Nothing begins except with prayers upon the Prophet. 🌺
"O you who believe, send prayers upon him and greet him with peace." 🌸
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Welcome, my dear readers 💙
What do you think of last chapter's surprise? 🤯🦋
I'll leave you now to enjoy reading 🤭❄
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The days passed quickly, like fleeting flashes, until the awaited day arrived — the meeting of the Five Dukes, their heirs, and of course the Emperor and the princes. It was held once every month to discuss the affairs of the Empire.
In the meeting hall, red chairs bordered with threads of gold surrounded a glowing chandelier that lit the ceiling.
Around the meeting table sat Emperor Leonhart at the head. To his right sat the First Prince, Kyle, and to his left the Second Prince, Louis — slightly tanned, with golden hair and golden eyes.
The rest of the dukes sat with their heirs standing behind them.
At the far right sat Duchess Elena Valdrin. Before her stood a small banner bearing her duchy's symbol — an icy crystal in the center of a swirling current of water — signifying their mastery of water and ice. As always, her calm composure was surrounded by an aura of coldness. She had no heir, and she was the youngest duchess present, while the ages of the other dukes ranged from forty to fifty.
She glanced beside her toward the man she considered a father, with a gentle look.
The Duke of the Duchy of Sylvia, Leonard Sylvia, sat before his emblem — a vine wrapped around a tree branch, signifying control over nature. His light-green short hair matched his green beard; his eyes were brown. He looked at Elena kindly — he saw her as a daughter, for her late father, the former duke, had been one of his dearest friends. He was also the only duke who did not show hostility toward her, unlike the others who saw her as an enemy because she had become a duchess at such a young age — easily, in their eyes — ignoring that she had inherited the title after her father's death.
Behind him stood his heir, Edgar Sylvia, with plant-green hair and brown eyes like tree roots. Edgar bowed respectfully to the Duke of Meryal, his sword instructor.
"How are you, my teacher?"
The Duke of the Duchy of Meryal, Aldous Meryal, smiled.
"I told you — don't call me 'teacher' during public meetings."
Before him was his emblem — a raging storm, symbolizing mastery of wind. His dark-green hair reached the top of his ears, his skin pale, his eyes black, his face bearing traces of age. Behind him stood his successor, Ivana Meryal, with dark-green curly hair tied back with a white ribbon, reaching her lower back, and light-green eyes with slightly tanned skin.
Then came the Duke of the Duchy of Dovan, Frederick Dovan. Before him burned his duchy's symbol — a blazing flame — representing control over fire. With shoulder-length red hair, red eyes, and tanned skin, he stared at Elena with hatred-filled eyes. He had despised her and her father more than anyone else, for her father had always surpassed him in everything.
Behind him stood his heir, Ethan Dovan — his wavy red hair fell to mid-back, his red eyes burning like a flame, his skin pale.
And finally, the Duke of the Duchy of Craven — Aether Craven. Before him lay his emblem — a shard of rock surrounded by scattered fragments. His complexion was between dark and fair, his brown hair draped over his right shoulder, tied with a white band. Behind him stood his heir, Ilmar Craven, with short curly brown hair, brown eyes, and fair skin.
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.
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A solemn silence fell upon the hall, all eyes fixed on the Emperor, awaiting him to begin the meeting — except Elena, who was staring absently at the shimmering chandelier, utterly uninterested in the proceedings.
The silence was broken when the Emperor spoke:
"Thank you all for attending today."
Everyone bowed.
"It is our duty, Your Majesty."
Frederick Dovan cast a malicious, mocking look at Elena, then turned to the Emperor and spoke slyly:
"Your Majesty, I heard that Duchess Valdrin ruined Your Majesty's birthday banquet due to her lack of control over her powers. Such disgrace from one of the Five Dukes!"
Elena stiffened with rage — veins bulged across her face as she clenched her fists and bit her lip, struggling to restrain herself in the Emperor's presence. She glared at Frederick with eyes burning in hatred.
But what enraged her more was Ethan's mocking laugh.
"It seems the duchess lost control of her powers out of excitement at seeing her dear brother — Cedric Valdrin."
Ice instantly filled the room, anger carving itself across Elena's features.
