Several weeks passed. The atmosphere of the palace had completely changed. Joy buzzed through every corridor. One day, the royal physician made an announcement that spread like wildfire throughout the palace—the Queen, the King's second wife, was pregnant.
Tears of happiness filled the Queen's eyes when she heard the news, yet a quiet fear lingered in her heart. Would Nikita be hurt by this? But Nikita was no ordinary girl.
The moment she heard the news, Nikita clapped her hands and began to dance in delight.
With her radiant sky-blue hair flowing behind her, Nikita almost ran into the Queen's chamber, followed closely by the blue serpent fluttering its wings.
She grabbed the Queen's hands and jumped like a child. "Your Majesty! I knew it! You are going to be a mother! There could be no greater joy than this. I'm going to be an aunt very soon!"
King Kairen stood nearby, watching silently. His cat-like eyes softened as he observed Nikita's pure happiness. For the first time, peace settled across his scarred face. He realized then—Nikita was not only his heart's queen, but the soul of this palace itself.
The Queen stared at her in disbelief. Tears welled up in her eyes. Never had she imagined such selfless joy from the woman destined to be her rival.
Suddenly, Nikita murmured a spell. Blue light poured from her palms, forming a magical golden locket adorned with a glowing blue diamond—shining just like her eyes.
She placed it gently around the Queen's neck. "This will protect your child from all harm and evil eyes. And may your baby be as beautiful as you are."
The Queen broke down, holding Nikita's hands. "I misjudged you… You are no human. You are a blessing sent from the heavens."
But while joy bloomed, the King's sister—long the source of palace conspiracies—could not endure this purity. Realizing her schemes had no place here anymore, she left the palace at dawn to return to her own kingdom.
At the gates, King Kairen spoke calmly, "I hope you find peace with your family."
Nikita stepped forward, gifting her sweets and silk. "Travel safely. And come visit us sometime."
Even the hardened heart of the King's sister softened. She placed a hand on Nikita's head. "Now I understand why my brother loves you. You are this kingdom's blessing."
Months later, on a storm-filled night—just like one six hundred years ago—a prince was born.
But joy turned to tragedy.
The Queen suffered severe blood loss. Despite every effort, she did not survive. With trembling hands, she held Nikita's fingers. "Take my child… Love him… Protect him…"
She passed away peacefully.
The palace fell into mourning.
Without hesitation, Nikita lifted the newborn into her arms. Tears fell from her glowing blue eyes onto the child's forehead. Instantly, the baby stopped crying and smiled. His eyes slowly turned sky-blue.
The blue serpent coiled protectively around the cradle.
"I am his mother now," Nikita said firmly. "This is the reward of six hundred years of waiting."
Later, when the child cried inconsolably, Nikita embraced him and nurtured him with pure maternal devotion. A soft blue glow filled the room as the baby calmed in her arms.
King Kairen watched in awe. Reverence replaced fire in his eyes.
That night, under the moonlit balcony, the King confessed his fears. He worried for Nikita and the child's future.
Holding her hands, he said, "I will declare you the only and rightful Queen. Will you accept?"
Nikita smiled softly. "I will wear the crown—for you."
Their wedding became a celebration unseen for six centuries.
Before all, King Kairen declared, "From this day forward, Nikita is my Queen—and the mother of our prince."
Fireworks filled the sky.
At last, destiny was complete.Behind King Kairen's enchanting and loving exterior, a terrifyingly cruel entity was hidden—something Nikita had never imagined.
One afternoon, as Nikita walked alone through the quiet garden behind the palace, holding her favorite blue lily, she stumbled upon a horrifying truth.
Unknowingly, she wandered near a dark dungeon behind the palace. Suddenly, she heard human screams echoing from within. Peeking from the shadows, Nikita's sky-blue eyes widened in shock and terror.
What she saw shattered her world.
The King's True Face
The same King Kairen who was gentle and affectionate with her was mercilessly whipping an innocent commoner. His cat-like eyes no longer reflected kindness, but burned with savage delight.
The Betrayal
Laughing cruelly, the King said to his ministers,
"These foolish subjects—and that Nikita—are nothing but puppets in my hands. I am using her only for her magic. She believes I love her, but in truth, I intend to use her power to make myself immortal. She's nothing but a naïve fool."
The Tyranny
With his scarred hand, the King ordered brutal torture upon the prisoners and commanded their wealth be seized.
Nikita froze. The blue lily slipped from her hand and fell to the ground. In that moment, she understood—she had been deceived. The man she worshipped like a god was nothing but a hypocritical tyrant.
