Prologue: A New Beginning

Glade Village, a remote settlement, was home to a small but lively community. Among its peaceful inhabitants was a little girl named Rua, who lay asleep on an old bamboo bench outside her hut. Rua was strikingly beautiful, with jet-black hair and a petite frame. Her deep, dark eyes hinted at a past filled with hardship, yet she remained a picture of grace.

The village boys often approached her, hoping to coax her into playing with them, but Rua, wholly uninterested, would simply yawn and respond with a lazy, "Mmmph... yaaa..." Her gaze, filled with quiet disdain, bore into them as she dismissed them with an apathetic, "No, stay away from me, trash." Though her words were harsh, the small, delicate voice delivering them only seemed to encourage the boys further—much to her annoyance. Unbothered, she shut her eyes and resumed her nap, indifferent to their presence.

The group of boys exchanged awkward glances, momentarily silenced by her indifference. "Too bad. Rua really is too lazy," one of them muttered. His friends nodded in agreement. "Right." They had grown used to her coldness; she had been this way since the day they met her. Accepting defeat, they turned and continued their game without her.

Rua slept undisturbed for three hours, her internal clock perfectly aligned with the evening routine. She knew her mother would call for dinner right on time. As expected, a familiar voice rang out.

"Rua, it's dinner time! Did you hear me?"

Her mother, Kayna, stood nearby, concern evident in her gaze. She bore the same raven hair and delicate features as her daughter, yet the resemblance only deepened her worries. Rua had always been lethargic, disinterested in people or activities. Kayna couldn't understand why her child lacked motivation for anything, and though she tried to dismiss her unease, the thought lingered—was Rua truly without desire?

Shaking off her apprehension, Kayna approached the bench and gently lifted Rua into her arms. The girl remained fast asleep, her small body light as a feather. As Kayna carried her home, she felt the watchful eyes of the villagers upon them. Their expressions were filled with sympathy.

"Kayna, don't worry," an elderly man reassured her with a kind smile. "I'm sure Rua will start playing with the other children soon enough."

Kayna nodded but said nothing, her heart weighed by doubt. Still, the sight of her home ahead brought a small sense of relief—her husband would be waiting for them.

As she stepped inside, a familiar voice greeted her.

"Ah, you're back, Kayna! Don't just stand there—come in. Hmm… could it be that you're mesmerized by my looks again?"

Leo, her husband, stood before her, a teasing smirk on his handsome face. His striking white wolf ears twitched playfully.

Kayna's cheeks flushed. "You shameless bastard," she muttered, flustered. "Take Rua. I need to prepare her portion." Handing their daughter to him, she hurried toward the kitchen, her blush deepening.

Leo chuckled, ever the opportunist. "Oh? Feeling embarrassed? Do you want to do it tonight too?"

Kayna whipped around, eyes blazing. "You! Shut your mouth! Don't say things like that in front of our child! Do you want to turn them into a scoundrel like you?"

Despite her scolding, warmth filled her chest. She glanced at Leo, the man who had accepted both her and Rua without hesitation. Rua wasn't his biological daughter—her previous husband had abandoned them six years ago—but Leo had stepped into their lives without reservation. As a hunter, Kayna had grown accustomed to solitude, yet Leo had brought light back into her world. A soft smile graced her lips. She was grateful.

Not long after, Rua stirred, stretching her arms with a lazy yawn. "Mother, did you make dinner?" she asked, her stomach growling audibly. "Grumble… grrr…" Her sleepy eyes landed on her mother. "Mother, I'm hungry," she added, her tone impatient.

She had timed it perfectly. Even without a clock, her body had memorized the rhythm—an instinct carried over from her previous life.

"Uncle Leo, feed me," she demanded, her small voice laced with expectation.

She never called him 'father,' but Leo didn't mind. With an amused smile, he scooped up a portion of food and began feeding her, putting her needs before his own hunger.

Kayna, watching the exchange, felt her heart swell with warmth.

And so, the evening passed in quiet comfort, a family gathered around the dinner table—simple yet complete.