Chapter Text
The cheerful chirping of birds filled Sword’s room.
Through the open window came a beam of sunlight—along with Sisyphus, who landed right on top of Sword’s sleeping body.
The countless signs of morning dragged Sword out of his dream, and he groggily sat up in bed.
The first thing he saw was Sisyphus, perched comfortably on his knees.
“Oh, Sisyphus! Thanks for waking me up again! …Wait, how did you get into my room this time?”
When Sisyphus turned his head toward the window, Sword realized he’d once again forgotten to lock it before going to bed.
The little creature stared at him as if judging him silently.
“Haha… yeah, I know, I forgot again. But I was so busy last night checking out the castle!”
Sword got up and walked toward the open window.
Outside stretched a quiet sea of nature—the only thing that really surrounded his small house in the countryside.
Other than the occasional trip to the marketplace, Sword rarely saw any other Inphernals or sources of amusement.
The only real joy he found out here was gazing at that grand, sky-blue castle that stood even visible from so far away—the castle of Prince Stargazer.
He had never seen the prince in person, but every time he went to town, gossip about him flowed freely between the Inphernals.
They spoke of many things, but one detail never changed: that serene, confident smile of the prince’s.
Sword would often imagine the two of them together—standing side by side in that beautiful castle.
To see the prince with his own eyes, inside that castle—that was Sword’s dearest wish.
“Sword, are you up yet?”
His father’s voice pulled him from his daydream.
“I’m coming down now!”
He glanced one last time toward the castle, closed the window, and hurried out of his room.
Downstairs, his father Venomshank was sitting at the table, while his brother Medkit was busy preparing breakfast.
Venomshank greeted his drowsy-looking son warmly, and Sword rushed to the kitchen to help.
“You do remember it’s your turn to make breakfast today, right?” Medkit said, eyeing him flatly.
“Hehe… sorry, Medkit! I thought I woke up on time…”
Sword apologized and joined in, hurriedly finishing up the meal.
Fortunately, unlike many stories like this, Sword wasn’t mistreated by his family.
The table soon held fried eggs, bacon, and slices of warm, buttered toast.
Sword ate proudly, satisfied with the breakfast he and Medkit had made.
Next to him, Medkit sipped black coffee and read the morning paper.
“Anything interesting today?” Venomshank asked.
“Not really. Just some new groceries being imported to the market.”
“What about that big headline?” Sword asked, pointing to the bold letters visible from across the table.
Medkit turned the newspaper around and read it aloud.
“‘Prince Stargazer’s Grand Royal Ball’”
The moment the words left his mouth, Sword’s heart nearly stopped.
Prince Stargazer? A royal ball?
“When—when is it happening?!” Sword stammered.
Medkit scanned the article. “It says… today.”
“Today?!”
It was as if the heavens themselves had finally answered his prayers.
The chance to meet the prince—his lifelong wish—was happening today.
“How pointless,” Medkit muttered, unimpressed.
Even his father’s indifferent nod made Sword’s excitement falter.
“So… we’re not going, are we?” he asked carefully.
“Sword, that’s a gathering for nobles. The rich go there to make connections and cut deals. People like us weren’t even invited.”
Venomshank nodded in agreement. “We can’t change how the world works, son.”
Sword felt like his whole world had crumbled.
All those years of admiring the castle, all those dreams of meeting the prince—had it all been for nothing?
Was it just a foolish fantasy?
Venomshank patted his shoulder gently.
“Cheer up, Sword. Don’t let it get to you. How about we all go to the market later?”
But Sword wasn’t in the mood for markets or comfort.
He forced a small smile. “I’m fine. I’ll just stay home.”
Venomshank nodded, understanding.
After his family left for town, the house was quiet.
Sword distracted himself by cleaning the table, doing the dishes, sweeping the floor—anything to keep busy.
But once the chores were done, boredom and loneliness crept back in.
He returned to his room, flipped through a few of the books Medkit had gifted him, then gave up and flopped onto his bed.
