Hyperion looked at the familiar royal capital, Ikelite, and recalled why she was here.

It turned out that after school, Vivian wanted to return to the palace to change into casual clothes before strolling around with her.

She sat on a bench and waited for a moment, accidentally falling asleep.

While she was thinking, she looked up and saw a figure quickly walking out of the palace. It was none other than her best friend, and the princess of the Kingdom of Hutton, Vivian.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Vivian held a small gift box in her hand, rushed to Hyperion's side, and said to her.

"It's okay, I just took a nap and didn't even notice the time passing."

Hyperion shook her head and replied with a smile.

The two walked along the newly renovated road by the canal, talking and laughing.

"Ugh, I can't stand my brother anymore, you know? Today, Sophia asked him if he wanted to go to the Jera artisan's art exhibition, guess how he answered?"

Vivian sighed incessantly, completely disregarding the dignity expected of a princess of the Kingdom of Hutton. It seemed that she had just returned to the palace and heard something that left her speechless, and couldn't help but immediately complain to Hyperion.

"How did he answer?"

Hyperion tilted her head curiously.

"He actually said, 'Ah, that reminds me, I have to hurry up and ask Lord Migaia if he's free. I've been wanting to go with him for a while now.' Then he thanked Sophia and excitedly went to find Duke Migaia. Sophia's face turned green at that moment."

"Although I shouldn't laugh, but..."

Hyperion listened to Vivian's story while covering her mouth, feeling guilty as she held back her laughter.

With these friends who grew up together in the royal capital by her side, she never felt lonely.

But for some reason, she always felt like these things had happened before, and she was just experiencing them again, like... a strong sense of déjà vu.

But even so, Hyperion felt extremely happy.

The afternoon sky was filled with sparse clouds, and flocks of birds flew by in the distance.

A gentle breeze blew from the river, caressing their faces.

Suddenly, Hyperion caught a glimpse of her reflection on the river surface, her pupils suddenly contracted, and she慌张的捂住了自己头上的角.(this is supposed to be paniced and covered the horns on her head).

How could she make such a rookie mistake!

She actually forgot to use illusion magic to transform into a human appearance when going out!

However.

Hyperion only saw Vivian looking at her with confusion.

"Hyperion, what's wrong?"

Vivian moved a little closer and asked.

"You... didn't notice that I'm in my half-demon form right now?"

Hyperion also took a step back and leaned against the stone-carved railing by the moat.

"I noticed, so what?"

Vivian was even more confused.

Hyperion stared blankly at the river surface, and thought for a while.

In this Kingdom of Hutton, people would not be hostile to demons, even if she used her original appearance, others would not find it strange at all when they saw the horns on her head.

What was she afraid of?

"I was just thinking that everyone might be giving my father, Duke Migaia, face, and never cared about my half-demon identity, but..."

Hyperion seemed to have been troubled by this question for a long time, and she said hesitantly.

Vivian laughed when she heard this.

"It's okay, having characteristics that are different from ordinary people is not a new thing in Ikelite. There's no need to care about mere demon features. There are all kinds of people in this world, and everyone has different ideas, but everyone can still get along in harmony, right?"

Along with her words, the noise, laughter, and the sound of musicians playing the zither that occasionally came from the distance all seemed particularly peaceful.

Hyperion stared blankly at Vivian. After a long while, she lowered her head and a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. This answer made her extremely happy, but she didn't want others to see the expression on her face that might be a silly smile right now.

The two walked like this all the way. Besides the magnificent buildings, Ikelite also had large swaths of beautiful natural scenery, perfectly integrated together.

Until they arrived on the bridge, Vivian stopped and handed the gift box in her hand to Hyperion.

She looked at Hyperion with a smile.

"Hyperion, happy birthday."

...

But in reality, at this moment.

The fourth underground floor of the Herloom Prison.

Several figures who had just arrived stood frozen in place like stone statues.

One of them even fell to the ground.

Not long after.

From a distance, the sound of high heels stepping on the floor tiles gradually approached. She seemed to be walking slowly, yet very calmly.

In the entrance hall, a female figure in a prison warden's uniform finally appeared. The nameplate on her chest read "Selena."

She was not affected by the barrier on this floor and was able to remain conscious.

But the way she approached didn't seem like she was planning to help these five people. There was even a hint of mockery on her lips, as if she had discovered a few novel little mice.

She stood in front of Hyperion, who was at the head and motionless, observing Hyperion's expression and the magical fluctuations of the barrier on the fourth underground floor that she had triggered.

Seeing Hyperion so immersed in this dream, Warden Selena shook her head and smiled.

"Seems like a nice little cutie... If I tear open her scars, she'll definitely bleed a lot, right?"

...

Hyperion was walking slowly on a small road paved with stone slabs along the riverbank. The ancient buildings and bluestone walls on the side of the road reflected deep silver and black, dim shadows.

After saying goodbye to Princess Vivian, she embarked on her solitary journey home.

Along the way from the Ikelite Royal Palace to the Aransar Duke's residence, she happened to pass by the Ikelite Academy.

Even with such a leisurely walk, seeing the academy let her know that home was not far away.

As she walked, a slight, sweet fragrance of fruits and pastries wafted over.

"Desserts that make you so happy that your cheeks melt are all here! Meow meow!"

The repetitive broadcast of the magical device passed through the street, and the wind chimes hanging from the eaves of a shop on the side of the street rang non-stop.

Hyperion looked over there, and a simple wooden house came into view.

She stopped and hesitated whether to buy one.

"Eh."

Hyperion touched her stomach, feeling that she wasn't particularly hungry for sweets.

Neither she nor her father were the type who liked sweets very much.

Thinking of this, Hyperion felt that it might be because of the dream just now. She didn't eat any sweets in the dream, so she subconsciously wanted to buy one.

Shaking her head, Hyperion ignored the shop and continued forward firmly.

Just a few steps past the shop, a voice suddenly called out to her from behind.

"Hyperion."

This was a female voice that she didn't seem to have heard before.

Perhaps Hyperion's silver hair with a red ribbon was very recognizable, or perhaps the other party was too familiar with her and recognized her at a glance.

Hyperion turned her head and found two figures standing in front of the wooden shop door.

A silver-haired woman, who looked exactly like the portrait of her mother in the frame on Hyperion's bedside table.

Beside her was a gentle man with an approachable gaze, with unbelievable handsomeness.

In this moment, it was like forever.

Hyperion's eyes were sore, not knowing why she wanted to cry.

(End of chapter)