episode : 1

The sun’s golden light shone over the grand palace garden. Circular flowerbeds bloomed all around, and just beyond them flowed a clear river. A silver railing and netting surrounded the pond so no one could get too close.

A small girl—barely ten years old—played on the green grass. Her curly hair framed her face, and she wore a sky-blue frock. Beside her lay a little white puppy, Sugar. She wasn’t just talking to the puppy; she spoke gently to the black cat resting nearby.

Suddenly, a handsome fifteen-year-old boy stepped into the garden. His hair was softly waved, and he wore a white shirt with brown trousers. A mischievous smile lit his face. Approaching the girl, he scooped the puppy into his arms.

“Victor! Put Sugar down!” the little girl shouted angrily.

Victor laughed. “What if I don’t?”

Her cheeks flushed. Tears welled but she held back, standing her ground. She bent to pick up a small stone and shouted defiantly, “If you don’t, I’ll hurt you!”

Victor chuckled. “Oh? Go ahead, little princess—try me!”

Enraged, the girl threw the stone—hard. It struck Victor squarely on the forehead.

“Ah!” he cried out, dropping the puppy to the grass. He pressed his palm to his forehead, then stared wide-eyed at his hand.

Blood.

The wound bled fiercely.

The girl first froze, then turned away, her eyes fierce. “You’ll learn. If you annoy Sugar, more blood will follow!”

Victor swayed and collapsed onto the grass.

“Victor!” the girl gasped in genuine fear. She ran to him and placed her hand on his forehead.

Victor shut his eyes and whispered, “You really are a wicked little girl…”

Then everything went black.

---

Victor’s body lay limp on the grass. The girl, trembling, cried out:

“Victor! Victor, wake up!”

She shook his shoulder—no response. Blood trickled down his forehead, staining the ground.

Her heart pounded. Had she hit him too hard?

“Did I… really hurt him that badly?”

Tears welled, but her pride held them back. She sprinted toward the palace, seeking help from the adults.

---

Inside the grand marble hall she burst in, voice cracked but forceful:

“Victor is down! He’s bleeding—please, someone help!”

Immediately the entire mansion stirred. A tall man resembling Victor spun toward her.

“What did you say?!” he demanded, voice deep and stern.

“Victor is bleeding—he’s in the garden!” she cried.

A middle-aged woman in a dark red sari rushed forward and grasped the girl.

“What have you done, Lily?” she asked, her tone gentle but urgent.

Lily broke down, tears falling. “I… I didn’t mean to… I just threw a small stone… but why is he bleeding so much? Is he going to die?”

“God forbid!” the woman exclaimed. Then they all hurried back outside toward the garden.

---

In the garden, Victor lay motionless, his blood spreading across the grass.

“Victor—is he unconscious?”

His older brother quickly knelt and pressed on Victor’s cheek—no reply. He lifted him into his arms and shouted:

“Call a doctor—quick!”

A servant immediately dashed inside to fetch help.

Lily stood trembling in the distance, her heart pounding, thinking:

Was it wrong to throw the stone?

Is Victor going to die?

The air in the garden felt heavy as Victor was carried away into the house. Lily, shivering, asked in a small voice:

“Is he going to die?”

His brother, Rafael, paused, then turned his sharp gaze toward the frightened little girl.

“Did you kill him?” he asked quietly.

Lily’s eyes filled with tears. Still, she answered bravely, “I didn’t mean to! He was teasing Sugar.”

Rafael’s eyes narrowed.

---

Inside the mansion, the doctor entered the room and checked the wound.

“It’s a deep injury, but he’s not in mortal danger. Still, it bled heavily—he needs rest.”

Victor’s mother cried, “My boy is in pain!”

Lily sobbed, “I only meant to warn him! I had no idea it would turn out like this!”

Victor lay unconscious, but his eyelids fluttered. Rafael stepped forward.

“When Victor wakes, what he decides will matter most. Whether you are forgiven—that is up to him, Lily. And if he wishes, I will ensure you are punished.”

Lily’s voice trembled.

---

Victor would regain consciousness—would he forgive her? Or would something terrible happen?

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***