Four years had passed since the king's assassination, and the once-vibrant Pauwing Mansion had fallen into a suffocating silence. The laughter and chatter that once echoed through its halls had been replaced by the quiet hum of grief and a mystery no one dared to speak of.
I am Seina Dravina Elyndralis, the sole daughter of the formidable Elyndralis Royal family. Now eighteen, my deepest desire was heartbreakingly simple: to finally escape this gilded cage.
My two older brothers were polar opposites. Renzou Fin, twenty-two, was the family's pride and the firstborn successor. He and the late King Dwine were inseparable—a bond that was violently broken four years ago by an assassin's blade. The case remains unsolved, and its shadow still looms over the empire.
My second brother, Raiden Zein, was an enigma of cold formality. At twenty, he had been serving as the prince's secretary since he was fifteen. Despite his icy demeanor, he was fiercely loyal to the prince—a loyalty that ran deep, mirroring the bond between our two families.
My childhood was a series of monotonous days spent within these walls. While other children felt the sun on their faces, I was buried in books, my world confined to scrolls on politics and the intricate, suffocating dance of power.
Almost entirely, that is.
My sanctuary came in the form of two people: Sylvia, my handmaiden of the same age, and Kalix, my nineteen-year-old knight. They'd been with me since I was a twelve, and over the years, they had become the family I could truly trust. It was Kalix who taught me to wield a sword, a skill I'd grown to master. They knew my secrets and my carefully guarded plans. My life was in their hands.
And then there's Ashen, the Prince of Vesperianth. The boy who is my… love interest? That label felt wrong. The truth was much more tangled. We were close, yet not.
To the empire, I was simply Dravina, a public name with no face. No one knew who I really was, the daughter of the Elyndralis family, hidden away from the world. I was just a whisper, a rumor—a name without a face.
"Lady Dravina, here is your tea," Sylvia said, her voice a gentle whisper that barely disturbed the room's stillness. She set the delicate porcelain cup on the table, and a thin ribbon of jasmine-scented steam curled into the air.
I cupped the warmth in my hands, but it offered no comfort to the tempest brewing inside me. Since the king's death, my heart had been a battlefield, my mind haunted by a singular, consuming purpose: to find the culprit.
For four long years, I had lived in this quiet desperation, plotting in the shadows, devouring every whispered rumor and secret. The girl I was is gone, replaced by someone with a different kind of strength. I have my allies: Sylvia, as sharp and clever as any strategist, and Kalix, a man regarded as the strongest knight in the empire.
I still remembered the night Kalix first told me of the king's assassination. His face had been pale with a raw, contained fury, his voice shaking with a rage he fought to control. That night, he swore an oath to protect me, a vow that has never once wavered.
I took a slow sip, letting the bitter tea ground me. With a decisive clink, I set the cup down. My gaze drifted to the window where the sunlight struggled to pierce the heavy curtains. "Four years," I whispered. "Four years of waiting… of hiding."
Sylvia and Kalix both snapped to attention, their eyes fixed on me.
"But now, it's time."
"Kalix," I said, my voice low and firm.
"Yes, my lady." A fire of anticipation sparked in his eyes.
''I shall wait until my acceptance to the imperial academy, after which we will proceed according to our plan.''
Kalix bowed his head slightly. "Understood, my lady."
A sharp knock echoed through my chamber doors, breaking the quiet hum of conversation. When Sylvia returned from answering it, she held a cream-colored envelope sealed with the imperial crest.
"My lady," she said breathlessly, her eyes wide with surprise. "You've been invited to a party tonight. The Emperor himself is extending the invitation."
The words sent a rush of excitement through me. The Emperor. Inviting me.
I shot up from my seat so quickly that my teacup rattled against its saucer.
"Let's go!" I declared, my voice bubbling with barely contained glee.
"Go…?" Sylvia echoed.
"Yes, go!" I spun around dramatically, pointing toward the door like a general preparing for battle. "We're going shopping, of course! My gowns are ancient, practically relics. I can't show up at an imperial party looking like a poor, pitiful recluse. No, no, no."
