"Introducing, his majesty, King Fredrich Kristen the first and her royal highness, the royal consort, Princess Alana Willow Ducroft," the chamberlain announced. The whole crowd kept their head low as they walked past. They looked regal, especially the former Grand Duke who was wearing royal regalia. It looked like he was born to wear it. Beside him, the third princess, despite being royalty, wasn't as elegant. In fact, everyone thought of the woman most fit to stand beside him as Queen but as she was dead, there wasn't anything they could do about it.
They sat on the throne and the ball resumed. It was the first official ball after Fredrick took the throne. The social order had not yet been officially established so it was a cutthroat season. What was more intriguing was the nobility promotions. Four houses now held the title of Duke: Adamantine, Orland, Kristen and Bellam. With the influence of the four houses, the court was very unstable.
"Presenting the emissary from the Empire of Illumine, the eminence of the Sun, his royal highness, Crown Prince Reagan Frances Illumine and his escort, Lady Amanda Illumine," the chamberlain announced. There was a ripple of shock because there was no news that the empire was invited. Even Alana and Adelie were shocked.
"I want to thank his majesty for inviting me to foster good relations between our two nations. I offer my sincere condolences on the tragic death of your wife. I was looking forward to seeing the flower of the capital shine as the queen so this makes me quite sorrowful aswell. I hope you would accept this gift as a show of my sincerity," the handsome crown prince said as soon as he was in front of Fredrich.
His servants brought forward a velvet cushion with a box on it. Fredrich's personal guard took the box and opened it in front of him. In the box were two adamantine rings with a dragon carved along the body. They were beautiful pieces befitting for royalty.
"I had them made with the intent to honor her majesty but I heard too late that her majesty has passed away. I plead for compassion from your majesty and your highness that you would accept my sincere gift," he said, showing a little guilt on his face.
But who was he fooling? Everyone knew he was looking down on Alana. They all thought the same thing but no one went out of their way to embarrass Alana like Reagan did.
"Thank you for your kind gifts, your imperial highness, they are truly lovely. As I was friends with the late Queen, I am sure she would appreciate this gift. I will make sure to wear them proudly as a tribute to her," Alana responder gracefully before Fredrich could say anything. But the crown Prince wasn't backing down just yet.
"Oh, I wasn't aware there was a tradition in Ducroft that made it possible for friends to comfort the husband of the deceased one. I think it's a very endearing tradition. It would also save such more time in securing the blind spots in society. Wow, I'm learning so much in one visit already!" The crown prince clapped happily.
Alana's patience visibly reduced. She was aware she dug her own home but correcting a murderous maniac who started a war for no reason was a path to a swift death. Instead, she decided to use another approach.
"I am of the royal family and an heir to the throne. In the event of the unfortunate death of my royal parents, his majesty gracefully stepped in and took me as a consort so he could pay his respect to the ancient royal family Ducroft. This, is our tradition, your highness," she smirked confidently.
"Ah, I see. Thank you for clarifying it for me, your highness. It would surely be disastrous if I made careless assumptions in a foreign land. I am truly honoured to be here," he smiled amicably. Their interaction finally came to an end and they went on to greet other guests. It seemed like Reagan's next target was Adelie.
"If it isn't the blessed one of Ducroft, the Saintess Adelie Grayson," he said as he approached her. The conversation she was having was brought to an abrupt halt as she turned around to face him. She held her gown and curtseyed.
"I greet your Imperial highness."
"Please don't act too distant. This isn't the first time we've met. I would feel disheartened if you were to treat me like a stranger," he said, smiling.
"Our interaction was brief and from afar. I couldn't possibly claim to be close with your Imperial highness so simply," she replied curtly.
"If that is the way you feel, then I am compelled to change that. I want to become closer with someone with the same spiritual affiliation as myself. Although we believe in different gods, I wouldn't like to think we are so different."
"Your Imperial highness is someone with a lot of experience being the eminence of the sun. Your level is too advanced for us to have similar principles. But if you wish to visit the church, our doors are always open."
"If one receives an invite, then one should accept it gracefully, right? I will make sure to visit the church before I leave for my home."
"You are always welcome, your Imperial highness."
He finally left her alone, going to bother the other guests. Once they were alone, Alana could finally confront Fredrich.
"Your majesty, I truly believe it is unfair that you would invite his Imperial highness and not inform me. I was placed in charge of organising this event and I need to know our guests so I can prepare for them appropriately."
"It was a last minute decision when I heard they were coming to give their condolences. If they bother you so much then I can send them on their way as quickly as possible."
