"W-where am I?"
Eula slowly opened her eyes, blinking in confusion.
She was sitting in front of a vanity—an elegant half-body mirror framed with silver. Judging by her posture, she must have fallen asleep slumped over it not long ago. She rubbed her eyes and leaned closer to the mirror… then froze.
The Eula reflected there was beautiful—far more than she remembered being.
At that moment, she was wearing an exquisite ice-blue wedding dress. It was the most luxurious gown she had ever seen: embroidered with countless sapphires and diamonds that shimmered with cold brilliance. The skirt extended several meters behind her, flowing like a glacier.
She looked like a majestic blue-and-white peacock, trailing a breathtaking tail.
Atop her head rested a magnificent crown. Crafted from starlight-silver and set with seven ice sapphires in a row, it outshone even the finest royal art pieces.
A delicate white veil hung behind her, and a ring adorned her gloved ring finger.
"What the hell is going on?"
Nothing made sense.
She had been drinking with someone… and now she suddenly appeared here, dressed like a bride and feeling like a fool.
BANG—!
The door burst open.
A group of people rushed in, startling her.
Their faces looked strangely familiar—yet unfamiliar at the same time. As if she had once known them, but had long forgotten who they were.
"The bride is ready!"
"As expected of the king's bride!"
"Hurry, escort Queen Eula to His Majesty!"
"Q–Queen? King? Who are you people?! Where are you taking me?!"
Eula was surrounded and swept away before she could protest.
She was placed into a beautiful carriage—though calling it a "carriage" was generous. It wasn't pulled by horses, but by a massive, awe-inspiring wind dragon.
Before she had time to react, she was transported elsewhere. Upon stepping out, cheers erupted from all sides, and a rain of flower petals drifted from the sky.
Bells chimed from the tall white bell tower in the distance.
At some point, a bouquet had appeared in her hands, and a veil covered her face.
Instinctively, she reached to lift it—
Then froze when she saw a man standing not far away.
Long, jet-black hair. Eyes more dazzling than amethysts. A face beautiful like an angel's, paired with a devilish smile.
Leon Fol Palettia, Second Prince of Palettia.
He approached, wearing a pristine white suit.
This went far beyond any fairytale "prince charming." He was flawless.
"At last, you've arrived, my queen."
"Eh?"
Eula blinked as Leon gently took her hand and wrapped an arm around her waist.
Only then did everything click.
[Yes… this is my wedding with His Highness.]
Years ago, by following Leon and achieving countless feats—far surpassing the other candidates for queen—she had earned his proposal.
Today was their wedding day.
Upon remembering this, Eula's heart softened. A radiant, joyful smile blossomed on her face.
[I really did it. I actually became his wife. I never thought I'd come this far.]
Their wedding was held in the grand cathedral, before millions of spectators across the capital.
Eula and Leon stood on the ceremonial platform,
receiving cheers, blessings, and applause.
Amid the bells and a storm of flower petals, they exchanged vows of eternal love.
Eula felt like she was dreaming.
Everyone looked at her with envy, affection, admiration—as if the mockery and scorn of the past had never existed. As if the entire world now adored her.
It was everything she had ever wanted.
And naturally, the story continued like a fairy tale: she and Leon lived happily ever after—a predictable ending, but a beautiful one.
Until—
"EULA LAWRENCE! What do you think you're doing!!"
"How can you be this kingdom's queen?! The wife of that man?!"
"Hurry! Avenge us!"
"Kill him!"
"No—!!!"
The perfect wedding shattered.
Eula watched the scene blur and transform in horror.
The royal capital dissolved—
and became Mondstadt.
On the high platform of the plaza stood a cross and a guillotine.
A group of people with blue hair and golden eyes—people who looked exactly like her—were bound to the execution devices.
They glared at her with hatred, fury, resentment.
They demanded vengeance.
They commanded her to kill Leon.
They were… her family.
"No! No! I won't do it! You all committed unforgivable crimes! A family like ours can't continue to exist. This is… exactly what you deserved!"
Eula clutched her head, overwhelmed, unable to bear their disgust—the disgust of people tied to her by blood.
"You damned traitor! You think you'll be forgiven?!"
"Don't forget—you carry the same blood as us. The blood of sin will never be forgiven!"
"No one in this world will accept you! No one will love you! To these foolish people, you're just another criminal like us!"
"Stop clinging to your foolish ideals! Free us! Only criminals of the same blood can ever accept you!"
Her eyes went empty. Her whole body trembled.
Then—
She heard shouting. Angry voices.
She turned around—
and realized she was surrounded.
The people's expressions were the exact opposite of the wedding crowd. Their eyes were filled with disgust, resentment, anger, rejection.
"Get out of Mondstadt!"
"You're not welcome here, criminal!"
"Go to hell, daughter of Lawrence!"
"No! I'm not a criminal! I've never committed any crime! You misunderstood me—I'm nothing like my family!"
Eula collapsed to her knees, sobbing.
No matter how strong she was, she couldn't withstand such relentless hatred. Even when she clapped her hands over her ears and squeezed her eyes shut, she couldn't escape the voices.
And then—
A single voice cut through all the insults.
"I want to see who dares claim that Eula Lawrence is definitely a criminal."
Eula raised her head.
She saw a figure standing before her, blocking her view—
like the only shelter in a storm, shielding her from the rain of hatred.
"Your Highness… I truly am not a criminal."
"I know. Don't be afraid, Eula. I am here to acknowledge you. After I do, no one will dare speak ill of you again. Now… stand up. Do what you must."
"…!"
Eula stared at Leon.
Suddenly, she understood—
As long as she stood with him, the world that hated her would treat her with a little more kindness.
She wiped her tears.
Gripped her beloved sword.
And poured all her strength into it.
"AAAHHH—!!"
She struck with everything she had.
The world shattered like a mirror crashing against the floor.
"Ah— ah!!!"
Eula's eyes flew open.
She jolted upright in bed, gasping.
She looked down at her trembling hands, then at her stiffened body.
"…W-was that… a dream?"
(End of chapter)