Everything were in bright colors as Ophelia woke up and walked into the main hall. She had come out of her room pretty late in the morning, it was almost noon.
Extravagant flowers and elaborated curtains were hanged. Tonight, the Duke would celebrate his 40th and everyone at Marcians estate was unlikely to be excited. But here they were, under Zachy's instruction, they have hanged colorful jewels and flowers in the darkest nook and even grander in the ballroom.
Everything was shining with gold and jewels.
-
Earlier that morning, Ophelia felt she had woken up from a nightmare. Last night she felt someone's presence in her room though she thought of it as a dream despite feeling a thick sweat roll down from her cheeks that had a weird smell.
She paid no heed to this and now she was up and admired the exquisite luxuries displayed before her -only to be met a tragic end when the duchess appeared in front.
"..You....let me prepare you for tonight..."
The Duchess' voice echoed delightfully. She sounded nice this time, she couldn't dare mess the party up with a shabby little brat. She had taken everything into matters and nothing worried her more but for the banquet to be perfect.
'I want everything nice and tidy for the Duke....'
The duchess thought and acted like she wasn't in Ophelia's room last night. She was clearly in love-more of an obsession with the Duke. She loved his richest too, and she wanted to display that in the art of gold.
Ophelia have officially forgotten her one-sided deal with the Duchess.
She had told her to meet her once in a week, and that was today.
Her mind had flew to Icarus' actions last night. She never thought that a twelve year old would have the qualms of committing treason with the rivalled empire. Though Icarus hasn't revealed anything to her, but she was sure a rebellion has been planned by the young heir and the Duke was silent about this.
Ophelia wondered how the Duke felt about his household.
-
Without much delay, Ophelia had found herself sitting in front of a mirror inside the Duchess' room. The Duchess was focused in doing her hair. But like a child, she allowed herself to be spoilt and made the Duchess run through her chocolate locks.
"...have you come to an agreement?"
The Duchess broke off the silence between them.
'It's not like you would make me choose....'
Ophelia thought and even imagined herself rolling her eyes at her.
-"He and the Eastern Empire...."
Ophelia began, which made the duchess smile at their reflection.
"Icarus is my son, but he is also the Eastern Empire's first in line to the throne....though he may be illegitimate, his father could not produce another heir."
The Duchess had slowly opened up to Ophelia. She could kill her anytime she wants, was what made her assured that little Ophelia would shut her mouth and allowed her to be in control.
Ophelia was very surprised at the sudden relations. Icarus is the crown prince. So that was why he had been acquainted and escorted by the Eastern Knights and nobles, and very openly at that. But there was one thing that bothered Ophelia the most, why wasn't the Duke intervening?
The Duchess eyed her warily like a viscous predator. She had been thrilled by Ophelia's wonderful scent last night but the scent today was rather faint, but still tempting. A smile etched on the Duchess' face as she tried to hold herself back from Ophelia. She had made sure that the scent came from Ophelia and invited her in her room.
"....the Duke....hahah~ does not know this at all.... so Ophelia dear, don't think about causing trouble for me now..."
The duchess had answered Ophelia's voiceless question. But this left her baffled even more. Why Katerina despises her son so much? And why wasn't she married to the Eastern king instead?
"Relax your face....it is at baffling times like this that you should look the most composed."
The Villainous duchess whispered in her ear seductively. She felt satisfied with her work on Ophelia's hairdo and have inhaled enough of the little girl's enticing aroma. The duchess then signalled her maids to assist Ophelia in her dress. She have a long day ahead of her.
"D-duke Father....my lord..." Ophelia was taken aback at the sudden encounter. She had just stepped out of the Duchess' room and the Duke had appeared out of nowhere.
"Is the Duchess done?" The duke asked in a stern voice.
..."No, she isn't."
Ophelia managed to croak, her breath held. She felt rattled by the sudden turn of events but tried to compose herself.
".....that looks good on you..."
The duke commented on her hair awkwardly. He looked rather nervous and restless as he gaped around their surroundings. And to her surprise the Duke leaned in and gave her a piece of paper before leaving.
"9.00pm in the garden." -Roselia Marcias
The piece of paper spelt out the most unrealistic thing. How?
