A week had passed quickly, and the day of Duke Larousse's youngest child's birthday arrived. Maids and servants filled the day with noisy murmurs, and the Duchess's bustling instructions echoed throughout the palace.
For Kiara, this was an unusual day. The loud sounds and commotion were overwhelming. The preparations for the party were nearly complete.
In the past two weeks, Kiara had not contacted anyone in the palace except for her brother Cassius, who had unexpectedly come to her room. The chaos of the birthday party was palpable, with guests arriving and the delicious smells of food and desserts wafting in from the kitchen. Everything was ready to be served.
"My lady, which hairstyle would you like?" Yura, Elara's maid, asked.
"As simple as possible," Kiara replied with little emotion. Her face showed neither happiness nor sadness as if the emptiness of her life consumed her.
"Um... My lady, I heard some maids whispering in the kitchen…" Yura's voice trembled as she began to speak, hinting that something significant would happen soon.
"Hmm? What...?" Kiara responded, her expression unchanged.
"Well... at today's party... the Imperial family..."
"Hurry, Yura, don't leave me in suspense…"
"The Imperial family will announce your engagement to the Crown Prince," Yura said, her face carrying a warm smile, but her voice shook with apprehension.
Elara had already broken up with the Crown Prince, and the only people who knew about it were the Crown Prince himself, his aide, the Duke's family, and Yura. The reason behind this was a matter of magic. Elara had been born without magic, while the girl chosen to become Crown Princess needed to possess holy power to protect the empire from evil.
"You must be mistaken, Yura... it's Eirlys who will be with His Highness," Kiara replied.
"You're right, my lady. I may have misheard them." Yura smiled brightly. "You look amazing… my lady."
"My lady… I had a bad feeling this morning… something may go wrong…"
"Don't worry, Yura. Nothing will happen."
Kiara sat in front of the mirror. Her silver velvet gown suited her perfectly, and her piercing eyes gave her a striking appearance. The long, simple hairstyle complemented the dress as if it were made just for her.
"Yura, could you please get me some tea and water? I'm thirsty."
"Yes, my lady."
***
Meanwhile, guests began arriving at the Larousse palace. The Duke of West and East sent his vassals to congratulate the young princess of Larousse.
Long lines of carriages showcased the reputation of Duke Edrick. The party has started, with sparkling lights and a large chandelier in the ceiling reflecting the duke's status. Birthday music plays as many people gather in the hall, and the atmosphere is filled with murmurs.
"I've never seen a birthday party quite like this one!" one woman said to her friends with a delighted smile as they all leaned in to whisper excitedly.
In the Larousse Clan, the celebration of a child's 20th birthday is more extravagant than that of a royal family. The ritual involves receiving blessings from the God of the Ocean, which strengthens their powers even further.
"Yes, yes. The last time I saw this was at the twins' birthday party." "But what's the point? The gods did not bless them." Everyone is comparing the last birthday party of Elara and Cassius to Calantha's birthday party.
Duke and his wife, along with Calantha, came together. Duchess Catherine looked beautiful. She had long dark hair and black eyes and wore a stunning silver-purple gown. Standing next to her was her daughter, Calantha, who had grey hair. This was a mix of her parents' hair colours. Calantha also inherited her mother's black eyes, which resembled the night.
Everyone started to congratulate Calantha.
"Congratulate my lady on your 20th birthday."
"God of Ocean blessing you, my lady."
The hall was filled with the buzzing of voices and congratulations from all around.
"Thank you all for coming to my sister's birthday party." A young man thanks the guests. He has silver hair and bright, blue, flower-like eyes. He wears a white suit with golden embroidery.
>>>
'My lady was waiting for me; I'll hurry up and give her water and tea. She must be thirsty.'
Yura went to the kitchen and started making her master's favourite tea. However, some maids held a grudge against her.
"Look who came in the kitchen," "Haha…. Lowly commoner."
Maids are mocking her.
I'll ignore them. If I reply to them, a lady might be late for the party.
