It was raining especially hard that day. Not a single silver lining any cloud had. The sky was sunless to the hilt. One couldn't tell anymore what time of the day it was. Ophelia was feeling rather languorous today. It had been almost a month since her visit to the church and she had been constantly waking up from horrendous nightmares. Every time she woke up, she found herself drenched in sweat and her heart throbbed uncontrollably.
Today wasn't any different. Her vague and overwhelmingly hysterical dreams were becoming quite clear to her. She had a strapping premonition, but just couldn't nail it down.
Later that day, Ophelia was still very much absorbed in her thoughts. She was paying no heed to the book in her hands and was more focused on the rains outside. Her mother, the marchioness Lady Brilliana, was closely monitoring her daughter's perplexed expression, sitting in the drawing room, while still working on her new embroidery.
"And if I may inquire, what is it that vexes you dearest?'' Brilliana continued, "Is it perhaps about the overabundance of invitations you have been receiving? Well if that's the case then you shouldn't burden yourself with such trivialities. You can just go to the ones you actually desire to.''
Ophelia instantly smiled softly, yet most genuinely, at her kind assertion. Placing the book in her hand on the big, decorated Pembroke table, she stood up from her seat and crouched down besides her mother.
"That was very kind of you mama. But rest assured, it isn't even the slightest related to the duties I must tend to as the daughter of the Barnette household.''
Brilliana sighed gently seeing her daughter's modestly confidant gaze. She was relieved to know that her affection was not something her daughter felt oppressed by. Exchanging a few chuckles, both of them then went back to their scheduled affairs of the day.
Since it had already stopped raining, Ophelia decided to take a short stroll in the town square.
The town square was the perfect place for the commoners of the empire to come together and hold festivities and fairs. In the broad daylight, the streets were filled with loudly advertising street traders and enthusiastically roaming people. One could find all sorts of goods - either domestic or foreign, either latest or antiques. At night, the same streets were illuminated by the wooden lampposts, under which the young couples could be often spotted in the midst of a secret rendezvous.
Ophelia was always over excited while visiting this place which quite worried her mother, who sent a personal guard with her. However, Ophelia who had disguised as a common town folk, which she originally was, quite disliked the idea of roaming the popular destinations of the town with a guard. But obedient to her mother as she was, she decided to go with it.
It was lunar eclipse that day - the day when many magicians who had recently awakened their powers came to display it on the festival night. The security was rather tight on such occasions. Imperial knights wearing their most formal uniforms could be seen patrolling every area to avoid any mishap due to the excess of crowd than usual.
Ophelia was astonished upon her arrival at the town square. She purposely chose a common carriage to avoid standing out, which she did achieve.
''A quaint sight to behold, isn't it milady?'' Julian, the knight protecting Ophelia asked her in his usual cheerful tone. Ophelia smiled brightly and nodded in agreement. They walked leisurely looking at various stalls and stores that piqued their interests.
There were some low-graded magicians showing their powers at some corner of the streets. Then there were troupes of exotically dressed dancers who very exhibiting their unique performances.
The streets were overfilled with teetering gaggles. Ophelia and Julian had to push their way through this jam of people.
On the other side of the street, there were a few antique stores, which Ophelia particularly wanted to visit to buy a present for her father who was also a renowned antique appraiser. But just when they were about to cross, a large crowd of people started rushing on the street to watch a magician's trick in the next alley.
In this struggle of crossing the road, Ophelia lost one of her valuable earring. It was a small teardrop shaped one with the loveliest shade of royal blue.
''Good Lord! What shall I do Julian? I must get that lost earring back. It's one of the presents my father gave me on the day of my debutante.'' Ophelia begged Julian to search it with her, who gladly did.
They searched all the places they visited that day and even inquired the knights on duty. Nobody seemed to have seen that earring. A few people told them that it might have been robbed by someone on the streets since it was an extraordinarily jammed day.
After looking for the earring for about hours, both of them sat down on a long bench near the main fountain relic. By the time they conceded defeat, it was already dusk. The sky was a blend of purples and oranges merging together highlighting the otherwise indistinct sky. The harsh cries of the returning birds could be vaguely heard in the background clatter of the town people who were winding up.
''Why don't we retire for the day milady?'' Julian tried to comfort the dispirited Ophelia. ''We can come back again with a better squad and thoroughly search the area again. The marquise and marchioness will be worried if we run late.''
Ophelia dishearteningly agreed since she didn't want to worry her parents.Dejectedly, they got up to go towards the carriage.
''Do you believe I'll ever find it again Julian?'' Ophelia asked. Her eyes were woeful but still expectant of a hopeful response.
But Julian was in muddled state. He wasn't very buoyant about it but he didn't really have the heart to disappoint his young mistress. He just gave her a quiet nod of which Ophelia took the hint owing to her calibre. They kept walking in utter silence. Just when they were about set their foot in their carriage, they heard a grim voice.
