The castle of the Grand Duke of the North, situated at the northernmost edge of the Empire.

Unlike the endless snowy plains outside, there was a small garden inside the castle where snow did not fall throughout the four seasons. It was the only place where Toya spent time alone.

That day, Toya was walking slowly through the garden. The hem of his black coat swayed lightly in the cold wind, and faint moonlight seeped through the silver-frozen roses and trees.

It was a quiet night. At least, until something fell from the sky.

Suddenly, a massive shadow passed overhead. Toya stopped in his tracks. A single pure white feather slowly drifted past his eyes and settled on the ground.

As another one followed soon after—

Thud.

Something crashed into the center of the garden. Dirt and snow splattered in all directions, and broken branches rolled across the ground. Toya stared at the spot in silence for a moment before slowly approaching.

And there, he stopped.

A man with pure white wings lay collapsed. The face revealed between strands of orange hair was pale, and red stains were spreading across the white feathers of his wings.

It was a sight that could not be explained if he were human. Toya gazed at the man's wings without a word.

An angel.

A being known to exist only in the Empire's scriptures and ancient legends was lying in the middle of his garden. Toya knelt down to check the fallen angel's condition.

He was still breathing. However, it would be dangerous to leave him like this. Toya hesitated for a moment, then took off his coat and draped it over the angel's body. He carefully lifted him up. The servants standing behind him gasped in shock.

An angel...