As the golden appendage reverted to ordinary hair, something shot upward into the sky and a staircase appeared. Even though I grimaced at yet another staircase from hell, I had no choice but to move forward.
There wasn’t even time to rest as more golden monsters writhed into existence around me.
Dragging my exhausted body, I ascended the iron-like steps with great difficulty. My thighs are gonna explode! Clenching my teeth, I narrowly escaped the slow-moving pursuing monsters and finally reached the top of the stairs. There was a door—this time completely crimson.
Though it felt ominous, I steeled myself and turned the doorknob.
With an unpleasant creak, the door opened.
“Hahahahaha! Merel! What do you think? Isn’t it amazing!?”
Contrary to the foreboding red door, the room was bright and warm, filled with sunlight that made Rapunzel’s golden hair shine even more vibrantly. She looked young—probably around eight years old.
Rapunzel was using her hair to create shadow puppet shapes of various animals. Surprisingly, when she formed a sparrow, the hair actually chirped!
The maid standing before Rapunzel smiled gently.
“Your skills continue to grow, Princess.”
“Hehe! I’m going to become the kingdom’s greatest magician and make this the best place in the world!”
Such a harmonious atmosphere—it didn’t match what I expected after hearing about how she’d been treated as a cursed child. This Rapunzel seemed like someone raised in a loving, wealthy family.
Even stranger, this younger version of her spoke of wanting to use magic to improve her kingdom—not destroy it.
I couldn’t fully grasp the situation. Plus, they acted like I wasn’t even there. Leaning against the wall, I rested while observing their conversation.
“That’s a wonderful dream, Princess. I support you fully.”
“Yeah! Unlike others who avoided me, you’ve always stood by me. Once I’m officially recognized as a magician, I’ll grant any wish you desire!”
“Just hearing that is enough… But if I may…”
Merel grinned mischievously.
“A man who loves you unconditionally comes along and ties his life with yours.”
“W-W-What?! T-That’s ridiculous! That kind of wish doesn’t exist in this world! It can’t be done with magic either!”
“Hehe… Is that so? While I hope for your magical success, I also wish to see you united with someone who would cherish you with their life.”
“Ugh! Seriously!”
Young Rapunzel used her hair to fan herself, trying to cool down her blushing face.
“I’ll show you my boyfriend later, so think of a proper wish for yourself.”
“I don’t have any other wishes than that one. Still, I am curious… Who will the prince destined for you be?”
“Wh-What are you saying!?”
Rapunzel, embarrassed by talk of love, turned away and started pacing around the room.
“I mean! Like… Becoming rich or gaining mysterious powers, or being lifelong friends enjoying happiness together… That’s the kind of wish I’m talking about!”
Her heartfelt final words deeply moved Merel, despite her servant status.
I clenched my fists tightly until bl**d dripped from where my nails dug into my palms. I silently prayed she wouldn’t turn around and look at Merel.
“Huh? What’s wrong? Merel…?”
Rapunzel’s eyelids widened dramatically. Her beautiful pupils dilated as her golden hair began to rise unnaturally, quivering dangerously.
Her slightly parted lips trembled, unable to form words. In an instant, her complexion turned pale. The young Rapunzel took hesitant steps forward, extending her trembling arms toward Merel.
“Me… Merel? Wha… What is this?”
bl**d pooled on the floor. Its source: a body pierced through by countless rigid strands of golden hair, which belonged to none other than Merel. Trapped upright by the hair spears pinning her to the ground, Merel weakly lowered her head, her lifeless eyes gazing at Rapunzel.
“Merel? Why aren’t you answering…? MEREL!!!”
Tears streamed down Rapunzel’s face as she screamed loudly. Desperately trying to heal Merel with her own power, she realized too late that reviving the dead was beyond her abilities.
Suddenly, the door burst open, revealing guards, Godel, and shortly afterward, the King and Queen rushing in.
They froze at the gruesome scene before them. Rapunzel, covered in bl**d, cradling the dead body of her maid. Before her lay the cruelly murdered servant, and golden hair scattered everywhere.
Hair… Merel… Rapunzel…
“The princess killed the maid!!!”
Godel shouted frantically. The Queen fainted on the spot, while the King and guards were left bewildered. Meanwhile, Rapunzel continued screaming, attempting to revive Merel using magic.
“Sire!! Didn’t I warn you!? The princess possesses evil magic! Look now! Who knows what atrocities her cursed hair could unleash!”
“N-No… It isn’t…”
“You must regain your senses, sire! Issue the order immediately! We must restrain the princess!”
“A-Ah…”
With a heavy heart, the king lowered his head and gave the command.
“Restrain… the princess.”
At the royal decree, the guards sprang into action. As the memory faded, everything except the advancing guards disappeared in a violent gust of wind.
Ten guards charged at me with weapons drawn.
“The princess killed the maid!!!”
“Restrain the princess!”
“Stop the cursed princess!!!”
Dodging their massive swords, I retreated defensively.
Clang!!
A steel blade struck my scythe, sending shockwaves through my bones. Lucky for me, their armor slowed them down. Though faster than the golden monsters, their movement speed remained sluggish compared to mine.
“The princess has fulfilled the prophecy by killing someone!!!”
“Restrain the princess who murdered her maid!!!”
“By royal order! Stop the murderous princess!!!”
What must Rapunzel have felt seeing these guards rush at her? Hearing them call her cursed? Knowing they followed orders—even from her own father—to capture her?
How devastating must that have been?
“No…”
Gripping my scythe tightly, I gritted my teeth. Just as the leading guard raised his sword high to attack, I swung.
The soldier split cleanly in half and collapsed.
Pointing the weapon at the remaining guards, I yelled.
“No! Rapunzel didn’t do it!!!”
Clang!! Sparks flew as my scythe clashed with a sword. Instead of blocking the heavy blow directly, I deflected it sideways. Taking advantage of my longer reach, I pulled back before slicing horizontally through three charging guards who screamed in agony.
Three bodies fell severed.
More guards leaped over their fallen comrades, shouting insults.
“We must k*ll the cursed princess!!!”
“Destroy the abomination that shouldn’t have been born!!!”
“Shut up!!! Rapunzel didn’t do it!!!”
Roaring with all my might, I fought against their blades.
Rapunzel didn’t k*ll Merel. I saw it clearly. Her hair stayed still. The real culprit came through the window—multiple strands of golden hair thinner and coarser than hers. They mercilessly attacked Merel the moment she turned toward the window out of curiosity.
And those weren’t even her hairs. Lighter in color and thicker in texture, they were clearly fabricated to frame Rapunzel.
So Rapunzel didn’t do it. She didn’t k*ll her friend, her only supporter!
“She couldn’t have done it, d*mn it!!!”