Out the window, the prince’s castle shimmered in the sunlight, mocking him silently.
He sighed deeply. I’ll never get to meet him now, will I?
As he tried to shake off the thought, he turned toward the window again—and froze.
Someone he’d never seen before was sitting in the chair beside it.
They wore a wide witch’s hat and a long dark coat, with skeletal wings sprouting from their back.
Their entire form was drenched in indigo—except for the unnervingly bright green grin stretching across their face.
“AAAH!!”
Sword fell right off his bed in panic, clutching his head after hitting the floor.
When he looked up again, the stranger was standing right in front of him—much taller now.
“Hello, Sword,” the being said cheerfully, extending a hand.
“H-how do you know my name?!”
“Of course We know it. We are your fairy godmother.”
They spread their arms dramatically.
Sword trembled, barely managing to stand.
“You’re my… fairy godmother?”
“Heehee, yes! We’ve been stalking—uh, watching you ever since the day you were born.”
The fairy godmother giggled.
Sword couldn’t make sense of any of it.
This creepy thing was claiming to be his fairy godmother?
And they looked nothing like any fairy he’d ever read about.
Still… if there was even a chance they were telling the truth, maybe—just maybe—this was his ticket to the royal ball.
“Um… fine, Fairy Godmother. You’re here to help me, right?”
“Indeed. You wish to attend that pompous prince’s ball, do you not?”
Darkheart leaned down until their glowing eyes met Sword’s.
The mention of “stalking” made Sword uneasy, but he took a deep breath and tried to stay calm.
“Yes. I want to go to Prince Stargazer’s ball. Is there… a way?”
“Hmm… We’ll need Our magic wand first.”
Darkheart raised one hand, and with a flick, produced an object.
It shimmered into the shape of a long, black blade.
“Wait, that’s… a sword.”
“No, it’s a magic wand.”
“That’s definitely a sword!”
“It’s a wand. Now hold still while We make you a dress.”
“Wait—what?!”
Before Sword could protest, Darkheart swung the “wand.”
His plain clothes shredded and transformed into a vivid red gown—lace, jewels, ribbons, the whole works.
And very, very tight.
“WHAT IS THIS?!”
“Take a closer look,” Darkheart said, suddenly holding up his bathroom mirror like a full-length one.
“NOOOO!!!”
Sword turned away in horror.
“I wanted, like, a suit! Something classy! How am I supposed to wear a dress?!”
“You already are wearing it.”
“Change it back!”
“Hehe… no.”
Despite his desperate protests, Darkheart wouldn’t budge.
Sword could barely breathe in the suffocating gown.
Maybe staying home wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
“Relax, Sword. You look fabulous. And thanks to Our magic, everyone will see you as a noble lady anyway.”
Darkheart’s attempt at reassurance did not help.
But Sword, resigned, decided to endure it.
He wouldn’t give up on meeting Prince Stargazer—not over a humiliating dress.
“Ah, right! We haven’t properly introduced Ourself. We are Darkheart.”
“Yeah, sure. So… anything else I need?”
“Hmm. You’ll need transportation! Let’s go outside.”
Without waiting, Darkheart opened the door and headed downstairs.
Sword sighed and carefully lifted the hem of his skirt to follow.
Each step was agony—especially in the absurdly impractical glass heels.
When he finally reached the bottom, he slipped, tumbling down the last few stairs as Darkheart cackled from the living room.
“Hang in there, Sword! You’re almost there!”
Grinding his teeth, Sword got up and followed them out to the yard—where a dull gray truck waited.
“...What century is this supposed to be?”
“Doesn’t matter. Get in.”
It wasn’t the pumpkin carriage he’d imagined, but it would do.
Sword crammed his enormous gown into the passenger seat and finally relaxed a little.
Darkheart started the engine, grinning as the truck rumbled to life.
“Seatbelt,” they said.
And with that, they set off toward Prince Stargazer’s castle.