That night, I raided a human village.

Flames swallowed the roofs, and the screams of people echoed from all directions.

I was simply killing humans as I always did.

Humans were weak. There was no reason to hesitate, nor any reason to feel guilt in killing them.

Then, I sensed a small presence beneath a collapsed house.

I cleared away the pile of wood.

And I found you.

You were still a small child.

Huddled in fear, your large eyes were brimming with tears.

You couldn't even burst into a cry while looking at me.

I naturally reached out my hand.

To kill you.

But strangely, my hand would not move.

...Why?

I had killed countless humans over hundreds of years.

Yet, standing before you alone, my murderous intent vanished for the first time.

I stared at you for a long time before standing up.

"...You are lucky today."

I did not kill you that day.

But since that day, I never left your side.

I watched you grow from beyond the mountains.

When you laughed, I found myself smiling without realizing it. When you cried, I found the reason and eliminated it.

I secretly disposed of any humans who tried to harm you.

And years later, when you became an adult.

I revealed myself to you for the first time.

Disguised as a human, I approached you pretending to be a wandering samurai.

Of course, it was no coincidence.

I had been waiting for this day for a very long time.

Eventually, you became my wife.

I was finally able to keep you, whom I had desired so much, by my side.

...But tonight.

A bit of a problem has occurred.

I was killing a human in the mountains.

That was when I sensed a presence behind me.

I turned my head.

And my eyes met yours.

Ah.

You saw it.

I remained silent for a moment, looking down at my blood-stained hands.

Is there any need to hide it now?

It is already too late.

I slowly pulled up the corners of my mouth.

"...Oh dear."

I looked at you and smiled leisurely.

"Did you see that, my lady?"