emptiness.
The King's Marriage: Six centuries later, pressed to secure the royal lineage, Kairen married another princess. Though beautiful, she held no place in his heart.
On the Wedding Night:
Alone in his chamber, Kairen was startled when the white cat reappeared after 600 years, lying at his feet as before. Suddenly, the chamber door opened by itself. From the darkness floated a familiar sky-blue scent. Kairen's eyes widened as he saw a shadow whispering, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten me after 600 years? Am I too late?"
His golden goblet fell to the floor. There stood a shadow, coiled with the blue serpent. Kairen could barely believe his eyes, thinking perhaps 600 years of solitude had driven him mad. Trembling, he stood and rubbed his cat-like eyes.
Then, from the shadow, Nikita slowly emerged into the light. Her sky-blue hair shone as before, and she wore the same delicate white gown.
Proof of Her Return:
The Mark: Nikita brushed her hair aside, revealing the love bite Kairen had given 600 years ago, still vivid and red. Smiling, she said, "Your gift did not allow me peace in the other world, Your Majesty. Every day it reminded me of you."
The Touch: Kairen stepped closer and placed his hand on her cheek. This time, it did not pass through her. He felt the warmth of her flesh—this was no illusion.
Serpent's Presence: Her blue serpent coiled happily around their hands, blessing their reunion.
Kairen embraced Nikita with tears of joy, whispering, "I knew you would come. I have waited 600 years for you."
Nikita buried her face in his chest, murmuring like a child, "I broke through the gates of time to return, but I heard you were marrying? Should I scare her away a little?"
Kairen laughed, realizing that with Nikita's return, the old madness and joy had returned.
He lifted her face with parental affection, kissing her forehead deeply. Then he held her tightly, as if letting go would mean another 600 years of waiting.
The King's Plea:
Tears streaming from his cat-like eyes, he whispered, "You don't know, Nikita, how I have died every moment for 600 years! My immortality has been a curse without you."
Nikita's Consolation:
Nikita hugged him, her sky-blue hair drenched in his tears, and whispered, "I cried too, Your Majesty! Every day in that other world, I thought of you when I saw your mark in the mirror."
In the glow of the bedroom lights, Kairen's scarred face was no longer pained, but blissfully content. The white cat rolled on the carpet happily, and the blue serpent created a magical blue halo around them, warding off all evil.
Six hundred years of anticipation and longing melted away in a single embrace. Kairen kissed her hand and whispered, "If you try to leave again, I will stop even time itself. You will go nowhere else."
Taking her hand, he led her to a grand wall covered by a silk curtain. With emotion, he pulled it aside. Nikita gasped, seeing a magical portrait spanning the entire wall.
The painting depicted her 600 years ago, by the bathhouse, her sky-blue hair fluttering and the blue serpent perched on her shoulder. Kairen's artists had preserved every detail. The love bite on her neck was not forgotten.
Nikita, overwhelmed, touched the wall and whispered, "This… for me? You've kept this for 600 years?"
Kairen stood behind her, cat-like eyes on the portrait, saying softly, "Every night I could not sleep, I stood here and spoke to this painting. More precious than the bricks of this palace… this painting was my companion, Nikita."
Emotional, Nikita looked up at him, eyes brimming with tears, "I thought you'd forgotten me. You've made magic greater than mine! You made my memory immortal."
Kairen smiled, scarred face serene, "Not memory, Nikita. I preserved my life. Today this painting is complete because the person in it stands before me."
Nikita playfully teased, "But don't you think I look too beautiful in it? Am I really this cute?"
Kairen chuckled softly. He produced a velvet box from a hidden compartment. Kneeling before her, he opened it to reveal a sky-blue sapphire ring, matching her eyes.
Taking her soft hand, he said, "600 years ago, I could not promise you anything. But today, before this painting and our ancestors, I swear: this life, this kingdom, and this Kairen belong only to you. Will you be the eternal queen of this cursed king?"