Her voice thundered, sharp and threatening:
"And who are you to speak his filthy name?"
Ethan smirked wickedly.
"It appears Her Grace also cannot control her temper — just as they say."
Elena directed spear-like shards of ice toward his chest — but they were blocked by warm, radiant orbs, like fragments fallen straight from the sun. She turned toward the Emperor just as Kyle grasped her hand, calming her until the ice faded away.
She bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty… I sincerely apologize for this inappropriate behavior. I accept any punishment."
The Emperor raised his hand, signaling her to stand. He looked at both her and Ethan.
"Indeed, Duchess Elena is at fault and will be punished. However, she is not the only one to blame — Ethan provoked the duchess, even though she outranks him."
Both Cedric and Ethan bowed. Cedric spoke:
"I sincerely apologize for this incident, Your Majesty. I accept any punishment."
The Emperor sighed, resting his hand on the table.
"I believe it's best we end the meeting here."
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As everyone rose to leave, they froze for a moment — an ominous energy filled the air. A knight burst in, terror written across his face.
"Forgive the interruption, Your Majesty — but this is urgent. A dark sorcerer has surrounded the palace with his magic!"
Everyone's eyes widened in shock. Elena, however, already knew who it was. Her heartbeat raced, sweat covering her face as buried memories flooded back — until Kyle grasped her hand gently, smiling reassuringly.
"Elena… calm down. You're not alone. I'm here."
She smiled weakly.
The room was suddenly engulfed in darkness — fear gripped every face, even the Emperor and princes.
Before them appeared a man with blue locks and cold, dark blue eyes — Cedric. Beside him stood a woman with short brown hair and black eyes — the same woman who appeared in Elena's nightmares.
Everyone rushed to shield the Emperor — except Elena, frozen in shock, and Kyle, still trying to steady her.
Cedric looked at Elena arrogantly, a wicked smile curling his lips.
"Elie… I missed you. Didn't you miss your big brother?"
Elena's hands trembled upon seeing Cedric and that woman — but anger soon drowned her fear. Veins burned across her skin as she glared at him.
"What are you doing here, you wretched bastards?"
Cedric smirked again, running a hand through his hair.
"Oh, sister — don't tell me you forgot? I told you I'd return… with Rosalyn. You've hurt your dear brother's feelings."
Elena burst into laughter — loud and bitter — shocking everyone, for this was no time to laugh.
"Don't make me laugh. Do you still think of yourself as my brother after you killed Father — you and her?"
She tried to summon her ice — but black shadows curled around her hands and around everyone present, preventing them from using their powers.
Rosalyn approached Elena, her voice soft — almost whispering.
"Elie… why do you call me wretched? Have you forgotten I was your closest friend?"
Elena's body trembled — fear and confusion suffocating her breath. Kyle pulled her into his arms, glaring hatefully at Rosalyn.
"I don't know what you are to her — but I know one thing. You're the reason she froze her heart… the reason she refuses to open it to anyone. I will never forgive you for what you've done to her."
Rosalyn looked at him in disgust, then raised her gaze.
"So… you're one of them."
By the Emperor's order, Kyle and the knights drew their swords, while the dukes struggled desperately to break the dark magic binding them.
Elena took a deep breath, clenching her fists to regain her composure. She stared at Cedric and Rosalyn firmly.
"Don't you dare call yourself my brother again. And you, Rosalyn — don't consider yourself my dearest friend. Thanks to both of you, I lost the three most precious people to me in one day…"
For a moment, Cedric looked at her with deep regret — as though his actions had a reason he could never reveal. But his expression soon hardened into arrogance. He raised his hand and unleashed a dark magic arrow toward her.
Everyone gasped in horror — no one could reach her, and she remained frozen in place.
She heard someone shout:
"Elena!!"
She turned — Kyle was running toward her.
He pulled her into a fierce embrace — taking the arrow straight into his chest.
Louis struggled against the shadows, screaming in tears:
"Brother… Kyle!"
Tears poured down Elena's cheeks, splattering over Kyle's blood that stained her face.
She collapsed to her knees, resting his head against her lap, fear tearing through her as his eyes slowly closed.