Gosh. This family just doesn't seize to surprise Ophelia in the head. They were clearly messing with her. In her past life, she never had such an encounter with the Duke. Why was this happening now?
Was the Duke related to granny's work somehow?
Roselia Marcias or granny Mar -the root of it all. Ophelia was sure that the Marcias came from the direct lineage of the royal blood. But Marcias was not listed on any of the Royal records. She haven't encountered that name from the Empire's history books. But despite it, they held so much power that it is mysteriously rapped with dark magic -It should be dark magic. But who in the Royal family was associated with this? Ophelia could only pin point at the first crown prince of their Empire. His records were incomplete and he never reigned due to his involvement of dark magic. He was accused of being one of the four region's magic phenomenon.
The vast area where Ophelia lived had been torn into four regions; Northern, Southern, Eastern and the West Empires. Occasionally, in every decade two babies born from different regions would be born with powers of a light and dark mage. It always comes in pair -though this was only an old tale that circled from their ancestors. Magic nowadays were forbidden.
'I shall find out tonight...'
Ophelia crumpled the paper with her thoughts and dressed herself earlier than expected for the banquet.
-
Icarus had woken up earlier than usual and was taken to the Palace for his private lessons -so that he could go back earlier and attend the banquet.
"Brothaa~ welcome home!"
A boy's ecstatic voice echoed in the palace' halls. His ruby eyes beamed at the sight of Icarus -their Kingdom's crown prince.
Icarus stumbled back at the sight of the golden haired boy. Damen Knightly -Nelson's nephew and a knight trainee always filled the Palace with boisterous laughter. He was a bright child that had unfathomable looks as if he were born to be a god someday. He was too bright for Icarus' eyes.
"Damen, where are your manners, he is your King" Nelson's thick voice called out to the bright boy.
"Yes sir! There, there your majesty." Damen caresses Icarus' raven locks joyfully.
Icarus felt pissed off and mocked at his actions. The boy was only a year older than him and they were only introduced as acquaintances, yet his demeanour showed closeness and familiarity towards him.
"Don't touch me with your filthy hands." Icarus strongly grips Damen's wrist and glares at him coldly.
"Well don't act cold now, sire...It's so great to have you back here...hehe" Damen adds brightly and succumbs to Icarus' demand.
"What?"
Icarus furrowed his eyebrows at Damen. Though he had been rude to him, he didn't hate his forward attitude. Rather, he found it odd and new and thought that Damen was sincere with how he treated him.
"Whoa! I'll be late for real ~I'll see you around!"
Damen made haste without bowing to the young lord before him as he ran off to the training grounds.
"T-that impudent!"
Nelson felt embarrassed and the need to rebuke Damen, but he was fast and was out of reach.
And with that the young lord went on his way with Duke Nelson.
-
Ophelia stuffed her face on some book in the library. It was the only quiet place that saved her from the ruckus caused by the prep of the banquet. It was close to dusk now and she had paid the granny's room a visit. Just like the old mansion from her past, she sneaked into the basement which is not far from her room. The place had not been cleaned nor taken care of ever since granny passed. The household more likely had forgotten Roselia's existence.
Ophelia had spent a great 4 hours there to clean up and cover everything in white sheets. She also spent time looking for the Opal ring that her granny always wore but it was nowhere in sight.
"My lady, why are you here in the library? Shouldn't you be preparing already?"
It was Zachy who interrupted Ophelia's peaceful reading. He sure looked younger and his hair hadn't turn grey at all.
"Yes, I'll be on my way then..." Ophelia replied as Zachy placed some books back into their shelves.
Ophelia had stood up and had attempted to leave the library but she had to stop by her tracks.
'...did he just call me 'my lady?''
-"Zachy..."
-"Yes?"
-"What did you just say?"
'He'd never call me that until I came back from the relatives...'
Ophelia felt her pulse fasten at the thought. Maybe she was just exaggerating things or maybe Zachy had also came back.
-"About preparing?"
-"Never mind...Did you hear from the duchess about me?"
Ophelia had wondered, since the Duchess had chosen to raise her as her own then maybe the servants had given notice to her.
"Nothing at all...my lady" Zachy answered and smiled calmly at Ophelia.