Once upon a time, deep within the heart of the magical Labyrinth Forest, lived a witch feared by all who heard her name. They called her Velra the Villainess, a shape-shifting enchantress who haunted the woods and led travelers astray. None knew the truth—that Velra was not truly wicked, but a cursed princess who longed, above all else, to be loved.

Every night, her form changed: sometimes into a fox with eyes like lanterns, sometimes a silver-haired maiden with thorn-like lashes, or a monstrous creature of shadow. Her days were spent weaving illusions, not to trap wanderers, but to protect her broken heart. For the curse upon her could only be broken by true love… and time was running out.

One evening, a prince named Alric and his loyal aide, Cael, entered the forest on their way back to the royal city. As night fell, the maze grew wild, and the path twisted out of their control. Lost and disoriented, the prince and his companion stumbled deeper into the woods—into Velra’s domain.

Velra saw them from the shadows and, drawn by something she couldn’t name, chose to help. That night, she appeared as a quiet girl with moss in her hair and stars in her eyes. She guided them through the shifting trees, casting spells to keep them safe. Prince Alric thanked her politely.

Velra feel a single hope but quickly fade when she saw the prince eyes, that is eyes who longed for something or someone afar. “I really hope that he’s the one,” she whispered to the moon. “But I also feel it… his heart cannot love me, for he already have someone.” She looked at her reflection in a pool of moonlight and saw a monster staring back. “No one could ever love a wicked, ugly thing like me.”

This things was overheard by Prince Alric but he said nothing and leave Velra alone.