The Empire of Firia was a very special Empire, which had six powerful noble families, including the royalty. They all had special powers and each families had different energies, which was called mana.
The mana was categorized in their elemental attributes. For example fire belonged to the Firia royal family, the elemental wind to the Ventburg family, the elemental light to the Lumiére family, the elemental water to the L'eau family, the elemental earth to the Terra family and the last elemental thunder to the Tonnerro family.
Their powers were too powerful to use that it was only possible to transfer the energy to gem stones for the wielders to use for defense or attack. These gem stones were giving especially to trustful people to aid the mana possessor. For example the mana power could be put into accessories.
If they are under frontal attack, then it would created a shield wall of their attribute power. If it was embedded in a weapon, it allowed the wielder to attack with their elemental energy.
For other purposes the Mana user could cast a spell for creating something. The advantages of all was that only the gem stones creator could feel, if there were some disturbance of their gems. The legends said that the strongest of all could use their power without the gem stones, but until now there weren't any individual that appeared yet.
The heir in each families, who put their mana into these stones were allowed to give the gem stones to others, especially to their households under the supervisions of the high priests. It would be guaranteed that there will be no misuse or forcefully stealing of those powers.
In contrast to the gem stones, which were received by the trustful people, there existed the crystals that only the heir of the powerful families possessed.
***
At the Ventburg's residence, in the courtyard sat a girl alone in a pavilion while she waited for her kind matured maid, Anna to bring her tea and snacks. Her soft silvery hair shone in the sun, which were carried by the breeze and her beautiful clear emerald eyes were directed towards the water fountain which was a little far away from her. Because of that she couldn't hear the many footsteps that echoed on the ground.
' What have I said Clarissa, look, she have ran away to hide from us so that we don't have to punish her for her crimes. ' ,said Adella Camia von Ventburg, the third daughter of the Ventburg family while approaching with Clarissa Mia von Ventburg, the second daughter of the Ventburg family and behind them followed by their maids.
'Maybe Verity sat only here outside to spend her time, Adella.'
'Why do you always think that she is innocent Clarissa, I would never believe her for she always prefer to be alone rather than to spend her time with us sisters, even Charlotte rarely saw her.'
In front of Verity, Adella glared openly at her while Verity thought
<< What did they want from me this time. >>
'Verity, we have come to ask you, if you have seen Adella's necklace?'
'No, i haven't.'
'Lies, it could only be you, even the maids had clarified that. You, maid come here and tell us what happened.'
The maid behind her took a step forward and spoke nervously.
'Yesterday I have saw the first lady leaving the second lady's chamber and in her hand was the necklace.'
All eyes was on Verity, which awaited her response.
<< Why do all troubles comes to me and it happened always with Adella accusing me. >>
'I wasn't in her room yesterday.'
'What, with the maid's evidence you still want to lie to us. It's clearly that you are the culprit.Let us go to mother, I will see, if you can still say that you are innocent' ,fumed Adella.
'What crime should I know of?'
The cold voice came from behind the sisters, there stood the duchess of Ventburg, Adessa Seila von Ventburg, dressed in her high quality classy gown. Her bright red hair was perfectly pinned up, extravagant sparkling jewelry and red full lips compliments her whole look. It is clearly that she came from a prestigious house.
Next to her was the fourth lady of the household, Charlotte Leliel von Ventburg, the cute and youngest member with only 5 years old. All presents was looking at the both of them coming towards the sisters.
'Mother, please get my necklace from Verity back, I need it for tomorrow's social gathering with the other noble ladies.'
'Verity, go get her necklace immediately.'
'Mother, I didn't steal it.'
All was silent while the duchess, Adessa watched Verity sharply.
'Adella, you can take the carriage and go buy a new pretty necklace for tomorrow. Come back with an outstanding necklace. You can't bring shame to the family.'
'Yes, thank you mother.'
Verity began to speak, but the duchess already was leaving without sparing her a glance. But suddenly she came to a halt because of Charlotte.
'Mother, I want to stay with first sister a bit, I haven't seen her for a long …. '
'No.'
Her speech was stopped midair and Charlotte was forcefully pulled away by her mother. When they were far away, Adella snickered out loudly.
'Well, I think mother has more trust in me rather than to believe you, hahaha. Now please excuse me, I have to search for a new necklace to replace for the missing one.'
So she went happily away while the maids followed her. After her, Clarissa wanted to leave too but she hesitated after a few steps. Then she turned back with a pitying gaze to Verity.
'Sorry.'
Verity, who was already absent-minded since her mother went away, starred silently at her and didn't say anything while walking to the forest. She didn't cared, if her behavior to her sister was rude or not, she only wanted to distract her mind.
Her vision began to be blurred as tears were gathered around her eyes. Slowly after some time she couldn't stop her tears from falling anymore. She couldn't understand why, when each time Adella came to stir some trouble for her, the duchess would always turned her head away and always ignored her.
'Why mother, why... It wasn't me.'
Verity took a deep breath and let all the tears silently fall.
<< It's not the first time I have experienced it. So let's not cry anymore. >>
She thought and continued to walk into the forest to clear her mind. There she stayed for a while.
After some time Verity decided to return as the sun began to fade away and the sky darkened.
When she arrived and wanted to go to her room, she spotted that her sisters and mother were already seated at the dining hall and were eating.
Nobody took notice of her return.
'Miss, you are back. The duchess and the misses are dining. Do you want to join them. As I will prepare for you immediately.'
'No, thank you. I will go to rest now. Please go prepare me a bath now.'
'Yes, please wait a moment. I will go preparing.'
The maid couldn't help but feel sad for the first lady about their unfair treatment towards her.
Verity proceeded to go to her room but because the bath was not fully prepared. She went to her own music room on the third floor, where the piano was placed next to the big glass window. The moon cast a gentle light upon the surface.
<< Hmm… which song should I play today. It will be this song then. My favorite, which I haven't played for a while. >>
Her Hand floated above the key as she was ready to play. Soon the sound of the melody could be heard as she played with a free mind. It sounded so graceful, light, yet it had a sad touch to it. It was only the music and her as the time passed.
Without her notice the maid entered the room and was waiting for her to finish the music piece. When the sound nearly ended, Verity took notice of the maid silently appreciating her music. She couldn't help but feel happy about it.
<< It would be nice if I have a friend, who I can share my music with. >>
'It is time for my bath?'
The maid was startled and saw that the miss knew that she was standing there, hearing her play.
'Y..Yes, it is finished. You can now take a bath, my lady.'
'Alright, thank you. You can go to your other duties now.'
'Yes, I wish you have a nice rest, my lady.'
On her way to her chamber, she saw that it was already very dark outside.
<< I guess, I stayed too long playing. >>
Arrived in her room, she went to her bath room. After some time she leaved her bath tube and prepared to go to bed.
Before going to sleep, she went to her balcony to gazed at the stars. It always made her feel relaxed.
<< I hope tomorrow will be good day. >>