"That's enough," Elery said, her voice low and cold.
Whispers immediately spread through the hall like wildfire.
"Did Lady Bridgette get rejected again?"
"Didn't she ask Lord Edric too, but he refused?"
"Then who's going to escort her? She rejected everyone who asked her out."
Bridgette's face went red from humiliation. Her anger directed to the princess.
If it wasn't for you, she seethed inwardly, Lord Edric wouldn't have rejected me. I wouldn't have had to stoop so low as to ask the emperor's bastard son.
"You should take the hint, my lady," Elery said coolly. "Don't cause more of a scene."
Bridgette clenched her jaw so tightly it trembled. "You'll regret this," she hissed, throwing one last glare at Elery and Rue before storming out of the hall.
Elery turned to Rue, her tone softening. "Are you alright, my lord?"
Rue looked at Elery stunned. "I never saw you as someone who'd be able to do that," he said, still surprised.
Elery's face flushed with embarrassment. "She was being cruel... anyone would've stepped in."
"You were so cool, my lady!" Greta beamed. "I never liked Lady Bridgette. She's always flaunting that she's related to the Empress, but you finally put her in her place today."
Sir Lucian gave a thumbs up. "Well done."
Elery let out a fake cough, trying to downplay it. "She was just out of line. That's all."
"Even so," Greta added, "most commoners wouldn't dare speak to someone like her that way. Even if titles aren't everything here... hierarchy still exists."
"There's still a hierarchy here, even if it's unspoken," Lucian agreed.
Rue then turned to Elery, his expression shifting into something more thoughtful. "There's something I'd like to discuss with you, Your Highness," he said, his voice low. "I found something that may be connected to what you've been searching for."
A spark of hope lit in Elery's eyes. "Can we talk somewhere more private?"
Rue nodded.
"Why are you two being so secretive?" Lucian asked, suspicious.
"Don't worry, it's nothing dangerous," Elery said with a smile as she stood.
The two slipped out of the dining hall and walked down the quiet hallway.
"I heard from the librarian that most of the rare books are hidden in the Headmaster's study but only the Headmaster and the usher can access it," Rue started.
"But I've been in that room," Elery said, thinking back. "There's nothing out of the ordinary."
"I thought so too. I think it's hidden somewhere in the room by a spell," Rue replied.
Elery's eyes widened in realization. "The mirror!"
Rue blinked. "Mirror?"
"When I was there, the shard reacted in front of it. I think the mirror's a portal of some kind."
"Then we need to get in there. But the Headmaster barely leaves her study," Rue said.
"If we can find a way to lure her out, even for a short time, we might be able to check."
They both sighed.
Elery glanced at him. "I'll be meeting with Lunara this week to see what she found out. Do you want to come with me? She might be able to hep you with what you were looking for," Elery said.
Rue nodded. "Alright. I'll come get you."
"Elery"
A woman whispered in Elery's ears that made her turn.
When she looked back, she caught a glimpse of a familiar silhouette turning the corner at the end of the hall.
"Liora?" she whispered, uncertain. Her heart skipped a beat.
Despite her doubt, her feet moved instinctively, breaking into a run.
Rue followed after her.
"Elery, wait!" Rue called after her, hurrying to catch up. "Your Highness, where are you going?"
"I just saw my sister," she said breathlessly, eyes scanning the corridor.
Rue blinked. "Your sister?"
Elery didn't answer. She reached the corner and pushed open the only door at the end of the hallway.
The Headmaster looked up from her desk, pen still poised above parchment. "Elery? Rue? What are you two doing here?"
They stood frozen for a moment. Only then did they realize where they had ended up, inside the Headmaster's study.
"Did someone enter here just now?" Elery asked, scanning the room, her breath quickening.
"No. Just the two of you," the Headmaster replied calmly. "Is something wrong?"
"No, Headmaster. We came to the wrong room. Apologies," Rue said quickly, grabbing Elery's hand.
She hesitated, still looking around in disbelief. He gently pulled her out and closed the door behind them.
"Are you alright?" he asked, turning to face her, his tone soft but serious.
"I... I thought I saw my sister," Elery said quietly, confusion clouding her expression.
Rue's gaze lingered on her. "But… wasn't your sister-"
"I know she's dead," Elery cut in, her voice wavering. "But I know what I saw."