And a maid comes for her help. The maid who didn't help her before.
"Um… if you don't mind, can I help you?" Her voice was soft and warm, and Yura didn't notice who she was. He felt a friendly vibe.
"Okay…. Can you give this water to my lady? I'll come with tea when this is ready"
The maid nodded, took a water, and left the room. Some maids are shocked.
***
At a party, everyone gave their gift to Calantha. Then, someone made a sudden announcement, and that voice was guarded. And that crown prince was to enter.
The crown prince's aide began to read a letter from the Emperor. "Happy birthday, Lady Calantha. May the God of Ocean bless you."
The atmosphere is pleasant. But something distracted Duke Larousse. He stood in the corner, even though he was the host of the party. And his aside stand a Cassius.
"Where is Elara? Didn't you escort her?" his voice was cold enough to freeze people.
"She hated parties, Father, so I thought I'd escort her later when the party starts. I'll come back with her." He turned to Elara's room.
"Yeah, they'll announce that. She'll be happy when she knows about this."
"Yes, father, she'll be."
As he stepped towards the corridor, he met with in a way Elara's Maid Yura. Yura greeted her.
"Is she ready?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
'This feeling comes again. Why do I feel like something is wrong?'
'And the maid said she wanted to help me. Who is she? And she went to Lady Elara's room 15 minutes ago. But, she should be returned by now, but she hasn't.'
A sudden unease comes to her mind. Her heart was becoming heavy when she thought about this.
Then another thought struck in her like a blade slicing through fog---"Who was that maid bring water to my lady?"
The corridor felt eerily silent, the only sound the music of the hall. Cassius was still standing in the corridor with Yura. Yura's uneasiness grew with every passing second. But before Cassius said.
CRASH!
"My…My lady"
Her face lost its colour from fear. In her trembling hand, she still clutched a silver tray. Her grip failed.
Cassius's head snapped toward the sound. The tray slipped from Yura's hands, crashing onto the marble floor with a deafening clang. The cup shattered instantly. And dark liquid spreading like blood. [tea]
She ran fast it. Her footstep splashed through the spilt tea, and she raced toward Elara's room.
"S-Something is wrong—Lady Elara—her room…!"
Cassius didn't wait for her to finish. He bolted. The world around him blurred. His breath came fast, his heart slamming against his ribs like a war drum.
He ran after Yura. Every step feels too slow and suffocating.
What happened? Why is she…?
Cassius's stomach twisted with an ominous feeling.
When they reached Elara's room, Yura stumbled, her palms slamming against the heavy wood. Elara's room was located in the last corridor of the Palace.
"Thud"
"Lady Elara! Open the door!" she pounded desperately, her breath ragged, her knuckles turning white from the force. Cassius was at her side in an instant.
"Elara!" his voice was sharp, commanding—demanding. "I said… Open the door!"
Nothing happened, no footsteps. No voice came from inside the room.
Silence
"thud."
Cassius's chest tightened. An icy dread slithered down his spine;
"Move," he ordered, his voice dangerously low.
At the minute, everyone gathered in front of Elara's room.
Yura barely had time to stumble back before Cassius grabbed the door handle and twisted hard.
*Locked.
"Damn it!" he hissed, slamming his shoulder into the door. The wood barely budges.
A Dangerous laughing came to the inside of the room.
Cassius and a young man stepped back. Then, with every ounce of strength in their body, they slammed into the door. But nothing has happened.
Once...
Twice…
And finally, a third time
CRACK!
The door burst open, slamming against the wall with a deafening bang.
The room inside was dark, too dark; only the girl's laughing voice came.
Someone had shut the curtains tight, suffocating the space in thick, unnatural shadow; the air felt heavy, suffocating.
Yura took a step forward—to a chair where Elara was sitting.
And then she screamed.
"M-My…. Lady"
Cassius's entire body went rigid. For the first time in his life, he felt real, paralysing fear. as if he saw something terrible for the first time in his life. his whole body was frozen, he was trying to speak but, his voice couldn't come in his mouth.
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