Sylvia tried—and failed—to hide her giggle. Kalix remained stoic, though I swore I saw his shoulders twitch like he was suppressing a sigh.
"I need to have a vision of beauty tonight," I continued. "The kind of lady who turns heads and makes entire rooms gasp in awe."
"Or faint," Kalix muttered under his breath.
I shot him a sharp glare. "Did you say something, Kalix?"
"Nothing, my lady," he replied smoothly, the slightest twitch at the corner of his lips giving him away.
Sylvia's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Very well, my lady. Shall I get the carriage?"
"Yes," I said with a grin. "Tonight is going to be unforgettable. And besides…" My voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "If the Emperor himself has invited me, there's no telling what kind of secrets this party might reveal."
Kalix's hand rested subtly on the hilt of his sword. "Then I'll make sure no harm comes to you," he said quietly, his tone layered with warning.
I flashed him a playful smile, but my heart was racing for a different reason entirely. This wasn't just a party. This was my first step out of the shadows—my debut.
The Capital -
While walking toward my parents' chambers, I spotted Mother, Father, and Fin gathered in the hall, deep in conversation.
"Hi, Mom! I'm going shopping," I said cheerfully, pausing to wave at them.
My mother's eyes immediately softened. "Oh, my baby," she said warmly, stepping closer to take my hands. "Make sure you stay safe out there." She turned to Kalix, her expression shifting to one of command. "Kalix, please take care of my princess."
Kalix bowed respectfully. "Always, my lady."
"Should I come with you?" Fin asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp, already protective.
I let out a long, exaggerated sigh, rolling my eyes dramatically. "Okay, okay," I muttered, knowing better than to argue with him.
Father chuckled at our exchange, then placed a warm hand on my shoulder. "Take care of your little sister, Fin," he instructed, his voice firm yet affectionate.
Fin gave a mock salute. "You have my word, Father."
Then Father leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Stay safe, Dravina."
"Bye, Mom. I'll be back before you know it," I promised, hugging her tightly.
As soon as I pulled away, Fin clasped my wrist with a mischievous grin. "Let's go," he said, dragging me toward the door like an impatient child.
"Fin! Slow down!" I squeaked, stumbling after him, while Sylvia's laughter echoed behind us and Kalix followed close, silent and watchful as ever.
We settled into the carriage. The moment we passed through the towering gates of the mansion, a thrill ran through me. This was the first time in forever that I was leaving the confines of my home. My eyes drank in the world beyond—bustling streets, vibrant stalls, and people moving like threads woven into a grand tapestry.
I knew every corner of this empire by heart. I'd spent years studying maps and routes, memorizing every detail until it became second nature.
Still, there was no hiding the way people's heads turned as our carriage rolled past. Their murmurs followed us like a quiet storm. They knew this was an Elyndralis carriage—ornate and unmistakable. To them, it meant one thing: a noble was inside.
I wore a delicate mesh face veil, thin enough to let me see clearly but hiding my features from curious eyes. A dark cloak draped over my shoulders, its hood casting a shadow across my face. Only my eyes were visible—sharp, unyielding, and as cold as the persona I had carefully crafted.
By the time we reached one of the capital's most luxurious gown boutiques, a small crowd had gathered nearby. I could feel their stares on me as I stepped out, Kalix at my side and Fin just a step behind, his presence as commanding as always.
The murmurs grew louder, fragments of their awe whispering through the air: "She's Lady Dravina…""Her aura feels so cold, like winter itself.""Look at her—so elegant, so untouchable…"
I didn't look directly at them, but I caught glimpses—girls my age clutching at their skirts and whispering behind trembling hands, young men standing frozen in place, their faces flushed.
I kept walking, my steps measured and poised. Outwardly, I was the picture of noble grace: untouchable, distant, and refined. Inwardly, though? I was screaming with excitement. This was the world I had only ever seen through books, now alive before me.
Just before I stepped into the House of Silken Dreams, a girl caught my eye. She was unassuming, with simple hair and modest clothes, yet there was a quiet, resourceful strength in her gaze that made her stand out.