Rue didn't argue. Instead, he looked back at the study door thoughtfully. "Then something is definitely going on in that room," he said, glancing back at the door. "But we can't afford to raise suspicion.."
Caleb blinked and found himself once more on the familiar hill, overlooking the quiet town below. He looked back and saw the same giant tree. He remembered the child that was locked beneath it. He ran toward the hollow entrance beneath the roots. This time, it was open.
"I told you to wait for me here. Did you try to go pass the foot of the hill again?"
"I know. But staying here makes me lonely."
Caleb heard two voices of young girls coming his way. As they reached the top of he hill, he saw the familiar faces, it was the children he first saw in his last dream but this time, they're taller.
"It's already been two years. You have to get used to it," Nysarra said, sounding exhausted.
"But you promised to visit," Seraphyne pouted. "And now even Mother doesn't come as often. My friends stopped visiting too..."
Nysarra scratched her head. "It's tiring to climb all the way up here, and mother's busy with work in town. We can't always stay."
"You're lucky you don't have to do anything," she added with a scowl. "People bring you everything you need."
"But I'm always alone!" Seraphyne's voice cracked with emotion.
"Then be grateful for what you have!" Nysarra snapped, her frustration spilling out. She turned her back. "I need to go before dark. It's hard to walk the hill once the sun sets."
She didn't wait for an answer.
Seraphyne stood frozen. She wanted to apologize, to ask Nysarra if she'd come tomorrow, but the words caught in her throat. All she could do was watch her sister's shadow disappear down the hill.
She turned to the swing tied to the tree and sat, legs barely swaying. Tears welled in her eyes and quietly spilled over, her sobs muffled by her sleeve.
Caleb felt sorry for the child. He approached the swing beside her and sat down. Instinctively, he reached out and gently patted her back, even though he knew she couldn't see or hear him.
But then-
"Who are you?" Seraphyne asked wiping her tears.
Caleb looked around but nobody else is there. He loked at Seraphyne and froze to see her staring at him.
"Who are you?" she asked again, looking straight at him.
"Me?" Caleb asked, unsure as he points to himself.
"Who else is here besides you." Seraphyne replied, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
"You... can see me?" Caleb asked, startled.
"Uhm... nope. I can't see you but I can feel you. I know you're sitting next to me."
Caleb blinked. "That's... surprising. No one's ever seen me here. Well, except that old woman who locked you up before."
"You've been here before?!" Seraphyne asked, clearly surprised. "But I've never seen you."
"Yes, it was on your birthday. Back then, I couldn't be seen or touch anything here. Until now."
"So you saw it too..." Her voice dropped, her mood sinking as she remembered what happened on her eighth birthday.
"I'm glad to see you're no longer locked up," Caleb offered gently.
Seraphyne kicked off the ground to sway her swing. "It was just for that night. But ever since, I haven't been allowed to go into town. My friends used to visit, but now... I wonder if they even remember me."
"I'm sure they still want to play with you. But if they can't come, I can keep you company," Caleb said with warmth in his voice.
Her red eyes lit up, hope shimmering in them. "Really, mister?"
"Yes, but calling me mister feels a little..." Caleb scratched his temple awkwardly.
"Then what should I call you?"
"Hmm... I'll make an exception. You can call me Caleb. Just so you know, most people call me by my title," he added, a touch of pride in his tone.
Seraphyne stared at him flatly, unimpressed. "So you're someone important like me?"
"Yes. I'll be the next emperor, the sun of the empire," he said, puffing his chest a little.
Seraphyne's eyes sparkled. "What's an emperor?"
"Someone who rules over people and their lands."
"Like here?"
"It's much bigger than this place," Caleb said, gazing over the landscape.
"Does that mean you can go anywhere?"
"Yes." He paused. "Now that I think of it… where is this place?"
"We're in Fernreach…"
Her voice faded as the dream began to dissolve. Caleb stirred, woken by the sound of commotion outside.
He rubbed his eyes and about to stretch his arms but felt a weight on his right shoulder. He looked at Cecilia sleeping peacefully on his shoulder. A small smile formed on his lips.
He gently brushed aside the curtain covering the carriage window and peered outside. Soldiers and knights from various noble houses filled the roads.
