In the Place where the Golden Rose Was Broken
“Our ballet company possesses its great treasure.”
A ballerina of striking beauty and innate talent, Karen Chaner.
Karen, a solitary and noble flower, approaches a patron for the sake of a ballet company crumbling under financial ruin.
And in the moment she is about to be violated by a patron revealing his vile intentions, she is saved by the hero of Gloretta, Duke Arcturus.
“Hold on to me, unfortunate lady.”
“…Thank you, kind sir, for finding amusement in another’s misfortune.”
Arcturus, pressured by his family to marry, and Karen, a dancer in need of both a benefactor and a shield, the two begin a contract romance, intending to use one another.
“What does it matter if it’s a fleeting dream? Being with you makes me feel as if I’m dreaming.”
A relationship born of falsehood gradually begins to take on sincerity.
Then, one day, Arcturus comes to discover the thorns Karen had carefully hidden beneath her petals…
***
“Tell me it wasn’t you. Say you’re innocent.”
“Arctur.”
At the sound of Karen’s soft voice, Arcturus felt an urge to flee.
Damnable Karen Chaner — even in such a moment, she was unbearably beautiful.
Beautiful enough to make him willing to endure any humiliation in this wretched reality.
“I should’ve never dreamed a dream like this.”
Arcturus pressed a cold gun barrel to Karen’s forehead.
Bang!
It was the end of a moment that had once been as beautiful as a dream.