''Might you be lady Ophelia - the esteemed White Lily - if I am not mistaken?''
Ophelia turned around to see who this unusually captivating voiced belonged to, and lo! She saw the most beautiful of a person facing her. A young gentleman, in the imperial uniform with raven coloured hair and luminously penetrating brown eyes stood before her. Ophelia could stare into them for eternity, if ever she had the luxury of time to do so.
The young man had comparatively slim physique but he looked quite skilled in swordsmanship nonetheless. Looking at his appearance, Ophelia could tell that he seemed like an important person in the aristocratic faction, but had no sense of familiarity with his identity due to lack of social involvement from her side.
After realizing his question, Ophelia went forward and answered him, ''Well yes, I certainly am. What business could you have from me, gentleman?''
The young man pulled something from his pocket and extended it with his closed fist towards Ophelia. Upon revealing it, she was surprised to see her lost earring.
''Oh thank you so much! I cannot express my gratitude in mere words. I am ecstatic beyond measure to get this back.'' Ophelia cried in excitement. She was literally smiling ear to ear with her face glowing with thankfulness. The young man wasn't expecting such pure and innocent reaction from the young lady and was rather taken aback. But he stiffed himself up immediately and faced the lady with a more responsive demeanour.
''I am glad it could bring back the twinkle in your eyes, Lady Barnette.'' He said with a stoic face, but Ophelia could successfully grasp the sincerity behind his words. Ophelia chuckled slightly.
''Ah! And how may I address you young lord? I believe I still haven't got your name.'' Ophelia said beamingly clasping her hands together. For some reason she really wished to continue talking to him, though the people around seemed to be quite terrified by his presence.
''It's Sebastian. Just that.'' He replied bowing a little. Ophelia believed she had heard that name before which actually made quite an impression. It just took her another moment to realize that this person standing in front of her was none other than the Duke of Rosella, Sebastian Burnham.
''Good heavens! Pardon my rudeness Your Grace. I was completely unaware of your identity, or else I dare not address you so casually.'' Ophelia apologized with the deepest curtsy as regret flashed on her face.
''Please rise Lady Barnette. I didn't wish to make you feel so mortified.'' Sebastian lowered his voice a little to sound softer. ''I was just hoping to get acquainted with lady Barnette on equal grounds. And I happened to find this blue sapphire earring when my assistants caught a larceny. I remembered having seen this shining in your earlobes this afternoon when you were strolling with your guard.'' He gave a not quite radiant, but genuinely tender smile.
It was already darkening and the lampposts were already giving a magical touch to the streets.
Sebastian's dark hair were slightly tousled by the monsoon-perfumed breeze. His face was partially illuminated by the town lights making it even more enchanting than ever. Ophelia blushed a little by this mesmerizing sight.
''Are you running late for your patrol Your Grace?'' Ophelia quickly tried to hide her embarrassment.
''I am certainly done for today. So I would be returning to my residence now.'' Sebastian replied looking at the big clock tower.
''Well then, perhaps we could spend time together some other day.'' Ophelia said with a little hesitant look, not sure what to expect as a response.
Sebastian's eyes widened a bit. ''Then, if you like, we could have some tea together at my residence two days from now. Is that possible Lady?'' He asked feeling completely awkward as this was his first time inviting a lady, and that too a noble one as her.
''That would be an honour! I shall definitely visit you then.'' Ophelia's heartwarming response relieved him.
''Then I will formally send you invitation tomorrow.'' He said smiling a little more than before.
Both of them started walking towards Ophelia's carriage chatting happily.
Julian saw them approaching and quickly held open the carriage's door foe his lady. He glanced once at the Duke and instantly recognized him greeting with a deep bow.
Then Ophelia bid him adieu and the carriage left for the marquis mansion. Sebastian stood there watching the sight of the carriage disappear as it went further. He felt a little lonelier suddenly.
''She's quite an intriguing lady, isn't she master?'' A shabbily dressed man appeared behind Sebastian with a smirk on his face. He was dressed in dark brown clothes with a long hood covering his face and his black hair. He had palpable scar on his left cheek but that didn't really hinder him from looking attractive.
''Refrain from carelessly approaching her, Felix.'' Sebastian warned the scar-faced guy.
''That wasn't very pleasing master! Even if Ia m an assassin, I am still your most loyal servant. How can I not greet our soon to be mistress?'' Felix was trying his luck by teasing the cold duke to get some expressions of embarrassment out of him that he noticed when he was with Ophelia.
The Duke simply rolled his eyes and started walking towards the direction of a group of young and finely dressed knights.
''Oh master! Wait for me!'' Felix cried waving his hands in the air and rushed to follow his master.