He knocked on the small window behind the driver's seat, and it slid open.
"How can I help you, Your Imperial Highness?" the coachman asked.
"What's going on outside? Are we in the capital?" Caleb asked.
"Almost, Your Highness. I'm not sure what's happening, but there are knights and guards gathered from many noble houses," the coachman replied.
A soft voice stirred beside him. "Are we there yet?" Cecilia asked, still half-asleep.
"Almost. You can rest a little longer," Caleb said.
"It's okay. I want to see what the capital looks like," she replied, sliding the curtain open on the other side.
As they entered the capital, Cecilia leaned forward, mesmerized by the bustling streets, grand buildings, and stone archways. Caleb watched her quietly, enjoying the wonder in her eyes, until her face suddenly twisted in horror.
"What's wrong?" he asked, leaning forward to see what had shocked her.
His breath caught.
Vultures and crows clustered atop the palace walls, pecking at the rotting corpses strung up high. As they got closer to the gates, they saw heads on pikes, swarmed by flies and scavenging birds.
Caleb immediately covered Cecilia's eyes and yanked the curtain closed.
"What the hell happened while I was gone?" he thought, his heart pounding.
Cecilia trembled beside him.
"Mother must've done something again," he muttered under his breath.
"Your mother? The Empress?" Cecilia asked, her voice barely audible, filled with dread.
Caleb groaned inwardly. So much for a first impression... he thought.
"She only does this to criminals, especially those guilty of high treason," he said, flustered, trying to explain, trying to soften the blow to her perception. He desn't want Cecilia to have a bad impression of him or to the imperial family.
Cecilia's face relaxed slightly, though a shadow of worry lingered in her eyes.
"We have arrived, Your Imperial Highness," the coachman announced as the carriage came to a stop.
Prince Caleb stepped down first and turned to assist her. Cecilia took his hand and descended gracefully. As her feet touched the ground, she was greeted by rows of servants standing in perfect formation.
"Welcome back, Your Imperial Highness. Welcome, Lady Cecilia," said a dignified man in ceremonial robes, stepping forward. His voice was calm and practiced.
"This is Alex, the Grand Chamberlain of the palace," Caleb said, glancing at Cecilia. "If you need anything at all, you may ask him. I'll return later once I've finished my duties."
He lifted her hand and pressed a soft kiss to it, a fleeting gesture, but one that made Cecilia's heart skip slightly.
Then he was gone.
"This way, my lady," Alex said, gesturing toward the marble staircase. She followed him silently, her gaze flickering around the palace in awe.
The halls were grand beyond anything she had seen. Vaulted ceilings stretched high above, with crystal chandeliers glittering like stars. Tapestries embroidered with imperial crests lined the walls, and the scent of roses and polished wood filled the air.
After a short walk, they arrived at a set of carved double doors. Alex opened them to reveal a magnificent suite.
"This will be your temporary room while we finish preparing your official residence," he said with a courteous bow.
Cecilia's breath caught. The room was enormous, its floors covered in woven silk rugs, and its walls painted with soft gold leaf and ivory. The bed was canopied and draped with sheer curtains. Tall windows overlooked the capital.
"I... I think this room is more than enough," she said, overwhelmed.
"The Empress insisted you take the best estate in the capital. Seravelle Palace is known for its tranquil beauty, and its distance from the Central Palace makes it ideal for recuperation."
Cecilia's heart skipped at the mention of the Empress, the same woman responsible for the carnage outside the palace gates.
"T-then... please extend my gratitude to Her Imperial Majesty," she said, her voice faltering ever so slightly.
"As you wish, my lady." Alex bowed again. "If you require anything, do not hesitate to call for me or the attendants." With that, he left the room in silence.
Cecilia stood still for a moment before turning to her maid.
"Zephora, I'd like to rest for a while."
"Of course, my lady. I'll return later to unpack your belongings."
Zephora curtsied and slipped out, closing the door quietly behind her.
Finally alone, Cecilia let out a deep breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She walked to the tall window, opened it, and stepped out onto the balcony.
The breeze caressed her skin as she looked out over the sprawling city, its rooftops bathed in the golden glow of sunset.
The prince has been kind and thoughtful, she mused. He's done everything to make me feel comfortable. I should make an effort to get to know him.