The moment we crossed the threshold, the owner rushed forward. "Good afternoon, Master Fin!" he greeted.
Fin gave a calm, commanding nod. "This is Dravina," he said, introducing me.
The reaction was immediate. The owner and his staff froze, their eyes widening in shock before they all dropped to their knees in unison. "Good afternoon, Lady Dravina!" they exclaimed, their voices trembling with reverence.
I gave a slight nod, letting the opaque veil of my mask conceal my expression. Beneath it, a familiar flutter of excitement rose in my chest.
While I skimmed through the extravagant gowns, the owner and Fin chatted about city gossip and business news. My attention, however, was elsewhere. I found the ready-made gowns lacking—too stiff, too frilly, too much.
A young tailor approached me. "Madame, perhaps a custom gown would be better suited to your taste," he suggested.
I took the paper he offered, and my hand began sketching almost on its own. My world narrowed to the pencil, the paper, and the vision of the gown I wanted to wear—a look that would embody the perfect mix of elegance and control. In less than half an hour, the drawing was complete.
I handed it to the tailor. The staff reacted with wide eyes and subtle, approving nods.
Fin, who had been watching, raised an eyebrow. "Dravina is good at everything," he muttered, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips.
The tailor led me to a private fitting room. I kept my mesh veil on and wrapped my cloak tightly around me. Sylvia stood close by, while Kalix, as always, was a silent sentinel, his gaze sweeping the room like a hawk.
I pulled out my own sketch and held it up. "This one," I said. "Make it exactly like this. It must be perfect."
The tailor's eyes widened. "As you wish, Lady Dravina. It will be ready by evening."
Fin nodded from the corner. "She knows what she wants," he said, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
I caught Kalix's eye in the mirror. His stoic mask cracked just enough to reveal a hint of pride.
"You'll be dazzling tonight, my lady," Sylvia whispered.
I let out a small laugh, tugging lightly at the veil. "I just hope people don't realize too quickly who I really am."
Kalix's gaze sharpened. "Then you'll move carefully. No mistakes. No distractions."
"Calm, Kalix," I teased. "I'm not planning on causing trouble—yet."
He didn't respond, but the faint twitch at the corner of his mouth told me he was suppressing a grin. For the first time in years, I felt truly alive. The air of the city, the thrill of a crowd, the sensation of being noticed even while hidden—it was an intoxication more potent than any wine.
The Return
The journey back to the Pauwing Mansion was slower, the afternoon light softening the edges of the city. I leaned against the plush velvet seat, the excitement of my debut already receding, replaced by the cool, calculating focus I was known for.
My hand traced the dagger concealed beneath the folds of my gown—a recent addition to my wardrobe, less for protection and more as a reminder of my purpose. The gown is the disguise. The vengeance is the truth.
Fin sat opposite me, his initial high energy having dissipated. He watched me with the quiet, earnest intensity that defined his devotion.
"It was a good trip," he said, breaking the silence. "You needed to get out."
"It was," I agreed, my voice settling back into the measured, controlled tone I used with my family. "The capital is... loud."
"Loud, but predictable," Fin countered, a hint of his political mind surfacing. "The commoners follow order, and the nobles follow greed. It's safe as long as you understand the rules."
If only he knew the rules I played by. I nodded slowly. "I think I'm beginning to understand."
He smiled, a genuine, warm expression that made him look so much like the king he admired. "Tonight, you'll be beautiful, Dravina. Everyone will see it. And they'll know that the Elyndralis family is still strong."
His words settled on me with a heavy sense of irony. They would see strength, yes, but not his, or my father's. They would see mine.
"I look forward to it, Fin," I replied, giving him a gentle, practiced smile. I let him believe his presence was the reason for my safety and confidence. It was easier that way.
As the carriage crossed the familiar, towering gates of our mansion, I closed my eyes briefly. The girl who had left that morning was gone. The Princess who returned was a weapon, sharp and ready. Tonight, I would step onto the imperial stage, and the hunt would begin in earnest.