Today was an important day for Selphira, and she intended to make it even more memorable by spending time with Darkness. Without much ceremony, she took Darkness by the hand and led her into the garden—a lush, vibrant space reminiscent of the breathtaking one Darkness had once cultivated at House Elfred.
Darkness, however, felt a certain awkwardness at Selphira's closeness. She knew well that a noblewoman—especially the heir of a prestigious house—was never forced into marriage or childbearing by her family. Selphira longed for that same freedom, the ability to shape her own future.
'I won't let anyone ruin this moment or take my place in her heart,' Selphira thought, her fingers tightening slightly as she guided Lady Darkness through the garden paths. Darkness, as always, drew the gaze of many young lords and ladies. Her beauty, reputation, and commanding presence were a magnet for attention. Selphira tried to close the distance between them, but Darkness's demeanor was like a locked door—cold, guarded, and marked with an unspoken No Entry sign.
"So, Darkness," Selphira began, her tone light but laced with hidden meaning, "you're twenty-one now… what about your life?"
Darkness immediately caught the implication and replied with measured calm.
"A servant's life is not something a noble lady like you should trouble herself over, Lady Selphira Zeldard."
Selphira's lips tightened into a scowl. "Don't talk to me like that."
"I am merely a servant of House Elfred," Darkness said evenly. "I believe my behavior is appropriate."
"Darkness, please… talk to me like a person," Selphira's voice wavered, frustration mixing with a glint of unshed tears.
"You should stop," Darkness said quietly, "or you'll only hurt yourself." She paused, then softened her tone. "We can discuss this later—in private."
Selphira took a steadying breath. "Fine… but I truly want to talk to you about this."
Before she could say more, a maid bearing the crest of House Zeldard approached. Selphira instantly looked uncomfortable. "I have to go. I'll try to join you later," she said quickly, moving away to greet an arriving guest.
Darkness turned to leave as well, intending to find Lady Rubina, but was stopped by the same maid.
"What is the meaning of this?" Darkness asked, eyes narrowing.
The maid bowed respectfully. "Lady Darkness, all servants are being relocated to another hall. The nobles' gathering is restricted to select attendees only."
"I am a personal butler," Darkness replied sharply.
"Apologies, but the meeting is for nobles only, Lady Darkness." The maid's tone was firm, yet Darkness could sense the undercurrent of fear, hesitation, and sadness—she was speaking under orders.
'Ah, so that's how it is,' Darkness thought. 'Lady Selphira feels uncomfortable… she fears those young noble boys will surround me, perhaps even try to seduce me?'
The maid hesitated before admitting, cheeks flushing, "She fears not only the boys… but also the girls. There are… some who like you."
Darkness chuckled, genuinely amused. 'I see… many may admire me, but I've never considered it in that light.' She smiled faintly. "I'm laughing at the thought, not at your feelings. Forgive me if I've hurt you." She bowed slightly.
"Please, don't bow before me. I couldn't accept that," the maid said quickly.
Darkness's eyes glinted with mischief. "Tell me… do you also like me?" she asked in a teasing, almost seductive tone.
"Ah—Lady… I—" The maid's face turned crimson. Darkness decided she had gone far enough.
"Fine. Where is this place you're taking me?" she asked, changing the subject.
"Please, follow me. My name is Amelia, Lady Darkness," the maid replied.
"Stop calling me 'Lady Darkness.' I am also a servant of House Elfred," she said.
"No servant can compare to you. I wouldn't dare call you otherwise," Amelia answered with quiet conviction.
Darkness remained silent. 'In their eyes, my position is unmatched… they envy me, respect me, admire me… and some even dream of me as a gallant figure straight from a romantic tale.'
As they walked, Amelia subtly matched her pace to Darkness's, as if wanting to remain close. 'She's like a cute child,' Darkness thought, smiling inwardly at the maid's persistence.
Still, her mind shifted to other matters. 'Let's see what Lady Rubina is doing.' Silently, she sent her shadow—her mysterious extension—to keep watch over her master. 'Observe the surroundings near Lady Rubina and act freely if necessary.'
Eventually, Amelia stopped before a grand double door. "The men have their own hall. This one is for the ladies only. Please, come in."
Darkness stepped inside and took in the scene. The room was beautifully arranged yet modest, filled with fine food and tasteful decorations. But what truly caught her attention was the crowd—over a hundred women, from low-ranking noble daughters to skilled chefs and veteran maids, mingling together.
'Servants are always the most talkative when they meet. And in such moments, secrets flow like wine,' Darkness mused.
Her arrival did not go unnoticed. Every gaze turned toward her, yet no one dared speak. The air held a tense, reverent silence. Even Amelia remained quiet until Darkness walked forward, picked up a simple glass of fruit juice, and smiled.
"Please, continue the party. I am here just like all of you, so don't hesitate."
Her words broke the spell. A young noblewoman stepped forward. "Lady Darkness, my name is Marilena Altecrus, second daughter of House Altecrus."
One by one, others followed—soon the air was filled with voices calling her name. "Lady Darkness… Lady Darkness…"
Their admiration was genuine. She was a living example of what many aspired to be. Yet as more people spoke over each other, the atmosphere shifted—turning into a chaotic marketplace of overlapping chatter.
"Silence!" Darkness's voice boomed, cutting through the noise. Instantly, all fell quiet.
"Calm yourselves and speak one at a time. We have the whole night, and I will be here all night," she said firmly.
The first to step forward was an older woman. "Yes, Lady Darkness. I am Sophie, head maid of House Zeldard."
Introductions resumed in an orderly manner, and the gathering soon blossomed into a lively yet civilized exchange. Darkness noted faint tension in the nobles' meeting elsewhere, but nothing of concern—at least, not yet.
Then came the loose tongues of drink:
"You know, my young master can't eat black spice—he's allergic," Jenny, a young maid, said with a giggle.
More personal details followed, harmless enough. But then—Darkness felt it.
A disturbance.
Through her shadow's senses came a surge of anger… pity… and fierce protectiveness. Her heart tightened. 'Who could make my shadow feel this way?'
She connected fully to the shadow's perception—just in time to see a hand reaching toward it in a threatening way.
"You dare…" Darkness's voice dropped into a lethal register.
A dark, crushing aura erupted from her, silencing the hall. Some trembled in fear.
Everyone felt it.
The fury of Darkness—the one no one dared cross in the entire kingdom—had been awakened.