"No, don't. You will anger that suicidal maniac. He's already here so what's the rush? Let's just observe him and see what his true intentions are," she said, leaning into her chair with cold eyes.
Crown Prince Reagan was not without an agenda. It was the first time a King of Ducroft had reached out in a while and he was not going to misuse the opportunity. He had already sent his other servants in search of Natalia, to see if she was truly dead or alive. That was his real purpose for coming. If she was alive, then he was going to take her by any means necessary and in that vein, use her to conquer Ducroft. Persuading a woman that was betrayed by her husband wasn't that hard of a job. But there was no trace of her anywhere. It was hard to believe but it seemed like she had truly passed away.
"If only I could've tamed that wolf properly. He was useful but he was getting a little out of hand. All I wanted to do was discipline him and see him running away from his master. He said he wasn't going to leave me too," he murmured.
As the night came to a close, Wilbur was tasked with taking the Crown Prince to where he was to stay for the night. Reagan felt a little insulted that it was someone like Wilbur that was to guide him.
The density of the curse around him was like an aura similar to one of a ghost. If it could be smelt, it would have a stench far worse than rotten eggs. The weight of the curse had already begun to weigh down on Wilbur even though he couldn't even see that he was cursed.
"You must have offended a god to be cursed like this. Even that is not this bad. It makes one wonder just what kind of life you've lived," Reagan commented.
"You….can see something, your Imperial highness? I have really lived an honest life. I've been faithful to my master all my life and I….."
"You can lie all you want. Curses like this don't come as a result of misplaced malice. You were continuously cursed by not one or two but more than ten people with the same level of malice. Although it was a spell cast by someone, it has repeatedly harnessed the curses that had been harmlessly hanging around you and brought in retribution," Reagan explained, a bit of disgust in his eyes.
"Your Imperial highness, what can I do, no, what must I do to rid myself of this dreadful curse?" Wilbur cried out, falling to his knees.
"You said….you were faithful to your master, correct? Well, let's put that faithfulness to a test, shall we?"
Wilbur left looking better after a simple spell cast by Reagan. It was a basic purification spell that priests used any time they wanted to pray or offer sacrifices.
The curse was the kind that could never be removed. Reagan could clearly see the vengeful female ghosts, two of them, hanging around his head. The curse made them more powerful and they would continue to torment him for as long as they lived. But what was the fun in telling Wilbur that? In exchange for a faithful spy at the side of the new king, he just needed to cast a few purification spells. It was perfect. But he was just curious as to who cast such a powerful spell on him in the first place and how they got the blood of a fairy.
"A-Achoo!"
"Are you cold? I'm so sorry, I didn't consider that. I would get you a thicker blanket," Marvis fussed over her, hovering around her as they walked into the huge and magnificent structure that was the Everon estate. It impressed even him that had been inside the palace for most of his life.
"You two can drop the act now. I know she's not your wife, neither is she pregnant. I happen to know who she is," Duchess Everon said from behind them. Natalia stopped and turned to glare at her.
"Even if we're nothing like that, my concern for her is not fake. With her body in such a delicate state, I cannot just turn a blind eye to it," he retorted.
"And who's fault is it that I'm in this state in the first place?" Natalia glared at him. He apologized profusely for recklessly handling her, his ears lowering. However, in Duchess Everon's mind, she was thinking something entirely different. Her curiousity only soared.
"Now that we're here, I will fulfill my promise and tell you my true identity," Natalia suddenly said.
"Is that really important right now? Your body is…."
"No, it's important. I'm not the type to go back on my promises," she firmly said. She took a deep breath and put a short distance between them.
"My….real name is Natalia Adamantine…."
"No…."
".....the Grand Duchess of the Kristen Dukedom and the deceased Queen to be, I guess. I'm sorry, Marvis," she softly said, looking at his face. The expression of betrayal she saw on his face broke something in her.
All of a sudden, he was gone. She heard a sorrowful howl come from the woods, one that cut deep into her heart. It was not her intention to hurt him but she didn't know it would be that painful.
"So you really didn't tell your lover who you were?" Duchess Everon asked, walking up on the path. Natalia followed after shortly.
"He's not my lover. We were just…. traveling together. He promised he was going to let me explain but…..I can understand, at least. How soon can I get to the palace?"
"I thought you didn't want to go early," the duchess smirked.
"I am not so gracious or patient most of the time, Duchess Everon," Natalia said in a frosty voice.
"You are no fun. It would take us two days for us to book a befitting sky tube and reach the capital station."
"Sky tube?"
"Oh, don't worry. You'll see," the Duchess grinned.