The royal hall of the Kingdom of Flos Radiantis glowed with golden light as the sun streamed through towering stained-glass windows. The castle was alive with music, the soft hum of lyres and the lilt of flutes filling the air as courtiers in richly embroidered garments gathered to celebrate the christening of the newborn princess, Christiana. She was the firstborn of King Haruto and Queen Emiko, and the pride of the kingdom.
Four-year-old Prince Tanjiro Kamado of the neighboring kingdom was among the guests, a wide grin lighting up his freckled face as he clung to his mother's hand. His younger sister, Nezuko, only two years old, toddled beside him, her pink kimono slightly askew from her enthusiastic skipping. Tanjiro's heart was full of wonder as he craned his neck to catch a glimpse of the tiny princess lying in her cradle of shimmering gold, swaddled in soft silks of lavender and white.
"She's so small," he whispered to his mother, his large, curious eyes sparkling with admiration. "But she's beautiful."
"She is," Lady Kie Kamado agreed with a soft smile, bending to adjust Tanjiro's little haori. "Perhaps one day you'll be friends, or even allies when you grow older."
Tanjiro's heart swelled at the thought, and his imagination raced ahead. In his mind, he was already running through meadows with the princess, plucking flowers to weave into crowns. He could see her laughing as they sat beneath a cherry blossom tree, sharing stories and dreams. Maybe she'd like the same stories I do, he thought with a shy smile.
But not everyone shared Tanjiro's carefree joy. Nezuko's small brows furrowed as they approached the princess's cradle. While the rest of the room marveled at the baby's soft coos and the sparkle of her innocent eyes, Nezuko tugged on her brother's sleeve.
"Niichan," she whispered, her voice unusually serious for her age. "Something's not right."
Tanjiro blinked down at her. "What do you mean, Nezuko?"
Nezuko frowned, glancing around the room, her dark pink eyes darting toward the high arches and shadows in the corners. To her young and sensitive spirit, something lingered there—something sharp, cold, and hungry. She didn't have the words to explain it, but her grip on Tanjiro's sleeve tightened.
Before Tanjiro could press her further, a swirl of shimmering light filled the air. Gasps of delight rippled through the crowd as three delicate figures descended from above, their butterfly-like wings glimmering with an iridescent sheen. The Butterfly Sisters—Kanae, Shinobu, and Kanao—had arrived, their very presence filling the room with a sense of awe and enchantment.
Kanae, the eldest, floated forward with a serene smile, her lilac kimono fluttering gently as she touched down beside the princess's cradle. "A blessing for the young princess," she said warmly, her voice like the soft rustle of petals in the wind. "May her life be filled with boundless joy and the love of her people."
Shinobu, the middle sister, hovered just behind her, her smile sharp and mischievous. "And may she possess wisdom and wit," she added, her tone playful yet kind. "Enough to outsmart any enemy or obstacle that may come her way."
Finally, Kanao stepped forward, her expression quiet but her presence radiant. With a delicate movement, she waved her hand over the baby, her voice barely above a whisper. "And may she grow to find her true strength—one that will protect all she holds dear."
The crowd erupted into applause, enchanted by the sisters' blessings. Yet Nezuko, standing by her brother's side, couldn't shake the unease in her chest. Her small fingers curled into fists as she glanced at the ceiling, her sharp instincts picking up on the faintest rustle of movement in the rafters. A shadow flitted across the edge of her vision, so fleeting that she almost doubted it was real.
But no one else noticed. Not the Butterfly Sisters, who fluttered around the cradle with delighted smiles. Not the courtiers, who eagerly toasted to the princess's future. Not even her mother or father, who beamed with pride at the love and blessings showered upon their daughter.
Tanjiro, oblivious to his sister's concerns, was lost in his daydreams. He gazed at baby Christiana, his young heart swelling with the purest admiration. "She's going to be so happy," he murmured softly. "I'll make sure of it."
"Christiana! Christiana!" The name rang out joyously as the hall erupted in cheers, the courtiers lifting their glasses high. The golden light of the setting sun bathed the room in warmth, and for a moment, it seemed as though nothing could disturb the peace and happiness of the celebration.
But Nezuko, her small frame rigid and her eyes scanning the shadows, whispered under her breath, "Niichan… I don't think she's safe."
The cheers continued, drowning out her words, as the kingdom celebrated the name of their beloved new princess: Christiana.