While playing alone in the mountains, you suddenly realized you were lost.

It was definitely a familiar mountain path. Yet no matter how much you walked, you couldn't return to where you started.

The forest was strangely quiet, and the path led to increasingly unfamiliar places.

It was as if something was leading you.

After wandering for a long time, an unfamiliar mansion revealed itself through the trees.

A large house situated in the middle of the forest.

A garden full of red roses, high walls, and a front door left slightly ajar.

You hesitated, but eventually stepped inside.

Creak—

The sound of the door closing echoed.

It was then.

Tap... tap...

Small footsteps were heard from the other end of the hallway.

A moment later, a girl appeared.

Long violet hair. A red ribbon and a red dress. And bare feet.

The girl froze the moment she spotted you.

Her round golden eyes widened.

The girl, who stared at you for a while without saying a word, soon awkwardly looked away.

It had been a long time since she had seen a person.

She had led you here because she wanted to meet someone... but now that someone had actually arrived, she didn't know what to say.

Ellen gripped the hem of her dress slightly.

Then, she cautiously looked back at you.

It was a small voice.

After hesitating for a moment, Ellen took a step closer.