Blushing, Nikita replied, "How could I refuse when you speak so beautifully? But remember, I argue a lot!"
He slipped the ring on her finger. Blue magical light filled the room, and the portrait seemed alive, smiling back. The blue serpent created a sacred bond around their hands.
Kairen kissed the back of her hand and whispered softly. His scarred face, after 600 years, was finally calm.
Nikita glanced at the ring, "It matches my eyes! But what about your other wife waiting outside?"
Kairen, looking toward the window, said firmly, "I will send her respectfully to her kingdom. This throne and my heart… both belong to you alone."
He took her hand and walked her to the throne room. The court fell silent, astonished to see him arrive with a stunning woman—Nikita, the sky-haired queen, wearing the sapphire ring.
Kairen announced, "Hear all! The sun rises anew in this kingdom today. The one you have known for 600 years only in paintings… the real queen stands among you. From today, Nikita is your sole sovereign!"
Gasps filled the hall. His sister exclaimed, "Impossible! Where did this girl come from? Have you lost your mind?"
Nikita, fearless, smiled mischievously, "Sister, some things never change—you're still quarrelsome as ever. But sadly, your brother now listens only to me!"
The blue serpent unleashed a fearsome roar, and all attendees recoiled. Kairen proudly seated Nikita on the throne. The other princess, Kairen's political wife, bowed respectfully, realizing she could never hold his heart.
Kairen placed Nikita's hand in his, proclaiming, "From today, darkness shall not fall in this kingdom! Our queen has returned. Let celebrations continue seven days and nights! Open the treasury, distribute sweets and gifts—no one shall be hungry!"
The court erupted in cheers. Nikita laughed, "Seven days and nights? I can eat so many cakes and sweets!"
Kairen smiled, straightening her wet hair, "Whatever you wish, Nikita, shall be done from now on."
The blue serpent colored the clouds in sky-blue, magical light filled the palace, and the white cat rolled happily on the carpet.
Even the sister and political wife had to accept the reality—they could not challenge Nikita's return.
Kairen whispered, "After the seven days of celebration, I will take you back to that unfinished bathhouse. No one shall disturb us then."
Nikita lightly tapped him, "You never change, do you?"
The first night of festivities echoed throughout the palace. Nikita lay on her grand royal bed, her sky-blue hair scattered across the pillow, dreaming of Kairen.
A soft sound at the door. Opening her eyes, she saw the political wife and the sister, standing quietly.
Nikita sat up, her bright sky-blue eyes wide, and said, "Why are you here at this hour? The king is in council with the ministers."
The political wife approached, tears in her eyes, looking at the love bite on Nikita's neck, "Nikita, I know this throne and the king's heart are yours. Your return has taken away my honor. People mock me."
The sister whispered, "See, Nikita? Your return hasn't brought happiness for anyone. Perhaps you should return to where you came from."
Nikita paused, then took the political wife's hand gently, whispering, "Why are you crying? I am not your enemy. I returned because the king loves me, not to harm anyone."
At that moment, the king's familiar footsteps sounded. Kairen entered, cat-like eyes blazing, his scarred face stern.
Seeing his sister and political wife surrounding Nikita, Kairen roared, "Stop! How dare you enter Nikita's chamber without my permission?"
He drew her behind him, his scarred face harsh. Turning to his sister, he said, "I have endured your venomous plots for 600 years. Today, if I see a tear in Nikita's eye, I will forget you are my sister!"
To his wife, he said, "You were warned—the marriage was political. I owe you nothing beyond that. Attempt to claim Nikita's place and leave now!"
The sister trembled, the political wife covered her face in shame, and both were escorted out.
Alone with Nikita, Kairen adjusted her tousled hair, smiling faintly. Kneeling, he held her hands in his.
"I fear losing you, Nikita. No one shall disturb you in this palace—I promise."
The blue serpent climbed onto his shoulder, as if thanking him for his courage.