"Your Highness… please don't leave me too. Didn't you tell me you'd never abandon me? Come on… open your eyes — I'll smile, I promise… just please…"
She hugged him tightly, calling his name — but he did not answer.
She looked at Cedric with a gaze torn between hatred and unbearable pain.
"Why… why do you keep doing this to me?!
My brother… Rose… tell me — what did I do to deserve losing my father…
to be betrayed by my closest friend…
to lose the brother who was my whole world…
and now you kill the man I love…"
Kyle's lips trembled — as though fighting something inside him. His eyes filled with regret — like a sky that hadn't rained in years. He bit his lip and turned away, saying nothing.
Elena continued crying and screaming like a child — until his warm hand — the one she knew so well — touched her cheek.
His face was pale, blood dripping from his mouth. His voice was faint.
"Elena… don't cry…
I'm still here…
Didn't I tell you I'd stay until I see your smile…?"
His hand slipped from her cheek as his eyes closed again.
Elena trembled, trying to suppress her tears — but they burst like a flood. She forced a shaky smile, whispering:
"Kyle… I'm smiling now… get up… don't lie to me like they did…
You'll wake up… right?"
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Meanwhile, the Emperor and the dukes were bound tightly by black tendrils that wrapped around their bodies. Rosalyn stood before them arrogantly, hatred burning in her eyes as she ran her hand through her hair.
"Well then… show me how you'll escape this. And you, Your Majesty — how does it feel watching your child die before your eyes…
just as you killed my father before mine?"
Ethan scoffed proudly.
"And who is this father of yours that you cause all this chaos for?"
Rosalyn's rage exploded — yet sorrow filled her eyes. She tightened the shadows around Ethan's neck until he nearly suffocated.
"Of course you don't remember — just another one of your victims…
My father was Eric Savriel — the man you falsely accused of treason.
And when you discovered his execution was unjust — all you did was grant him an 'honorable funeral'…
None of you dared to speak — because you are the 'greatest' in this empire, descendants of heroes — free to do as you please!"
Everyone recognized the name — their faces went pale.
The Emperor bowed his head in deep regret.
"No apology will ever heal your pain. You may kill me — torture me — do as you wish. But do not harm anyone else. They did nothing."
Rosalyn burst into bitter laughter and tightened the shadows around everyone — except Elena, who still wept beside Kyle.
She looked at the Emperor with disgust as he writhed in pain — along with the dukes and even Prince Louis.
"Who said I want an apology from trash like you?
I'll kill you all — but only after you witness the deaths of those you love."
Before she finished, a freezing chill swept the hall — everything was engulfed in ice.
Rosalyn turned.
Elena stood there — her hair glowing icy blue, sparks flaring from her eyes, her skin pale as winter snow, her face expressionless. Her power raged uncontrollably, freezing everything. She laid Kyle on the ground and froze his wound to stop the bleeding.
Shards of ice whirled violently, striking everyone — enemy and ally alike. She was no longer aware of anything — only repeating:
"I will kill anyone who harms those I love…
even if it's the Emperor…
or the greatest dark sorcerer…"
Rosalyn trembled in terror — losing control of her magic. Everyone was freed.
They rushed to stop Elena — or she would kill everything in her path.
The Emperor, Louis, Frederick, and Ethan tried melting the ice — but it was useless. Leonard and Edgar rooted her to the ground with branches, while Aldous, Ivana, Aether, and Ilmar tried distracting her.
Their efforts failed — ice began forming over her own body, as though it would collapse — yet she did not stop. She aimed countless icy spears toward Rosalyn, eyes blazing with hatred.
"This is your end, wretch — my first and last friend."
Rosalyn was gone within moments.
But what shocked everyone was Cedric stepping toward Elena — tears of regret streaming down his face. He embraced her tightly, absorbing her power until the ice around her melted — while his own body began to fade.
Elena returned to her senses as he gently patted her head — just as he did in the past — wearing a sorrowful smile.
"Goodbye, Elie…
Know that I love you very much… and no matter what happens, you'll always be my sweet little sister…
So don't cry… okay?"
He wiped her tears — though she didn't even realize she was crying — then vanished like an ice crystal melting in summer.
Elena reached for him, screaming:
"My brother… no… Ced!"
Her vision blurred, her body grew heavy — and she collapsed unconscious.