Years ago, when the sun rose from the west and no rain touched the earth, the world was cursed.
No rain was granted to the empire, and no stars shone in its skies. No roses bloomed, and no love endured in the empire of ruin — the empire once called Curenia.
Curenia was once famed for its beauty. But after the curse, that beauty faded, leaving behind only ash and dust.
King Cilain was a cruel man. No soul dared harm a single hair on his head. He was protected by the Holy House — though it could no longer be called holy.
The Holy House had been blessed with divine protection and power, yet their hearts were as black as their souls. Envy and greed had consumed their minds. The devil was their lord, and the true Lord — the god who ruled the world — was to them nothing more than a cracked rose.
Their greed and envy passed from generation to generation.
But one day, a saintess from this bloodline turned her heart toward the gods. She prayed for forgiveness and followed the divine will.
The devils, enraged by her betrayal, cursed the bloodline with eternal suffering.
The curse was named Famromina.
Its victims felt no guilt, no shame — only envy and greed.
End of the story.
"So the Holy House's greed and envy caused the entire bloodline's curse?" I leaned back in my seat.
"Exactly." Kira looked oddly proud of herself.
"What happened to the empire?"
Max's question caught my attention. My eyes shifted from him to Kira, waiting for her answer.
"A saintess appeared — one with no blood ties to the Holy House — and she saved the world with her divine power," Kira said.
"So the Curenia Festival is held to celebrate that?" Max added, and Kira nodded in agreement.
"When is the festival?" I asked, glancing at her.
"In three weeks."
"Are there gonna be sexy women dancing like last year?"
The second Max said it, I knew he had no sense of shame.
"No, Max. This year our family has to do the dance — at least me and Lilith do."
"Excuse me? Who's dancing? Not me," I snapped, cutting him off before he could say another word. I suck at dancing.
"Don't worry, Lilith. It's not like the ballroom dances with a partner."
"Then what?" I asked, slightly calmer now.
"Tranzella, followed by the Veil Dance."
My jaw dropped as Kira said it.
To be continued...