Hours after the battle against Meliora.

  Stingara walked alone through the corridors.

  What an idiot… who in their right mind would reject me?

  I wanted to protect him, make him my royal servant.

  She screamed, frustrated:

  — Aaaahhh!

  He makes me furious. So weak, so stupid… but so cute it’s pathetic.

  This humiliation… I won’t let it slide.

  I’ll rip that smile off his face.

  I’ll break him.

  And when he crawls back to me, begging for protection, I’ll do whatever I want with what’s left of him.

  Days later, Souta was expelled from the castle.

  By order of the princess.

  Stingara mocked him in front of everyone.

  Mud. Laughter.

  The humiliation reached its peak.

  The laughter echoed like whips.

  — Look at the failed janitor!

  — Not even good enough to die!

  — Paper drone!

  And for the first time… Souta’s smile faded.

  Tears streamed down his face.

  The humiliation was obvious.

  Impossible to contain.

  Stingara watched from above, arms crossed, satisfied expression.

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  — I told you I’d break that smile.

  Souta staggered to his feet.

  Looked around.

  No one defended him.

  Not even Meliora.

  Not Gabriel.

  Not the other drones.

  He ran until he vanished from sight.

  Roger, the captain of the guard, approached Stingara.

  — He ran. That’s not how you said it would go.

  — Wasn’t that too cruel?

  Stingara smiled.

  — Relax, Roger. He’ll come back. He has nowhere else to go.

  Her smile widened.

  — I’m bored… don’t you want to cheer me up a little? My room isn’t far from here.

  Roger blushed but kept his posture.

  — What is this, Miss? A worm like me doesn’t deserve to touch you.

  — Fine… your loss. — Stingara said, turning away.

  Alone, Stingara walked the corridors.

  Souta’s humiliation still echoed in her mind.

  He ran… was I too cruel?

  But I can’t help it. When I see something miserable… I feel like crushing it.

  She stopped in front of a mirror.

  Her reflection showed a powerful woman.

  But her eyes… were confused.

  He’ll come back.

  Broken.

  Or stronger.

  Either outcome benefits me.

  Then, everything changed.

  The body of the dragon Garra was dragged to the center of the kingdom.

  And the one who had defeated it… was Souta.

  Stingara was stunned.

  — That… is Souta?!

  From that day on, Souta began defeating celestial generals.

  Rebelling against the system.

  Becoming the name that echoed throughout Magnapis.

  And Stingara… couldn’t get him out of her head.

  Alone in her room, Stingara stared into the void.

  Her thoughts were a whirlwind.

  — I hate him… — she murmured, voice hollow, melancholic.

  — Souta Kihara…

  A shadow appeared before her.

  Cold. Silent.

  It was him.

  — You called, princess?