I completely left him and he regretted it.

I did not know what the pearl meant when I swallowed it.

It was the morning after the Moon Feast. The mist had not yet lifted from the black pine forest. Evan had prepared venison dumplings for Karen, and hidden inside the filling was a violet moon pearl. It was a token he had given her in his youth, a symbol of oath and belonging.

I was only a substitute, yet I sat in the seat of honor.

The moment I swallowed the pearl by mistake, my fate was already sealed.

Evan did not question me, nor did he rage. He only gave a calm order, and they pinned me down on the stone altar.