Irelina gracefully wore the elegant dress. Ella's low updo hairstyle showed her refined jawline. A few golden hairpins were inserted between her braids. The off-white dress made her skin tone bright and clear, like a fair lady's. She put on a pair of gold earrings and a necklace, which made her appearance more enchanting yet cunning.
Irelina then stared at the wooden box on her table while Ella gently put natural makeup on her glowing skin.
“Ella, would you mind getting me a glass of water?”
“Sure, Lady Irelina. I will come back then.” Ella said and went out.
Irelina took a needle out of her drawer. I don’t know why Father left this important box to Ella and told her to give it to me on the day of my coming of age. I feel like they kept many secrets about me and this veil. This is just a hunch, but I feel strange about this. Whatever it is, I hope Father’s letter will give me some answers.
She pricked her left pointer finger and squeezed until three droplets of her blood dropped on the eyeball mirror. She heard a faint click sound. The box unlocked and opened itself. There was a small jewellery box and an envelope attached to it. She took the jewellery box and the envelope out. She opened the letter first. Father’s writing is always as neat as he is.
Her heart mourned, and tears dripped from the letter she held softly. She gently wiped her tears so as not to ruin the make-up that Ella put on. Her gaze of hope is coming to life. Father mentioned that I would find the answers to Mother’s diary. Did Ella find it? Is it with her? I’ll ask her once this party is over. I need to focus tonight and find the culprit because I’m sure that person will be there.
She opened the small box and saw a golden Celtic knot infinity bracelet embedded with medium-sized gold gemstones. Seeing through the gold gemstones, she saw a red liquid's round shape that looked stagnant. She wondered and was curious, but her thoughts were on her parent's last letter.
She wore the bracelet, and it released a stung sensation on her wrist. She flinched. “What was that?” She mumbled with her eyes stunned, adding, “Now that I wear the bracelet, I can finally remove the veil”. Her heart pounded rapidly. Why do I suddenly feel so nervous? She thought and, at the same time, felt excited to remove the veil. She wants Ella to be the first person to see her face. But I have to wear my veil back before going to the party, she thought.
Ella came with a glass of water.
“Ella, stay where you are,” Irelina said.
Ella wondered. “Huh? Why?”
“I want you to be the first person to see this.” She said.
Irelina slowly removed the veil, facing her back to Ella. Ella was nervous.
“Once, I turned around. Can you please tell me what I look like?” She politely requested.
“Of course, Lady Irelina.”
Ella was a bit worried but also felt the butterflies in her stomach. Irelina gracefully turned around without the veil and steadily opened her eyes. The simplicity of her smile made Ella astonished and speechless. She was so enchanted by Irelina’s beauty that she compared her to the goddess of love, Aphrodite, and she drooled in awe.
“En-chantress???” Ella thought while her eyes were in awe.
“What do I look like, Ella? Why are you drooling?” Irelina innocently tilted her head.
Her pure beauty of innocence—a beauty that will weaken and control a man’s heart. A beauty that will bring chaos or obsession with possession to one’s hand. It will become her greatest weapon. But it isn’t. It is something more than just a beauty she was born with.
“Hello… Ella? Say something?”
Ella shook her head. “Lady Irelina, you look—”
“Look what? Say it. You’re worrying me.” She was tensed.
“You look more than an enchantress and more beautiful than the goddesses.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?” She was bewildered. “What the heck is she spouting about? Can she spill it out? Jeez, I am about to pee here because of nervousness.” Irelina felt more nervous.
“Sorry…but…you look very, very, very beautiful, Lady Irelina.”
She held her face, “Really? You’re not joking, right?” She said,
“How can I joke when it’s true? You are very beautiful, Lady Irelina.”
She looked around and thought, Ugh, where’s the mirror? I need to see myself in the mirror. She looked disappointed. Dammit, no mirror at all. Wait! Am I turning into a stone once I see myself in the mirror without the veil? I must check it with my own two eyes. I don’t think I’ll turn into one since I wear the bracelet my father and mother gave me. She slightly panicked.
Then, Ella snapped and came back to her senses.
“Oh, my goodness, Lady Irelina, you will be late to the party,” Ella exclaimed.
“Shit! I’m late!” Irelina loudly told herself.
Irelina hastily put back her black veil but forgot to pin it well. Ella was confused and thought, Why is she putting back the veil? While Irelina, with a resolved expression on her face, told herself, Let’s rock and roll—.
Ella accompanied her outside the Regent’s Palace. A carriage awaited her, and the regent was already at the party looking at the guests from her red seat.
***
Meanwhile, a piece of splendid music played in the Golden Empire Hall. All the nobles and aristocrats with their sons, daughters, husbands, wives, and relatives came to greet Emperor Zeddrick Apeus Verticulas Birthday Celebration. The Emperors of the East, West, South, and North, along with their sons, were present at the event. The emperors sat on the left side, where Zeddrick was seated, while the concubines’ seats were on the right side, beside the regent seat.
Standing from afar, Medicius was having a glass of wine. Some of the ladies introduced themselves to him, but he was uninterested. On the other end, the concubines were busy attending to their relatives and aristocrat friends, viscounts, and barons as they laughed or smiled throughout their shared conversation.
Unfortunately, Zeddrick looked bored while the regent kept looking at the crowd. She felt uneasy for some reason, and Zeddrick noticed her.
“Whom are you looking for, mother?” He asked.
“Ah, no one, my son. I am glad that almost everyone is here. By the way, I don’t see the Emperor of Horos around. Is he on his way?” Regent Robina changed the topic.
“Ah, Devin said that he will find his way here,” he was disinterested.
The regent did not say anything but just looked ahead. She saw Medicius, who noticed her. They greeted each other by nodding their heads.
“Emperor Zeddrick Apeus Verticulas, we greet you on your special day. We wish you good health and more prosperity in the Golden Empire.” Viscount Estefan Matteus greeted him.
“Viscount Estefan Matteus, are you enjoying the party?” Zeddrick’s tone was insincere.
“Of course, we are enjoying your lavish celebration, Your Majesty,” the viscount’s slyly grinned.
“Very well, go on—” Zeddrick waved his hand because the Viscount was an eyesore before him.
When Irelina arrived at the Golden Empire Palace, she walked through the stairs and found herself lost in the dim hallway.
“Great! Now I’m lost and so damn late to the party. The regent must be looking for me by now. Why on earth built such a big maze palace.” She mumbled, holding her long skirt with her two hands.
She walked straight and looked around. Then, a strong wind blew her black veil off her head. Her cheeks felt the cool touch of the wind while her veil flew towards the center-open garden where the bright night sky shone a big sculptured angel water fountain. The moon became its garden moonlit and glimmered the freshly bloomed flowers.
Irelina looked bothered as she wandered around. Where did my veil go? Where is it? I should have pinned it well until she saw the open garden. She was fascinated seeing the lovely flowers waving their petals and leaves from the soft gust of wind surrounding the angel statue under the beautiful moonlight. Her glossy eyes were thrilled as she strolled. “They look so pretty,” she mumbled.
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