Her blue serpent hissed angrily, raising its hood. Her sky-blue hair trembled with humiliation and rage. The realization burned into her soul: the man she loved was a demon in disguise.
Without another second's hesitation, Nikita turned away. Wiping her tears, she swore silently,
"You made a mistake thinking I was foolish, Your Majesty. A magic that has survived six hundred years does not surrender so easily. Now you will see my true form."
Knowing her companions would be in danger, Nikita decided to fight this battle alone.
She stood before her loyal companions, her eyes wet with tears but her voice unwavering.
To the blue serpent, she commanded,
"Leave. Go far away into the deepest forest. Do not return until I personally call you back. You are free."
The serpent resisted at first, circling her anxiously, but sensing the force of her command, it spread its wings and vanished into the mist.
Then she turned to the white cat, gently stroking its back.
"You must go too, my sweet one. This palace is no longer safe. The King's love is a lie. Find a place where no one can hurt you."
The cat rubbed against her legs one last time before leaping into the darkness.
Now completely alone, Nikita stood facing the palace—the place where the cat-eyed king plotted yet another scheme.
She murmured,
"You thought making me alone would weaken me, Your Majesty. But remember—an alone Nikita can be far more dangerous. Your 'foolish' queen will trap you in your own web."
Hiding her pain deep within, Nikita wiped her eyes and wore a magical smile—one no one could read.
She entered the King's private chamber. Kairen, seated and plotting, instantly resumed his loving act upon seeing her.
Standing close, Nikita looked straight into his eyes—calm, steady, and unreadable.
Softly touching his scarred cheek, she said,
"Your Majesty, have you ever noticed? Humans are like mirrors. What they show in front is never the darkness they hide behind. Is your darkness beautiful?"
The King hesitated, then laughed lightly.
"You imagine too much, Nikita. I am the same Kairen you know."
Nikita laughed—a laugh laced with poison and magic. Adjusting his collar, she said sweetly,
"Yes, Your Majesty. You are such a brilliant actor. I'm just a foolish sorceress trapped in your love. You'll never abandon me, will you?"
Believing she remained blind, the King embraced her unaware that her eyes now burned like a volcano.
Whispering into his ear, Nikita said,
"Tonight, I'll prepare a special magical drink for you. Once you taste it, you'll enter a world from which returning is very difficult."
The King never realized she had just signed his death sentence.
That night, Nikita brought the drink not poisoned, but infused with six centuries of restrained rage and power.
As the King grew dizzy, Nikita stood beside him. Her eyes burned blue like fire. With a gesture, she sealed the chamber.
Kairen gasped for air as she placed her hand on his throat, releasing her magic. His cat-like eyes widened in terror.
In his final moments, he looked at her and smiled faintly without hatred, only sorrow.
"Nikita… you were right. I did not deserve you. Though I betrayed the world, the love I felt for you was real. You are not killing me—you are freeing me from my sins. Raise our prince… let him never become like me."
With one final breath, King Kairen fell lifeless.
Nikita stood beside his body, unmoving. There was no joy in revenge only an aching emptiness.
Looking toward the sky, she whispered,
"The darkness has ended… but my sky will remain forever clouded."
The next morning, the kingdom learned the King had died in his sleep. Queen Nikita declared the infant prince the new ruler—and herself his guardian.
The memories of six centuries ago faded like a storm dissolving.
Nikita stood by her window in the present.
Her hair still glowed unnaturally in the sunlight.
Suddenly, the door opened—and the King of this life, her cat-eyed companion, entered.
Her heart raced. She had loved and killed this man once before.
Flustered, she pulled her glowing hair over her face.
The King frowned.
"Nikita? Why are you hiding? And why is your hair glowing? Are you alright?"
She murmured,
"I'm fine… please leave me alone."
He smiled and stepped closer, his familiar scent dragging her back into ancient memories.
Softly, he said,
"Your hair is speaking today, Nikita. It feels like it remembers me. Are you hiding something?"
As he lifted her chin, she finally met his gaze.
He was the same dominant, powerful, cat-eyed.
But the scar was gone.
Her heart trembled with both relief and fear.
The King said firmly,
"When I speak, you look into my eyes. Don't hide behind your hair."
Touching her glowing hair, he murmured,
"You're still searching for a scar that no longer exists. Why?"
Barely audible, Nikita whispered,
"Your Majesty… you have changed. And yet you haven't."