The Empire of Evelyn, a realm of opulence, fortune, mana, and magic, was divinely blessed by the Holy One. Elegantly shimmering lakes mirrored the skies, and vast, fertile lands stretched as far as the eye could see. Pristine, pathless forests teemed with life, while bustling cities pulsed with energy and vibrance.
The lakes and rivers were under the guardianship of mystical beings—kelpies, rusalkas, selkies, and other water spirits—ensuring their purity and protection. The lands were home to great divine beasts, revered and remembered for their role in the empire's founding centuries ago.
In the forests, the most beautiful elves and fairies resided, their enchantments keeping the woodlands evergreen, lively, and impenetrable. Their presence ensured that nature thrived in harmony and splendor.
The cities of Evelyn, with their trendy streets and squares, boasted crowded markets and citizens living in joyful contentment. Indeed, the Evelian Empire was a breathtaking existence, a harmonious blend of nature's beauty and human ingenuity, blessed and sustained by otherworldly forces.
The three main pillars of the magnificent Empire of Evelyn were the royal family, the aristocratic faction, and the kingdom of elves and fairies. Every event, no matter how trivial, within these circles was the subject of widespread discussion throughout the empire. From the duke's western conquests to the countess's latest seasonal dress, from the appointment of the new "Avery" of the elves to the daring expeditions of the unofficial crown prince, news traveled swiftly, carried on the winds of curiosity.
Currently, the center of everyone's attention was the newly adopted daughter of Marquess Barnette. Ophelia Aster de Barnette had become the sensation of the empire ever since the Marquess discovered her selling flowers in the town square. Her unparalleled beauty and remarkable talent captured the hearts of the childless Barnette couple, who immediately took a liking to her. The once-orphaned Ophelia was adopted by them and showered with their love and care.
Delicate as a doe, with skin as fair and pale as the season's first snow, and emerald eyes radiating the brilliance of her intellect, Ophelia's grace and charm were unmatched. Her presence quickly drew a multitude of lovelorn suitors to the Marquess's mansion, all eager to win her favor. Her newly earned title as "the white lily" of high society only added to her allure.
To everyone at the Marquess's mansion, Ophelia was a miracle. She swiftly mastered classical literature and other academics, excelling in etiquette, dance, and social arts. Her keen eye for detail and ability to extrapolate safe solutions from any problem made her stand out. Ophelia epitomized the perfect lady, embodying class, dignity, and intellect.
However, another shocking discovery regarding the originally plebeian damsel was yet to create another commotion in the high society.
Within ten days of her adoption, Marquess and Marchioness Barnette took Ophelia to the imperial church for a sacred naming ceremony. In the Empire of Evelyn, holy names were bestowed upon children of nobility by the church shortly after birth. This tradition also involved an assessment of the child's mana—the reservoir of magical power within them—conducted by the Saintess of the empire. Commoners, however, were never born with mana or any extraordinary powers.
The Saintess was regarded as the direct messenger of God, revered for her ability to hear divine voices during times of calamity. Her role was one of immense significance and respect throughout the empire.
As the Barnette family arrived at the grand church, they were met with a chorus of bitter, hostile sneers directed at the young lady. Many disapproved of the idea of elevating a commoner to the ranks of nobility. Despite the unwelcoming atmosphere, Ophelia, known for her sharp wit and unyielding pride, remained unflinching. She had carefully considered her current situation and status, but the sanctimonious attitudes of those around her did little to disturb her composure. With her head held high, she walked beside her adoptive parents with dignified grace.
Upon entering the prayer room, Ophelia and the Barnettes were greeted by the sight of the Grand Pope standing alongside the holy maiden, the Saintess. The vast room was suffused with the delicate fragrance of fully bloomed jasmines, though Ophelia was unable to spot any, much to her disappointment. The walls of the prayer room were adorned with paintings and carvings depicting the founding stories of the empire. Among the most striking was a grand illustration of the first ruler of the Evelian Empire, surrounded by a parade of dancing elves, singing spirits, and divine guardians.
However, it was the presence of the Saintess that captivated Ophelia most. The Saintess stood calmly, waiting for them, dressed in a gown that was simple yet remarkably elegant, with no frills or extraneous fabric. Her long, honey-blonde hair flowed over her right shoulder, secured in a loose plait. Though her face was partially obscured by a veil, Ophelia could sense a warm smile directed her way. In her hand, the Saintess held a long wooden staff, its head adorned with a light purple fluorite. The staff was intricately carved with ancient letters that Ophelia could not quite decipher.
