It was early morning, and the sun still rising. Elina woke up, her eyes, no longer as glittery as they used to be when her parents were still alive, breathing.

Elina: (Sighs) "The sun rises again, indifferent to what it shines upon. I wish I could be like that. A scion of the Moon Clan, wishing to become like the Sun? I really have failed you, haven't I, Mother... Father... I'm sorry."

She rose from her bed and made it with practiced motions—mechanical, detached. Everything around her felt painfully ordinary, in a world that had become anything but.

Elina went to the washroom where the steam curled lazily from the prepared bath. That wasn't usual. 

Elina: "I guess Evelyn is up already. Well, I don't even think she has had any sleep. It's just shameless me who has now become so numb that I can't even grieve my parents death. But anyways, it's not time to grieve such things, I must take revenge. I'll find who framed them and who is it they died for. I must! "

She lowered herself into the warm water, letting silence and heavy thoughts wash over her.

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Evelyn POV: "Oh! She's up. I should make some tea for her. She is going to meet the Duke today. Today's gonna be a tiresome day for her. "

Evelyn moved with quiet precision, hands steady as she prepared the morning tea.

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Elina was dressing up now. Her moon-like silver hair changed into rosy pink. Her eyes, like celestial gold as if the stars had bled colours into them, turned ocean blue with the moon magic.

Now that she was done with the disguise, it was time to force that cunning smile. She couldn't go with a sad face after all. 

She went out the room to leave for the meeting with Duke Varen.

Evelyn was already waiting for her outside. As she went outside, Evelyn said, "Good morning. Did you have enough sleep?"

Elina wished her morning and replied, "Yes, I slept pretty fast." She sat on the kitchen counter.

Evelyn slid the cup of tea towards her.

"Thanks, sis." replied Evelyn.

"Going to meet Duke Varen? This early?" asked Evelyn.

"Yes. I guess I will have to do many other work to attend also so... I guess it's better to finish this work as fast as possible." answered Elina.

"Good point. Will you go to the palace? I hope you haven't forgotten that their heads are still..." Evelyn asked with curiosity.

"I want to avoid that but I think I will have to go there, later if not sooner. Don't worry, I won't look at the top. I am not that forgetful." replied Elina.

Just then, Thalindor entered, hair tousled with sleep.

"Everyone's up already. I guess it's only me who was sleeping even after what has happened." said Thalindor.

"Thal! Don't say like that. It was a tiresome day and that's why you were able to sleep. Your brain needs rest you know!" yelled Evelyn.

"I guess now, the morning has finally come back. You both know we can't mourn all the time, right? Let's not waste any time. We must find what they wanted to protect us so badly." remarked Elina.

"So bad that it was also their last wish." added Evelyn.

"Right. I apologize for being stupid." said Thalindor.

Elina got up. "Now, it's time for Silverthorn to go on work. I'll try to come back early. Bye." 

"Bye." both the siblings chimed.

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The morning sun cast a golden sheen over the city, but the road to Duke Varen's mansion felt colder than it should've.

The city streets bustled with life despite the undercurrent of unrest. Vendors shouted over one another, peddling baked bread, ribbons, and rumors. Children weaved between carts, their laughter echoing too loud for a kingdom still mourning—or pretending to.

Whispers of the recent execution still lingered like smoke in the air. Some spoke with fear, others with satisfaction. Most just wanted to survive.

She walked among them unnoticed, another shadow in the morning light. But as the noble towers of Duke Varen's estate rose in the distance, the street noise thinned—faded into a silence.

The mansion basked in sunlight, its black-gold banners fluttering like proud warnings. Everything about it screamed polished power—calculated, spotless, suffocating.

As she arrived at the gate, the knights blocked her way. 

She whispered, "Go, tell your master that the Silverthorn has come herself, to attend to his request."

The knight flinched on hearing Silverthorn. He immediately let her go.

Elina's POV: He flinched. Varen must've warned them. Still... amusing.

She entered the mansion. The butler assisted her to the Duke's room.

Light poured in through latticed windows, scattering golden patterns across polished floors topped with red carpets. The air smelled faintly of ink, wood polish, and something herbal.

It smelled faintly of old parchment and something sharper—metal, or perhaps the lingering trace of earth magic.

At a tall door, the butler knocked.

"My lord, Silverthorn has arrived."

A pause. Then, smooth and commanding: "Let her in."

Silverthorn entered the study and bowed slightly.

The doors opened with a soft creak, and Elina—now Silverthorn—stepped into the study.

"Duke Varen Stormcaller," she greeted, a sly smile playing at her lips. "I've come regarding the mission—the heir. Consider me interested... depending on the incentives, of course."