Chapter 16 - Chapter 16: Provocation

It's dark, I can't see anything.

Where am I? A moment ago I was on my way to the imperial palace...then I blacked out.

The darkness cleared out, revealing a most beautiful scenery.

A field of flowers and grass surounding a lake. A single globe orned the empty sky, a silver moon shining up above tainting the rest of the land in it's mystical hue.

I took a step forward and tried to see my reflection on the water...When I heard the sound of footsteps resonating in the space as the silver moon slowly turned crimson and the water turned to blood.

Nature suffered, everything turned to ash. The light was snuffed out from everything before "It" appeared.

I woke up in a cold sweat and heavy breaths.

Shouted Trudy as she reached for me

I struggled to inhale and exhale properly for a solid minute until I eventually calmed down.

What was that? What was that dream...Was it even a dream to begin with...

I managed to say

I shook my head as I straightened my back.

Said Trudy in her usual neutral voice with a tiny hint of worry.

Now that I am seeing it, my hair turned black again...Did my glamour spell disappear after losing consciousness?

I whispered a few words before waving a hand in front of my face and watched as my hair turned silver.

Trudy said But before she could finish her sentence, the carriage stopped and the escort evanson frost knights notified us of our arrival at the Emperial Palace.

A moment before stepping outside the carriage, I took in a deep breath. In and out before setting foot on the pavet.

A man servant bent the moment he saw the Evanson signature silver hair

Trudy replied in my stead to keep proper decorum.

As we walked around, I was amazed by the overly luxurious palace I was crossing.

What was it's name again? The Emerald Palace, wasn't it? Princess Priscilla's résidence and one of the most beautiful residences in the entire inner palace grounds.

Princess Priscilla is a loved child, that's for sure.

Despite the fact that the magic she awakened is not the one that passes through the imperial blood line, she still is treated with all the care and love an emperor could provide for his children.

A tea party in a garden...that oddly suits her "condition".

Upon reaching the glass house, the servants stayed outside whilst I walked toward the center where a group of noble ladies were siting around a table orned with all kinds of delicacies and colorful tea sets.

At the head of table sat a platinum blonde haired girl around the same age as me.

I curtsied as she stood up

there was no hint of malice in her words but the moment I saw the seat arrangement...it clicked.

Evanson Duke House. A noble house that existed since the creation of the empire and is the blood line of the proud knight Evan wielder of the Winter Magic and The Frost sword. The first Emperor and Saint's comrade in arm!

Evanson prides in it's long history and no one in this empire questions their standing...

And yet, I am faced with this situation.

The princess is making me sit in the farthest seat.