After reciting a few prayers, the momentous ritual of bestowing a blessed name began. The Saintess ascended the dais, raising her staff high before gently placing it upon Ophelia's head.
"With the heavens witnessing this magnificent rebirth of a child of God," she intoned solemnly, "I beseech thee to entrust me with a name to bestow upon her."
As the Saintess spoke, the fluorite atop the staff emitted a brilliant flash, momentarily dazzling Ophelia. In an instant, the room was transformed by the appearance of sparkling, winged creatures. They flitted around Ophelia, their laughter ringing like delicate chimes as they scattered a trail of glittering fairy dust. The ethereal beings crowned Ophelia with a garland of dark pink asters.
The Saintess then raised her staff high and declared, "By the grace of the benevolent one, I hereby bestow upon you a name that signifies knowledge and the deepest of thoughts. You shall be known as 'Begonia,' the bringer of conscience into the world."
Ophelia's lips curved into a serene smile, as if she had known precisely what the future held for her. Her parents' faces shone with ecstatic pride at the bestowed name, while the regular churchmen exchanged subtle glances of slight disdain.
The Grand Pope then directed a priest to bring forth the ancient mana stone for the assessment of Ophelia's magical reserves. This mana stone, originally white, was known for its ability to shine with various colors when touched by someone possessing even a trace of mana. The degree of one's mana was a matter known only to the Saintess, but the stone's initial reaction was indicative of any magical potential.
Despite the general expectation that the stone would remain inert when Ophelia touched it, the Grand Pope insisted on proceeding with the ritual. He wanted to ensure that all formalities were observed, regardless of the anticipated outcome.
As the priest presented the stone, it was clear that no one in the room anticipated any significant reaction. Nonetheless, the Grand Pope's insistence on completing the ritual highlighted the importance of tradition and ceremony in their society.
When Ophelia touched the mana stone to check her power, the centuries year old stone broke into shards. Neither the holy men of the church nor Ophelia's new parents could believe this unprecedented spectacle.
The Grand Pope was shocked as well but refrained from making any exclamations to avoid being rude to the Barnette family. Ophelia herself was taken aback and stared blankly at fragmented pieces of the mana stone. Whether to be surprised about the new discovery of power, or to lament the destruction of such immensely valuable stone, was something she couldn't be quite sure of.
The Saintess chuckled at Ophelia's reaction. What a naive little lamb, she thought.
Then she examined the room and declared with utmost calmness and sternly, ''My beloved, you are indeed the child of prophecy. God blessed you with the most unique of all powers and a heart even greater than that of the legendary heroes. You have the power of healing all wounds, the purest form of divine power. May the protection of the Almighty fall upon you for eternity.''
After completing her proclamation, she looked at the appalling faces of the spectators who found it unfair to them and their self-righteousness. This illiberal frame of mind exasperated her. But having fallen into a position of motherly acceptance for all, she had to take receipt of their unwillingness to welcome Ophelia. Then placing her divine staff on Ophelia's once, the Holy Maiden left for her chamber leaving the prayer room in utter silence.
Ophelia, who was kneeling down before the statue of the great God, raised her head to gaze upon the face of the statue. She could hear the people present in the room discussing the newly processed information with complete disbelief. Getting up, she walked towards her parents who embraced with most extreme genuineness.
This incident shook the aristocratic faction to the core. Within a month, Ophelia became the new coveted guest of all formal and informal gatherings of the noble ladies - some of which she tiredly attended while some she just spurned.
The young maiden was slowly getting used to being the centre of attention all the time. The gloves she wore, the boutique she shopped from, the tea she preferred; everything became the talk of the town. She had become one of the ladies who drived the seasonal trends of the high society. After the Duchess Mathilda of Amethyst, Countess of Rosella, young ladies of Castillo and Griffith families, Ophelia was the renowned one.
"The enormously flawless sapphire of the season'' is what she was called as in the society.
She received tons of marriage proposals of fine gentlemen everyday. Every ball she attended, required her to dance as one of the special guests.
But the young damsel was least concerned about these trivial things, at least trivial for her. She was completely disinterested in the rumourmonger's gossips about her or the other. She would rather be in a quiet, isolated library studying something worthwhile rather than etiquettes. She wished to know more about the powers she possessed and it's utilization if at all it could really help in healing someone. But right now, she had another matter in hand to worry about, to look into.....