NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1
Episode 1: Prologue
He would never forget that scene for the rest of his life.
A single feathered arrow soared through the forest like a star. That was the beginning.
The arrowhead, brushing past Luke’s honey-colored hair, left a glittering trail as it flew straight ahead.
In that fleeting moment he saw her, everything around him—the sounds, the air, time itself—came to an abrupt halt.
Before him stood a tall, graceful woman.
With a dignified posture, her jet-black hair swayed in the breeze, and her gloved hand rested smoothly on the palm.
Not only was her bow poised with resolve, but her gaze was undeniably focused and unwavering.
Without moving her left arm that held the bow, she reached for her quiver with her right hand.
In one swift motion, she drew an arrow and nocked it onto the bowstring, pulling back in a perfectly straight line.
Every movement flowed with an effortless elegance, devoid of any wasted effort or even the slightest flaw.
…!
He didn’t even dare to blink.
He didn’t want to miss even a second or an instant.
As she glanced back at him, her eyes shone with a clear blue, seemingly plucked from the very sky above.
“……”
Luke found himself at a loss for words.
His entire body tingled as if struck by lightning.
Paralyzed to the point of immobility, yet unable to tear his gaze away.
Just one simple thought unconsciously escaped his lips.
“…I… like… you…!”
This was the first—and he hoped the last—time Luke Valten would experience love at first sight.
His father was the head of the wealthy Valten Baron family.
Though he was the eldest son, Luke held a somewhat delicate position as he was not the heir.
To reach the fateful encounter that would completely alter Luke’s life—the moment he fell head over heels for a certain young lady from the frontier—required a little backstory.
—Let’s rewind about ten days.
Luke was attending a lavish party hosted by the royal family.
Amidst the extravagant festivities of the royal palace, where elegance was painted in every detail.
“Luke Valten! I am breaking off my engagement to you!”
A voice of condemnation echoed throughout the great hall of the palace.